Cap Assembly Movable Sealing Element Refill Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current refill systems for concentrated products are complex and prone to leakage or spillage, especially when handling viscous liquids or powders, making them unsafe and inconvenient for domestic and professional use.
Innovation Solution
A cap assembly with a movable sealing element that transitions from a closed to an open position without breaking, allowing controlled flow through a conduit, featuring abutment elements and snap-fit elements to maintain the open position, ensuring reliable and safe delivery of products between containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frangible zone is used to open the conduit, then the closure member can be freed to allow product flow, but the loose closure member may come back to its previous position disturbing the flow of viscous liquid or powder
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is designed to be movable between closed and open positions rather than fixed. It can be pushed from closed to open position by the container neck, and the abutment elements with snap-fit features maintain it in the open position dynamically, preventing it from returning to disturb the flow
Solution Approach 2:
The closure mechanism is divided into separate functional elements: the sealing element for closing, the abutment elements for maintaining open position, and the snap-fit elements for retention. This segmentation allows each element to perform its specific function without interfering with product flow
2Ease of operation
If manual pouring of concentrated product is used, then the product can be transferred to the empty bottle, but spilling outside the bottle may occur which is dangerous and damages surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly acts as an intermediary device between the concentrated product container and the empty container. It provides a controlled interface with a conduit that directs product flow, eliminating the need for manual pouring and preventing spillage onto surrounding surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service refilling where the cap assembly automatically controls the product transfer process. The sealing element moves in response to container insertion, and the abutment elements maintain proper positioning, all without requiring user intervention to prevent spillage
3Measurement precision
If exact measurement of concentrated product is required, then the final product concentration can be controlled, but the refilling process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is pre-configured with a conduit of specific dimensions that are designed to accommodate a predetermined volume of concentrated product. The abutment elements and snap-fit features are pre-positioned to ensure proper alignment and sealing, allowing rapid refilling without manual measurement while maintaining concentration accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A cap assembly for a refill container, including an interface member and a movable sealing element retained in the interface member. The interface member may include a socket, a conduit arranged inside the socket forming a discharge opening, and a connecting wall extending between the socket and the conduit. The interface member may further include at least one abutment element arranged inside the conduit, the abutment element cooperating with the sealing element to position it in a closed position in which the discharge opening is sealed. The sealing element may include a body with a first end including a cap. The body and/or the cap may include a lateral wall with a sealing surface arranged inside the conduit.