Stainless Steel Drum Valve Segmentation for Chemical Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stainless steel drum containers for liquids, particularly chemicals, face issues with contamination during handling and storage due to the need for a multifunctional adapter, leaky sealing elements, and difficulties in cleaning, which compromise the integrity of the contents, especially with water-sensitive substances and solvents.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates separate, smaller diameter openings for propellant gas supply and liquid removal within the container lid, eliminating the need for a multifunctional adapter, with integrated filling and removal valves featuring automatic closing mechanisms, quick-release couplings, and filter devices to prevent contamination, along with a dip tube for complete liquid extraction and a stainless steel construction for durability and ease of cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a multifunctional adapter is used to supply propellant gas and remove liquid through a single container opening, then the container opening can be closed tightly to prevent contamination, but the adapter becomes complex and difficult to clean, and contamination may occur during the adapter fitting process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainment reliabilityVSAvoidadapter complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the single container opening into two separate openings: one dedicated to propellant gas supply and another to liquid removal. This segmentation eliminates the need for a multifunctional adapter, simplifying the overall system while maintaining containment reliability through dedicated, easier-to-clean openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the container opening is opened for filling and then closed with a closure, then the container can be sealed to prevent contamination during transport and storage, but the opening must be opened again before liquid removal can begin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination preventionVSAvoidhandling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By providing separate openings for gas supply and liquid removal, the patent allows the container to remain sealed during transport and storage. The liquid removal process can begin immediately after closing the container opening without requiring re-opening, simplifying the handling sequence while maintaining contamination prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If sealing elements are used to seal the container opening, then the container can be closed tightly to prevent contamination and vapor escape, but the sealing elements become leaky over time due to deformations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidsealing element service life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides separate, dedicated openings for propellant gas supply and liquid removal, each with its own valve mechanism. This segmentation reduces the mechanical stress and deformation on sealing elements compared to a multifunctional adapter, extending their service life while maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the container's operational life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Productivity

If a large container opening is used to enable easy and rapid filling, then filling efficiency is improved, but the opening is more vulnerable to contamination during handling and storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilling speedVSAvoidcontamination risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains a large container opening for efficient filling while providing a separate, smaller opening for liquid removal. The smaller removal opening can be kept closed during transport and storage, reducing contamination risk, while the large filling opening allows rapid filling when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design ensures reliable containment and easy handling of chemicals, prevents contamination, and allows for efficient and complete removal of liquids without direct access to the container body, maintaining the container's stackability and meeting established standards with reduced maintenance and operational complexity.

Implementation Method 1

A suitable propellant such as carbon dioxide or nitrogen can be injected into the container via the dispensing valve. If the nozzle of the container body which is under pressure is opened, the beverage is pushed out of the container body via the nozzle.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure increase: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2550205B1Stainless keg
Publication Date: 2014.04.23 MERCK PATENT GMBH
  • EP2550205B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

In a drum container (1) of high-grade steel for transporting, storing and keeping liquids, in particular liquid chemicals, with a cylindrical container body (2), which has a lid (3), a base (4) and a container opening (6), a gas supply opening (8) and a liquid removal opening (9) are arranged on the container body (2) at a distance from the container opening (6) and at a distance from each other. The gas supply opening (8) and the liquid removal opening (9) are respectively arranged in the lid (3). The gas supply opening (8) has a filling valve (10) and the liquid removal opening (9) has a removal valve (11). The filling valve (10) and the removal valve (11) are of a substantially identical design. The filling valve (10) and the removal valve (11) each have a coupling device (13, 14), which opens the filling valve (10) or the removal valve (11) when the filling valve (10) or the removal valve (11) is connected to an assigned connection line. The drum container (1) has an annular lid groove (18) which projects over the filling valve (10) and the removal valve (11). The container opening (6) of the drum container (1) can be closed by a lead seal.