Integrated Bag Valve Assembly for Low-Cost Liquid Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The production of conventional valve assemblies for flexible packaging is costly due to the separate production of various components from different materials and the use of expensive materials, leading to high production costs.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly is designed with a spout and housing forming a liquid-tight seal, where the valve is secured to the housing and includes a flexible material like thermoplastic elastomer that can deform to allow liquid flow when a tube is inserted, returning to a sealed state, and is produced through injection molding, reducing the need for multiple components and materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional valve assemblies are produced by separately manufacturing components from different materials and assembling them, then functional requirements are met, but production costs significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (valve body, housing, seal elements) into a single integrated valve assembly that is injection molded as one piece. This eliminates the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of individual components, directly reducing production costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining all necessary functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated valve assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the valve body structure, incorporates sealing elements, and includes mounting features all within a single molded component. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate parts and reduces the overall component count in the system.
2Reliability
If expensive materials are used in conventional valve assemblies, then reliability and sealing performance are improved, but production costs significantly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the inherent sealing properties of the elastomeric material itself rather than requiring separate expensive seal rings or gaskets. The material formulation provides both structural integrity and sealing functionality, eliminating the need for additional sealing components and reducing material costs while maintaining reliable sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is designed to be self-sealing through the elastic recovery of the molded elastomeric material. When fluid pressure is applied, the material naturally deforms to close the valve opening, and when pressure is released, it automatically returns to its original sealed position without requiring additional sealing mechanisms or expensive materials.
3Productivity
If multiple components are assembled in conventional valve assemblies, then functional requirements are met, but assembly time and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent produces the entire valve assembly in a single injection molding cycle, combining what would traditionally be multiple separate components into one integrated part. This eliminates all assembly steps between valve body, housing, and seal elements, dramatically reducing production time and complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is pre-formed as a complete integrated unit during the injection molding process, with all sealing features, valve openings, and mounting structures already in their final positions. This preliminary formation of the complete assembly eliminates the need for subsequent assembly operations and reduces production time.
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
This design reduces production costs by integrating the valve and housing in a dual injection molding process, using cost-effective materials, and ensuring a reliable liquid-tight seal while allowing efficient liquid transfer.
Implementation Method 1
the valve material has a degree of flexibility such that the valve is deformable to open the flow channel when a tube is inserted into the valve and returns to a closed state when the tube is removed from the valve
Data Source
AI summary
A present application relates to a valve assembly for use with a liquid container. The valve assembly includes a spout containing an opening to the liquid container, the spout being configured to form a liquid-tight seal with a housing. A sleeve extends through the housing toward the liquid container through the opening. A valve is secured to the housing and extending into the opening through the sleeve and forming a liquid-tight seal with the sleeve. The valve includes a body portion with a cutaway section and a leg fixed to the valve by a hinge, wherein the leg is configured to flex outwards against the sleeve upon insertion of a tube into the valve causing the cutaway section to open a flow channel to allow liquid to flow through the valve assembly.