Multi-chamber Pouch with Bubble Valves for Liquid Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional packaging solutions for liquids in the food, beverage, and personal care industries are not fully flexible, lacking a complete transition from rigid to flexible formats, which limits functionality, sustainability, and cost efficiency, especially in e-commerce, and fails to provide effective flow control and re-closure mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a pair of bubble valves in tandem within a flexible pouch structure, allowing for the simultaneous dispensing of multiple liquids with adjustable flow rates, accommodating different viscosities and specific blends, such as in epoxy or cake decorating applications, by using customizable bubble valve configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rigid bottles or tubes with rigid fitments are used for liquid containment, then flow control and re-closure functionality are provided, but flexibility and material efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid bottles and fitments with a flexible pouch structure containing integrated bubble valves. The pouch is made of flexible material that can be compressed and manipulated, while the bubble valves provide the necessary flow control and re-closure functionality through their collapsible bubble mechanism that opens under pressure and seals when pressure is released.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the container body and the flow control mechanism into a single integrated flexible pouch structure. The bubble valves are directly formed within the pouch material, eliminating the need for separate rigid fitments and caps. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining functionality.
2Productivity
If multiple rigid components are used for dispensing control, then precise flow control is achieved, but material efficiency and cost are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pouch with integrated bubble valves uses minimal material compared to traditional rigid bottle-and-cap assemblies. The thin flexible material allows for precise flow control through the bubble valve mechanism without requiring additional rigid components, thereby reducing material consumption and waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pouch structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the container body, the dispensing mechanism, and the flow control system through the integrated bubble valves. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall material usage while maintaining precise flow control capability.
3Strength
If traditional rigid packaging is used, then structural strength is maintained, but sustainability and operational efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pouch provides sufficient structural strength through its material properties and design to protect the contents during handling and transport. The flexibility allows for efficient stacking and space utilization in e-commerce shipping, improving operational efficiency and sustainability by reducing packaging material and improving logistics.
4Ease of operation
If rigid fitments are used for dispensing, then flow control mechanism is provided, but complete flexibility transition is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble valves are directly formed within the flexible pouch material through sealing processes, merging the flow control mechanism with the container body. This integration eliminates the need for separate rigid fitments and simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining ease of operation through the intuitive squeeze-to-dispense mechanism.
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
Enables precise and balanced dispensing of multiple liquids from a single pouch, enhancing functionality, sustainability, and cost reduction through material efficiency and improved performance in e-commerce packaging.
Implementation Method 1
a bubble valve, protruding element valve, or pressure actuated valve is provided for each storage volume
Implementation Method 2
The present disclosure relates to pouches or packages with at least two separate storage volumes
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to pouches or packages with at least two separate storage volumes, wherein a bubble valve, protruding element valve or pressure actuated valve is provided for each storage volume. The two bubble valves may be presented in parallel configuration, angled slightly toward each other, or at right angles to each other. The bubble valves may also have different sized openings in order to adjust the proportion of products mixed and to adjust for differing viscosities.