Resilient Membrane Dispensing Assembly for Aseptic Liquid Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing systems for liquids like milk in drinks machines often lead to unhygienic conditions due to bacterial buildup from regular topping up rather than thorough washing, as the short shelf life of liquids necessitates frequent refilling and topping up rather than complete emptying and cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing assembly featuring a resilient membrane with a ring member and a hollow connecting member that securely engages with the membrane to open, allowing liquid access and subsequent dispensing, while ensuring easy cleaning and aseptic conditions by automatically closing when detached, and featuring bayonet fittings and a plug member for secure attachment and detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If liquid containers are regularly topped up rather than emptied and washed, then productivity is maintained, but unhygienic conditions and bacterial buildup occur
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing assembly is divided into separable components: a container portion and a dispensing portion. This segmentation allows the container to be easily removed and replaced, enabling thorough cleaning of the dispensing assembly without needing to empty and wash the entire system frequently. The separable design maintains productivity while preventing bacterial buildup through easier sanitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the container from the dispensing machine as a separate, removable component. By taking the container out as a distinct element that can be easily detached and replaced, the system allows for complete removal and disposal of liquid containers, eliminating the need for frequent washing of the main dispensing unit and preventing bacterial accumulation in hard-to-clean areas.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a resilient membrane automatically closes to maintain hygiene, then aseptic conditions are maintained, but access to liquid requires additional mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient membrane is designed to automatically close and seal the container opening through its own elastic properties when not in use. The membrane's self-service nature eliminates the need for complex control mechanisms, motors, or sensors to maintain the sealed state. The membrane naturally returns to its closed position due to its resilient material properties, maintaining aseptic conditions without additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient membrane acts as an intermediary element between the container interior and exterior environment. It provides a flexible barrier that can be passively opened by the dispensing assembly and automatically returns to a sealed closed state, mediating between the need for liquid access and contamination prevention without requiring active control systems.
3Reliability
If bayonet fittings are used for secure attachment, then reliability of connection is improved, but ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet fitting mechanism incorporates dynamic elements that allow for quick engagement and disengagement through simple rotational motion. The connection transitions from an unlocked to a locked state through a brief rotating action, providing secure attachment without requiring complex multi-step procedures. This dynamic mechanism maintains reliability while improving operational speed compared to threaded or snap-fit alternatives.
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 dispensing assembly maintains aseptic conditions by allowing for regular cleaning of the system, preventing bacterial buildup and ensuring hygiene through automatic closure of the membrane when not in use, and facilitates easy access and dispensing of liquids from containers like bag-in-box systems.
Implementation Method 1
a resilient membrane with an opening configuration such that in a rest position the opening configuration will remain closed
Implementation Method 2
a hollow projecting member which when the connecting member is secured to a ring member mounted on such a container, engages with the resilient member so as to urge the opening therein to an open position to permit liquid in the container to pass into the connecting member
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing assembly for a liquid container including a ring part configured to be mounted to a liquid container, a resilient member positioned in the ring part to be in contact with the liquid contents of the liquid container, a ring member mountable to the ring part to secure the resilient member to the ring part, and a hollow connecting member with an outlet. The connecting member is releasably securable to the ring member and includes a hollow projecting member which, when the connecting member is secured to the ring member, engages the resilient member so as to urge an opening in the resilient member to permit liquid in the container to pass into the connecting member and subsequently out through the outlet.