Stand-up Pouch Dosing System for Settling Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional metering devices for liquid media, especially those prone to settling, face issues such as simultaneous dosing limitations, fluid loss due to evaporation, contamination risks, and frequent maintenance needs, including clogging and replacement of components, which lead to inconsistent product compositions and waste.

Innovation Solution

A stand-up pouch with two connections arranged vertically, integrated into a container system that allows for closed-circuit homogenization without agitators, combined with a vacuum sensor and buffer container for efficient residual emptying, enabling maximum emptying and sterile conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional open storage containers are used for liquid media, then filling and access are simplified, but fluid loss due to evaporation occurs and contamination risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling and accessVSAvoidfluid loss due to evaporation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible pouch made of laminated film material to replace conventional open storage containers. The pouch is sealed to prevent evaporation and contamination while maintaining ease of filling through its integration into the dosing device. The flexible nature allows the pouch to be refilled by replacing the entire unit, combining the benefits of sealed containment with operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stability of the object's composition

If mechanical agitators are used in storage containers to prevent settling, then homogeneity is maintained, but device complexity and maintenance needs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneity of liquid mediaVSAvoidmechanical agitator mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the mechanical agitator from the storage container and relocates the mixing function to the dosing template. The dosing template includes a mixing chamber where liquid media is mixed with solid particles during the dosing process itself, rather than requiring continuous agitation during storage. This eliminates the complex mechanical agitator mechanism while maintaining homogeneity when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Device complexity

If sequential dosing of individual components is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedosing mechanismVSAvoidproduction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple dosing functions into a single integrated dosing template. The dosing template can simultaneously dose multiple liquid media and mix them with solid particles in one operation, rather than requiring separate sequential dosing steps. This merging of functions increases productivity while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If storage containers are filled from outside, then filling flexibility is improved, but contamination risks and product consistency issues increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling flexibilityVSAvoidproduct composition consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable sealed pouches that are pre-filled with liquid media. Each pouch is hermetically sealed to prevent contamination and maintain consistent product composition. When the pouch is emptied, it is replaced with a new pre-filled pouch, ensuring consistent quality without the risks associated with external filling operations. The pouch integrates into the dosing device, maintaining filling flexibility through easy replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 system ensures homogenization of settling fluids with maximum residual emptying and sterile conditions, reducing waste and maintenance while maintaining product consistency.

Implementation Method 1

the circulation of the liquid media virtually eliminates enrichment, phase separation, sedimentation, crystallization and drying of media that tends to settle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCirculation: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a vacuum sensor in the feed and/or removal line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum detection: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP3461760B1Container and device for dosing liquid media
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 SCHLITT UWE MICHAEL
  • EP3461760B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3461760B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3461760B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a stand-up pouch (1) for receiving a flowable composition with two connections (2, 3) and a container system for a flowable composition with such a stand-up pouch. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a device for volumetric metering of a flowable composition with a container system according to the invention integrated into a circuit, and to a method for mixing a color formulation.