Pierceable Cleaning Agent Container for Spill-Free Beverage System Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning agent containers for beverage dispensing devices face challenges in ensuring simple and safe handling, particularly in preventing spills and ensuring proper integration with the dispensing system, while maintaining hygiene by preventing cleaning agent contact with liquid food items.
Innovation Solution
A closed cleaning agent container with laterally arranged connection terminals featuring pierceable closures, allowing for secure insertion and drainage, and optional air supply to prevent vacuum formation, ensuring leak-proof operation and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cleaning agent container is opened for access, then the cleaning agent can be conveyed out, but cleaning agent may leak or be spilled during insertion or removal
Solution Approach 1:
The container is pre-sealed with a pierceable closure before insertion. The piercing action occurs automatically during insertion, so the container is opened at the precise moment needed, eliminating the risk of spillage during handling while still allowing access for cleaning agent conveyance.
Solution Approach 2:
A pierceable closure (film or diaphragm) acts as an intermediary between the sealed container and the piercing device. This closure can be cleanly pierced by a mandrel to create an opening, serving as a safe transition state that prevents spillage while enabling access.
2Productivity
If the cleaning agent container is completely drained, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but cleaning agent may leak through the piercing channel during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The pierceable closure is removed (pierced) to enable complete drainage of the container. Once the container is empty, the closure remains in place or can be replaced, preventing any leakage during removal. The extraction of the closure enables the desired complete drainage without creating permanent openings that would cause leaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The pierceable closure is designed to be pierced before drainage begins. This preliminary piercing action creates a controlled opening that allows complete drainage while maintaining the ability to seal the container during removal, preventing leaks.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the cleaning agent container is sealed for safety, then spillage is prevented, but vacuum formation may occur during cleaning agent removal
Solution Approach 1:
A pierceable closure acts as an intermediary that can be selectively opened. During drainage, the closure is pierced to allow cleaning agent removal. During removal of the container, the closure can be resealed or a second closure prevents vacuum formation, mediating between the need for sealed storage and the need for pressure equalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system is segmented into multiple functional regions: a first pierceable closure for enabling drainage, and potentially a second pierceable closure for air supply. This segmentation allows different parts of the closure system to perform different functions - one enabling complete drainage while another prevents vacuum formation during removal.
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
The solution enables safe and efficient handling of cleaning agents, preventing spills and ensuring complete drainage, while maintaining hygiene by preventing cleaning agent contact with food items, and allowing for easy integration with the dispensing system.
Implementation Method 1
The piercing occurs preferably during or after the insertion process of the cleaning agent container into the beverage dispensing device. Through the piercing channel and/or the mandrel by which the closure is pierced the cleaning agent can be conveyed
Implementation Method 2
Through the piercing channel and/or the mandrel by which the closure is pierced the cleaning agent can be conveyed by a cleaning agent pump out of the cleaning agent container
Implementation Method 3
the first piercing region ends in a discharge line leading to the base of the cleaning agent container. This way it is ensured that the cleaning agent is suctioned, on the one hand, from the base area of the container
Implementation Method 4
the connection terminal includes a second piercing region, also provided with a pierceable closure, which ends in the upper region of the cleaning agent container. This second piercing region can also be pierced by a mandrel during or after the insertion process of the cleaning agent container into the beverage dispensing device in order to allow air to be supplied to the cleaning agent container
Data Source
AI summary
In order to provide simple and safe handling of cleaning agents in a drink dispensing device with an integrated cleaning system, a cleaning agent container is disclosed which is designed as a container (1) that is closed on all sides and comprises a connection terminal (4) arranged laterally on the container. This connection terminal (4) includes a first piercing region (7a) that is provided with a pierceable closure (13, 8a) and fluidically communicates with the base region of the container (1).