Multiple dosing device and magazine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for measuring and mixing additives with fluids, such as baby formula milk powder, are cumbersome and inaccurate, leading to potential deterioration due to exposure to air and improper wetting before use.

Innovation Solution

A multiple dosing device with a magazine system that includes moveable tubes for additives, controlled by push buttons, ensuring precise dosing and protection from moisture until use, compatible with various additives and adaptable for different brewing devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additive is stored in a can and measured by hand, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is poor and the additive deteriorates due to air exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additive container is divided into multiple separate tubes, each containing a pre-measured dose of additive. This segmentation allows for precise dosing without complex measurement mechanisms, as each tube represents a ready-to-use portion with accurate quantity control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additive is pre-measured and pre-packaged into individual tubes before use. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex dosing mechanisms during operation, as the precise measurement is already completed during manufacturing, thereby improving dosing accuracy without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If additive is stored in a can and exposed to air, then the device complexity is low, but the additive deteriorates due to moisture and air exposure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditive stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additive is divided into multiple sealed tubes, each hermetically sealed to prevent contact with air and moisture. This segmentation provides reliable protection against deterioration while maintaining relatively simple device structure, as the sealing function is built into the tube design rather than requiring complex protective systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each tube provides an inert, sealed environment for the additive, isolating it from harmful air and moisture exposure. This creates a protective atmosphere around each dose without requiring the entire device to be complex, as the inert environment is achieved through simple tube sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Measurement precision

If multiple types of magazines are used for different additives, then the measurement precision can be optimized for each additive, but the ease of manufacture and handling decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The magazine is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate tubes of different additives through a standardized tube holder and through-opening system. This universality allows the same magazine design to handle various additives with consistent precision, eliminating the need to manufacture multiple specialized magazine types for different additives.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If tubes are fixed in the magazine, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation decreases when tube activation is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetube activationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tubes are designed to be movable within the magazine rather than fixed, allowing them to be easily pushed or pulled out as needed. This dynamic arrangement enables simple tube activation and replacement operations without requiring complex locking or release mechanisms, maintaining low device complexity while improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3250089B1Multiple dosing device and magazine
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 EKBERG EMBALLAGE AB
  • EP3250089B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3250089B1 patent drawingFigure 4
  • EP3250089B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention concerns a multiple dosing device and magazine for releasing one or more doses of additive. The multiple dosing device comprises a magazine (1) having a number of through openings (10),each receiving a tube (2), containing a dose of additive. The through openings (10) and tubes (2) extended axially between two opposite ends of the magazine (1).The tubes (2) are arranged moveable in an axial direction inside respective through opening (10).Each tube (2) has a pointed lower end (14).An upper foil (3) and a lower foil (4) are placed adhered to the opposite ends of the magazine (1).The ends of the tubes (2) are placed abutting or adjacent the upper and lower foils (3, 4), respectively. The multiple dosing device further comprises an activation part (5, 24) with push buttons (6, 26), which push buttons (6, 26) are placed for controlling the axial position of one tube (2) each.