Frangible Obstruction Sealing Dispensing Nozzle Opening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Containers with dispensing nozzles often leak or spill during transport and storage due to exposed openings, and existing solutions like screw-on caps and internal valves are prone to contamination and inconsistent dispensing, leading to increased manufacturing and shipping costs and potential damage to the dispensable substance.
Innovation Solution
A system with a dispensable substance container featuring a frangible obstruction over the dispensing nozzle that remains sealed until the container is mated with a receiving container, ensuring the substance is not exposed until fluid communication is established, preventing leaks and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a nozzle with an exposed opening is used to direct the dispensable substance, then the substance can be dispensed, but the nozzle becomes a leak-prone area that may prematurely dispense the substance during shipping, storage, or transport
Solution Approach 1:
A frangible obstruction is pre-installed in the nozzle to seal the opening before dispensing. This preliminary sealing action prevents leaks during shipping and storage, while the frangible nature allows easy removal when dispensing is needed, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining an open nozzle for dispensing and preventing premature dispensing
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle structure is modified by adding a localized frangible obstruction element that selectively seals only the critical opening area. This allows the rest of the nozzle to remain functional and open for its intended dispensing purpose, while specifically addressing the leak-prone opening without compromising overall nozzle operation
2Reliability
If a screw-on cap mechanism is used to seal the nozzle, then the nozzle is sealed during storage, but the mechanism may become loose during transport and allow leaks
Solution Approach 1:
The complex screw-on cap mechanism is replaced by extracting only the essential sealing function and implementing it through a simple frangible obstruction. This eliminates the mechanical complexity of threads and caps while maintaining reliable sealing through the frangible element that remains in place during transport and is simply removed when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible obstruction acts as a disposable sealing element that is designed to be removed once. It provides reliable sealing during storage and transport without the complexity of reusable mechanisms, and its frangible nature ensures it can be easily discarded or removed when dispensing begins
3Productivity
If the container is inverted or aligned with a receiving container before dispensing, then the dispensing process can begin, but the dispensable substance may be exposed to contaminants or leak through the nozzle during these intervening moments
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible obstruction is pre-installed to maintain sealing during all preparation activities including inverting and aligning the container. This preliminary protective action ensures the substance remains sealed throughout the entire preparation sequence, and only opens when actually dispensing into the receiving container, thus preventing contamination during intervening moments
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 system effectively maintains the dispensable substance sealed during transport and storage, preventing leaks and premature dispensing, while ensuring precise and controlled dispensing when needed, thus reducing contamination and material waste.
Implementation Method 1
a frangible obstruction fixed over the opening in the dispensing nozzle that breaks apart when the container is mated with the receiving container
Data Source
AI summary
A device may include a dispensable substance container to hold a dispensable substance; a dispensing nozzle attached to the dispensable substance container to dispense the dispensable substance out of an opening in the dispensing nozzle; and a frangible obstruction encompassing the dispensing nozzle and obstructing the opening of the dispensing nozzle wherein the frangible obstruction is to slide along the dispensing nozzle to uncover the opening when broken free from the dispensing nozzle by a wall of a receiving container during an engagement between the dispensable substance container and the receiving container.