Self-Venting Pour Spout With Locking Valve for Spill-Free Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spouted containers for fluids, such as fuel, suffer from issues like inadequate venting, fluid leakage, and complex, expensive designs that lead to fuel spillage and operational difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A self-venting pour spout with a normally-closed valve mechanism that includes a fluid conduit, valve, and retention device, allowing for safe and convenient fluid dispensing while preventing accidental opening, featuring a valve that shifts between open and closed positions and is secured to the container using a collar and locking mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional spout with separate vent opening is used, then air can enter the container, but fluid leakage occurs at the vent opening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the venting function and fluid dispensing function into a single integrated spout structure. The valve mechanism simultaneously controls both air intake and fluid flow, eliminating the need for a separate vent opening that could leak fluid. The valve body integrates the vent passage and fluid passage, allowing air to enter through the vent passage while fluid flows through the fluid passage, both controlled by the same valve assembly.
2Reliability
If a safety valve is added to prevent accidental opening, then safety is improved, but the design becomes complicated and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the catch moves between locked and unlocked positions based on operational needs. The spring provides automatic resetting functionality, creating a dynamic safety system that engages automatically when not in use and disengages when operation is required. This dynamic approach provides safety without requiring complex mechanical structures.
3Ease of repair
If the valve is made easily removable for maintenance, then ease of repair is improved, but accidental disassembly may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent requires a preliminary action (pressing the button) to activate the releasing mechanism before the valve can be removed. This preliminary action ensures intentional removal rather than accidental disassembly. The button must be deliberately pressed to release the catch from the locked position, providing a safety interlock that prevents unintended valve removal while still allowing easy removal when intentionally required for maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
A normally-closed pour spout is operable to pour fluid from a container to a receptacle. The normally-closed pour spout includes a fluid conduit and a valve. The fluid conduit has proximal and distal ends, with the proximal end being fluidly connectable to the container and the distal end being configured for fluid association with the receptacle. The fluid conduit forms a passageway configured to pass fluid therethrough and fluidly communicate with the container and the receptacle. The valve is operably assembled with the fluid conduit so that the valve controls fluid flow through the passageway.