Sealable Internally Fed Applicator Valve Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Internally fed applicator systems risk clogging when not in use for extended periods, especially when exposed to ambient air or humidity, particularly with two-component substances that react upon contact, leading to deterioration and clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
An internally fed applicator system with a movable valve that can be operated by rotating the applicator, sealing the ducts to prevent exposure to ambient air and featuring a central output duct with separate tracks to prevent unwanted mixing of substances, ensuring the valve body is designed to securely shut off the ducts upstream of the applicator, and incorporating a static mixer within the applicator for precise mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the applicator is detached and disposed between applications, then the applicator can be replaced or cleaned, but the internally feeding ducts are exposed to ambient air and humidity causing drying and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the duct system into two separate parts: a disposable applicator portion and a reusable body portion containing the reservoir and duct inlet. This separation allows the applicator to be discarded after use while the main duct system remains protected and sealed, eliminating the clogging problem while maintaining ease of applicator replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a pre-designed coupling mechanism with sealing elements that automatically seals the duct inlet when the applicator is removed. This preliminary sealing action prevents ambient air and humidity from entering the duct system before the next application, thereby preventing drying and clogging of the ducts.
2Productivity
If the applicator system stores multiple portions of substance, then the system can be used repeatedly, but the internally feeding ducts risk clogging during long pauses between applications
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the consumable applicator from the permanent body containing the duct system, the patent enables multiple applications without exposing the ducts to ambient conditions. Each new applicator connects to the sealed duct inlet, allowing repeated usage while maintaining duct integrity and preventing clogging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a protected environment for the duct system by keeping it sealed within the body portion, isolated from ambient air and humidity. This inert environment prevents drying and chemical reactions that would cause clogging, enabling long-term storage of multiple substance portions without deterioration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If two or more component substances are stored separately and mixed in the applicator, then the substances remain stable during storage, but the mixing process must occur right before application requiring precise control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the mixing function into the disposable applicator portion, which contains separate chambers for each component substance. The mixing occurs only when the applicator is assembled and activated, providing precise control without requiring complex mixing mechanisms in the permanent body.
Solution Approach 2:
By placing the mixing chambers and mixing mechanism in the disposable applicator rather than the permanent body, the patent simplifies the overall system design. The disposable applicator can be designed with simple mixing features that are discarded after use, reducing the complexity and cost of the permanent device while maintaining precise mixing control.
4Reliability
If the valve is designed to seal the ducts upstream of the applicator, then clogging is prevented, but the valve body and coupling mechanism increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the valve and sealing functions into an integrated coupling mechanism that is part of the reusable body. This centralized design provides effective sealing of the duct inlet while avoiding the need for separate valve mechanisms at multiple locations, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the valve function, sealing mechanism, and applicator coupling into a single integrated assembly. This combination achieves reliable duct sealing while simplifying the device structure by eliminating separate components, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
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 system effectively prevents clogging and ensures the substances remain separate until application, maintaining their integrity and preventing unwanted chemical reactions, even when the applicator is detached for extended periods.
Implementation Method 1
the valve body has at least one internal duct that is movable from a first position in which its - at least one - internal duct interconnects the at least one duct coming from the reservoir with the duct through the applicator to a second position in which its body blocks the interconnection between the at least one duct coming from the reservoir and the duct through the applicator
Implementation Method 2
incorporating a static mixer within the applicator for precise mixing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Applicator system (1) for applying at least one flowable substance, with a body (2) forming at least one reservoir (5; 6) for storing at least one substance to be applied, a pump device for expelling the at least one substance out of the reservoir (5; 6), and a duct system (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21) for feeding the at least one pumped substance from the reservoir (5; 6) out of the body through the applicator (15) to at least one mouth (27) of the applicator (15), and a detachable applicator (15) for applying the at least one substance whereas the applicator system (1) comprises a movable valve (12, 13) that can be moved from an open to a closed position and vice versa by means of moving the applicator (15) relative to the body (2).