Liquid Metering Cap With Suction Valve for Spill Prevention
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid metering assemblies for beverage containers are often complex, cumbersome to clean, and fail to reliably prevent spilling when the container is accidentally overturned, despite their ability to meter fluid selectively.
Innovation Solution
A liquid metering assembly featuring a moveable diaphragm and adjustable liquid volume control member, which includes a dispensing aperture, a vent aperture, and an elongated valve member that moves between sealed and fluid-flowing positions in response to suction, allowing for controlled liquid dispensing and preventing spills when the container is overturned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable liquid metering assemblies are incorporated into beverage container lids, then fluid dispensing control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid metering assembly is divided into separate functional components: a demand valve mechanism for controlled dispensing, an adjustable metering mechanism with rotating control member, and a diaphragm-based actuation system. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall design and maintenance of the assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable liquid metering assemblies with multiple components are used, then fluid dispensing control is improved, but ease of cleaning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is designed with separable components that can be easily disassembled for cleaning. The demand valve, metering mechanism, and diaphragm are positioned to allow access from the container opening, enabling parents to quickly rinse and clean components without requiring complete disassembly or special tools.
3Reliability
If demand valve mechanisms are added to prevent spilling, then spill prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The demand valve mechanism utilizes the suction force generated by the infant's own sucking action to open the valve and allow liquid flow. When sucking stops, the valve automatically closes due to pressure differential, preventing spills without requiring external control mechanisms or additional power sources.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple control mechanisms are incorporated for precise liquid metering, then fluid dispensing control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating control member integrates multiple functions: it adjusts the metering aperture size to control liquid flow rate, sets the desired volume for dispensing, and can be easily repositioned by parents during feeding. This single multi-functional component replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate controls, maintaining operational simplicity while achieving precise liquid metering.
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 assembly effectively meters liquid volume and prevents spills by allowing controlled dispensing and sealing the container, making it easier to use and clean, while ensuring no liquid is released when the container is tipped.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the valve member is received in the fluid flowing aperture, and is moveable relative thereto when a suction is applied to the dispensing aperture of the container cap
Implementation Method 2
When suction is not being applied to the drinking spout, the demand valve substantially prohibits the release of fluid from the beverage container
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid metering assembly is described and which includes a container for enclosing a source of a liquid to be dispensed; a container cap defining a dispensing aperture and a vent aperture which is releasably affixed to the container; a moveable diaphragm releasably cooperating with the container cap, and coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the dispensing aperture, and wherein the moveable diaphragm has a valve member; and a moveable liquid volume control member which cooperates with the moveable diaphragm, and wherein, when a predetermined suction is applied to the dispensing aperture of the container cap, a user may withdraw a given volume of liquid from the beverage container.