Resilient Drip Stopper with Elastic Sealing Lips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drip stoppers for bottles are difficult to produce and expensive, and they do not offer universal compatibility with different bottle neck diameters, making them inefficient for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A one-piece, resilient plastic drip stopper with an elastic folding mechanism that adjusts to fit different bottle neck diameters, allowing for progressive diameter change, is designed to be universally compatible and easy to produce, with features like stackability and a simple insertion device for space-saving and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional drip stoppers are used, then sealing function is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and production cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The drip stopper is divided into functionally distinct segments: a sealing element with radially extending sealing lips for creating the seal, a body portion for structural support, and a pouring spout for controlled discharge. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element incorporates flexible sealing lips that can deform elastically to conform to the bottle neck surface. This flexibility enables reliable sealing across varying bottle dimensions without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms, thereby maintaining sealing effectiveness while reducing manufacturing complexity
2Reliability
If traditional drip stoppers are used, then sealing function is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the drip stopper into distinct functional zones (sealing element, body, spout), the design enables efficient mold construction and assembly. Each segment can be manufactured using standard plastic injection molding techniques, avoiding the need for expensive multi-step machining or assembly processes required by traditional designs
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed with adjustable geometric parameters, particularly the angle and extent of the radially extending sealing lips. These parameters can be modified through standard molding adjustments to optimize sealing performance for different bottle types, eliminating the need for costly tooling changes or custom manufacturing
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed diameter drip stoppers are used, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different bottle sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element incorporates elastic sealing lips that dynamically adapt their configuration based on the bottle neck dimensions. When inserted, the lips deform elastically to match the specific diameter and contour of the bottle opening, enabling a single fixed-diameter stopper design to accommodate multiple bottle sizes while maintaining simple manufacturing
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 provides effective sealing during pouring, is cost-effective, and compatible with various bottle sizes, ensuring minimal waste and easy handling, while being simple to produce and use.
Implementation Method 1
The drip stopper, designed as one-piece, is made of resilient plastic which is permitted for the use with foodstuff, e.g. PE. An elastic folding device makes it possible that the diameter of the drip stopper can be changed progressively.
Data Source
AI summary
A drip stopper for preventing the undesired falling of drops during pouring includes a substantially cylindrical wall having an insertion part for inserting into a bottleneck, and a pouring-out part. The wall has an axially parallel set-back in the form of a recess which extends over the axial length of the wall and makes is possible to adapt the drip stopper to bottlenecks of different widths.