Reusable Applicator Tip With Sealing Flange
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applicator tips for applying adhesive bands on panel edges face issues with leakage between threads, leading to adhesives solidifying and locking them together, making quick and easy removal and reuse difficult.
Innovation Solution
A resilient, integral sealing flange is formed within the cap, creating an annular space with a wedge-shaped cross-section to prevent leakage between the cap and bottle threads, providing a double frictional seal for easy engagement and disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the applicator tip is threadedly engaged upon the bottle neck without a sealing mechanism, then the structure remains simple and easy to manufacture, but adhesive material leaks between the threads causing them to adhere and lock together
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is segmented into functional zones: an upper threading section for engagement and a lower sealing flange section for leakage prevention. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A resilient sealing flange acts as an intermediary element between the cap threads and bottle neck threads. This flange intercepts leaking adhesive material and redirects it into the bottle, preventing direct contact between adhesive and threads.
2Ease of operation
If adhesive material leaks between the threads, then the sealing is insufficient, but the threads become adhered and locked together making removal difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing flange performs preliminary anti-action by intercepting adhesive leaks before they can reach and bond the threads. This preventive measure eliminates the need for forceful removal and maintains ease of operation throughout the cap's service life.
3Reliability
If a sealing mechanism is added to the cap, then leakage between threads is prevented, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing flange is merged with the cap body as an integral molded feature rather than a separate component. This integration maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving reliable sealing, as the flange is formed in a single molding operation along with the cap threads.
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 ensures a leak-proof engagement, allowing for quick and easy removal of the applicator tip from one bottle to another, maintaining thread cleanliness and enabling repeated use without adhesive-induced locking, ensuring efficient application of uniform adhesive bands.
Implementation Method 1
providing a double, pressure or frictional seal between the neck of the bottle and the cap-like tip
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator tip formed of a cup-shaped, internally threaded, cap is attached to the threaded neck of a bottle containing a liquid. A tubular spout extending from a hole in the base of the cap into the neck passes liquid through the hole into a porous pad on the base for application to a surface. A continuous, flange, surrounds the spout and is spaced uniformly inwardly of the cap threads to provide an inverted wedge-shaped annular space between the flange and the cap threads. The flange resiliently presses radially outwardly, and the cap threads press radially inwardly against the bottle neck to seal against liquid escaping over the rim of the neck.