Flow Restrictor With Raised Ring And Sleeve For Infant Medicine Bottles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow restrictors for infant and children's liquid medicine bottles are prone to leakage and accidental removal or dislodgement, failing to provide a secure and reliable mechanism for dispensing medicine, either with a syringe or by squeezing the bottle.
Innovation Solution
A flow restrictor design featuring a cover with a flange that engages the cap liner, an integral downwardly extending sleeve for a tight seal, and a self-sealing orifice with vertical supports and external protrusions to secure the device within the bottle neck, ensuring a secure fit and preventing leakage or accidental removal, with options for use with or without a syringe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flow restrictor covers the opening of the bottle, then the medicine can be dispensed, but the medicine may leak because the cap liner may depress the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is divided into separate functional components: a cover portion for dispensing, a sleeve portion for sealing, and engagement features for the cap. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with others, preventing leakage while maintaining dispensing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve acts as an intermediary element between the flow restrictor and the bottle neck, providing a tight seal that prevents leakage. The raised ring serves as an intermediary between the cap liner and the flow restrictor, preventing the liner from depressing the opening while still allowing cap closure.
2Ease of operation
If a flow restrictor covers the opening of the bottle, then the medicine can be dispensed, but the flow restrictor may not effectively grip the neck of the bottle, permitting accidental removal
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is divided into a cover portion and a sleeve portion, with the sleeve specifically designed to engage the bottle neck through friction fit and geometric interference. This segmentation allows the sleeve to provide secure attachment while the cover provides dispensing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is designed with a curved outer surface that matches the curvature of the bottle neck, creating a friction fit that prevents accidental removal. The raised ring provides additional geometric interference to secure the attachment.
3Device complexity
If the flow restrictor is positioned flush against the diameter of the mouth of the bottle, then the structure is simple, but the flow restrictor may be accidentally pushed into the bottle
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is segmented into a cover portion and a sleeve portion, with the sleeve extending into the bottle neck to provide positioning stability. This segmentation allows the device to remain relatively simple while preventing accidental insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve and raised ring are designed to engage the bottle neck and cap liner in advance, creating mechanical interference that prevents the flow restrictor from being accidentally pushed into the bottle. This preliminary engagement counteracts potential harmful forces before they can cause damage.
4Productivity
If flow restrictors are used to reduce the diameter of the bottle, then the flow can be restricted, but the flow restrictor may leak when the bottle is tipped over
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is divided into a cover portion for flow restriction and a sleeve portion for sealing. This segmentation allows the sleeve to provide a reliable seal that prevents leakage when the bottle is tipped over, while the cover maintains flow restriction functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve acts as an intermediary sealing element between the flow restrictor and the bottle neck, providing a tight fit that prevents leakage in any orientation. The raised ring serves as an intermediary to prevent cap liner deformation that could cause leakage.
5Ease of operation
If squeeze flow restrictors are used, then the medicine can be dispensed by squeezing the bottle, but the flow restrictor may come off when the bottle is squeezed
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restrictor is segmented into a cover portion for dispensing and a sleeve portion for secure attachment. The sleeve is designed with friction fit and geometric interference features that prevent the flow restrictor from coming off during squeezing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is designed with a curved outer surface that matches the curvature of the bottle neck, creating a friction fit that prevents the flow restrictor from being dislodged during squeezing. The raised ring provides additional geometric interference to maintain secure attachment.
Data Source
AI summary
Flow restrictors for use with a syringe or without a syringe are disclosed for dispensing a liquid medicine for an infant or child. The flow restrictors include a cover having a raised ring, a sleeve for insertion into a bottle, a self-sealing orifice for dispensing the medicine and including an annular cylinder having vertical supports or ribs which extend outward and engage the inside wall of the sleeve. The sleeve includes one or more external protrusions.