Self-Venting Dispenser Assembly for Pressure-Balanced Shut-Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing valves for rigid containers face challenges in equalizing pressure differentials during liquid dispensing, requiring separate vents and increasing manufacturing costs, while also failing to provide a mess-free and automatic shut-off function for both viscous and low viscosity liquids.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing valve with a tubular body featuring an air vent and a liquid vent, an integral lid with seals, a collapsible dome member, and a flexible stem, allowing air to enter and liquid to exit simultaneously while preventing accidental dispensing through a nozzle and seal mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate remote vent opening is provided in the container, then pressure equalization is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the venting function with the dispensing valve by integrating an air vent opening and liquid vent opening directly into the valve body. This merging eliminates the need for a separate remote vent opening in the container, reducing device complexity while maintaining pressure equalization functionality through the integrated vents that allow air ingress during liquid dispensing.
2Device complexity
If a self-venting valve is used, then the need for separate vent opening is eliminated, but reliable operation with both viscous and low viscosity liquids is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different seal arrangements for different liquid viscosities. A first seal arrangement with specific properties handles low viscosity liquids, while a second seal arrangement with different properties handles viscous liquids. This localized differentiation within the valve structure enables reliable operation across both liquid types while maintaining the integrated self-venting design.
3Reliability
If automatic shut-off function is added, then inadvertent dispensing is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic shut-off through a self-service mechanism where the dispensing valve automatically closes when liquid flow stops or reverses. The valve body, lid, and seal arrangement work together to provide automatic shut-off without requiring external control systems or additional complex components. The mechanical interaction between the movable lid and seals creates the automatic shut-off function inherently within the existing valve structure.
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 a low-cost, easy-to-assemble, mess-free, and reliable dispensing system that maintains equal pressure inside and outside the container, preventing vacuum effects and ensuring automatic shut-off, suitable for both viscous and low viscosity liquids without the need for a separate air input.
Implementation Method 1
a collapsible dome member coupled to the opposite side of the valve body adjacent to the integral lid and movable between a compressed and an expanded state
Implementation Method 2
a liquid seal coupled to the integral lid capable of positioning within a liquid vent opening and an air seal coupled to the integral lid capable of positioning within an air vent opening
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a dispenser for attachment to a liquid container may include one or more of the following features: (a) a tubular valve body of a generally hollow form having a liquid outlet port on one end of the valve body capable of coupling to the liquid container, the valve body further including an air vent opening and a liquid vent opening located on an opposite side of the valve body, (b) an integral lid with the valve body slidingly disposed on the opposite side of the valve body and coupled to be moved between a liquid blocking and a liquid dispensing position, and (c) a liquid seal coupled to the integral lid capable of positioning within a liquid vent opening and an air seal coupled to the integral lid capable of positioning within an air vent opening.