Mouth Plug With Pressure-Disengaging Resilient Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid container mouth caps face issues with leakage due to air-locking filters when wet, require cumbersome unplugging operations, and have high discharging resistance in subsequent uses, especially with highly osmotic medicinal liquids.
Innovation Solution
A mouth cap design featuring a plug holder with an engagement portion that prevents leakage until the first discharging operation, allowing the plug to be disengaged by internal pressure, reducing discharging resistance in subsequent uses and eliminating the need for special unplugging operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter with minute pores is used to prevent virus and bacteria passage, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but air flow is blocked when the filter is wet (air-locked state)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing a hydrophilic coating layer on the filter surface before use. This coating layer pre-prepares the filter to transition from hydrophobic to hydrophilic state, allowing water to spread uniformly across the pores rather than blocking them, thus maintaining air flow while ensuring filtration effectiveness
2Device complexity
If a check valve with a valve body resiliently supported by a thin piece is used, then valve structure simplicity is improved, but highly osmotic medicinal liquid leaks from the valve hole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying only the local surface property of the valve body through hydrophilic coating. The coating creates a localized water-repellent barrier at the valve hole interface, preventing liquid leakage from this specific area while maintaining the overall simplicity of the valve structure
3Adaptability or versatility
If a check valve with a cross-shaped orifice made of resilient material is used, then valve flexibility is improved, but highly osmotic medicinal liquid leaks from the orifice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by applying hydrophilic coating specifically to the orifice regions of the resilient valve body. This localized treatment creates water-repellent barriers at the critical orifice openings while preserving the overall flexibility and resilient properties of the valve body material
4Device complexity
If the valve body is abutment against the valve hole to close it, then valve closure mechanism simplicity is improved, but contact force is insufficient to prevent highly osmotic medicinal liquid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by treating the valve hole surface with hydrophilic coating. This creates a localized water-repellent effect at the interface between the valve body and valve hole, enhancing the sealing capability without requiring increased contact force or complex closure mechanisms
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 ensures reliable prevention of leakage before the first use, simplifies the initial discharging operation, and reduces the force required for subsequent discharges, enhancing user convenience and productivity.
Implementation Method 1
The filter is a membrane filter or the like which has a multiplicity of minute pores and prevents passage of virus and bacteria
Implementation Method 2
the check valve principally includes a valve body made of a resilient material
Implementation Method 3
it has been found that the filter surface is coated with a hydrophilic coating layer
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
AI summary
A plug member integrally includes a base portion (35a) attached to a plug holder (31) to be mounted on a mouth portion of a container, a plug (34) engaged with an engagement portion (31c) provided in an outlet passage of the plug holder (31), and a resilient connection portion (35b) resiliently connecting the plug (34) to the base portion (35a). Before the first use, the outlet passage is closed with the plug member. In the first use, the container is squeezed to increase the internal pressure of the container. Thus, the plug (34) is disengaged from the engagement portion (31c) by the internal pressure. The outlet passage is thereafter constantly kept open.