Trigger Sprayer Venting Check Valve Leak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trigger sprayers face issues with leakage during shipping and handling due to the lack of effective venting systems, which complicates the connection points and increases the number of potential leak points.
Innovation Solution
A trigger sprayer design featuring a valve body with a base portion that includes a dip tube retainer with a vent path and a check valve to prevent backflow, integrated into the valve body or as part of the dip tube retainer, which allows air passage while preventing liquid from leaking into the pumping chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a vent path is provided in the dip tube retainer to allow air passage, then air can pass between the base portion and container interior, but liquid may backflow or leak into the pumping chamber through the vent opening
Solution Approach 1:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component in the vent path to mediate between the need for air passage and the need to prevent liquid backflow. The check valve allows air to pass through the vent opening while blocking liquid from entering the pumping chamber, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation (air passage) and reliability (leak prevention).
Solution Approach 2:
The check valve is positioned specifically at the vent opening location to provide selective functionality. The valve structure creates a local quality difference where air flow is permitted in one direction while liquid flow is blocked, allowing the vent path to simultaneously achieve air passage and leak prevention at different locations within the same component.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used for venting and leak prevention, then functionality is achieved, but the number of parts and potential leak points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check valve is merged with the dip tube retainer assembly, integrating the vent path and leak prevention functionality into a single component structure. This merging reduces the total number of separate parts while maintaining both air passage and liquid backflow prevention capabilities, thereby reducing device complexity without compromising reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dip tube retainer is designed to serve multiple functions: it retains the dip tube, provides a vent path for air passage, and incorporates a check valve for leak prevention. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby reducing the number of parts while maintaining reliable leak prevention.
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 reduces the number of parts and potential leak points, ensuring the sprayer remains leak-free during shipment and handling by effectively managing air passage and liquid flow, enhancing the overall functionality and reliability of the sprayer.
Implementation Method 1
a check valve is disposed between the vent opening and the interior of the base portion
Implementation Method 2
The body of the clip tube retainer includes a vent path to permit air to pass between the interior of the base portion of the valve body and the interior of the container
Implementation Method 3
A piston with spaced inboard and outboard seals is movable in the pumping chamber
Implementation Method 4
a spring-biased trigger lever that is operated manually by the user
Data Source
AI summary
A sprayer device with a trigger operated pump is operative for pumping and spraying liquid from an attached liquid container. The trigger sprayer includes valve body provided with a base portion that is configured to be mounted to the neck of the liquid container and a delivery nozzle from which the liquid is sprayed. A fluid flow path extends from the base portion to the delivery nozzle. A pumping chamber is in fluid communication with the flow passage and there is a vent opening between the pumping chamber and the interior of said base. A piston with spaced inboard and outboard seals is movable in the pumping chamber and the vent opening is located between the seals. A check valve is disposed between the vent opening and the interior of the base portion to prevent liquid from the container from backflowing into the pumping chamber during shipment and handling.