Annular Volume Dosing Unit for Viscous Liquid Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing container closures for liquids, particularly viscous ones like ketchup, face challenges in metered dispensing and manufacturing complexity, with issues such as uncontrolled flow, complex production, and susceptibility to malfunction.
Innovation Solution
A container closure design featuring a dosing unit with an annular channel and dosing cap that slows down liquid flow through friction, preventing leakage and allowing for easy metering, which includes a base body, dosing body, and dosing cap forming an annular volume for controlled dispensing without movable sealing elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a movable sealing lip is used to prevent uncontrolled outflow, then sealing function is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the movable sealing lip from the system entirely. Instead of using a complex movable sealing mechanism, the invention employs a simple annular groove structure that provides sealing through its geometric configuration, eliminating the need for movable parts while maintaining sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is segmented into multiple stationary sealing surfaces formed by the annular groove and corresponding sealing surfaces on the closure cap. This segmentation replaces a single movable sealing element with multiple fixed sealing interfaces, improving reliability while simplifying manufacturing.
2Measurement precision
If a labyrinth of channels is used for metered dispensing, then dosing precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complex labyrinthine channel system, the patent employs a simplified annular groove structure that provides sufficient metering control for viscous liquids. The design achieves adequate dosing precision through the annular flow path without requiring excessive structural complexity.
3Reliability
If a movable sealing lip is used to control liquid flow, then sealing is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to increased initial pressure requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The movable sealing lip is completely removed from the design. The sealing function is achieved through stationary annular groove geometry that requires no initial force to activate, eliminating the opening effort problem associated with movable sealing lips.
4Reliability
If a movable sealing lip is used for liquid control, then sealing function is improved, but ease of repair worsens due to extensive cleaning and repair requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By eliminating the movable sealing lip entirely and replacing it with a stationary annular groove structure, the patent removes the component that requires extensive cleaning and repair. The simplified structure has no movable parts to malfunction, dramatically improving ease of maintenance.
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
Enables easy and controlled metering of viscous liquids, prevents leakage, and simplifies production by reducing the need for complex manufacturing and flexible sealing elements, ensuring consistent dispensing without sudden resistance changes.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid flows along an inner surface that defines the volume and is therefore subjected to a certain amount of friction. This is particularly advantageous because it slows down the fluid accordingly.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A container and a container closure (100) are described. The container (100) comprises a base body (1) for attachment to a container and a metering unit (2) for metered dispensing of a liquid. The metering unit (2) has a metering element (4) with a discharge opening (21) and a channel (22; 22') adjacent to the discharge opening (21). The channel (22; 22') extends towards the container and forms an annular channel (23; 23') with the metering unit (2). A metering cap (3; 3') is arranged on the metering unit (2). The metering cap (3; 3') closes the annular channel (23; 23') to form an annular volume (V; V'). The annular volume (V; V') is connected to the interior of the container (201) via a first opening (24; 24') and to the channel (22; 22') via a second opening (25; 25').The first opening (24; 24') and the second opening are arranged such that all liquid flowing from the first opening (24; 24') to the second opening (25; 25') passes through the annular volume (V; V') at least along a section of the annular volume (V; V') in one direction around the channel (22; 22').