Splash Guard for Vented Container Vent Membrane Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chemical products in containers often come into contact with the vent membrane during transport, causing it to malfunction or fail, due to the lack of effective protection against liquid exposure.
Innovation Solution
A splash guard is designed to be affixed to the fitment of the container, covering the vent membrane and preventing liquid contact, made from a moldable material that is easy to manufacture and install, with various shapes and sizes to accommodate different containers, ensuring the vent membrane remains functional.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the container is vented to allow air entry and gas escape, then ventilation function is improved, but the vent membrane becomes exposed to liquid contact during transport causing malfunction or failure
Solution Approach 1:
The splash guard is installed on the container before transport, creating a protective barrier in advance that prevents liquid from reaching the vent membrane during subsequent handling and transport operations
Solution Approach 2:
The splash guard acts as an intermediary protective element positioned between the liquid chemical product and the vent membrane, blocking harmful liquid contact while allowing the vent membrane to continue its ventilation function
2Reliability
If a protective barrier is added to prevent liquid contact with the vent membrane, then vent membrane protection is improved, but the container system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The splash guard is constructed as a simple shell structure that can be molded from plastic material, providing effective protection without requiring complex mechanical assemblies or multiple components
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is segmented as a separate splash guard component that can be independently manufactured and installed, rather than integrating protection features directly into the complex fitment or vent membrane assembly
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the splash guard covers the entire container opening, then liquid protection is improved, but the splash guard protrudes into the container chamber interfering with product storage
Solution Approach 1:
The splash guard is designed with selective coverage, extending only far enough to intercept liquid splashes during transport while leaving the main container interior volume open and accessible for product storage and handling operations
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a splash guard to minimize potential contact between the chemical product and a vent membrane during transport and/or transfer of containers, thereby resulting in preservation of the integrity of a vent membrane during transport and/or transfer of a chemical product. The splash guard is affixed to the fitment and so can be removed from the interior of the container prior to transfer of the chemical product out of the container. The splash guard may be used with fitments of varied shapes, sizes and/or structures, and with containers of varied shapes, sizes and/or structures. The splash guard is easy and inexpensive to manufacture and easy to install, e.g., by snapping onto a ring (lower perimeter) of a fitment. For example, the splash guard covers the entire circumference of the neck of a container, and is formed of a moldable material that provides rigidity.