Filler Spout Suction Valve for Clean Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filler spouts risk liquid leakage and contamination due to droplet formation at the bottom end, which can dirty containers and installation components.
Innovation Solution
A filler spout design featuring a tubular body with a valve member and secondary shutter providing axial clearance, coupled with an actuator for moving between closure and opening positions, creating suction in the distribution chamber to prevent leakage and facilitate clean closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the valve member is closed completely to stop fluid flow, then fluid leakage is prevented, but liquid droplets may form and fall from the bottom end of the spout causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is moved to an intermediate closure position before complete closure to create suction and draw liquid back into the distribution chamber. This preliminary action prevents droplet formation at the outlet by actively removing residual liquid before the valve fully closes, thereby eliminating contamination while maintaining reliable leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction created during valve closure, which could be considered a harmful effect, is converted into a beneficial action by using it to actively draw liquid back into the distribution chamber. This converts the potential harm of suction (which could cause aerosolization) into a useful function that prevents droplet formation and contamination at the outlet.
2Productivity
If the valve member is moved quickly between positions to improve productivity, then filling speed increases, but liquid splashing and foaming may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member performs periodic intermediate closure positions during the filling cycle, creating rhythmic suction actions that control liquid flow. This periodic action prevents continuous splashing and foaming by intermittently drawing liquid back into the distribution chamber, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing harmful liquid agitation.
3Reliability
If the valve member is positioned at an intermediate closure position to create suction, then liquid leakage is prevented, but the closure process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member's movement to the intermediate closure position creates suction that automatically draws liquid back into the distribution chamber without requiring additional active control mechanisms. The system uses the valve's own motion to generate the necessary suction effect, simplifying the control system while achieving reliable clean closure.
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 design effectively prevents liquid leakage and contamination by ensuring clean closure and controlled fluid flow, reducing the risk of splashing and foaming during filling operations.
Implementation Method 1
the valve member creates suction in the distribution chamber and sucks up the fluid towards the top of the distribution chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A filler spout including a tubular body having mounted therein a valve member extending facing a valve seat and a secondary shutter arranged in a distribution chamber downstream from the valve member and rigidly connected thereto with a small amount of axial clearance between the valve member and the secondary shutter, and a movable portion of an actuator being coupled to the valve member in order to move it between an extreme closure position and an extreme opening position. The valve member possesses an intermediate closure position and includes a portion that is received in a bore opening out into the distribution chamber in order to form a suction system when the valve member is moved from the extreme closure position to the intermediate closure position.