Dispensing Closure With Offset Orifice Flow Path
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dispensing closures for viscous products face issues such as leakage, difficulty in manufacturing, higher costs, and recyclability challenges, particularly when designed for 'clean pour' and inverted storage, with existing designs either being complex and expensive or not feasible for conventional molding.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece dispensing closure with a non-linear flow path, featuring an offset entrance and exit orifice configuration within a flow conduit that prevents direct product flow, providing a 'clean pour' and sufficient flow restriction to counter product head pressure, allowing for easy molding and recyclability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a silicone valve structure is used to achieve clean pour and inverted storage, then dispensing performance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the valve structure and flow control features into a single integrated closure body made of one piece of plastic. The closure includes an inverted conical section with radial flow channels that merge into a central dispensing channel, eliminating the need for separate silicone valve components while maintaining clean pour and inverted storage functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The entire closure is constructed from a single type of plastic material, making it homogeneous and suitable for conventional injection molding. This eliminates the need for multiple materials (such as plastic body plus silicone valve) and enables easier manufacturing and recycling while achieving the desired dispensing performance.
2Reliability
If a silicone valve structure is used for clean pour design, then dispensing performance is improved, but recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is made entirely from one type of plastic material, creating a homogeneous structure that can be easily recycled. This eliminates the need to separate different materials (such as removing silicone valves from plastic bodies) and allows the entire closure to be processed through conventional recycling streams.
3Reliability
If interior partitions are used to slow product flow, then flow control is improved, but manufacturing feasibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved flow channels within the closure body, including radial channels that curve as they converge toward the central dispensing opening. These curved pathways slow product flow and provide flow control while being easily manufacturable through conventional injection molding, unlike complex partition structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path is segmented into multiple sections: radial flow channels in the inverted conical section, transition channels, and a central dispensing channel. This segmentation provides flow control through progressive channel narrowing and curvature changes while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integrated one-piece construction.
4Ease of operation
If product is positioned at dispensing closure for inverted storage, then dispensing convenience is improved, but premature spurt risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted conical section with curved radial flow channels creates a flow path that resists premature product movement. The curvature and gradual convergence of channels provide flow restriction that prevents spurt when the container is inverted, while still allowing convenient dispensing when activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure structure incorporates preliminary flow restriction through the inverted conical section and radial channels that counteract the gravitational force and pressure head that would otherwise cause premature spurt. This anti-action is built into the geometry itself, preventing unwanted flow before dispensing is initiated.
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 effectively prevents premature product spurt and ensures a clean dispensing mechanism, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs while being recyclable, suitable for both upright and inverted container designs.
Implementation Method 1
controls fluid flow by means of gravity and pressure
Implementation Method 2
controls fluid flow by means of gravity and pressure
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A dispensing closure (10) has a flow conduit (50) that provides a sufficient flow restriction to prevent unwanted spurting of the product when the container is initially opened. The dispensing closure (10) includes a closure body (20) with an upper deck (30) and the flow conduit (50) extending through the upper deck (30). The flow conduit (50) includes an entry orifice (50A) having an entrance axis and an exit orifice (50B) having an exit axis. The entrance axis is offset from the exit axis to provide a non-linear flow path from an interior of the closure (10) to the exterior of the closure (10).