Fitment Splash Guard Protects Vent Membrane
Solution Overview
Problem
During transport and installation of chemical product containers, the vent membrane of the fitment is often damaged due to contact with the chemical product, leading to system failures and increased installation costs, as existing solutions require removal of protective barriers, exposing the vent membrane to the environment.
Innovation Solution
A splash guard is designed to encircle the dip tube and fitment, featuring a contoured shape with apertures and ridges that allow air passage while preventing liquid contact with the vent membrane, ensuring compatibility with various container shapes and sizes, and can be easily manufactured and installed without needing removal during operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a barrier film is disposed between the fitment and chemical product to protect the vent membrane, then the vent membrane is protected from chemical contact, but the barrier must be removed during installation which increases installation time and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the protective barrier into two distinct components: a removable barrier film that protects the vent membrane during transport, and a permanent splash guard that remains in place during operation. This segmentation allows the temporary protective function to be separated from the permanent protective function, enabling the film to be removed for installation while the splash guard provides ongoing protection without requiring removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The splash guard is pre-installed on the fitment before the container is filled with chemical product. This preliminary action ensures that the vent membrane is protected from the outset during both transport and operation, eliminating the need to remove any protective barrier during installation. The barrier film can then be left in place or removed without affecting the splash guard's protective function.
2Ease of operation
If the barrier is removed to expose the vent during installation, then the system can be properly installed, but the chemical product is exposed to the environment and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The splash guard is pre-installed on the fitment before the container is filled with chemical product. This preliminary action ensures that the vent membrane is protected from the outset during both transport and operation, eliminating the need to remove any protective barrier during installation. The barrier film can then be left in place or removed without affecting the splash guard's protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The splash guard acts as an intermediary protective structure between the chemical product and the vent membrane. It provides a physical barrier that allows the installation process to proceed without exposing the chemical product to the environment, as the splash guard remains in place to protect the vent area while workers install the system.
3Ease of manufacture
If the vent membrane is exposed during transport, then the fitment can be easily installed, but the chemical product contacts the vent membrane causing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The splash guard is pre-installed on the fitment before the container is filled with chemical product. This preliminary action ensures that the vent membrane is protected from the outset during both transport and operation, eliminating the need to remove any protective barrier during installation. The barrier film can then be left in place or removed without affecting the splash guard's protective function.
Solution Approach 2:
The splash guard acts as an intermediary protective structure between the chemical product and the vent membrane. It provides a physical barrier that allows the installation process to proceed without exposing the chemical product to the environment, as the splash guard remains in place to protect the vent area while workers install the system.
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 splash guard effectively protects the vent membrane from chemical product contact during transport and installation, reducing system failures and installation time, while maintaining air passage and preventing liquid exposure, thus enhancing the integrity and longevity of the vent membrane.
Implementation Method 1
The vent is typically associated with a vent membrane to filter incoming air or escaping gas
Implementation Method 2
The splash guard prevents exposure of the vent membrane to the liquid
Implementation Method 3
chemical product is removed under negative pressure (i.e., a vacuum)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
An improved system that protects a vent membrane from a liquid is provided. The system includes a container and a fitment seated in the opening of the container. A vent having a vent membrane is associated with the fitment. An elongated dip tube extends from of the fitment into the container. A splash guard is disposed within the container and may connect to the elongated dip tube. The splash guard may have a plurality of ridges extending radially from an aperture. The splash guard may alternatively comprise a tiered configuration. In operation, the splash guard permits gasses to enter the container while minimizing exposure of the vent membrane to the liquid.