Fluid Container Sealing Ball Gravity Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid reservoirs with complex structures, such as ball valves and sealing sleeves, require intricate designs for both the reservoir and dispensing members, making them difficult to use and assemble, especially when trying to create a simple, removable, and aesthetically pleasing dispenser.
Innovation Solution
A fluid reservoir with a sealing ball that falls by gravity into the reservoir once the dispensing member is connected, using a dip tube integrated into the reservoir to facilitate sealing and dispensing, eliminating the need for a separate dip tube in the dispensing member and simplifying the structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball valve and sealing sleeve are implemented in the reservoir, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from a complex ball valve mechanism and implements it using a simple sealing ball that falls under gravity. The sealing ball is released from a retention cavity when the pump is attached, allowing it to fall and seal the opening automatically, thereby achieving reliable sealing without the complexity of a traditional ball valve
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sealing ball as an intermediary element between the reservoir opening and the pump inlet. This sealing ball serves as a simple mediator that provides the necessary sealing function during storage and transport, and automatically deploys when the pump is attached, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and device simplicity
2Reliability
If a sealing sleeve and ball valve are used, then sealing reliability is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex sealing sleeve and ball valve mechanism from the design, replacing them with a simple sealing ball that can be easily manufactured and assembled. The sealing ball is held in a retention cavity and simply falls into place when the pump is attached, making the manufacturing process much simpler while maintaining sealing reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ball is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if necessary. Its simplicity makes it much cheaper and easier to manufacture compared to a ball valve and sealing sleeve assembly, while still providing the required sealing function
3Reliability
If a complex pump structure with needle and sealing pipe is used, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the pump structure itself and places it in the reservoir with the sealing ball. This eliminates the need for the pump to have a complex needle and sealing pipe structure, as the sealing ball in the reservoir provides the necessary sealing when the pump is attached
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ball automatically performs the sealing function when the pump is attached to the reservoir. The ball is released from its retention cavity and falls under gravity to seal the opening, providing self-service sealing without requiring complex pump mechanisms. This simplifies the pump structure while maintaining sealing reliability
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
This solution allows for a straightforward, leak-proof connection between the reservoir and dispensing member, enhancing aesthetics and usability while maintaining the reservoir's simplicity and interchangeability.
Implementation Method 1
the ball being movable by a thrust member external so as to cause the ball to fall by gravity to the bottom of the tank
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a container (R; R') for a fluid product, including a bottom (12) and a pipe (21) defining an opening (20), a sealing ball (3) being inserted into the pipe (21) so as to hermetically seal the opening (20), the ball (3) being movable via an external push member (45; 46) so as to drop the ball (3) via gravity to the bottom (12) of the container such that the opening (20) is thus unblocked, characterized in that the pipe (21) is connected to a dip tube (25), which extends up to the bottom (12) of the container, the diameter of the pipe (21) being smaller than that of the dip tube (25), the ball (3) being sealingly engaged in the pipe (21) prior to being pushed into the dip tube (25) in which the ball freely falls to the bottom (12) of the container.