Pierceable Hopper Container for Clean Bulk Powder Refilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee powder refill containers for beverage machines suffer from significant powder loss, dusting, contamination risks, aroma loss, and lump formation during refilling, and are often non-reusable, leading to hygiene issues and suboptimal beverage quality.
Innovation Solution
A container with a closed vessel, a hopper for easy unloading, and a pierceable cover that allows for gravity-fed refilling without atmospheric contact, using lightweight, recyclable materials like laminated paper and plastic, and a funnel-shaped design for seamless integration with machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If powder is transferred from disposable bags to refillable tanks using conventional methods, then refilling can be performed, but significant powder loss and dusting occur during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a specialized refilling device that acts as an intermediary between the disposable bag and the refillable tank. This device includes a receiving chamber that accepts the disposable bag and a transfer mechanism that moves powder through a controlled pathway, preventing direct pouring and minimizing powder loss and dusting during transfer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pouring action with a controlled transfer mechanism. This mechanism uses gravity-assisted flow through chutes and controlled openings to move powder from the receiving chamber to the tank, eliminating the uncontrolled mechanical motion that causes powder scattering and loss.
2Ease of operation
If powder is transferred by pouring from bags to tanks, then refilling is achieved, but hygiene problems and contamination risks increase due to air contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a controlled environment within the refilling device that minimizes air contact with the powder. The transfer mechanism operates in a enclosed pathway, and the receiving chamber is designed to maintain a barrier between the powder and the external atmosphere, reducing oxidation and contamination risks for air-sensitive powders.
Solution Approach 2:
The refilling device serves as an intermediary that mediates the transfer process in a controlled manner. It includes sealed connections and controlled opening mechanisms that allow powder transfer while maintaining hygiene barriers, preventing direct exposure to environmental contaminants during the refilling operation.
3Weight of moving object
If disposable bags are used for refilling, then light weight containers are provided, but the containers cannot be reused after refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into two distinct parts: a lightweight disposable bag for storage and transport, and a durable refillable tank for repeated use. The disposable bag is emptied into the tank through the refilling device, allowing the bag to be discarded while the tank is reused multiple times, combining the advantages of light weight and reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable bags made from lightweight, inexpensive materials for the initial storage and transport of powder. These bags are designed for single-use refilling operations, after which they are discarded. The expensive, durable tank is refilled repeatedly from these disposable bags, optimizing the balance between cost, weight, and reusability.
4Productivity
If conventional refilling methods are used, then powder can be transferred, but aroma loss occurs due to contact and stirring with air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces violent mechanical stirring and pouring actions with a gentle, controlled flow mechanism. Powder moves through smooth chutes and controlled openings under gravity, minimizing turbulent mixing with air that would cause aroma volatilization. The transfer maintains powder integrity and preserves volatile aromatic compounds.
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 container minimizes powder loss and contamination, maintains aroma, and allows for quick, clean refilling of machines without breaking the machine's tuning, using reusable and lightweight materials.
Implementation Method 1
the opening of which breaks when it comes in contact with the opening of the tank so that the bulk material can flow from inside the container into the tank
Implementation Method 2
a hopper for enabling the bulk material to flow by gravity into a receptacle placed at the opened extremity of the vessel
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~4b
AI summary
The present invention relates to a container (1) for storing and unloading bulk material comprising : - a vessel (2) presenting a closed extremity (3) and an opened extremity (4), - a hopper (5) tapering to a discharge outlet (6), said hopper being placed inside the vessel (2), and - a pierceable cover (7) closing the extremity of the discharge outlet (6) and of the opened extremity (4) of the vessel (2). The invention relates also to a tank to be refilled by said container and a method for refilling the tank with the container.