Dispensing Valve Baffle Flow Restriction Aerated Product Splatter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vertically actuated valves and tilt valves for pressurized containers often cause aerated products, such as whipped cream, to splatter when dispensed due to high flow rates and pressures.
Innovation Solution
The valve design incorporates one or more integrated flow restrictions defined by baffles along the flow path through the valve, creating a tortuous flow path that retards the flow of the product, thereby reducing splattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional vertically actuated valves or tilt valves are used to dispense aerated products, then the valve can discharge product from the container, but the high flow rate and pressure cause the aerated product to splatter
Solution Approach 1:
The valve passage is segmented into multiple sections by incorporating one or more flow restrictions at different locations along the passage. These restrictions divide the single flow path into multiple constrained segments, reducing the flow rate and pressure in each segment to prevent splattering while maintaining dispensing functionality
Solution Approach 2:
Flow restrictions are applied locally at specific positions within the valve passage rather than uniformly throughout. This allows the valve to maintain higher flow capacity where needed while creating localized pressure drops and flow rate reductions at critical points to eliminate splattering
2Object-affected harmful factors
If flow restrictions are added to the valve passage to reduce flow rate and pressure, then splattering is minimized, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictions are merged into the existing valve body structure as integral features rather than separate components. The flow restrictions are formed directly within the valve passage during valve manufacturing, combining the flow control function with the structural valve body to avoid increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The valve body is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, defines the flow passage, and incorporates flow restrictions for flow control. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate flow control components, maintaining simplicity while achieving splatter 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 flow restrictions effectively reduce the flow rate and pressure of the aerated material, minimizing splattering and improving the dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
The baffle defines a flow restriction along the generally annular passage section. The flow restrictions effectively reduce the flow rate and pressure of the aerated material
Implementation Method 2
The flow restrictions effectively reduce the flow rate and pressure of the aerated material, minimizing splattering
Data Source
AI summary
A valve dispenses flowable product from a container. The valve includes a mounting cup for mounting the valve on the container, a seal supported on the mounting cup, and a valve stem extending through the seal. The seal and the valve stem define a generally annular passage section of the valve passage that extends longitudinally along the valve axis radially between the valve stem and the seal. At least one of the valve stem and the seal includes a baffle extending transverse to the valve axis, the baffle defining a flow restriction along the generally annular passage section.