Closure Cap Mixing Chamber for Thixotropic Fluid Dispensing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid containers with closure caps face issues such as leakage, high velocity discharge leading to splatter, difficulty in dosing, and separation of fluid components, which affect the usability and efficiency of fluid dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A closure cap system for fluid containers that includes a flip-top lid, a base with a mixing chamber, and a disk with partial annular openings and projections, which facilitates controlled dispensing, prevents leakage, and mixes separated serum back into the fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flexible plastic membrane valve with an X-shaped slit is used to retain product in inverted bottles, then gravity retention is improved, but product leakage occurs through the valve when the bottle is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane valve made of elastomeric material that can deform to control fluid flow. The membrane's flexibility allows it to respond to pressure changes, closing automatically when not in use to prevent leakage while allowing gravity retention when inverted.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system transitions from a static X-shaped slit to a dynamic membrane that can change its configuration based on pressure conditions. The membrane deforms and moves to open or close the valve opening, providing adaptive control over product flow to prevent leakage while maintaining retention.
2Productivity
If product is dispensed through the valve at high velocity, then dispensing speed is improved, but splatter and improper dosing occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the valve opening geometry and size to control product flow velocity. By adjusting the parameters of the valve aperture and the membrane configuration, the system regulates dispensing speed to prevent splatter while maintaining adequate dispensing rate, and ensures proper dosing control.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the valve prevents air inflow to maintain interior volume after dispensing, then volume stability is improved, but subatmospheric pressure develops causing paneling and increased manual pressure requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane valve can deform to create a one-way flow path that allows air to enter the container after dispensing to equalize pressure, while still maintaining volume stability during storage. This prevents subatmospheric pressure buildup that would cause paneling and reduce the force needed for manual dispensing.
4Reliability
If a silicon membrane valve is used while other cap portions are formed of polypropylene, then valve performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and recycling difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the valve components into a unified structure where the membrane is incorporated with the cap body. This merging of components simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps, while maintaining the elastomeric material's performance characteristics for reliable valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction where an elastomeric membrane is combined with a rigid cap material. This composite approach allows the valve to maintain its performance properties from the flexible material while being integrated into a structurally sound cap assembly, potentially using overmolding or co-molding techniques to combine materials in a single manufacturing process.
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 closure cap system effectively prevents leakage and splatter, allows for controlled and accurate dispensing of fluids, and ensures stable equilibrium of thixotropic fluids, improving user experience and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
inverted bottles that rest on their caps when not in use so that gravity retains the product in position adjacent the valve
Implementation Method 2
thixotropic fluids, such as, for example, ketchup or certain liquid soaps
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, apparatuses and methods provided herein are useful for dispensing a fluid, such as a thixotropic fluid. In some embodiments, a bottle having a closure cap includes a flip top, a base, and a disk, where the base and disk define a mixing chamber configured to facilitate mixing of any serum or liquid separated from the fluid back therein. In some configurations, the base has a central opening through which the fluid exits and an internal shaft with a non-planar end surface opposite the central opening. In some configurations, the non-planar end surface and the disk define channels between the mixing chamber and the internal shaft. In some embodiments, the disk includes a central opening, a plurality of partial annular openings through a planar surface of the disk, and projections extending into the mixing chamber.