Opaque Dispensing Container Gravity Orientation Liquid Level
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressurized liquid dispensing containers made of opaque materials like impact extruded aluminium or rolled and welded sheet steel make it impossible to visually assess the liquid quantity, which is a concern in the medical field where such assessment is necessary.
Innovation Solution
A pressurized liquid dispensing container with a formation or discrete element within the cylindrical envelope that alters the center of gravity, allowing the container to bias into different orientations based on liquid content levels, enabling visual indication of the liquid level through changes in orientation when full or empty.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the container is made of opaque materials like impact extruded aluminium or rolled and welded sheet steel, then the structural strength and durability are improved, but the ability to visually assess liquid quantity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fulcrum and gravity-based orientation mechanism as an intermediary system. The container's center of gravity is positioned such that when full, the container stands upright on its base, and when empty, it lies on its side. This mechanical intermediary translates internal liquid quantity into external observable orientation, resolving the contradiction between opaque material strength and liquid quantity visibility.
2Loss of information
If a formation or discrete element is added to alter the center of gravity, then the ability to indicate liquid level is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an asymmetric mass distribution within the container through a formation or discrete element positioned at a specific location. This localized modification to the center of gravity creates the gravity-dependent orientation indication system without requiring complex overall structural changes, thus improving liquid level indication while minimizing device 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 container provides a visual indication of the liquid level by changing its orientation when full or empty, allowing users to determine the quantity of liquid remaining, enhancing usability in medical applications.
Implementation Method 1
the centre of gravity of liquid contents of the container to be positioned differently, at least in one attitude of the container, from its notional position, in the absence of the formation-or-element, the formation-or-element also being such that: when the container is in the one attitude and is at least substantially full of liquid contents, the centre of gravity of the liquid biases the container to one orientation thereof in the one attitude and when the container is at least empty or nearly so, the centre of gravity of the container per se, in the absence or near absence of liquid contents, biases the container to another orientation thereof in the one attitude or biases it into another attitude
Data Source
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AI summary
A container (101) has a constant wall thickness vessel (102) with a valve (103) crimped on at a neck (104) in the vessel. The valve has a dispensing stem (105). The vessel is circularly cylindrical and formed with an groove (106) extending parallel with the length of the vessel, from a base (107) to the neck (104). When the container is lain on its sidewall (108), it will roll, changing its orientation, until the groove (106) is at the surface as shown in Figure 7, with the groove in effect floating on the surface of the liquid, providing an indication of the actual quantity of content in the container.