Polymeric Dispenser Valve Assembly for Controlled Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current aerosol dispensers face challenges in achieving recyclability and cost-effectiveness due to the use of diverse materials, particularly the need for a valve assembly that can be recycled as a single unit and safely vent at excessive temperatures and pressures, while minimizing metal components.
Innovation Solution
A polymeric valve assembly design featuring a valve body with an inner passageway, a valve stem, and a resilient member, where force concentrators and engagement members are used to control the valve stem's movement, allowing for controlled dispensing and safe venting, and the valve seal is designed to separate at high temperatures, ensuring the assembly can be recycled and withstand pressure variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a polymeric valve assembly is used to improve recyclability and reduce cost, then manufacturing cost and recyclability are improved, but ensuring safe venting at excessive temperatures and pressures becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to polymer for the valve assembly components. The polymeric valve body, valve stem, and engagement member are designed to maintain structural integrity and safe venting functionality at elevated temperatures and pressures through careful selection of polymeric materials and their structural design, thus achieving cost reduction and improved recyclability while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material strategies by combining polymeric materials with functional properties. The valve seal uses a polymeric material that provides both sealing functionality and controlled separation at high temperatures. The resilient member is made from a polymeric material that provides elastic recovery while withstanding pressure variations, creating a composite functional system that meets both economic and safety requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple material types are used in the valve assembly, then functional performance is improved, but recyclability and recycling stream compatibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making all major valve assembly components (valve body, valve stem, engagement member, valve seal, resilient member) from polymeric materials. This uniform material composition allows the entire valve assembly to be recycled as a single unit in the polymeric recycling stream, eliminating the need to separate metal and polymeric components while maintaining functional performance through careful material and design selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric materials used in the valve assembly are selected to perform multiple functions simultaneously. The polymeric valve body provides both structural containment and safe venting capability. The polymeric valve seal provides both sealing and controlled separation functions. This multi-functionality of polymeric materials enables both improved recyclability and maintained functional performance.
3Strength
If metal components are used in the valve assembly, then strength and pressure containment are improved, but cost and sustainability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to polymer for pressure containment components. The polymeric valve body and engagement member are designed with appropriate wall thicknesses and structural features to withstand the required pressure containment levels, replacing traditional metal components and thereby reducing cost and improving sustainability while maintaining adequate strength.
4Ease of manufacture
If a polymeric valve assembly is used to improve recyclability, then environmental sustainability is improved, but the complexity of ensuring controlled separation and safe venting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs self-service by designing the valve seal to automatically separate from the valve stem when exposed to excessive temperatures. This controlled separation is achieved through the inherent thermal properties of the polymeric valve seal material, which softens or deforms at elevated temperatures, causing automatic separation without requiring external actuation or complex mechanical mechanisms, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring safety.
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 enables the creation of a recyclable, cost-effective aerosol dispenser valve assembly that ensures safe operation under varying conditions, maintaining product containment and allowing for controlled dispensing and venting, thus addressing the recyclability and safety concerns of existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient member may be disposed on a portion of the valve body and the one or more force concentrators may be configured to engage the resilient member
Implementation Method 2
the valve seal is designed to separate at high temperatures, ensuring the assembly can be recycled and withstand pressure variations
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly for a dispenser. The valve assembly includes a valve body that extends about a longitudinal axis and defines an outer surface and an inner passageway. A valve stem extends through the inner passageway and includes an outer stem surface, an inner stem surface opposite the outer stem surface, and a first orifice extending from the outer stem surface to the inner stem surface. The valve assembly includes a retaining member joined to the valve stem, wherein the retaining member extends outward from the outer stem surface. The valve assembly includes a resilient member and one or more force concentrators configured to operatively engage the resilient member.