Polymer Closing Valve for Beverage Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing closing valves for containers under pressure, such as beer or soft drinks, face challenges in compatibility with standardized dispense heads and maintaining a secure seal under varying conditions, including high temperatures and prolonged use.
Innovation Solution
A polymer closing element with a sealing member and a spring, featuring leaf springs with gradually decreasing thickness for consistent strain, provides a resilient mechanism compatible with multiple dispense heads, ensuring a secure seal and minimizing strain to prevent material creep.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a closing valve is designed to be compatible with multiple standardized dispense heads, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is designed with a universal sealing geometry that can interface with multiple standardized dispense head types (Sankey, German slider, Grundy). The sealing member's contour is specifically shaped to accommodate different dispense head configurations, allowing a single valve design to serve multiple functions and compatibility requirements without requiring multiple specialized valve designs.
2Reliability
If the spring strain is increased to maintain sealing force under pressure, then sealing reliability is improved, but material creep increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring design parameters are optimized to operate within specific strain thresholds (maximum 1% elongation, less than proportional limit of 3%). By carefully selecting spring stiffness, wire diameter, and coil geometry, the valve maintains adequate sealing force through controlled elastic deformation while preventing excessive strain that would cause permanent set or material creep. This parameter optimization allows reliable sealing without compromising material stability.
3Reliability
If the closing element is positioned inside the inner jacket, then sealing performance is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The closing element is nested within the inner jacket structure, with the sealing member positioned inside the jacket's bore. This nested arrangement allows the closing element to be pre-assembled and tested as a unit, then installed as a complete assembly into the jacket. The nesting provides protection during handling and ensures proper positioning, while the modular design simplifies the overall manufacturing process despite the internal positioning.
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 offers low-cost, compatible closing valves that maintain a secure seal across various dispense heads, preventing material creep and ensuring reliable operation under pressure and temperature variations.
Implementation Method 1
a spring, which urges the closing element into a first, closing position
Implementation Method 2
a sealing member... which, when in the first position, closes an opening through the inner jacket
Data Source
AI summary
A closing valve for a container for a fluid includes an outer jacket connected or connectable to an opening in the container or forming part of the container. An inner jacket is accommodated inside the outer jacket and has an opening through which the fluid can be fed to or withdrawn from the container. A closing element is positioned inside the inner jacket or between the inner jacket and the outer jacket and movable between at least a first position closing the opening and a second position clearing the opening, wherein at least the closing element is made from a polymer material. The closing element comprises a sealing member and a spring, which urges the closing element into the first position.