Viscous Substance Metering Apparatus with Segmented Flow Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing apparatuses for metering and dispensing viscous substances often introduce air bubbles and lack precision, affecting the accuracy of dosing in pharmaceutical applications.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with a supply flow path branching into metering and dispensing flow paths, featuring movable valves and pistons that allow for pressurization and precise control of viscous substance dispensing, minimizing air bubble formation and ensuring accurate dosing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If prior art systems meter and dispense viscous fluids using conventional apparatuses, then the dispensing process can be performed, but air bubbles are created during metering and dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of dosingVSAvoidair bubble formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the fluid path into separate metering and dispensing flow paths, allowing the metering piston to draw fluid through a filter while the dispensing piston delivers fluid through a needle. This segmentation prevents air bubble formation by keeping the metering and dispensing operations in separate, controlled environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A filter is introduced as an intermediary component in the metering flow path between the fluid reservoir and the metering piston. This filter acts as a mediator that removes air bubbles and contaminants from the viscous fluid before it enters the metering chamber, ensuring bubble-free dosing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If conventional apparatuses are used for metering viscous substances, then the process can be performed, but precision and accuracy of dosing are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of meteringVSAvoidaccuracy of dosing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces conventional mechanical metering mechanisms with a dual-piston system that uses controlled fluid pressure and sealed chambers. The metering piston draws a precise volume through a filter, and the dispensing piston delivers that exact volume through a needle, eliminating the dosing accuracy problems of traditional mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameters of the metering process by using a filter to modify the fluid flow characteristics and by controlling the pressure differentials across the metering and dispensing pistons. This allows for precise metering of viscous fluids that would be difficult to dose accurately with conventional apparatuses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If a simple dispensing system is used, then the device complexity is low, but the system cannot minimize air bubble formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair bubble formationVSAvoidcomplexity of flow path structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the metering and dispensing functions into a single integrated apparatus with shared components (fluid reservoir, valves, pistons). While the internal flow paths are complex, the external structure remains relatively simple, and the merged design allows the filter to serve both metering and bubble removal functions simultaneously.

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 apparatus effectively reduces air bubble formation and enhances the accuracy of viscous substance dispensing, ensuring precise metering and dosing of viscous substances into capsules.

Implementation Method 1

the metering piston is configured to be moved from the unloaded position to the loaded position solely by the pressurized substance in the metering flow path pressing on the metering piston

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a dispensing piston movable between a retracted position in which the dispensing piston is disposed outside of the dispensing valve and an extended position in which the dispensing piston extends through the dispensing valve into the second dispensing flow path to dispense the predetermined amount of the viscous substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS11326922B2Apparatus for metering and dispensing viscous substance

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 AKER BIOMARINE HUMAN INGREDIENTS AS

AI summary

An apparatus for metering and dispensing a predetermined amount of a viscous substance includes an inlet fluidly connected to a supply flow path that branches into a metering flow path and a first dispensing flow path which branches into a second dispensing flow path that is angled relative to the first dispensing flow path. The apparatus also includes a supply valve disposed in the supply flow path, a dispensing valve disposed in the first dispensing flow path and the second dispensing flow path, a metering piston disposed in the metering flow path, and a dispensing piston. A method of metering and dispensing a volume of a viscous substance is also provided.