Unitary Plastic Throat Plug Assembly for Recyclable Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dosing and dispensing systems face ecological and manufacturing inefficiencies due to the use of separate metal springs in throat plug assemblies, which hinder recyclability and require additional assembly steps.
Innovation Solution
The throat plug assembly is redesigned with a plastic spring molded as a unitary piece with the retainer, allowing the entire assembly to be made of recyclable plastic and reducing component parts, thereby enhancing recyclability and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal spring is used in the throat plug assembly, then the spring can effectively maintain the valve in a closed position, but the assembly becomes non-recyclable and requires additional disassembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the spring from metal to plastic, specifically using a recyclable plastic material that maintains the necessary elastic properties for valve closure while enabling the entire assembly to be recycled as plastic waste
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the spring and retainer into a single unitary component made of recyclable plastic material, eliminating the need for separate metal spring removal during recycling and simplifying the assembly structure
2Reliability
If a metal spring and separate retainer are used, then the valve can be reliably held in position, but the number of component parts increases and assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring and retainer are merged into a single unitary component formed from recyclable plastic material, reducing the number of parts while maintaining the functional integrity of valve position maintenance through integrated 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
This solution ensures that the throat plug assembly is entirely recyclable, reducing waste and manufacturing complexity, while maintaining the functionality of the dosing and dispensing system with improved venting for efficient liquid dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
a plastic spring which yieldably urges the valve to its closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A dosing and/or dispensing system for use with a liquid container such as a bottle or the like for dosing and/or dispensing liquid contents from the bottle. The system includes an improved venting means to ensure that the liquid being dosed or dispensed properly and accurately drains. A novel throat plug assembly is provided for insertion into the throat of the bottle. The throat plug assembly is comprised entirely of a recyclable plastic material.