Constrictable Collar Liner for Bulk Container Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bulk containers face challenges in easy liner installation and fluid flow due to liner interference with discharge openings and chemical incompatibility of materials, particularly in valve-regulated systems where conventional liners restrict flow and may not be chemically compatible with contents.
Innovation Solution
A liner structure with a neck and collar made of the same material, featuring a constrictable sidewall that adjusts to fit within the discharge spout's cross-sectional area, ensuring compatibility and preventing slipping, while allowing for easy installation and improved fluid flow by using a collar that can compress to match the spout's dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional liner discharge structure with smaller diameter is used to fit within valve-regulated discharge piping, then the liner can be installed, but the flow of material leaving the tank is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The liner discharge structure incorporates a collapsible collar that can dynamically change its cross-sectional area. During installation, the collar is collapsed to a smaller diameter to fit through the discharge opening. Once installed, the collar expands to a larger diameter to allow unrestricted material flow, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of installation and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner discharge structure utilizes parameter changes by varying the cross-sectional area of the collar. The collar transitions from a compressed state with smaller cross-sectional area during installation to an expanded state with larger cross-sectional area during operation, enabling both easy installation and unrestricted flow.
2Ease of operation
If liner material is formed with smaller discharge diameter to fit valve-regulated piping, then installation is possible, but chemical compatibility with stored materials is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic collapsible collar allows the liner to have a smaller effective diameter during installation only when necessary, while maintaining its full chemical compatibility dimensions during storage. The collar collapses temporarily to fit through the discharge opening, then returns to its full size to ensure chemical compatibility with stored materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner discharge structure changes its physical parameters (cross-sectional area) only during the installation phase. Once installed, the collar maintains its original dimensions and material properties, ensuring continuous chemical compatibility with the stored materials while having required a smaller dimension only temporarily during installation.
3Productivity
If a liner with larger cross-sectional area is used to allow free flow, then material flow is improved, but the liner cannot be installed through smaller discharge openings
Solution Approach 1:
The collapsible collar provides a dynamic solution where the liner discharge structure can transition between two states: a collapsed state with smaller cross-sectional area for easy installation through restricted openings, and an expanded state with larger cross-sectional area for unrestricted material flow during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner discharge structure utilizes parameter changes by varying the cross-sectional area of the collar between installation and operation phases. The collar is compressed to a smaller parameter (diameter) during installation, then expanded to a larger parameter to enable free material flow, resolving the contradiction between installability and flow capacity.
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 ensures easy installation, prevents liner interference, maintains chemical compatibility, and enhances fluid flow by using a liner structure that adapts to the discharge spout's dimensions, addressing the challenges of liner compatibility and flow restriction in bulk containers.
Implementation Method 1
constricting the constrictable sidewall compresses the collar such that the collar is within the cross-sectional area of the discharge spout
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure provide a liner structure adapted for insertion within a discharge spout of a container. The liner structure may include a neck formed of a liner material and enclosing a cross-sectional area substantially equal to a cross-sectional area of the discharge spout. A collar formed of the liner material may be coupled circumferentially to an end of the neck, wherein the collar has a cross-sectional area greater than the cross-sectional area of the discharge spout. A constrictable sidewall is on the neck proximate the collar. Constricting the constrictable sidewall compresses the collar such that it is within the cross-sectional area.