Dispensing Valve Stem With Lower Gasket for Viscous Aerosol Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional aerosol and bag-on-valve valve systems face limitations in achieving high flow rates due to the small diameter of radial openings, which restricts the dispensing of viscous products and limits the structural integrity of the valve stem, making it difficult to handle products like toothpaste and gels effectively.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a valve stem with a lower sealing gasket positioned closer to the bottom, allowing for larger radial bores without compromising the valve stem's integrity, and includes a metering device within the valve stem to facilitate high flow rates and metered dispensing using compressed gases, enabling the dispensing of viscous substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the radial opening diameter is increased to improve flow rate, then the flow rate increases, but the valve stem structural integrity deteriorates and leakage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented from the valve stem body by introducing a separate gasket component. The gasket contains the radial opening and provides sealing, while the valve stem maintains its structural integrity. This segmentation allows the radial opening to be larger without compromising the valve stem's strength, as the gasket bears the sealing load rather than the valve stem walls.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the radial opening diameter is increased to enable dispensing of viscous products, then the dispensing capability improves, but the risk of product leakage when closed increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket acts as an intermediary element between the valve stem and the radial opening. It provides a dedicated sealing surface that isolates the large radial opening from direct structural support requirements, enabling reliable sealing even with larger openings needed for viscous product dispensing.
3Reliability
If the gasket thickness is increased to improve sealing, then the sealing reliability improves, but the radial opening diameter must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the sealing mechanism from relying on valve stem wall thickness to using a dedicated gasket component. This parameter change allows the radial opening diameter to be optimized for flow rate while the gasket thickness is independently optimized for sealing reliability, decoupling these two previously coupled parameters.
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
This solution enables high volume flow rates for viscous substances, simplifies the assembly and cost of the metering valve, and allows for variable flow rates based on actuation pressure, effectively addressing the limitations of conventional systems in dispensing a wide range of product viscosities.
Implementation Method 1
The valve stem is spring biased so that upon actuation and subsequent release, the valve stem automatically returns back into its sealed, closed position
Implementation Method 2
under a dispensing pressure of an aerosol or compressed gas
Implementation Method 3
under a dispensing pressure of an aerosol or compressed gas
Implementation Method 4
a metering device within the valve stem that seals the valve stem from the container in a pre-dispensing position and seals the exit orifice of the chamber after dispensing
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispensing valve comprising a metering valve for a pressurized aerosol application. The dispensing valve comprises a mounting cup, a gasket, a valve body and a valve housing defining a cavity. The valve housing is captively retained by the mounting cup and a spring biasing the valve body against the gasket into a normally closed position. A lower portion of the valve housing communicating with the product to be dispensed. A valve stem is coupled to the valve body and an actuator is supported by the valve stem. The metering valve is delimited by a metering valve seat and a stop. A metering member is movable, within the metering chamber, to dispense a predetermined quantity of product. The metering valve seat comprising at least one micro vent which facilitates supplying air to the metering valve seat to break a seal formed by surface tension of the product to be dispensed.