Proportioning Container Cap Assembly with Interchangeable Metering Tips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for cleaning liquids, particularly those used in industrial settings, lack versatility in achieving accurate dilution ratios and are not suitable for both manual and automated proportioning systems, leading to inefficiencies in inventory management and usage flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A conventional squeeze bottle is modified with a cap assembly that includes an actuatable valve and check valves, allowing for different dilution ratios through metering tips of varying sizes, enabling the same bottle to be used for manual dispensing, single-rate, or multiple-rate proportioning, and accommodating both manual and automated systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional squeeze bottle is used for manual measuring and dispensing, then it can store and transfer concentrated cleaning liquid, but it cannot achieve accurate dilution ratios or work with automated proportioning systems
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a simple manual squeeze bottle, as an automated proportioning system, or as a hybrid system with selectable metering tips. The cap assembly with interchangeable metering tips enables the same container to achieve accurate dilution ratios while maintaining compatibility with both manual and automated dispensing methods
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly is designed as a separable component that can be removed and replaced. The metering tips are individual replaceable elements within the cap assembly, allowing users to swap between different tip sizes (e.g., 0.010 inch, 0.015 inch, 0.020 inch) to achieve different dilution ratios without replacing the entire container
2Measurement precision
If different metering tips are used to achieve different dilution ratios, then accurate proportioning is possible, but inventory management becomes inefficient due to needing multiple containers
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining separate containers for different dilution ratios, the invention allows a single container to accommodate multiple metering tips. This enables one container to serve multiple purposes across different cleaning applications, reducing the total number of containers needed in inventory while maintaining precise control over dilution ratios through tip selection
3Measurement precision
If the container is designed for automated proportioning systems, then accurate dilution is achieved, but the container cannot be used manually if the automated system fails
Solution Approach 1:
The container design incorporates features that support both automated and manual operation. The cap assembly with metering tips can be used with automated proportioning systems for precise dilution, or the same container can be manually squeezed by users. This dual capability ensures continuous operation even if automated systems fail, while maintaining the option for accurate automated dispensing when available
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 allows for flexible use of the same plastic bottle in various applications, reducing inventory needs and ensuring continuous use even if automated systems fail, by enabling accurate measurement and dispensing of cleaning solutions at desired concentrations, thereby optimizing storage and usage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The cap assembly also includes a check valve to prevent reverse flow
Implementation Method 2
an insert having an actuatable valve communicating with a dip tube extending to the base of the main liquid reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A plastic container includes a squeezable bottle providing a lower main liquid reservoir for storing a cleaning solution, an upper dispensing receptacle for measuring and dispensing a measured quantity of liquid, and a transfer duct communicating a lower portion of the main liquid reservoir with an upper portion of the dispensing receptacle for transferring liquid from the main liquid reservoir to the upper dispensing receptacle. After the main liquid reservoir is filled through an opening at the base of the dispensing receptacle, the opening is closed with an insert equipped with a check valve. This same container is adapted to a single flow or double-flow proportioning container by providing a drop tube which opens the check valve and permits liquid to pass from the main reservoir through a check valve housed in a cap assembly, thence through a metering tip to a delivery tube which is in fluid communication with a proportioning device.