Rotating Tap Assembly with Piercing Valve for Flexible Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve and spout systems for liquid containers do not effectively prevent oxygen transmission before first use, which can reduce the shelf life of products.
Innovation Solution
A tap assembly with a gland and incision device that connects to the container, allowing for piercing and dispensing after manufacture, featuring a tamper-evident seal and rotational mechanism to prevent accidental opening, ensuring zero oxygen transmission until the product is used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional valves are integrated with the container during manufacture, then the container can be filled with fluid, but oxygen transmission occurs before first use reducing shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The tap assembly is pre-assembled and sealed to the container during manufacturing, with the piercing valve positioned but not activated. The container remains sealed until the user deliberately activates the piercing mechanism, preventing oxygen transmission throughout storage and transport periods.
Solution Approach 2:
A tamper-evident seal is introduced as an intermediary barrier between the container interior and external environment. This seal prevents oxygen and contaminants from entering the container before the user intentionally activates the piercing valve, thereby extending shelf life.
2Reliability
If a piercing valve is added to allow dispensing after manufacture, then zero oxygen transmission is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing valve and dispensing tap are merged into a single integrated assembly that combines both functions. The piercing valve is positioned within the tap structure, allowing the user to perform both the piercing action and fluid dispensing through one unified mechanism, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The tap assembly serves multiple functions: it acts as a sealing mechanism during storage, a piercing valve when activated, and a dispensing tap for fluid flow control. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining zero oxygen transmission capability.
3Ease of operation
If the tap is made rotatable to enable piercing, then the incision device can be positioned, but the risk of accidental opening increases
Solution Approach 1:
A tamper-evident seal serves as an intermediary safety mechanism between the rotatable tap and the container opening. This seal prevents accidental piercing and opening until the user deliberately activates the mechanism, while still allowing intentional rotation for piercing and dispensing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The tamper-evident seal is positioned to counteract unintended rotation or opening forces. The seal's design creates a preliminary barrier that resists accidental activation, requiring deliberate user action to overcome and activate the piercing function, thereby preventing accidental opening while maintaining ease of intentional operation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~3C
Figure 4A~5
Figure 6
AI summary
A tap assembly for dispensing fluid from a flexible container includes a gland for connecting with the container, the gland having an inlet and an outlet. A tap is in fluid communication with the outlet of the gland. An incision device is fixed with respect to the tap to rotate with a corresponding rotation of the tap, the incision device located at the inlet of the gland, and positioned fully within the gland in a first rotational position and generally outside of the gland in a second rotational position. An indent and/or rib and/or molded sidewall is positioned on the gland or the tap and a corresponding detent and/or rib and/or tap flange is positioned on an opposite of the tap or the gland such that the tap is rotatable between the first rotational position and the second rotational position and the indent and the detent and/or molded sidewall prevents further rotation.