Ingredient Container Sealing Valve for Beverage Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional beverage dispensing devices face issues with contamination and waste production due to inadequate cleaning methods and the need for specialized containers, which lead to mess and excess plastic waste.
Innovation Solution
The development of ingredient containers with a hollow interior, featuring a cap with inlet and outlet valves, and a figure-8 shaped projection, designed for snap-fit coupling, which allows for precise control of fluid flow and minimizes waste by using a carriage system for secure retention and efficient dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional beverage dispensing devices crush or puncture flavoring containers to access flavoring compounds, then the flavoring can be dispensed, but splatter and mess occur requiring thorough cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful puncturing action from the system by using a valve mechanism instead. The valve allows controlled dispensing of flavoring compounds through a sealed opening, eliminating the splatter and mess associated with crushing or puncturing containers while maintaining access to the flavoring compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve acts as an intermediary between the flavoring container and the dispensing system. It provides a controlled interface that allows flavoring compounds to be transferred without direct contact or forceful breaching, thereby preventing splatter and mess while enabling efficient dispensing.
2Reliability
If specialized containers are produced to interface with beverage dispensing devices, then secure retention and efficient dispensing are achieved, but excess plastic waste is created
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies universality by designing a standardized valve interface that can work with various container types and sizes. This allows the same dispensing mechanism to accommodate different flavoring containers without requiring specialized container designs, thereby reducing plastic waste while maintaining secure retention and efficient dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the dispensing system into modular components: a standardized valve mechanism and interchangeable containers. This segmentation allows containers to be designed for their primary function (holding flavoring) without needing specialized interface features, reducing material usage while maintaining reliable connection and dispensing through the standardized valve interface.
3Ease of operation
If flavoring containers are compromised to access flavoring compounds, then dispensing is enabled, but contamination can occur over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the harmful compromising action from the system by using an intact valve mechanism. The valve remains sealed until intentionally opened for dispensing, preventing contamination that would occur with crushing or puncturing methods. The flavoring container maintains its structural integrity throughout use.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve serves as a protective intermediary that maintains the seal of the flavoring container until dispensing is required. It provides a controlled access point that prevents contamination by keeping the flavoring compounds isolated from the external environment until the moment of intentional dispensing.
Data Source
AI summary
Containers for use in a beverage system are provided. The containers include a container body defining an interior hollow chamber, and having an opening leading to the interior hollow chamber, and a cap covering the opening. The cap has an inlet port with an inlet valve seated therein and movable between a closed configuration for preventing passage of fluid there through, and an open configuration for allowing passage of fluid there through. The cap also has an outlet port having an outlet valve seated therein and movable between a closed configuration for preventing passage of fluid there through, and an open configuration for allowing passage of fluid there through. The cap has a collar positioned around the inlet port, the collar has an inner surface with at least a portion configured to circumferentially engage a seal having an outer diameter in a range of about 7 mm to 8 mm.