Pouring Spout With Sealing Means For Controlled Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pouring spouts are difficult to use in tight spaces due to obstructions and size differences, often resulting in spillage during the transfer of materials from containers to receiving destinations, and they are often cumbersome, hard to store, and require cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A novel pouring spout with an elongated hollow shape featuring a tapered circular first end for attachment to containers and a rectangular second end with a sealing mechanism that can be opened by applying force along hinge lines, allowing controlled flow and reducing spillage during inversion and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional pouring spout is used in tight spaces with obstructions, then the container can be inverted and positioned, but spillage occurs during material transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The spout is pre-formed with an elongated hollow shape and tapered first end that matches the container neck geometry, allowing it to be attached before inversion. The sealing means is pre-configured at the second end to automatically seal when the spout is inserted into the receiving opening, preventing spillage before the pouring action begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout is divided into distinct functional segments: a tapered first end for container attachment, an intermediate portion for structural integrity, and a second end with sealing means for flow control. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, with the tapered end facilitating easy attachment and the sealed second end preventing spillage during positioning.
2Ease of operation
If the container spout is inserted directly into the receiving opening, then positioning is simple, but spillage occurs due to obstructions and size differences
Solution Approach 1:
The spout is attached to the container before inversion and positioning. The sealing means is pre-positioned at the second end to automatically seal when the spout reaches the receiving opening, preventing spillage before the pouring action begins. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for manual sealing during positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The spout acts as an intermediary device between the container and receiving opening. Its elongated hollow shape with tapered end facilitates navigation through obstructions, while the sealing means at the second end provides automatic sealing when inserted into the receiving opening, preventing spillage during the transfer process.
3Reliability
If a funnel is used to assist pouring, then spillage is reduced, but the funnel requires cleaning and introduces foreign matter
Solution Approach 1:
The spout is designed as a disposable item that is attached to the container for a single use and then discarded. This eliminates the need for cleaning and prevents foreign matter introduction from previous uses, while still providing spill-free transfer through its automated sealing mechanism. The low cost and single-use design make it preferable to reusable funnels that require cleaning.
4Ease of operation
If the spout second end is kept open for easy access, then operation is simple, but material flow cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing means is pre-configured at the second end of the spout to automatically seal when the spout is inserted into the receiving opening. This preliminary sealing action provides flow control without requiring complex mechanisms, as the seal is activated automatically by the insertion motion itself, maintaining ease of operation while enabling controlled material flow.
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 spout effectively reduces material spillage by allowing controlled flow and easy positioning, is easy to store, and can be disposable, eliminating the need for cleaning and providing a spill-free transfer of materials.
Implementation Method 1
An adhesive like material can hold said walls in close proximity, resulting in said second end being in said closed position
Implementation Method 2
Said second end has a sealing means which seals said second end and allows for control of flow through said spout, including when said container and spout assembly is inverted. Said sealing means can be comprised of multiple, essentially flat wall segments, said walls being interconnected by hinge lines, allowing said second end to change shape by the movement of said walls and the bending of said hinge lines
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed preferred embodiment of the current invention relates to a spout or a spout extension system for assisting in the transfer of pourable material from a storage container to a receiving destination or equipment. Said spout extension has a means of controlling the flow of said material allowing for the inversion and positioning of said container spout combination, prior to initiating the flow. More particularly this invention relates to an attachable spout extension, said extension contains a control means or valve which can be operated when the container and spout extension combination is inverted and positioned in the desired location prior to commencing flow of material.