Fluid Tank Cup With Movable Plug For Sealed Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid reservoirs face issues with closure mechanisms that can lead to contamination, debris, and operational difficulties, such as lids drying out, falling, or tearing, and membranes producing debris within the reservoir.
Innovation Solution
A fluid reservoir design featuring a cup with a movable plug that creates a controlled, annular supply opening between the main body and cap when actuated by a dispensing member, ensuring a precise and sealed interaction without generating waste or debris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lid is used to close the neck opening, then the reservoir can be sealed, but the lid may dry out, deteriorate, fall, or tear over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the problematic lid element entirely and replaces it with a cup structure that is integrally formed with the reservoir body. The cup is directly molded as part of the reservoir, eliminating the separate lid component that dries out, deteriorates, falls, or tears. This extraction of the lid function into the integral cup structure resolves the reliability and durability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The cup is merged with the reservoir body through integral formation, creating a unified structure where the cup and reservoir are single-piece components. This merging eliminates the interface between separate lid and reservoir parts, preventing deterioration at junctions and ensuring consistent sealing without the need for separate fastening mechanisms.
2Productivity
If a membrane or lid is pierced to create a supply opening, then fluid can be dispensed, but small debris is produced which contaminates the fluid product
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces static pierced openings with a dynamic plug mechanism that can be inserted and removed. The plug is pushed by the dispensing member to open a supply opening between the cup and reservoir body, allowing fluid dispensing without creating debris. The dynamic action of the plug eliminates the need for pre-pierced membranes that generate contaminating debris.
3Ease of operation
If a tear-off lid is used, then the reservoir can be opened, but it is difficult to remove and creates dirt contact
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the opening function from a separate tear-off lid and integrates it into the cup-reservoir body structure. The supply opening is created by the plug being pushed away from the cup, eliminating the need for users to manually tear or remove lids. This eliminates dirt contact and the difficulties associated with tear-off lid removal.
4Manufacturing precision
If a movable plug system is used, then a controlled supply opening is created, but the plug must be precisely positioned to avoid uncontrolled movement
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is designed to be self-positioning through its interaction with the cup structure. When the plug is pushed by the dispensing member, it naturally moves to its final position where it defines the supply opening with the cup. The geometry of the plug and cup interface ensures proper positioning without requiring additional complex mechanisms, achieving precision through self-alignment.
Data Source
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Figure 3
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fluid tank (R) comprising a neck (1) which defines a wide opening sealed by a cup (C) that securely and sealingly engages with the neck (1), characterised in that the cup (C) includes a main body (3) engaging with the neck (1) and a stopper (4) which is removably mounted on the main body (1), the stopper (4) being movable between an initial closed position, in which the stopper (4) is sealingly mounted on the main body (3), and a final open position, in which a feed opening (O) is formed between the main body (3) and the stopper (4).