Pour Spout Venting Channel Design for Liquid Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for pouring liquids from containers into narrow openings, such as funnels and traditional pour spouts, often result in spilling and require additional venting mechanisms that increase complexity and cost, especially in applications like refilling diesel cars with 'Adblue' where effective venting is crucial without hermetic sealing.
Innovation Solution
A pour spout design featuring a venting channel that interrupts the sealing surface between the coupling cap portion and the container, allowing air to escape while preventing liquid from flowing out, achieved by leaving material out during molding, with the venting channel positioned to maximize the difference in level between its end and the pour channel's end, ensuring reliable venting without hermetic sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a funnel is used to pour liquid into a narrow opening, then spilling is reduced, but the funnel occupies much space when not in use and the inner surface exposed to liquid causes soiling of the user's hand
Solution Approach 1:
The pour spout is inserted into the opening of the container, with the coupling cap portion fitting inside the container opening. This nested configuration eliminates the need for a separate funnel while providing spill prevention through the integrated pour channel and sealing surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The pour spout acts as an intermediary device between the liquid source and the narrow opening. It provides a controlled pouring path through the pour channel while the coupling cap portion seals against the container opening, preventing spills without requiring the user to handle a separate funnel.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a pour spout is used to pour liquid into a container, then spilling is reduced, but venting of the container is needed which adds complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is merged with the sealing function in the coupling cap portion. The same component that provides sealing surfaces for preventing spills also incorporates a venting channel to allow air escape. This eliminates the need for separate venting mechanisms while maintaining spill prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling cap portion serves multiple functions: it provides sealing surfaces against the container opening to prevent spills, incorporates a venting channel for air escape, and maintains structural support for the pour channel. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving both spill prevention and venting.
3Reliability
If a venting channel is provided in the pour spout, then venting is achieved, but costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The venting channel is integrated directly into the coupling cap portion, merging the venting function with the sealing structure. This eliminates the need for separate venting components in the pour spout, reducing complexity while maintaining effective venting through the channel that extends from the sealing surface to the external environment.
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 effectively prevents spilling during pouring by ensuring reliable venting while allowing the container to be resealed after use, reducing costs and complexity compared to traditional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
A pour spout design featuring a venting channel that interrupts the sealing surface between the coupling cap portion and the container, allowing air to escape while preventing liquid from flowing out
Implementation Method 2
the venting channel positioned to maximize the difference in level between its end and the pour channel's end, ensuring reliable venting without hermetic sealing
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A pour spout (1) has an elongate conduit portion (3) obliquely projecting from a coupling cap portion (4), which is arranged for coupling to a container (2). At least one sealing surface (6, 7, 8) of the coupling cap portion is arranged for sealing engagement around the opening of the container. A venting channel (18) interrupts the at least one sealing surface (6, 7, 8) for allowing venting of the container (2) through a passage between the coupling cap portion (4) and a portion of the container facing the venting channel. The venting channel (18) is provided on one single lateral side of the coupling cap portion (4) only. The lateral side where the venting channel (18) is provided is in a radial direction in which an angle between the longitudinal direction of the conduit portion (3) and the plane (19) is smallest.