Reinforced Spout Connector Assembly for Leak-Tight Thread Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible spout connectors made of materials like plastic expand when tightened onto rigid containers, causing the internal threads to ride up and fail to achieve a tight fit with the container's external threads.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement ring made of a more rigid material is positioned over the spout's threaded connector to prevent expansion, ensuring a tight fit by engaging with the spout's exterior threads and maintaining alignment during attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible spout connector is used to connect to a rigid container, then the spout can be easily attached and detached, but the flexible connector expands when tightened causing the internal threads to ride up and fail to achieve a tight fit
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the connector system into two separate components: a flexible spout connector for ease of attachment and a rigid reinforcement ring for maintaining thread engagement. The reinforcement ring is positioned at the threaded portion of the spout connector, creating a segmented structure where each component performs its specialized function without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines two materials with different mechanical properties: a flexible material for the spout connector body that allows easy attachment and detachment, and a rigid material for the reinforcement ring that prevents expansion and maintains thread engagement. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit both flexibility and rigidity in different portions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the threaded connector is made of flexible material, then it can accommodate misalignment during attachment, but it expands when tightened causing the internal threads to pass over the external threads
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible spout connector and rigid reinforcement ring are segmented into separate components, allowing the flexible portion to accommodate misalignment during attachment while the rigid ring maintains precise thread engagement once connected.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the connector system have different material properties: the spout connector body is made flexible to accommodate misalignment, while the reinforcement ring at the threaded portion is made rigid to maintain precise thread engagement. Each local region has the quality needed for its specific function.
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 reinforcement ring ensures a secure, tight connection between the spout and container by preventing radial expansion of the spout's threads, facilitating a stable and leak-proof attachment.
Implementation Method 1
The reinforcement ring is constructed of a material that is more rigid and less flexible than the material of the spout. By positioning and attaching the reinforcement ring over the exterior surface of the threaded connector at the input end of the spout prior to the threaded connector of the spout being screw threaded on the threaded dispenser opening of a container, the rigid material of the reinforcement ring prevents the expansion of the threaded connector
Data Source
AI summary
A spout connector and reinforcement ring assembly includes a rigid ring that is positioned around an exterior surface of an input connector of the spout and prevents expansion of the input connector as the input connector is screw threaded on a threaded opening of a container.