Selectively sealable liner for a vessel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional fluid dispensing assemblies for beverages are complex, costly, and lack tamper-resistance and effective sealing mechanisms, leading to increased manpower for cleaning and potential unsanitary conditions due to reusable components.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, disposable, tamper-resistant, and selectively sealable liner assembly with a friction cuff and integrated closure mechanism that provides a permanent connection between the liner, tube, and cuff, minimizing components and ensuring a liquid-tight seal, and includes a flow operator for controlled dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional plastic bag assemblies with releasable connections are used, then the assembly can be reused, but this leads to unsanitary conditions and lacks tamper-resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a disposable liner assembly that is discarded after single use, eliminating sanitation concerns associated with reusable components. The liner includes a spout permanently sealed to the bag, with no releasable connections that could be exploited for reuse attempts. This disposable approach ensures tamper-resistance while maintaining simplicity in the overall system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout is permanently heat-sealed to the bag in a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate fitment pieces and releasable connections. This merging of components reduces the total number of parts, simplifies manufacturing, and prevents tampering by removing interfaces that could be manipulated for reuse.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional bag assemblies with multiple components are used, then the spout can be physically separated from the fitment, but this increases material costs and complexity of installation and manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The spout and bag are permanently heat-sealed together as a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate fitment pieces, connectors, and releasable mechanisms. This reduces the component count from multiple separate parts to a unified assembly, simplifying both manufacturing and installation while maintaining functional integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The permanently sealed spout design serves multiple functions: it provides a permanent seal to prevent tampering, eliminates the need for separate fitment components, and maintains fluid dispensing functionality. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity while preserving adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If the top of traditional bags is closed by folding or bunching, then the bag can be sealed, but this fails to provide an effective seal and does not offer food defense
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is extracted from manual folding or bunching operations and replaced with an integrated heat-sealed spout design. The spout is permanently sealed to the bag through heat sealing, creating a reliable, tamper-evident closure that prevents contamination while maintaining ease of operation during normal dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing method transitions from mechanical folding or bunching to thermal heat sealing. This parameter change in the sealing process creates a permanent, effective seal that provides food defense and tamper resistance, while the spout remains easily operable for dispensing through its valve mechanism.
4Loss of substance
If reusable components are used in dispensing assemblies, then material costs may be reduced, but increased manpower is required for cleaning and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The liner assembly is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and maintenance operations. While individual liners are inexpensive, their single-use nature removes the labor burden of cleaning, thereby improving overall productivity in food service environments.
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 solution reduces material costs, simplifies installation, and enhances sanitation by eliminating reusable components, providing a tamper-resistant and efficient dispensing system that minimizes contact between the vessel and liquid, facilitating easy cleaning and reducing the risk of contamination.
Implementation Method 1
The liner may be selectively sealed at the top by a heat seal
Implementation Method 2
friction cuff and integrated closure mechanism that provides a permanent connection between the liner, tube, and cuff
Data Source
AI summary
A beverage system may include a beverage maker, a vessel, and a liner assembly. The liner assembly may comprise a liner configured for the vessel, an integrated closure mechanism, a flexible tube; and a cuff having an interlock surface. The cuff may be received in at least a portion of the tube thereby securing the liner and the tube. The interlock surface may be configured to provide a first seal between at least the cuff and the liner. The integrated closure mechanism may be configured to provide a second seal on an upper portion of the liner. A method of using same is further provided.