Removable Bucket Cap Ball Valve Assembly for Leak-Tight Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ball valves in fluid control applications, such as those used on 5-gallon buckets, can deform over time, leading to leakage due to the pivoting ball mechanism, which affects the tightness of the seal and fluid flow control.
Innovation Solution
A two-piece valve assembly comprising a valve body, threaded container cap, and ball valve assembly that allows for easy attachment and removal, featuring a ball with a centrally positioned hole that can be aligned or perpendicular to the flow direction for open and closed positions, ensuring a secure fit and effective fluid control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball valve assembly is used for fluid control on bulk containers, then fluid flow control is achieved, but the pivoting ball mechanism deforms over time causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pivoting ball mechanism from the bulk container valve assembly, extracting the problematic moving component that caused deformation and leakage over time. The design replaces the ball valve with a valve body containing a cylindrical bore with a stationary sealing surface, eliminating the pivoting action that led to seal degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is divided into separate components including a removable valve body, container cap, and sealing elements. This segmentation allows for easy replacement of sealing components without replacing the entire assembly, maintaining reliability while extending service life through modular maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If a traditional ball valve is installed on a bulk container, then fluid control is achieved, but the device cannot be easily removed or cleaned
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed as a removable unit that can be easily detached from the container cap. The valve body separates from the cap, allowing complete disassembly for cleaning and maintenance while maintaining reliable fluid control when assembled. The threaded connection ensures secure assembly while allowing easy removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is pre-assembled with all sealing elements and the ball mechanism before installation on the container. This preliminary assembly ensures proper sealing and fluid control are established before use, while the modular design allows for easy removal and cleaning without compromising the pre-established sealing integrity.
3Reliability
If a secure seal is maintained in a ball valve, then leakage is prevented, but the valve mechanism becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex pivoting ball mechanism from the bulk container valve application, replacing it with a simpler valve body containing a cylindrical bore. The sealing is achieved through stationary sealing surfaces and seals rather than relying on the precision of a pivoting ball mechanism, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a moving ball to create the seal, the design inverts the approach by using a stationary valve body with sealing surfaces that mate with sealing elements on the ball or in the bore. This inversion simplifies the manufacturing of the valve body while maintaining effective sealing through the stationary components.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a container cap valve dispenser that may be assembled to a 5-gallon bucket and/or bulk container lid for ease of use of dispensing liquids and flowable solids such as paint, soap, coffee, etc. The device is a two-piece valve assembly that embodies at least one type of valve means of fluid control. It comprises, but is not limited to a valve assembly that includes a ball assembly, a valve body and a container cap and/or end connection. The ball assembly may rotate with respect to the valve body to open or close the valve with the use of a valve stem and/or handle. The device is configured to disassemble and reassemble as needed.