Elastomer Filler Nozzle With Protrusions for Liquid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filler nozzles for liquid filling machines face challenges in achieving adequate flow velocity for desirable filling states while maintaining liquid-tight properties and preventing air suction, as they either result in liquid splattering or compromised strength leading to air ingress.
Innovation Solution
A filler nozzle with a nozzle wall formed of elastomer, featuring inward folded portions that form slits and outward protrusions on the outer surfaces of the nozzle wall, which enhance the liquid-tight property and allow for increased nozzle diameter to reduce flow velocity, ensuring smooth operation and effective drainage without air suction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the nozzle wall thickness is reduced to increase slit opening degree, then the flow velocity of discharged liquid is reduced, but the liquid-tight property is lowered causing air suction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating thick parts at specific locations (lower end portion of the nozzle wall) while keeping other portions thinner. The thick parts are formed by inward protrusions that extend into the nozzle interior, providing localized reinforcement exactly where needed to maintain liquid-tight sealing during drainage, while allowing the overall nozzle wall to remain thin for flexibility and adequate slit opening.
2Speed
If the nozzle diameter is increased to reduce flow velocity, then liquid adhesion and bubbling are reduced, but the strength of the lower end portion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent increases the nozzle diameter to reduce flow velocity and improve filling quality, while compensating for the reduced strength by adding localized thick parts through inward protrusions at the lower end portion. This allows the nozzle to maintain both the larger diameter needed for slower flow and the localized reinforcement needed for structural strength.
3Strength
If the protruding height of inward protrusions is increased to form thick parts, then the strength of the lower end portion is improved, but the liquid flow is obstructed when slits close
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the protruding height of the inward protrusions to create thick parts that provide necessary strength without excessive height that would obstruct liquid flow during drainage. The protrusions are positioned and dimensioned to provide structural reinforcement while maintaining adequate clearance for liquid to flow smoothly past them when the slits are closed.
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 ensures a desirable filling state with reduced liquid adhesion and bubbling, improved liquid drainage, and maintained liquid-tight properties by adjusting the protrusion height and shape to prevent air ingress and interference during slit closure.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of slits are closed by elasticity of the nozzle wall itself in a state in which no liquid is delivered to the liquid filling tube, and are opened by a pressure of a liquid when the liquid is delivered to the liquid filling tube
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
To provide a filler nozzle for a liquid filling machine capable of filling a liquid at an adequate flow velocity so as to achieve a desirable filling state, providing a good liquid drainage at the time of completion of filling and preventing lowering of a liquid-tight property due to suction of air. A filler nozzle (1) has a nozzle wall (11) formed of an elastomer. A connecting port (12) is provided at an upper end portion of the nozzle wall. A plurality of inward folded portions (13) are formed on the nozzle wall so as to be disposed along a circumferential direction and so as to form radial slits (14) by a lower end portion of the nozzle wall. Outward protrusions (15) extending along a longitudinal length of the slits are formed on outer surfaces of bilateral areas (110) on both sides of each slit at a lower end portion of the nozzle wall, and the outward protrusions form thick parts (11 a) at the lower end portion of the nozzle wall.