Portion control dispenser

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensers for sauces and flowable foods lack consistency in dispensing due to varying user squeezing forces and techniques, leading to inconsistent portion sizes.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing device comprising a rigid container with a flexible bladder and a rigid stopper having through holes, where the stopper acts as a physical limit to control the dispensing amount, eliminating user variability and ensuring consistent portioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a flexible container or squeeze bladder is utilized for dispensing, then the product can be dispensed repeatedly, but the dispensing consistency deteriorates due to varying user squeezing forces and techniques

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverepeated dispensing capabilityVSAvoidportion consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of portion control from user-dependent (squeezing force and technique) to device-dependent (stopper position and hole size). The stopper with specific hole dimensions and positioning creates consistent portion sizes regardless of user variation, resolving the contradiction between repeated dispensing capability and portion consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If no portion control mechanism is used, then the dispensing operation is simple, but the portion size control precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing simplicityVSAvoidportion size control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper mechanism serves itself by automatically limiting the portion size through its physical presence and hole configuration. The user simply squeezes the bladder and the stopper self-regulates the flow, combining ease of operation with precise portion control without requiring user skill or adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If a rigid stopper with through holes is introduced to control portioning, then portion consistency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveportion consistencyVSAvoiddispenser structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible bladder in combination with a simple rigid stopper. The flexible bladder absorbs the complexity of deformation and refilling, while the stopper remains a simple cylindrical component with holes. This combination achieves precise portion control without significantly increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS11225370B2Portion control dispenser

Publication Date: 2022.01.18 TOPPAN THERMOFORMED PACKAGING HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

The invention is directed to a dispensing device comprising a rigid container, a flexible bladder, and a rigid stopper. The container is adapted to contain a product to be dispensed. The flexible bladder is disposed below and in fluid communication with the container. The bladder comprises a top end, a sidewall extending downwardly from the top end and terminates in a spout. The bladder is in a liquid tight engagement with the container and the product contained in the container is adapted to flow into the bladder. The rigid stopper is disposed within the flexible bladder and comprises a top end, and at least one sidewall extending downwardly from the top end, and terminates in an open bottom end. The stopper comprises a plurality of through holes.