Ingredient container valve control
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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 and precise fluid control, which minimizes contamination and waste by allowing for accurate dosing and efficient dispensing of additives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional beverage dispensing devices use crushing or puncturing methods to access flavoring containers, then the flavoring compounds can be accessed, but it results in splatter and mess that requires thorough cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a controlled dispensing mechanism with a valve and nozzle system that acts as an intermediary between the flavoring container and the dispensing point. This controlled interface prevents direct contact and splatter by channeling the flavoring through a regulated path, eliminating the mess associated with crushing or puncturing methods
2Productivity
If specialized containers are used for carbonating water within a specialized container, then the beverage can be served, but it creates excess plastic waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the beverage dispensing function from the container. The specialized carbonating container is replaced by a standard container paired with an attachable dispensing device. This segmentation allows the container to be any standard type (reducing plastic waste) while the dispensing device provides the specialized carbonation and serving functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing device is designed to interface with standard containers rather than requiring specialized containers. This universal interface allows the same dispensing mechanism to work with various container types, eliminating the need for single-use specialized containers and reducing plastic waste while maintaining beverage serving capability
3Productivity
If conventional devices mix carbonated water and flavoring compounds in a machine, then the beverage can be dispensed, but contamination occurs over time unless thoroughly cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the flavoring compound storage and dispensing from the main beverage mixing chamber. The flavoring is contained in a separate, sealed container that is opened only at the moment of dispensing. This extraction prevents contamination by isolating the flavoring from the mixing environment until it is needed, eliminating the need for thorough cleaning of mixing chambers
Data Source
AI summary
Containers are provided and include a container body having an opening extending into a hollow interior, and a cap extending across the opening. The cap has an inlet port with an inlet valve configured to couple to a fluid source such that fluid can be delivered through the inlet valve to pressurized the hollow interior of the container body. The cap also has an outlet port with an outlet valve having a cracking pressure at which the outlet valve is configured to move from a closed configuration to an open configuration to dispense fluid from the hollow interior, and a closing pressure at which the outlet valve is configured to move from the open configuration to the closed configuration to prevent fluid from passing therethrough. The cracking pressure is greater than the closing pressure.