Pierceable Closure Valve for Aseptic Fluid Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closure systems for flexible fluid containers, such as bag-in-box systems, lack an efficient and cost-effective method for aseptic sealing and easy dispensing of fluid products, particularly in scenarios requiring vacuum pressure for fluid removal.
Innovation Solution
A closure assembly comprising a housing with a fluid passageway, a flexible valve, and a retention member that secures a piercing element for locking in place, allowing for easy connection to a dispensing system and forming a seal with a pierceable membrane, enabling aseptic fluid extraction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a closure system uses a simple spout connection for flexible containers, then ease of manufacture and device simplicity are improved, but aseptic sealing capability and reliability are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The closure assembly is divided into separate functional components: a spout for basic connection, a pierceable membrane for sealing, and a valve mechanism for controlled dispensing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity and manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pierceable membrane is pre-configured in the closure assembly before use, creating a sterile barrier that maintains aseptic conditions until the moment of piercing. This preliminary preparation of the sealing interface enables reliable aseptic dispensing without complex sterilization systems.
2Productivity
If a closure system uses vacuum pressure for fluid removal, then productivity and dispensing efficiency are improved, but the complexity of the closure assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is designed to automatically respond to vacuum pressure applied through the spout. When vacuum is applied, the valve opens automatically to allow fluid removal without requiring additional control mechanisms, maintaining simplicity while enabling efficient vacuum dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed to change its state (open/closed) in response to changes in pressure parameters. This allows the system to leverage the vacuum pressure parameter directly for controlled dispensing without adding complex control systems.
3Reliability
If a closure assembly includes a pierceable membrane and valve mechanism, then aseptic sealing and controlled dispensing are improved, but ease of operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing action is extracted as a separate, simple motion that punctures the membrane and activates the valve. This separates the sealing function (membrane) from the dispensing function (valve), allowing each to be operated independently with simple actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed with dynamic characteristics that allow it to transition smoothly between closed and open states in response to the piercing action and vacuum pressure, making the operation intuitive and easy to control.
4Ease of operation
If a closure system uses a fitment or spout for fluid communication, then ease of connection to dispensing systems is improved, but sealing reliability under vacuum pressure is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The spout and pierceable membrane are merged into an integrated closure assembly where the membrane provides the sealing interface at the spout opening. This combination maintains the ease of spout connection while adding the reliability of a positive sealing barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure assembly uses composite construction with the spout providing mechanical connection and the pierceable membrane providing hermetic sealing. This composite approach combines the advantages of both components to achieve both ease of connection and sealing reliability.
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 closure assembly provides a cost-effective and efficient means for aseptic sealing and dispensing of fluid products, allowing for easy connection and quick fluid extraction using a piercer that locks in place, suitable for multiple uses and easy manufacturing.
Implementation Method 1
a piercing element having a first end that is configured to puncture the valve and the membrane
Implementation Method 2
the retention member has locking elements that engage the piercing element to lock the piercing element in place with respect to the assembly
Implementation Method 3
The valve may form a seal on the piercer when the piercer is inserted through the valve
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a closure assembly for connection to a spout in fluid communication with a container. The closure assembly includes a housing configured to be secured to the spout and including a fluid passageway and a piercable membrane in the fluid passageway. The closure assembly includes a retention member configured to be secured to the housing and a flexible valve that is positioned in the fluid passageway of the housing and that is secured to the housing by the retention member. The closure assembly is configured to receive a piercing element that extends into the housing such that the piercing member can pierce the valve and the membrane, and the retention member has locking elements that engage the piercing element to lock the piercing element in place with respect to the assembly.