Multi-Tiered Vent Seal for Squeeze Foamer to Reduce Activation Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Foaming dispensers for squeezable containers require significant force to activate, leading to user discomfort and noise due to the high strength of existing vent designs, which utilize resilient flaps that need to be overcome to allow air and liquid flow.
Innovation Solution
A vent seal with a multi-tiered disc structure attached to a thickened axial wall, featuring inner and outer flaps with distinct angles and elevations, reduces the activation force required by distributing the force more efficiently and providing a resilient seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resilient flaps with high hoop strength are used in the vent seal, then sealing reliability is improved, but activation force increases making the dispenser harder to use
Solution Approach 1:
The vent seal is divided into multiple resilient flaps (first flap, second flap, third flap, fourth flap) arranged around the central aperture. Each flap is independently attached to the axial wall at different elevations, allowing them to deform separately during activation. This segmentation distributes the activation force across multiple elements rather than requiring one large flap to overcome high hoop strength, thereby reducing the overall force needed while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Each flap is attached to the axial wall at a specific elevation (first flap at first elevation, second flap at second elevation, etc.), creating local variations in the sealing structure. This allows different regions of the vent seal to have different mechanical properties and deformation characteristics, enabling the flaps to open at different stages during squeezing, thus reducing the peak activation force required while maintaining reliable sealing where needed.
2Reliability
If high strength vent seal design is used, then unintended activation is prevented, but noise increases due to excessive force requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The vent seal transitions from a static, rigid structure to a dynamic, multi-stage deformation system. During activation, the flaps deform sequentially rather than all at once, creating a more gradual and controlled opening process. This dynamic behavior reduces the sudden force spikes that generate noise, while the resilient nature of each flap ensures they return to their sealed position reliably, preventing unintended activation.
3Ease of operation
If multi-tiered disc structure with flaps at different elevations is used, then activation force is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional elements (multiple flaps at different elevations, multi-tiered disc structure, axial wall with central aperture) are merged into a single integrated vent seal assembly. This unified structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: sealing the central aperture, providing progressive deformation during activation, and maintaining structural integrity. The merging reduces the need for separate components and simplifies manufacturing despite the increased functional complexity.
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 multi-tiered vent seal design lowers the activation force needed to initiate foaming, making the dispenser easier to use and quieter by reducing the hoop strength required, thus enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
the valve includes resilient, deformable flaps that are temporarily displaced to permit the temporary flow of air or liquid
Implementation Method 2
A vent seal with a multi-tiered disc structure attached to a thickened axial wall, featuring inner and outer flaps with distinct angles and elevations, reduces the activation force required by distributing the force more efficiently
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing vent for a foaming dispenser associated with a squeeze foaming container is described. The vent has an annular structure, with a central aperture encased by a multi-tiered disc section connected to inner facing of a thickened, axial wall. An upward angled, outer flange is connected on an outer facing of the axial wall, and the outer flange is attached at a lower elevation along the axial wall in comparison to the disc section.