Self-Venting Dispensing Tap for High-Flow Liquid Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing taps for flowable products, such as liquid laundry detergent, face ergonomic and functional issues, including difficult actuator manipulation and slow flow rates, leading to consumer dissatisfaction.
Innovation Solution
An ergonomic, high flow rate, self-venting dispensing tap design featuring a body with a peripheral skirt, a dispensing head, and a throat with a piston and shut-off valve system, utilizing a spring for biasing and a peripheral seal for self-venting functionality, along with external finger holds for improved usability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the flow path area is increased to improve flow rate, then the dispensing speed increases, but the valve sealing becomes more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the flow path, specifically making the outlet cross-sectional area greater than the throat cross-sectional area. This parameter optimization allows high flow rate while maintaining manageable sealing requirements at the valve location.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path is segmented into different sections with different cross-sectional areas. The throat section has a smaller area for controlled flow, while the outlet has a larger area for high discharge rate. This segmentation allows the valve to seal at the throat where flow is more controlled, while still achieving high overall flow rate.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a vent is provided to improve dispensing functionality, then air entrapment is prevented, but the risk of fluid leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vent is opened in advance of the valve during the dispensing cycle. This preliminary action allows air to escape before the valve opens fully, preventing air entrapment and pressure buildup that could cause leakage. The sequential operation (vent first, then valve) resolves the contradiction between venting functionality and leakage prevention.
3Reliability
If the actuator mechanism is made more complex to improve valve control, then the sealing reliability increases, but the ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The piston combines multiple functions into a single component: it acts as both the actuator for opening the valve and the seal for preventing leakage. The peripheral seal on the piston provides sealing against the dispensing head interior surface, while the piston's linear movement controls valve opening. This merging simplifies the actuator mechanism while maintaining sealing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston's own movement and positioning provide the sealing action through its peripheral seal. The system uses the actuator's inherent motion to achieve sealing without requiring separate complex sealing mechanisms. The spring also provides automatic return to closed position, making the system self-regulating.
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 user-friendly, high flow rate dispensing system that addresses ergonomic and functional issues, ensuring efficient dispensing of high-viscosity liquids by maintaining the shut-off valve closed under pressure and opening simultaneously with the vent, enhancing consumer satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
A spring may be captured between the piston and the dispensing head normally biasing the piston and shut off valve to the closed position
Implementation Method 2
The piston may include a peripheral seal slidably engaged with an interior surface of the dispensing head
Implementation Method 3
an atmospheric or airless vent may be provided in communication with an interior of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing tap for liquids includes a body connected to the neck of a container, a dispensing head with an outlet or mouth, and a throat connecting the body to the dispensing head. A shut off valve is configured for sealing engagement with the mouth of the dispensing head, and a piston is axially guided within the dispensing head. The piston includes a peripheral seal slidably engaged with an interior surface of the dispensing head, and a valve stem coupled to the shut off valve. The piston is selectively actuable between a normally closed position an open position. A spring is captured between the piston and the dispensing head normally biasing the piston and shut off valve to the closed position. A vent is in communication with an interior of the body and the vent is opened and closed with movement of the piston and shut off valve.