Flexible Dropper Bulb Sealing for Leak Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Droppers commonly used for dispensing fluids often leak due to inadequate sealing, especially during transportation, which can be attributed to vibrations and temperature changes, and may suffer damage from over-tightening or failure to fully tighten the cap.

Innovation Solution

A dropper design that incorporates a bulb with a flange and collar, allowing it to function as both a dispensing mechanism and a cap for the bottle, with features such as a pipette coupling member and a gap between the collar and pipette to enhance sealing, reducing leakage and preventing damage from twisting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dropper cap is tightly fastened to prevent leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but the risk of damage from over-tightening increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidrisk of damage from over-tightening

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The bulb is made of flexible material that can deform under insertion force and return to its original shape. This flexibility allows the bulb to accommodate variations in bottle opening size without requiring excessive tightening force, preventing damage while maintaining an effective seal through the deformation and recovery cycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible bulb acts as a cushioning element that absorbs excess insertion force. When the dropper is inserted into the bottle opening, the bulb deforms to accommodate the force and then returns to its original shape, cushioning against the risk of over-tightening damage while still providing adequate sealing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Strength

If the dropper cap is loosely fastened to avoid damage, then the risk of damage is reduced, but leakage during transportation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverisk of damageVSAvoidsealing performance during transportation

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible bulb material allows the dropper to be inserted easily without forceful tightening, reducing damage risk. Simultaneously, when inserted, the bulb deforms to create a tight seal against the bottle opening, preventing leakage during transportation. The flexibility ensures the seal is formed gently without requiring excessive force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The bulb transitions dynamically between different states: relaxed state for easy insertion, deformed state for sealing, and return to original shape after sealing. This dynamic behavior allows the same component to provide both gentle insertion (reducing damage) and effective sealing (preventing leakage) without requiring multiple separate mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If a traditional cap design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but leakage due to vibration and temperature changes occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsealing performance under vibration and temperature changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible bulb material provides inherent compensation for vibration and temperature changes. The material's elasticity allows it to maintain contact with the bottle opening even when subjected to vibration or thermal expansion/contraction, preventing leakage without requiring complex additional sealing mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The bulb serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the sealing element, the cushioning element during insertion, and the compensation mechanism for vibration and temperature changes. This multi-functionality is achieved through the inherent properties of the flexible material, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving reliability under various conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11745176B2Leak resistant droppers

Publication Date: 2023.09.05 BOTTLE BARONS LLC

AI summary

In various implementations, a dropper for a bottle may include a bulb with a flange and an extended leg. The dropper may be used as a cap, in some implementations, with or without a skirt. The dropper may inhibit leaks from a bottle when the dropper is used as a cap for the bottle.