Dispenser Head Nozzle with Concentric Conduits for Liquid Filling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispenser heads for liquid products in thermoplastic containers suffer from frothing and splatter during filling, leading to ineffective heat-sealed joints and soiling of containers and surfaces due to uncontrollable liquid flow and dripping.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser head design featuring a nozzle with concentric tubular bodies and a perforated partition that divides the liquid flow into parallel streams, ensuring a laminar flow with minimal direction changes, reducing splatter and frothing by metering the liquid in two steps and using tapered outlet end portions to guide the flow effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the liquid product flows through the dispenser head along a winding path with sharp changes in direction, then the dispenser head structure can be compact, but the liquid flow becomes uncontrollable causing splatter and frothing
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser head is divided into multiple concentric annular conduits (first, second, third annular conduits) with distinct flow paths. Each conduit segments the liquid flow into controlled streams that exit through separate outlets, preventing the harmful mixing and splatter that occurs in a single winding path while maintaining compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional winding path to a three-dimensional concentric annular structure. The conduits are arranged in concentric circles with different diameters, creating multiple radial flow paths that exit through outlets positioned at different radial distances. This dimensional arrangement provides compactness while enabling controlled, non-splattering liquid flow.
2Productivity
If the liquid product flows uncontrollably out of the dispenser head, then the filling speed can be high, but the product oxidizes and the container and surfaces become soiled
Solution Approach 1:
Each annular conduit is designed with specific local characteristics: the first annular conduit has a larger diameter and exits through a first outlet, while the second and third annular conduits have progressively smaller diameters and exit through second and third outlets respectively. This local differentiation controls the flow pattern to maintain laminar flow and prevent splatter, thereby preventing oxidation and soiling even at high filling speeds.
Solution Approach 2:
The concentric annular conduits act as intermediaries between the liquid supply and the container. The conduits are positioned and oriented such that the liquid flows laminarly through them and exits through multiple outlets in a controlled manner, preventing direct splatter onto the container lid and base, thus preventing oxidation and soiling.
3Ease of manufacture
If the dispenser head uses a simple single-conduit design, then the manufacturing cost is low, but it cannot prevent frothing and ensure precise product level
Solution Approach 1:
The single conduit is segmented into multiple concentric annular conduits (first, second, and third annular conduits) with different diameters and flow characteristics. This segmentation enables precise control of liquid flow to achieve the desired product level while preventing frothing. The segmented design, though more complex than a single conduit, provides the precision needed for accurate filling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the conduits by creating concentric annular structures with progressively smaller diameters. The first annular conduit has a larger diameter than the second and third, which have equal smaller diameters. This parameter variation controls the flow dynamics to prevent frothing and achieve precise product level, balancing manufacturing complexity with filling precision.
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 design significantly reduces splatter and frothing during filling, maintaining a clean container and sealing area, preventing oxidation and ensuring a precise product level, while minimizing soiling of the container and surrounding surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
ensuring a laminar flow with minimal direction changes
Implementation Method 2
outlet end portions 25, 26... are conical... to feed the respective part of liquid product towards axis 6 and so taper the outflow of liquid product from end surface 22
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A liquid product is fed into a container (2) through a nozzle (8) of a dispenser head (4) having an outer casing (10), and a number of concentric tubular bodies (16) housed in the outer casing (10) to define, between them and with the outer casing, a number of annular conduits (18, 19) terminating at a flat end surface (22) of the dispenser head (4); a solid body (33) being inserted inside the centre tubular body (16b), and projecting from the flat end surface (22) to prevent liquid product flow along and about the axis (6) of the dispenser head (4).