Tethered Bottle Dispenser Cap for Hermetic Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage dispenser caps are prone to contamination due to slits and openings in the hinges, which allow external agents to enter during storage and use, and the use of protective films is complex and environmentally harmful.
Innovation Solution
A tethered dispenser cap design with a telescopically engaged dispensing valve and a lid structure that ensures hermetic closure, featuring a central sleeve and annular seals to prevent contamination and facilitate sanitization fluid drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional hinges with slits or openings are used in dispenser caps, then the hinge structure can provide mechanical flexibility and ease of operation, but external agents and sanitization fluids can enter through these slits, causing contamination of the beverage and contact surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane that spans the slits in the hinge structure. This membrane allows the hinge to maintain its flexibility and movement capability while simultaneously blocking the passage of external agents and sanitization fluids through the slit openings, thus preventing contamination while preserving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane acts as an intermediary element between the hinge structure and the internal cap environment. It mediates the conflict by allowing mechanical movement through the hinge slits while blocking contaminant passage, effectively separating the mechanical function from the contamination risk
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protective films are used to cover the cap and close slits, then contamination is prevented, but the solution becomes complex and has negative environmental impact due to plastic consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed as a disposable component that is integrated into the cap structure. It serves its contamination prevention function throughout the cap's useful life and then can be discarded with the cap, eliminating the need for separate protective films and reducing overall device complexity and environmental impact
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane function is merged directly into the hinge structure of the cap rather than being a separate protective film layer. This integration eliminates the need for additional components and simplifies the overall cap design while maintaining contamination prevention
3Ease of operation
If the cap structure includes hinges with slits for mechanical movement, then the lid can open and close properly, but mechanical clearances create additional pathways for contaminants to enter during use
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane is positioned to cover the mechanical clearances and slits that become apparent during lid operation. It maintains its blocking function throughout the opening and closing cycle, preventing contaminant entry while allowing the lid to move freely
Data Source
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AI summary
A bottle dispenser cap comprising: a body-base (5) comprising a sleeve (13) and a first base (13d), in which a first opening (14) is centrally formed through it, a dispensing valve (7) which is engaged within the sleeve (13) so as to slide in the latter in order to translate along the first axis (A) between a closed position and an open position, a lid (6) comprising: an annular seal (16) that is fitted stably in the body-base (5), a cap (18) and a hinge (19) connecting the cap (18) to the annular seal (16), the hinge (19) is structured to rotate the cap (18) about a second axis (B) approximately transverse to said first axis (A), between a closed and an open position, wherein in the closed position of the lid (6), the cap (18) is coupled to the body-base (5) to delimit with the latter an internal, substantially hermetically closed chamber which internally contains the dispensing valve (7) and the sleeve (13).