Front Push Tap Venting and Seal Design to Prevent Dripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensers often suffer from dripping after closure and inadequate venting, which hampers fluid flow and leads to glugging issues.
Innovation Solution
A front push tap design featuring a spring button and valve seal member connected by a flexible stem, allowing for sealing and unsealing of the dispensing port, with optional venting mechanisms to introduce outside air for improved flow, and a tamper evidence cap for secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional fluid dispenser is used, then the structure is simple, but it suffers from dripping after closure and inadequate venting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including a flexible stem that can bend and a spring button that provides elastic restoring force. The flexible stem connects the button to the valve seal, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position based on pressing force, enabling reliable sealing when released and preventing dripping through automatic return to the closed position.
Solution Approach 2:
The tap is divided into distinct functional components: a spring button member for actuation, a flexible stem for transmission, and a valve seal member for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together to achieve reliable dripping prevention through coordinated action.
2Productivity
If no venting mechanism is provided, then the device structure remains simple, but fluid flow is hampered and glugging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces air as an intermediary substance through the vent passageway. This allows atmospheric pressure to act on the fluid surface in the container, facilitating smooth fluid flow through the dispensing port by balancing pressure differences and preventing glugging effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting function is extracted as a separate feature through the vent passageway and vent plug mechanism. This allows air to be introduced independently from the fluid flow path, improving fluid dispensing performance without interfering with the primary sealing and dispensing functions.
3Ease of operation
If the spring button is positioned behind the dispensing port, then the sealing mechanism is compact, but the tap is difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The spring button is repositioned from a traditional rear location to a forward position on the front surface of the tap body, changing its spatial arrangement in three-dimensional space. This dimensional repositioning makes the button easily accessible for operation while the flexible stem transmits the pressing force through the internal mechanism to the valve seal.
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 design prevents dripping after closure, enhances fluid flow by allowing air venting, and provides easy usability with the spring button positioned forward, ensuring a reliable seal and reduced glugging.
Implementation Method 1
When the spring button is released, it elastically springs back to the undepressed position, causing the valve seal member to sealingly engage with the inner wall of the dispensing port
Implementation Method 2
The spring button member and valve seal member are connected by a flexible stem having two ends, each end connected to the spring button member and the valve seal member
Implementation Method 3
The front push tap can also allow outside air to be vented into the front push tap when the front push tap is in the flow configuration, to improve the flow and prevent glugging
Implementation Method 4
When in the sealed configuration the spring button holds the flexible stem and the valve seal member so the valve seal member is sealingly engaged to the inner wall of the dispensing port
Data Source
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AI summary
A front push tap dispenser has a flow configuration and a sealed configuration. The tap comprises a tap body, a spring button member and a valve seal member, with the two members connected by a flexible stem having two ends, each end connected to the spring button member and the valve seal member. When in the sealed configuration the spring button holds the flexible stem and the valve seal member so the valve seal member is sealingly engaged to the inner wall of the dispensing port. When in the flow configuration the spring button is depressed, which causes the flexible stem and the valve seal to move downwardly to unseal the dispensing port to allow fluid to be dispensed. When the spring button is released, it elastically springs back to the undepressed position, causing the valve seal member to sealingly engage with the inner wall of the dispensing port.