Deformable Valve Filling Mechanism for Dispensing Bottles

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing bottles face issues with valve tightness, particularly under air depression, and are not compatible with various outlet tube configurations, making them unsuitable for efficient and reliable refilling.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing bottle with a filling valve featuring a rigid cap and a deformable valve that maintains tightness through an intermediate passage system, allowing secure communication between the outlet tube and reservoir, and an air depression mechanism for suction filling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid cap with a deformable valve is used to maintain tightness under air depression, then the reliability of the filling process is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the intermediate passage system and deformable valve mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve tightness under air depressionVSAvoidintermediate passage system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The valve seat is designed to be deformable, transitioning from a relaxed state (blocking the passage) to a compressed state (opening the passage). This dynamic deformation allows the valve to automatically respond to pressure changes and outlet tube insertion, maintaining tightness during storage and enabling filling during operation without complex control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The valve system operates autonomously based on pressure differential and mechanical compression. When the outlet tube is inserted and air depression is applied, the valve automatically opens to allow filling. When the tube is removed, the valve automatically closes to maintain tightness, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If a filling valve compatible with different outlet tube configurations is designed, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper sealing and compression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with outlet tube configurationsVSAvoidsealing and compression tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The filling valve is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate different outlet tube configurations. The deformable valve seat and compression mechanism work with various tube types (different materials, diameters, and rigidity) to achieve reliable sealing and opening, making the system compatible with multiple tube configurations without requiring model-specific valve designs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve system tolerates variations in outlet tube parameters (material, diameter, rigidity) by using a deformation-based sealing mechanism rather than a fixed geometric seal. The compression force and deformable seat adjust to accommodate parameter variations, reducing the impact of manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining sealing effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the outlet tube is supported axially to compress the deformable valve for opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the force required for compression increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintuitive refilling operationVSAvoidcompression force on valve seat
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses air depression (negative pressure) applied to the reservoir to assist in opening the valve. The pressure differential created by the air depression works together with the axial compression force, reducing the manual force required to compress the deformable valve seat while maintaining intuitive operation through the outlet tube insertion gesture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 enhances the reliability of the filling process by maintaining air depression over time and accommodating different outlet tube configurations, ensuring efficient and intuitive refilling without leakage.

Implementation Method 1

a state constrained by axial support of the outlet tube on the lower bearing surface in which the seat is compressed by axial crushing of the upper bearing surface on the structure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an air vacuum which is arranged to be able to subsequently carry out the initial filling of the reservoir with product by sealing a source of product with said tank via a valve so that said depression induces the filling of said tank by suction of the product contained in said source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2703090B1Vial for dispensing a fluid product
Publication Date: 2015.08.12 ALBEA LE TREPORT
  • EP2703090B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1c
  • EP2703090B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2a
  • EP2703090B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a dispensing bottle for a fluid product equipped with a filling valve (15) comprising a rigid cap (20) having an internal housing (21) in which a deformable valve (22) is mounted. This internal housing has a structure (24) equipped with an intermediate passage (25) formed between an upstream opening (25a) and a downstream opening (25b). The deformable valve (22) has a seat (26) equipped with an upstream passage (27) formed between a lower bearing surface (28) and an upper bearing surface (29) which is surmounted by a sealing lip (30). The valve is arranged to have a stable state in which the sealing lip (30) hermetically seals the downstream opening (25b) and a constrained state in which the seat (26) is compressed by axial crushing of the upper bearing surface (29) on the structure (24), thus allowing communication between the upstream passage (27) and the upstream opening (25a),said compression inducing a detachment of said lip to open the communication between the downstream opening (25b) and a downstream passage (23).