Rotating Cap Sleeve with Biasing Spring for Precise Pourable Material Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing container technologies are costly and complex to manufacture, and they often fail to measure and dispense contents effectively when the container is inverted, lacking a return function to normal operation after use.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing cap with a cylindrical sleeve member and biasing spring that allows pourable material to be measured and dispensed through rotatable pie-shaped compartments, enabling precise measurement and automatic return to a non-measuring position, compatible with various containers and functioning in both upright and inverted positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a measuring and dispensing container is designed with integrated measuring capabilities, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing cap is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a closure for the container and an integrated measuring device. The cap includes measuring chambers that can measure predetermined amounts of liquid, and dispensing apertures that can dispense the measured liquid. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate measuring containers, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion that interfaces with the container, measuring chambers for volume measurement, and dispensing apertures for liquid release. The measuring chambers are further segmented into multiple compartments, each capable of holding a predetermined amount of liquid. This segmentation allows for precise measurement while keeping each component simple and manufacturable.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the container is made adaptable to work in inverted positions, then adaptability is improved, but reliability of measurement may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates a movable closure member that can be shifted between an open position and a closed position. This dynamic element allows the cap to function reliably in both upright and inverted positions. When inverted, the closure member can be opened to allow liquid to fill the measuring chambers, then closed to seal and transport the measured liquid without leakage, ensuring measurement reliability regardless of orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring chambers are pre-configured with specific volumes and geometries that ensure proper filling and measurement regardless of the container's orientation. The chambers include features such as overflow apertures and specific internal geometries that prevent air entrapment and ensure accurate measurement even when the container is inverted, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving adaptability.
3Ease of operation
If a return function is added to automatically return to normal mode after dispensing, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates a biasing spring that automatically returns the closure member to its closed position after dispensing. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual manipulation to reset the cap, improving ease of operation. The spring-loaded return function is integrated into the existing cap structure, adding minimal complexity while providing automatic reset functionality.
4Ease of manufacture
If the cap design is simplified for compatibility with various containers, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed with a universal interface that can fit various container types, simplifying manufacturing and assembly. The body portion of the cap includes a opening configured to receive the container opening, allowing compatibility with different containers. Despite this universal design, the measuring chambers maintain precise volume measurements through carefully controlled internal geometries and calibrated capacities, ensuring measurement precision is not compromised by the simplified external interface.
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 reduces manufacturing costs and complexity, allows accurate measurement and dispensing of contents in any position, and automatically returns to a normal operational mode after use, enhancing usability and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing spring engageable between a portion of the body and a portion of the sleeve member for biasing the cylindrical sleeve member toward a predetermined home position
Data Source
AI summary
In an apparatus for measuring and dispensing pourable material, a removable cap includes a body, a cylindrical sleeve member sheathing an outer circumference of the body, and a biasing spring engageable between the body and the cylindrical sleeve member for biasing the cylindrical sleeve member toward a predetermined home position. The body can include chambers separated longitudinally from one another by a radial panel defining an arcuate aperture allowing passage of the pourable material between the chambers. The cylindrical sleeve member is rotatable with respect to the body for aligning at least one of a plurality of measuring compartments defined by the cylindrical sleeve member with the arcuate aperture for allowing pourable material flow therethrough. The biasing spring can close access to the plurality of measuring compartments during dispensing of a predetermined amount of the pourable material.