Disposable Shaker Bag Mixing Assembly with Integrated Spout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing containers and mixing devices are not ideal for mixing two-component compositions, such as pharmaceuticals and food products, as they require multiple containers and utensils to be cleaned and sterilized, are not portable, and often result in clumping issues when adding liquids to powders, leading to contamination and inaccurate measurements.

Innovation Solution

A disposable shaker bag mixing assembly with a spout of at least 15 mm internal diameter, featuring a collapsible or retractable mixing device that allows for pre-measured powdered ingredients to be mixed with a liquid component, preventing clumping and facilitating easy mixing without the need for additional cleaning or sterilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional containers and mixing devices are used, then mixing can be achieved, but multiple containers and utensils must be cleaned and sterilized

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesterilityVSAvoidcleaning and sterilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a disposable mixing bag that is discarded after single use, eliminating the need for cleaning and sterilization of containers. The bag is designed to be used once and then disposed of, ensuring sterility without requiring repeated cleaning cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing bag integrates multiple functions into a single device: it serves as the container for powdered ingredients, the mixing chamber, and the dispensing vessel. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate containers and utensils that would otherwise require cleaning and sterilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If liquid is added to powder in conventional containers, then mixing occurs, but clumping and lumps form

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovemixingVSAvoidhomogeneity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing bag features a rounded bottom surface without flat areas or corners where material can settle and form lumps. This curved geometry ensures that liquid flows uniformly across the powder and that mixed material cannot accumulate in stagnant zones, preventing clump formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The bag includes an integrated mixing device that generates mechanical vibration or agitation when liquid is added. This vibration helps break up emerging clumps and maintains homogeneous mixing by keeping particles in constant motion throughout the liquid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

3Quantity of substance

If conventional packaging is used for powdered ingredients, then storage is achieved, but exact measurement is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepowdered ingredientsVSAvoidmeasurement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The powdered ingredients are pre-measured and sealed in the mixing bag during manufacturing with precise weight control. This preliminary measurement action eliminates the need for consumer measurement, ensuring exact dosing while maintaining storage stability of the powdered ingredients.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Stability of the object's composition

If separate containers are used for two-component compositions, then stability is maintained, but portability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovestabilityVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the powdered ingredient container and the mixing chamber into a single portable bag. The pre-measured powder is sealed in the bag, which then serves as the mixing vessel when liquid is added, eliminating the need to carry multiple separate containers while maintaining product stability until use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 provides a convenient, portable, and accurate mixing system that avoids clumping and contamination, reduces the need for multiple containers, and maintains product stability by allowing the addition of liquids to powders without clumping, enhancing consumer convenience and reducing waste.

Implementation Method 1

the spout has an internal diameter of at least 15 millimeters... featuring a collapsible or retractable mixing device that allows for pre-measured powdered ingredients to be mixed with a liquid component, preventing clumping and facilitating easy mixing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentUS9821284B2Shaker bag mixing assembly

Publication Date: 2017.11.21 JOHNS GARRY PATRICK

AI summary

A mixing assembly includes a bag of appropriate size, configuration, shape and material and a closable spout that may have extensions of various lengths, shapes and configurations to provide enhanced mixing of a component contained in the bag upon the addition of a second component. Once the closure of the spout is removed, the second component, typically a liquid such as water, milk, juice, chemical, oil substrate, or the like, can be added to the container for mixing. After the closure is refitted, the two components are mixed then consumed or dispensed, either by removing the closure or from a separate spout or nozzle fitted to the closure.