Self-Venting Fluid Dispensing Valve With Sealing Tab
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a low-cost, easy-to-assemble, reliable, and self-venting dispensing valve that can be actuated with one hand and is suitable for liquids of varying viscosity, with an automatic shut-off function to prevent inadvertent dispensing, particularly for rigid containers where pressure differential equalization is required.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispensing valve assembly comprising a housing with a lever, an elastically deformable resilient member, and a seal, where the seal has a sealing tab that covers the vent opening in the sealed configuration, allowing for single-handed operation and automatic shut-off by using a hingedly attached lever and a resilient member with a dome-shaped portion and retaining catch, ensuring proper alignment and fluid-tight sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vent opening is provided in the housing to equalize pressure differential in rigid containers, then fluid dispensing is enabled, but liquid may leak through the vent opening when the container is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The vent opening is equipped with a sealing tab that provides selective sealing properties. The sealing tab covers the vent opening under normal conditions to prevent leakage, but automatically opens when pressure differential exceeds a threshold, allowing pressure equalization. This local quality modification enables the vent opening to perform both sealing and venting functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing tab is designed to be movable rather than fixed. It can dynamically transition between covering and uncovering the vent opening based on pressure differential conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to changing operational states and prevent harmful leakage while enabling necessary venting.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a complex venting system is added to prevent leakage, then liquid leakage is prevented, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing tab is integrated with the resilient member as a single unified component rather than separate parts. This merging of functions into one component simplifies the overall device structure, reduces the number of parts, and lowers manufacturing complexity while still providing effective leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing tab operates automatically based on pressure differential without requiring external control mechanisms. The resilient member's elastic properties enable the sealing tab to self-regulate its position, opening or closing the vent opening as needed. This self-service operation eliminates the need for complex control systems.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sealing tab completely covers the vent opening to prevent leakage, then liquid leakage is prevented, but pressure differential cannot be equalized when needed
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing tab is designed to resist pressure differential up to a certain threshold, maintaining the sealed state. When the pressure differential exceeds this threshold, the resilient member deforms to open the sealing tab, allowing pressure equalization. This preliminary anti-action design prevents leakage under normal conditions while enabling venting when necessary.
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 reliable, easy-to-use, and cost-effective self-venting dispensing valve that can handle liquids of varying viscosities, ensuring efficient fluid flow while preventing accidental dispensing by automatically sealing the vent opening, thus addressing the need for a user-friendly and efficient dispensing system for rigid containers.
Implementation Method 1
an elastically deformable resilient member
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid dispensing valve assembly comprises a housing, a lever, a resilient member, and a seal. The housing defines a fluid dispensing port and a vent opening. The fluid dispensing valve can be operated with a single hand to dispense liquid from a container. Further, upon release of the lever, the fluid dispensing valve automatically returns to a sealed configuration, thereby preventing fluid from leaking out of the container.