Self-Venting Dispensing Tap With Piston Seal for High-Flow Liquids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing taps for flowable products, such as liquid laundry detergent, face ergonomic and functional issues, including difficult actuator manipulation and slow flow rates, leading to consumer dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic, high flow rate, self-venting dispensing tap design featuring a body with a peripheral skirt, a dispensing head, and a throat, equipped with a piston and shut off valve, along with a spring mechanism and external finger holds for easy actuation, providing a larger cross-sectional flow area at the outlet to enhance fluid flow and prevent leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the outlet cross-sectional area is increased to improve flow rate, then the dispensing speed increases, but the device complexity increases due to larger component dimensions
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a restricted throat section for flow control and pressure buildup, and a larger outlet section for high-volume dispensing. This segmentation allows the outlet to have large cross-sectional area for high flow rate while the throat maintains appropriate dimensions, resolving the contradiction between flow rate and device complexity.
2Reliability
If the piston seal diameter is increased to improve sealing, then the sealing effectiveness increases, but the force required to actuate the piston increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston seal is designed with locally optimized properties: a larger diameter portion for enhanced sealing contact with the dispensing head, and a smaller diameter portion for reduced actuation force. This local quality variation allows the seal to provide reliable sealing without requiring excessive actuation force, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and actuation force.
3Productivity
If the outlet cross-sectional area is made larger than the throat area to increase flow rate, then the dispensing efficiency improves, but the pressure distribution becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The throat section is designed as a preliminary flow restriction that builds up pressure before the fluid enters the larger outlet area. This preliminary action in the throat creates the necessary pressure differential to drive high-flow dispensing through the larger outlet, resolving the contradiction between dispensing efficiency and pressure distribution 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 design facilitates easier use, increased flow rate, and improved ergonomics, allowing for efficient dispensing of high-viscosity liquids without the need for prolonged tap activation, enhancing user experience and product usability.
Implementation Method 1
A spring may be captured between the piston and the dispensing head normally biasing the piston and shut off valve to the closed position
Implementation Method 2
the diameter of the peripheral seal on the piston is larger than the diameter of the shut off valve. In this manner, when pressure is exerted on the container, the pressure is greater on the piston seal than the shut off valve, and naturally exerts a higher force in the closed direction to keep the shut off valve closed
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing tap for liquids includes a body connected to the neck of a container, a dispensing head with an outlet or mouth, and a throat connecting the body to the dispensing head. A shut off valve is configured for sealing engagement with the mouth of the dispensing head, and a piston is axially guided within the dispensing head. The piston includes a peripheral seal slidably engaged with an interior surface of the dispensing head, and a valve stem coupled to the shut off valve. The piston is selectively actuable between a normally closed position an open position. A vent is in communication with an interior of the body and the vent is opened and closed with movement of the piston and shut off valve.