Dispensing Closure With Elastic Toggle And Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing closures for containers, especially those placed upside down or with openings at the side, face difficulties in efficiently dispensing fluids as the container empties, due to bag collapse in bag-in-box types and vacuum generation in rigid containers, which hinders fluid extraction.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing closure with a peripheral and transverse wall made of elastic material, featuring a toggle member and a valve element that allows air flow when opened, ensuring seamless fluid dispensing even when the container is nearly empty by permitting air entry, thus preventing vacuum formation and maintaining container volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a dispensing closure is used for containers placed upside down or with openings at the side, then fluid dispensing is enabled in convenient positions, but vacuum formation occurs when the container empties, hindering further dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is segmented into functionally distinct components: the peripheral wall for sealing against the spout, the transverse wall for structural support and housing the valve element, and the toggle member for actuation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, particularly enabling the valve element to independently manage air intake while the sealing surfaces maintain fluid tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element acts as an intermediary component that selectively controls air flow into the container. It is positioned and configured to remain closed during normal fluid dispensing, then opens to allow air entry when the container is nearly empty, thereby mediating between the need for fluid containment and the need for air replacement to maintain dispensing flow.
2Ease of operation
If the peripheral and transverse walls are made of elastic material to allow distortion during opening, then the closure can be manipulated easily, but the seal against the spout may compromise
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic material properties are applied locally to specific regions of the peripheral and transverse walls where flexibility is needed for manipulation, while maintaining sufficient rigidity in the sealing contact areas. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the walls to distort during opening/closing operations while preserving seal integrity at the critical spout interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure structure is designed to be dynamic rather than static, with the elastic walls capable of controlled distortion during operation. The toggle member actuation creates a mechanical advantage that dynamically deforms the elastic walls to open the seal, then allows elastic recovery to close and reseal the connection, adapting the seal strength to the operational state.
3Reliability
If a valve element is added to allow air flow when opened, then vacuum formation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve element is merged with the transverse wall structure, integrating the air control function into the existing closure body rather than adding a separate, independent valve mechanism. This integration reduces the number of discrete components and simplifies the overall structure while still providing the necessary air flow control capability to prevent vacuum formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The transverse wall serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the closure, houses the valve element for air control, and works with the peripheral wall to maintain sealing. By making the transverse wall multi-functional, the design avoids adding separate components for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving reliable vacuum prevention.
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 dispensing efficiency by allowing air into the container, ensuring undisturbed and laminar fluid dispensing, even when the container is nearly empty, and prevents vacuum formation, making it suitable for both bag-in-box and rigid containers.
Implementation Method 1
The peripheral wall and said transverse wall are made of an elastic material, preferably a flexible material which can be distorted when a force is exerted thereon and which then returns to its original form when the force is not exerted anymore
Implementation Method 2
Said valve element is provided in said transverse wall and is arranged such that it is closed when said closure is in its closed position and such that it is at least partly open, when said closure is in its opened position, to permit flow of air into said container
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a dispensing closure for a fluid container with a spout (20) for dispensing a fluid, said dispensing closure comprising a peripheral wall (240, 245), a transverse wall and a toggle member (400) extending from said transverse wall, wherein said peripheral wall and said transverse wall are made of an elastic material. The dispensing closure also comprises a valve element (500) for reducing or avoiding generation of a vacuum within the container during dispensing of fluid through the closure.