Plastic Membrane Valve Sealing for Dispensing Closures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing closures with self-closing valves, particularly those made of silicone rubber, are complex and expensive due to the injection molding process, and often suffer from bulging or wrinkling issues with the valve membrane.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing closure featuring a plastic membrane with a valve portion and an attachment portion sealed to an annular support surface using a sealing tool with an annular groove and inner/outer seal zones, preventing bulging and ensuring a smooth attachment without the need for complex designs or expensive materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If injection molded silicone rubber valves are used, then the valve can provide self-closing function, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive injection molded silicone rubber valves with a simple plastic foil membrane that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The membrane is made from inexpensive plastic material and uses a simple slit design instead of complex molded structures, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the self-closing function through the slit opening and closing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from silicone rubber to plastic foil, and simplifies the structural parameters from complex molded shapes to a flat membrane with slits. This parameter change reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while preserving the essential self-closing valve function through the slit opening/closing mechanism.
2Reliability
If injection molded silicone rubber valves are used, then the valve can provide self-closing function, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive injection molded silicone rubber valves with a simple plastic foil membrane that can be easily manufactured and replaced. The membrane is made from inexpensive plastic material and uses a simple slit design instead of complex molded structures, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the self-closing function through the slit opening and closing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the complex injection molding process with a simpler membrane formation and slitting process. Instead of requiring expensive injection molding tooling and multi-step assembly, the valve is created by forming a plastic foil membrane and cutting slits in it, which are simpler and more cost-effective manufacturing operations.
3Reliability
If the membrane is sealed to the support surface, then the valve functions reliably, but the membrane may bulge or wrinkle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating an annular groove at the sealing location to provide localized support to the membrane. This groove structure provides mechanical support exactly where needed at the periphery, preventing bulging and wrinkling in the valve portion while maintaining the smooth flat surface required for reliable sealing and function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension by creating an annular groove (recess) in the support surface. This dimensional change provides structural support to the membrane at the sealing periphery, preventing lateral bulging and wrinkling while maintaining the flat sealing surface, effectively solving the shape distortion problem through three-dimensional structural design.
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 provides a cost-effective, reliable self-closing valve that maintains a smooth, functional state without bulging or wrinkling, ensuring consistent quality and reducing the risk of damage during handling and assembly.
Implementation Method 1
sealing the attachment portion of the valve against the annular support surface by means of a sealing tool which has an annular elevation having a flat top surface and an annular rib protruding from said flat top surface, said flat top surface and annular rib portion defining the sealing energy emitting surface, wherein said energy emitting surface engages the sealing portion of the valve and emit energy to said sealing portion and to said support surface to seal them together
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing closure for a product container includes a plastic closure body having a top wall with a dispensing opening which is arranged in line with a dispensing passage of the container. The closure includes a self-closing valve embodied as a membrane made of a plastic foil. The membrane has a valve portion, which in use can assume an open position under influence of product pressure, and an attachment portion surrounding the valve portion. The attachment portion of the valve is sealed to an annular support surface integrally formed in the closure body along the periphery of the opening or being formed on a plastic annular insert part that is connected to the closure body along the periphery of the opening. The seal between the attachment portion and the support surface includes an annular groove and an inner annular seal zone adjoining the annular groove on a radial inner side.