Flexible Valve Seal for Bulk Product Container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for bulk product presentation, particularly those using a rake-type tool, face challenges in ensuring safe and effective closure of the valve to prevent foreign matter from entering and contaminating the contents, especially in the context of dry products where pathogens are a concern.
Innovation Solution
A device with a flexible valve connected to a base at the upper region of the outlet opening, featuring a flexible lip and a double lip seal made of food-grade elastomeric material, which ensures secure closure and prevents foreign materials from entering, while allowing easy operation by informed users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a rake-type tool is used to move dry bulk products towards the outlet, then product extraction efficiency is improved, but the risk of foreign matter entering and contaminating the container increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible valve made of elastomeric material that forms a seal around the rake tool handle when the tool is inserted through the lid. The flexible nature of the valve allows it to conform to the handle shape while maintaining a tight seal, preventing foreign matter from entering the container during product extraction operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible valve acts as an intermediary element between the container interior and the external environment. It mediates the passage of the rake tool handle through the lid by providing a sealing interface that allows tool insertion while blocking the passage of foreign matter, thus enabling productive operation without contamination risk.
2Reliability
If the valve is made of flexible material to ensure secure closure, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the complexity of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is constructed as a flexible elastomeric component that naturally conforms to the outlet opening shape and seals around the rake handle. This flexible shell design achieves reliable sealing without requiring complex mechanical assemblies, multiple parts, or intricate sealing mechanisms, thus maintaining device simplicity while ensuring contamination prevention.
3Reliability
If a double lip seal is used to prevent contamination, then sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The double lip seal is integrated into the flexible elastomeric valve as a molded feature rather than an separate component. The elastomeric material allows the double lip seal structure to be formed in a single manufacturing process, achieving enhanced contamination prevention without requiring additional assembly steps or multiple manufacturing operations, thus maintaining ease of manufacture.
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 effectively prevents contamination and ensures safe handling of bulk products by maintaining a secure seal during product extraction and closure, minimizing the risk of pathogen spread and foreign matter entry.
Implementation Method 1
a valve (162) made of flexible material... a double lip seal (150a, 150b) made of food-grade elastomeric material
Implementation Method 2
a smooth-friction pivot for automatic, shock-free closing under the effect of gravity
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A presentation device for bulk products includes a container (100), a lid (130), an outlet opening (G) located in a front region of the container, and a manually operated rake-like tool (170). The tool comprises a handle (171) extending through a wall of the container and a working portion (172) located within the container. According to the invention, the handle (171) of the tool passes through an elongated slot (132, F) formed in the lid in a generally front-to-back direction over a substantial portion of its depth. This facilitates product removal while preventing foreign matter from entering the container.