Dispersion Member Fitment for Flowable Material
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flowable materials, such as fluids and particulate solids, often resist flowing through flexible packaging fitments due to clumping or non-Newtonian characteristics, leading to issues like contamination, leakage, and spillage.
Innovation Solution
The fitment includes a flange, a spout, and a dispersion member that breaks apart clumps, ensuring smooth flow by altering the flow characteristics from non-Newtonian to Newtonian and changing the flow from laminar to turbulent, facilitating the exit of materials from the package.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid fitment is used to maintain shape for accessing the interior of the package, then the fitment can receive and maintain closure engagement, but the flowable material may resist flowing through the fitment due to clumping or non-Newtonian characteristics
Solution Approach 1:
The fitment is divided into distinct functional segments: a rigid outer structure (flange and spout) that maintains shape stability, and a separate dispersion member (internal element) that actively breaks up clumps and promotes material flow. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispersion member acts as an intermediary element between the rigid fitment structure and the flowable material. It mediates the interaction by breaking up clumps and promoting turbulent flow, thereby facilitating material discharge while the rigid structure maintains its shape-stability function.
2Productivity
If the flowable material is allowed to flow freely through the fitment, then dispensing is facilitated, but contamination, leakage, and spillage may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersion member changes the flow parameters of the material by inducing turbulent flow and breaking up clumps. This parameter change allows the material to flow more smoothly and predictably through the fitment, reducing the risk of leakage and spillage while maintaining high dispensing rates.
3Adaptability or versatility
If powders and particulate solids are contained in the package, then product variety is expanded, but the material may clump together and adhere to interior surfaces of the fitment
Solution Approach 1:
The dispersion member creates mechanical disruption and turbulent flow conditions that prevent particulate materials from clumping together and adhering to surfaces. The chaotic flow patterns generated by the dispersion element keep particles suspended and moving, reducing static adhesion and clump formation.
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 dispersion member effectively addresses the flow issues, ensuring smooth dispensing of materials by breaking clumps and improving flow characteristics, reducing contamination and leakage risks.
Implementation Method 1
changing the flow from laminar to turbulent
Implementation Method 2
altering the flow characteristics from non-Newtonian to Newtonian
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A fitment for a package with an interior compartment for containment of a flowable material is described. The fitment may have a body with an exterior wall and an interior wall. The interior wall may define a passageway extending through the body from a top opening to a bottom opening. The fitment may have at least one dispersion member with an edge extending into the passageway, the edge dividing at least a portion of a width of the passageway extending between the interior wall. The fitment may include a baffle member having a surface extending into, and at least partially obstructing, the passageway. The fitment may include a flange portion associated with the exterior wall, the flange portion positioned to interface the fitment with the package.