Dispensing Nozzle Chip Retention Zone for Assembly Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-speed assembly of dispensing nozzles onto liquid storage tanks can generate shavings that contaminate pharmaceutical liquids and disrupt the dispensing process, particularly when using plastic components.

Innovation Solution

A liquid dispensing device with a chip retention zone distinct from the sealing zone, where the internal skirt of the dispensing tip forms a barrier to catch any particles created during assembly, preventing them from entering the tank and ensuring liquid tightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-speed screwing assembly is used to attach the dispensing nozzle to the neck, then productivity is improved, but shavings are generated that contaminate the liquid and disrupt dispensing operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly speedVSAvoidshavings contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the internal surface of the neck into distinct functional zones: a sealing zone for liquid-tight contact and a chip retention zone for trapping shavings. This segmentation allows the sealing zone to maintain liquid-tightness while the retention zone captures harmful shavings generated during high-speed assembly, resolving the contradiction between productivity and contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful shavings generated during high-speed screwing into a trapped element within the chip retention zone. By designing the retention zone with specific geometric features (reduced diameter, increased depth), the shavings that would otherwise contaminate the liquid are instead captured and contained, transforming a harmful byproduct into a controlled element that does not affect liquid quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of manufacture

If the dispensing nozzle is screwed onto the neck at high speed, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the sealing zone generates material shavings that may fall into the reservoir

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidliquid contamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The internal surface of the neck is segmented into a sealing zone and a chip retention zone. The sealing zone maintains liquid-tight contact during high-speed assembly, while the downstream retention zone with its reduced diameter and increased depth captures shavings before they can enter the reservoir, ensuring both manufacturing efficiency and liquid purity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chip retention zone acts as an intermediary structure between the sealing zone and the reservoir. It intercepts shavings generated during high-speed screwing, preventing them from reaching the liquid. This intermediary zone allows high-speed assembly while maintaining manufacturing precision by filtering out contaminants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a chip retention zone is added to prevent shavings, then liquid purity is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid purityVSAvoidneck structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The neck structure is segmented into zones with different diameters and depths, creating a chip retention zone downstream of the sealing zone. This segmentation is achieved through straightforward geometric modifications (reduced diameter, increased depth) rather than adding separate components, thus improving liquid purity while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chip retention zone is integrated into the existing neck structure, allowing the neck to serve multiple functions: sealing (through the sealing zone) and chip retention (through the retention zone). This multi-functionality approach improves liquid purity without requiring separate dedicated components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3125838B1Liquid dispensing device
Publication Date: 2024.09.18 NEMERA LA VERPILLIERE SAS
  • EP3125838B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3125838B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3125838B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A liquid dispensing device (10) comprises a dispensing end piece (14) and a neck (38) of a reservoir (12) for storing the liquid, said end piece (14) being attached to the neck (38), which has a tubular internal surface. The end piece (14) has a tubular internal skirt (40) that is mounted in said neck (38) and defines, with said internal surface (42), at least one annular sealing zone (46), preventing the liquid from passing between the internal skirt (40) and the neck (38). The skirt (40) defines, with said internal surface (42), a separate zone for retaining shavings (50), which prevents shavings that are formed in the sealing zone (46) while the end piece (14) is being fitted into the neck (38) from getting into the reservoir (12).