Safety Closure Locking Cap for Single-Handed Pump Barrel Refill

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional portable pumping systems require two hands to thread and unthread the closure, are labor-intensive, and can be hazardous due to pressure buildup, especially when hands are greasy or under high pressure.

Innovation Solution

A safety closure with a rapid engagement and locking system, featuring an ergonomic arcuate shape allowing single-step unlocking and removal, and a two-piece construction that remains attached to the product barrel during replenishment, reducing the risk of injury and improving efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional threaded closure is used on the product barrel, then the closure can be securely attached to contain bulk product, but threading and unthreading requires two hands and is time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of closure attachmentVSAvoidtime for threading and unthreading

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is divided into a cap portion and a closure body portion that can be separated. The closure body portion remains attached to the product barrel while the cap portion is removed and replaced during product replenishment, eliminating the need to completely detach and reattach the entire closure assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure incorporates a dynamic locking mechanism with a locking arm that can be quickly engaged and disengaged. The locking arm features a locked position that secures the closure to the product barrel and an unlocked position that allows rapid removal of the cap portion without threading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a conventional threaded closure is used, then the closure can seal the product barrel, but the threaded connection can back out or unthread in response to pressure buildup within the system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure connection stabilityVSAvoidpressure-induced connection failure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking arm is pre-configured with a locking surface that engages with a corresponding surface on the product barrel before pressure buildup occurs. This preliminary mechanical engagement prevents the closure from backing out or unthreading even when pressure increases within the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism converts the harmful effect of pressure buildup into a beneficial self-locking effect. As pressure increases, it forces the cap portion against the closure body portion, which in turn forces the locking arm into tighter engagement with the product barrel, making the connection more secure under pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If a conventional closure is quickly removed from the product barrel, then product replenishment can be performed, but violent decompression occurs which is particularly dangerous at higher pressures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of product replenishmentVSAvoidviolent decompression hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the closure into a removable cap portion and a stationary closure body portion, the system allows the cap to be removed for replenishment while the closure body remains attached to the product barrel. This maintains the pressure-containing connection and prevents violent decompression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closure body portion acts as an intermediary that remains between the cap portion and the product barrel during replenishment operations. This intermediary maintains the sealed connection to the pressurized system, allowing the cap to be removed and replaced without exposing the operator to violent decompression.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Reliability

If the closure is tightly threaded on the product barrel to prevent leakage, then sealing is improved, but the closure becomes difficult to remove and may require tools or excessive force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidease of closure removal

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism provides dynamic control over the closure's attachment state. The locking arm can be easily moved between locked and unlocked positions, allowing the cap portion to be quickly removed when needed while maintaining a tight seal during operation. The locking mechanism itself can be actuated with simple hand motion without requiring tools or excessive force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3879100B1Safety closures and pumping systems

Publication Date: 2023.12.06 CMC MATERIALS INC

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AI summary

A safety enclosure includes an adaptor arranged to attach to a cartridge or produce barrel of a pumping system. The adaptor defines an axial bore and an outer radial surface. The outer radial surface defines a first plurality of a radial ridges and a plurality of gaps extending in an axial direction between groupings of the first radial ridges. A cap includes a radial inner surface defining a receiving space and a second plurality of radial ridges. The receiving space is arranged to receive an upper portion of the adaptor and the second radial ridges are arranged to selectively mate with and engage the first radial ridges of the adaptor. A locking system includes a locking arm movably attached to the cap and including a lock piece arranged to selectively protrude into the receiving space to lock the first radial ridges in engagement with the second radial ridges.