Cap Air Valve With Annular Membrane for Leak-Resistant Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air valves for liquid containers are either complex in structure or fail to reliably supply air under underpressure conditions, leading to insufficient air entry and potential liquid leakage.
Innovation Solution
A simple air valve design featuring a reception element with a peripheral groove and an insertable ring that seals at equal pressures and releases at underpressure, ensuring reliable air entry while maintaining a residual vacuum to prevent liquid leakage, combined with a drinking mouthpiece that uses a flexible membrane and rigid supporting element for stable valve operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complex air valve structure is used, then the air supply reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air valve is divided into separate functional components: a reception element with groove structure and an insertable ring with sealing surface. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function (reception, sealing, air passage) independently, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted as a separate insertable ring component that can be independently designed and manufactured. This ring with its conical sealing surface is taken out from the integrated structure, allowing for optimized sealing performance without complicating the main reception element
2Device complexity
If a simple air valve structure is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the air supply reliability under underpressure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal between the ring and reception element is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The elastic sealing surface of the ring automatically adapts to pressure changes, maintaining sealing contact during normal operation but allowing automatic opening when underpressure occurs during drinking, ensuring reliable air supply without complex mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The ring incorporates an elastic sealing surface that functions as a flexible element. This flexible sealing surface can deform under pressure differential, automatically opening the air passage during underpressure conditions while maintaining sealing during normal pressure, providing reliable air supply in a simple structure
3Reliability
If the annular membrane is made highly elastic, then the sealing performance is improved, but the residual vacuum effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The annular membrane exhibits different elastic properties in different regions. The main body of the membrane has sufficient elasticity for sealing, while the central region maintains appropriate stiffness to preserve residual vacuum. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows both sealing performance and vacuum maintenance without requiring complex multi-material construction
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 provides a reliable and efficient air supply under underpressure conditions, preventing liquid leakage and ensuring easy handling, even by children, while maintaining a stable valve state during suction.
Implementation Method 1
an annular membrane, which seals the lid relative to its surroundings, is provided to compensate the pressure. When a particular pressure difference is exceeded, a gap is cleared between the elastic sealing part and a tube piece
Implementation Method 2
A vent comprised of a lip made of a flexible material is provided to close the ventilation apertures. The lip vent, thus, releases the ventilation aperture when a defined pressure difference is exceeded so as to nearly compensate for the underpressure prevailing in the container
Data Source
AI summary
An air valve for the cap of a liquid container comprising an annular membrane. The cap has at least one air passage opening. A holding element having an encircling groove that is open toward the inside of the cap is fixed to the inside of the cap. This holding element has at least one air inlet opening connected to the air passage opening of the cap and which leads into the groove. A ring can be placed or is placed inside the groove. Also provided is a mouthpiece for drinking from a liquid container, which is made, in essence, of elastic material and placed on a cap provided with the inventive air valve.