Additive delivery systems and containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing systems for beverages fail to combine filtration and additive delivery in a compact, portable format, making them unsuitable for sports bottles and requiring elaborate and expensive setups.

Innovation Solution

A compact filtering and additive delivery system that integrates a modular additive container, allowing for metered delivery of flavor or supplements to a stream of base liquid while maintaining consistent flow direction, using a combination of upper and lower cap assemblies with a filter and additive module that can be easily swapped, ensuring uniform mixing and uni-directional flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pre-mix systems are used to dispense additives into base liquid, then additive delivery is achieved, but the system becomes elaborate and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadditive deliveryVSAvoiddispensing system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the additive delivery function into separate components: a removable cartridge containing the additive and a dispenser body. This segmentation allows the additive cartridge to be easily replaced while keeping the main dispenser structure simple and reusable, reducing overall system complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser body is designed to accommodate multiple different additive cartridges through a universal interface. This multi-functionality allows a single dispenser to deliver various additives by simply changing cartridges, eliminating the need for multiple specialized dispensing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If elaborate dispensing systems are used for additive delivery, then additive delivery functionality is achieved, but portability and compactness are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadditive deliveryVSAvoidcontainer size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the system into a compact reusable dispenser and small replaceable cartridges, the overall volume is reduced. The cartridges can be made very compact since they only need to hold concentrated additive, not large volumes of finished beverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses disposable or replaceable additive cartridges that can be manufactured compactly and economically. These short-living components are optimized for small size and ease of replacement, enabling portable application without sacrificing additive delivery functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If filtration and additive delivery are combined in portable containers, then functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges filtration and additive delivery functions into a single integrated dispenser unit. The filter is incorporated into the dispenser body, and additive cartridges are designed to work in conjunction with the filter, combining multiple functions without requiring separate complex systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser body serves multiple functions: it houses the filter, provides the dispensing mechanism, and accepts various additive cartridges. This multi-functionality achieves high adaptability while keeping the overall structure relatively simple through shared components and a modular design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and adaptable filtration and additive delivery in portable containers, allowing users to change flavors or supplements easily, while maintaining product freshness and safety, and is compatible with both sports bottles and disposable containers.

Implementation Method 1

The delivery tube may include a venturi structure that draws the additive concentrate from the container into the stream of base liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

The delivery tube may include a mixing structure downstream of the venturi structure to mix the additive concentrate with the stream of base liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulent mixing: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS11213159B2Additive delivery systems and containers

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 CIRKUL INC

AI summary

A compact filtering and additive delivery system which is readily adaptable to a portable container, such as a sports bottle, and receives a modular additive container for the metered delivery of additive, such as flavor concentrate, to a stream of base liquid as the base liquid is drawn or dispensed from the container. The modular additive container configuration on the delivery system allows a consumer/user to experience different additives, such as different flavors or supplement compositions, for a given supply of base liquid, such as water, stored in the container. The system may be readily used with off-the-shelf containers, such as disposable water bottles. An additive container configuration provides modular additive delivery system as described herein.