Deformable Packaging Valve with Meandering Jacket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deformable small packaging structures for free-flowing products require a large space for the squirt-nozzle to clear openings and need significant force to change positions, limiting their versatility and ease of use, especially when filling different foodstuffs.
Innovation Solution
The outer jacket is configured in a meandering shape adjacent to the squirt-nozzle, allowing it to occupy minimal space when withdrawn, and features a pot-shaped recess that expands under pressure, along with an inner annular flange and circumferential web for secure connection, and radial stabilizing ribs for valve-like closure, all made from oil-resistant plastic to ensure efficient dispensing and filling capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the squirt-nozzle is made of large volume to ensure efficient dispensing, then the dispensing capability is improved, but the space required when withdrawn increases
Solution Approach 1:
The squirt-nozzle is designed to dynamically change its configuration between a compact withdrawn state and an expanded dispensing state. The meandering outer jacket allows the nozzle to spring into an outwardly bulged state when pressure is applied, providing large dispensing volume only when needed while minimizing space during storage or non-use.
Solution Approach 2:
The squirt-nozzle is nested within the meandering configuration of the outer jacket when in the withdrawn state. This nesting allows the nozzle to be contained within a small volume while still maintaining the capability to expand to a larger volume for dispensing when activated by external pressure.
2Productivity
If the squirt-nozzle is configured to clear openings effectively, then the dispensing efficiency is improved, but the force required to change position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic response to external pressure rather than requiring manual force to activate. When pressure is applied to the deformable packaging structure, the squirt-nozzle automatically springs into the outwardly bulged state that clears the openings, eliminating the need for significant manual force while maintaining effective dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The squirt-nozzle is designed to self-activate and clear the openings automatically in response to pressure applied to the packaging structure. The meandering configuration provides a spring mechanism that autonomously transitions the nozzle from withdrawn to dispensing position without requiring external manual intervention or excessive force.
3Ease of operation
If the outer jacket is made flexible to allow deformation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the structural stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is segmented into distinct functional components: the dimensionally stable carrier element provides structural support and anchoring, while the flexible outer jacket with meandering configuration provides deformability for operation. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its properties without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The system combines materials with different mechanical properties - the carrier element made from dimensionally stable plastic and the outer jacket made from flexible plastic. This composite structure integrates the stability of the carrier element with the flexibility of the outer jacket, achieving both structural integrity and ease of operation.
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 enables the squirt-nozzle to occupy minimal space, requires less force to change positions, and ensures secure, efficient, and versatile dispensing of products, preventing leakage and allowing for easy filling of various foodstuffs with a durable and material-saving design.
Implementation Method 1
the outer jacket is configured in a meandering shape adjacent to the squirt-nozzle, allowing it to occupy minimal space when withdrawn, and features a pot-shaped recess that expands under pressure
Implementation Method 2
a closure (10) made by a two-component injection molding process by which the carrier element (11) is first injection-molded and then the outer jacket (12)
Implementation Method 3
the outer jacket has an inner annular flange which sealingly engages in a recess of the carrier element and is connected therewith
Implementation Method 4
providing the outer jacket adjacent to the inner annular flange with a circumferential web which engages in a groove of the carrier element and is connected therewith
Implementation Method 5
several radial stabilizing ribs are arranged between the squirt-nozzle and the annular flange at an angular distance to one another. These stabilizing ribs promote closing of the slits of the squirt-nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A deformable small packaging structure for free-flowing products has a valve-like closure (10) produced by a two-component injection molding process and including a dimensionally stable carrier element (11) and an outer jacket (12) which envelopes the carrier element (11) at least in part and has a flexible squirt-nozzle (16) with slotted openings. The outer jacket (12), in relation to the withdrawn squirt-nozzle (16), has a meander-shaped configuration adjacent to the squirt-nozzle (16). The squirt-nozzle (16), in relation to the withdrawn state, is configured as a pot-shaped recess. The outer jacket (12) has an inner annular flange (17) which engages in a recess of the carrier element (11) and is firmly connected therewith. Further, the outer jacket (12) has adjacent to the inner annular flange (17) a circumferential web (18) which engages in a groove of the carrier element (11) and is also firmly connected therewith.