Flexible Internal Valve Tap for Low-Cost Tamper-Evident Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensing taps using silicone valves are expensive, provide inadequate sealing, and lack effective anti-counterfeiting and tamper-evident mechanisms, failing to meet regulatory requirements and consumer demands for eco-friendly solutions.
Innovation Solution
A plastic-made tap with innovative geometries and mechanical systems that utilize a flexible valve, ensuring a perfect seal and incorporating tamper-evident features, reducing reliance on expensive silicone valves and enhancing oxygen barrier properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If expensive silicone valves are used, then sealing performance is improved, but device cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a thermoplastic elastomer valve that copies the functional properties of expensive silicone valves (flexibility, sealing capability, self-closing action) but is manufactured through injection molding, making it significantly cheaper and more suitable for mass production while maintaining the required sealing performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from silicone to thermoplastic elastomer, which allows the valve to be produced via injection molding rather than requiring expensive silicone processing methods, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while preserving the essential sealing and self-closing functions
2Ease of operation
If silicone valves are used, then self-closing function is achieved, but liquid tightness is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing function into two separate components: the flexible valve body that provides self-closing action, and a dedicated sealing element (sealing ring or sealing flap) that ensures liquid tightness. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining the flexible thermoplastic elastomer valve with separate sealing elements (such as sealing rings or flaps), creating a hybrid system that leverages the advantages of material flexibility and dedicated sealing structures to achieve both self-closing and liquid-tight performance
3Ease of manufacture
If plastic materials are used, then recyclability is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects thermoplastic elastomer as the material, which has undergone parameter changes to exhibit rubber-like flexibility and sealing properties while maintaining the inherent recyclability and injection molding manufacturability of thermoplastics, thus bridging the gap between eco-friendly materials and performance requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the flexible nature of thermoplastic elastomer to create a valve that can deform and conform to sealing surfaces, achieving effective sealing through the material's elastic properties rather than requiring rigid or expensive silicone components, thereby maintaining both recyclability and sealing performance
4Ease of manufacture
If simple valve geometry is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but anti-counterfeiting capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates specific localized geometric features (such as particular flap configurations, notch patterns, or positioning elements) within the otherwise simple valve structure. These localized features serve as unique identifiers that enable anti-counterfeiting verification while adding minimal complexity to the overall manufacturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent may incorporate color coding, transparent sections, or visual indicators into the valve geometry that allow for easy visual verification of authenticity. These visual features can be integrated during injection molding and provide a simple yet effective anti-counterfeiting mechanism without significantly increasing manufacturing cost
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 tap achieves superior sealing, anti-counterfeiting, and aseptic performance at a competitive price, adapting to market systems without modifications, and reducing oxygen ingress, thus meeting regulatory and consumer needs.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible internal valve (5), preferably in silicone, equipped with a central opening with notch and with at least one external perimeter area
Data Source
AI summary
A tap (1) for dispensing liquids from a container is described, comprising a main body (3) adapted to be placed at the dispensing end of the container and comprising an integrated tamper-evident guarantee ring (3.1) which can be removed in a first opening step of the tap (1), a valve (5) inserted between a lower fixing body (4) and the main body (3), including slits (5.2) for the penetration of a dispensing dart (6), the lower fixing body (4) designed to block the valve (5) and allow the correct opening and closing and sealing of the slots (5.2) of the valve (5), and an upper cap (2) mounted on the main body (3) and anchored to the security ring (3.1) integrated in the main body (3).