Squeezable Container Delivery System with Frangible Seal and Piercer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional delivery systems for flowable substances, such as adhesives from squeezable containers, face issues like leakage during seal piercing, accidental deformation of collapsible containers, and lack of ergonomic control for precise application.
Innovation Solution
A delivery system featuring a squeezable container with a frangible seal, a connector with female threads, a piercer, and a dispensing cap that isolates the seal-piercing step from dispensing, incorporating a filter with chemical initiators and a handle for enhanced control and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a frangible seal is pierced during dispensing, then the adhesive can be delivered, but leakage and accidental discharge occur
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the seal-piercing function from the dispensing function into distinct operational phases. The frangible seal is pierced in a controlled manner before adhesive flow begins, isolating the piercing action from the dispensing action to prevent accidental leakage during the transition phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible seal is pierced in advance before adhesive dispensing commences. This preliminary action ensures the seal is fully breached and the dispensing pathway is established before any adhesive flow occurs, eliminating the risk of leakage during the piercing process.
2Productivity
If collapsible containers are squeezed by hand, then the adhesive can be expressed, but the container deforms and control is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A connector with internal flow channels acts as an intermediary between the collapsible container and the dispensing nozzle. This mediator receives adhesive from the container through controlled pathways, regulating the flow and eliminating the need for direct hand-squeezing control, thereby improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual squeezing mechanism is replaced with a system that uses the container's own collapsibility combined with gravity and capillary action in the flow channels. The mechanical control burden is transferred from the user's fingers to the designed flow path geometry, making operation easier.
3Productivity
If adhesive is dispensed without a filter, then the flow is unrestricted, but contaminants affect the bond strength
Solution Approach 1:
A porous filter is integrated into the flow channel system to allow adhesive to pass through while trapping contaminants. The porous structure provides sufficient open area to maintain adequate flow rates while removing particles that would compromise bond strength, resolving the contradiction between flow and strength.
4Reliability
If the container is fully sealed, then leakage is prevented, but the adhesive cannot be dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
A frangible seal provides preliminary protection against leakage while allowing controlled activation. The seal is designed to remain intact during storage and transport (preventing leakage) but can be easily pierced when dispensing is required (enabling productivity), thus resolving the contradiction through conditional sealing.
Data Source
AI summary
A delivery system for flowable substances includes a squeezable container having a sealed proximal end, a sealed distal end having a dispensing neck, and an outer wall that surrounds a storage reservoir. The delivery system has a container support frame assembled with the squeezable container having a proximal edge secured to the sealed proximal end of the squeezable container, a distal edge secured to the dispensing neck of the squeezable container, and first and second lateral edges extending between the proximal and distal edges and overlying opposing sides of the squeezable container. The proximal and distal edges and the first and second lateral edges define a central opening of the container support frame that provides access to the outer wall of the squeezable container. The container support frame has an elongated handle that extends proximally from the proximal edge of the container support frame.