Adaptable Fluid Management System
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
A versatile system for managing fluid levels and flow rates in various industrial, medical, and laboratory settings, leveraging the core technology of the baby bottle device to provide innovative solutions for diverse applications.
Background and Problem Solved
The original baby bottle device patent addressed the need for a safe and convenient feeding system for infants. However, its core technology has broader implications. The new inventive concept adapts this technology to tackle the challenges of fluid management in industrial tanks, fuel tanks, laboratory settings, medical devices, and bioreactors, where accurate control and monitoring of fluid levels and flow rates are critical.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The adaptable fluid management system comprises a container with a container volume, a valve unit arranged outside the container volume, and a sensor for detecting the fluid level or flow rate in the container volume. The valve unit controls the flow of air into the container volume, ensuring accurate management of fluid levels and flow rates. The system can be configured for various applications, such as industrial tank monitoring, fuel tank venting, laboratory chemical dispensing, medical device fluid flow management, and bioreactor aeration.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce a significant inventive step by applying the core technology of the baby bottle device to entirely new industries and applications, thereby providing a novel solution to the challenges of fluid management in these domains.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the adaptable fluid management system could include variations in valve unit design, sensor types, and container materials to accommodate specific application requirements. Additionally, the system could be integrated with other technologies, such as IoT sensors or automation systems, to enhance its functionality and versatility.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptable fluid management system has vast commercial potential in industries such as oil and gas, healthcare, laboratory equipment, and biotechnology. The system's versatility and accuracy make it an attractive solution for companies seeking to optimize their fluid management processes, improve safety, and reduce costs.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A61 | A61J11/02 |
| A | A61 | A61J9/04 |
| A | A61 | A61J11/04 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Fluid container systems with air management, specifically focusing on bottle design, fluid transfer mechanisms, and pressure equalization technologies across medical, laboratory, and industrial applications
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A mechanical engineer or product designer with expertise in fluid dynamics, valve systems, and container design, possessing knowledge of fluid transfer principles, pressure equalization techniques, and cross-industry technology adaptation
Obviousness Rationale
A PHOSITA would recognize that the core fluid management principles of the baby bottle device are readily transferable to other technical domains by applying known valve and air flow control techniques. The fundamental mechanism of controlling fluid transfer through pressure equalization is universally applicable across different container systems. The variations presented in the PTD represent predictable extensions of the source patent's core technological concept by substituting the specific use case while maintaining the underlying technical structure.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,501 |
|---|---|
| Title | Baby bottle device |
| Assignee(s) | Koninklijke Philips N.V. |