Spray Cap With Resilient Insert For Uniform Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spray containers that rely on manual squeezing for pressure suffer from uneven liquid coverage, low liquid dispensing efficiency, and the issue of liquid dripping when the container is inverted, making them impractical for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A spray cap design featuring a tubular wall with a cap plate and an insert forming a liquid-tight seal, where the insert is more resilient than the support plate, allowing air to enter while preventing liquid outflow until the container is squeezed, enabling efficient and even liquid dispensing without dripping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a single spray orifice of very small diameter is used, then the liquid is discharged in spray or atomised form, but the coverage on the sprayed surface is very uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The single spray orifice is divided into multiple spray slits (at least two) formed in the cap plate. Each slit contributes to the overall spray pattern, and their combined output provides more uniform coverage across the sprayed surface while maintaining the spray/atomised discharge characteristic
2Ease of operation
If the spray container wall is made of flexible resilient material for manual squeezing, then the container can be operated without pump or propellant gas, but the liquid dispensing amount per squeeze is very small
Solution Approach 1:
The cap plate is designed with resilient material that dynamically responds to pressure changes. When pressure is applied to the container, the cap plate deforms to open the liquid flow path, allowing rapid liquid discharge. When pressure is released, the cap plate returns to its original position to close the flow path, preventing dripping. This dynamic operation enables efficient liquid dispensing with each squeeze
3Shape
If the spray orifice has very small diameter for spray discharge, then the liquid is atomised, but air cannot rapidly enter the receptacle to allow it to return to its original shape
Solution Approach 1:
The single small spray orifice is replaced with multiple spray slits. These slits provide sufficient liquid atomisation while collectively offering a larger effective area for rapid air ingress when the container is squeezed, enabling faster recovery to the original shape
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient cap plate dynamically controls the liquid flow path based on applied pressure. When pressure is applied, the cap plate deforms to open the flow path for liquid discharge. When pressure is released, the cap plate automatically returns to its original position, rapidly closing the liquid flow path and preventing dripping, while the multiple slits facilitate quick air refilling
4Adaptability or versatility
If the container is inverted at the end of spraying, then the container can be stored or transported, but liquid tends to drip out through the spray slits
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient cap plate passively responds to pressure changes and gravitational effects. When the container is inverted after spraying, the reduced internal pressure and gravitational force cause the cap plate to return to its original position, automatically closing the liquid flow path and preventing dripping through the spray slits
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient cap plate serves itself by automatically closing the liquid flow path when pressure is released or the container is inverted. No additional active components or user actions are required - the material's inherent resilience provides the sealing function
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 design ensures uniform and continuous liquid dispensing without dripping, even when the container is inverted, by using resilient materials to create a sealed path that opens with increased pressure and closes with reduced pressure, allowing for efficient air refilling and maintaining a seal.
Implementation Method 1
when the spray cap is inverted and an increased pressure is produced in the said space the pressure acts on the insert and the insert is caused to deform such that the sealing areas move out of sealing contact and liquid can flow to the plurality of spray slits
Implementation Method 2
the insert is of more resilient polymeric material than the support plate
Implementation Method 3
the support plate and the insert define a liquid flow path between the said space and the plurality of spray slits
Data Source
AI summary
A spray cap for a spray container includes a tubular wall for connection to the spring container, a cap plate in which a plurality of spray slits is formed and a valve to admit air into the space defined by the wall but which prevents the outflow of liquid from the space to the exterior. The cap plate includes a support plate of polymeric material in which an aperture is formed. An insert of more resilient polymeric material is retained in the aperture and forms a liquid-tight seal with the support plate. The spray slits are formed in the insert. The support plate and the insert define a liquid flow path between the space and the spray slits and include respective opposed annular sealing areas which are situated upstream of the spray slits and are biased into contact with one another by the resilience of the insert. When the spray cap is inverted and an increased pressure is produced in the space the pressure acts on the insert and the insert is thereby caused to deform such that the sealing areas move out of sealing contact and liquid can flow to the spray slits.