One-Way Valve with Sterilization Element for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing one-way valves for discharging flowable materials from containers of reducible volumes fail to ensure the sterility of the remaining contents, allowing foreign matter such as microorganisms and impurities to contaminate the material, which is critical in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications.
Innovation Solution
A one-way valve with a valve seat and elastic seal in the container neck, featuring a sterilization element, such as a silver coating or oligodynamically active material, that prevents microbial contamination by ensuring a tight seal and bactericidal effect, maintaining sterility during discharge and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a one-way valve is used to discharge flowable material from a container, then the material can be discharged in controlled doses, but foreign matter such as microorganisms and impurities can contaminate the remaining contents
Solution Approach 1:
A sterilization element is introduced as an intermediary component between the valve mechanism and the flowable material. This element acts as a mediator that allows controlled discharge while simultaneously preventing microbial contamination through its sterilizing properties
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly combines multiple materials with different properties: the valve body provides mechanical function, while the sterilization element (such as silver-coated components or oligodynamically active materials) provides biological protection. This composite structure achieves both controlled discharge and contamination prevention
2Volume of stationary object
If air enters the container to compensate for discharged material volume, then volume compensation is achieved, but bacteria, dust, and moisture can penetrate through the container opening
Solution Approach 1:
The sterilization element serves as an intermediary barrier that allows volume compensation through controlled air intake while filtering out bacteria, dust, and moisture. It mediates between the need for pressure equalization and the need to maintain sterility
Solution Approach 2:
The sterilization element creates a protected environment within the container by blocking harmful contaminants from entering, effectively maintaining an inert or sterile atmosphere even when air exchange occurs for volume compensation
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 solution effectively prevents the ingress of microorganisms and impurities, ensuring the sterility of the remaining flowable material within the container, even when the valve is opened for discharge, thereby maintaining the quality of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food products.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic seal (2) which comprises an annular section (13) covering the at least one through hole (10)
Implementation Method 2
a sterilization element (3) which is arranged in the intermediate space between the projection (11) of the valve seat (1) and the sleeve-like section (14) of the elastic seal (2) and exerts a bactericidal effect on bacteria that have possibly penetrated
Data Source
AI summary
A one-way valve for the recontamination-protected repeated discharge of a flowable material from a container of a preferably reducible volume contains a valve seat which consists of a rigid plastic material and which is arranged in the container neck and comprises a base body which rests on the inner wall of the container neck and contains at least one through hole, and a projection which extends in axial direction of the container neck towards the exit opening. The valve seat has arranged thereabove an elastic seal which comprises an annular section covering the at least one through hole, and a sleeve-like section which surrounds the projection at a radial distance with the exception of its end section which in the closed state of the one-way valve rests in the exit opening on the end section of the projection. A sterilization element of silver or of another metal having an oligodynamic action may be arranged in the intermediate space between the projection of the valve seat and the elastic seal. The application of pressure to the contents of the container has the effect that the annular section of the seal releases the at least one through hole of the valve seat, the end section of the sleeve-like part of the seal exiting from the exit opening and releasing the same. The seal will then return into the initial state. The contents of the container is safely sealed against the ingress of contaminants.