Swivel Coupling for Barrel Bung with Rotating Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for emptying and venting barrels and canisters face issues such as slow removal of viscous contents by gravity, dripping during removal, and difficulty in opening and closing ventilation openings, leading to contamination and seal failure.

Innovation Solution

A device combining a swivel joint with a stopcock, featuring a tubular design with rotating parts and a seal to prevent dripping, and an aeration system to maintain minimal negative pressure, allowing for easy operation and efficient emptying and venting with a large outlet diameter and push-button actuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If viscous filling goods are removed from barrels by gravity, then the removal process is simple, but it takes a considerable amount of time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemptying speedVSAvoidtime for gravity removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by incorporating a swivel joint that allows the outlet connection to rotate and change orientation. This dynamic capability enables the outlet to be positioned optimally for fast emptying while maintaining the ability to redirect flow to prevent dripping, thus resolving the contradiction between fast emptying and drip prevention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the outlet is positioned for fast emptying, then viscous contents can be removed quickly, but the device drips during removal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemptying speedVSAvoiddripping and contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The swivel joint enables dynamic repositioning of the outlet connection. During fast emptying, the outlet can be oriented downward for maximum flow speed. When emptying is complete, the outlet can be rotated to an upward position where gravity prevents dripping, thus eliminating the harmful dripping effect while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If ventilation openings are opened with difficulty, then the opening process is problematic, but it becomes impossible to close them again

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveventilation opening operationVSAvoidclosure capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device incorporates a universal connection design with external and internal threads that can engage with various barrel and canister ventilation openings. This multi-functional design allows the same device to easily open different types of ventilation openings and reliably close them again, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and closure capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Ease of operation

If a swivel joint is used to rotate inlet and outlet, then the flow path is impaired, but rotation capability is achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverotation capabilityVSAvoidflow path efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The swivel joint is segmented into an outer housing and an inner rotating connection that can independently rotate. This segmentation allows the rotating part to be optimized for rotation capability while the stationary outer housing maintains a streamlined, efficient flow path, thus resolving the contradiction between rotation capability and flow path efficiency

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

Enables fast, drip-free emptying and venting of viscous contents, preventing contamination and extending seal life, while maintaining efficient flow and easy operation across various container types.

Implementation Method 1

a seal is provided between the inner part and the outer part. This prevents liquid or the like from passing between the inner part and the outer part

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

an aeration device is provided in the rotary joint and/or in the outlet tap. This ensures that no negative pressure forms in the container, which would impede the removal of the contents

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Drop

Implementation Method 3

the swivel joint is essentially linear and thus allows a large diameter for the outlet tap. This ensures sufficient flow even with viscous products

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscous flow:

Data Source

PatentEP2600050B1Swivel coupling for barrel bung
Publication Date: 2015.10.28 JEHLE GEORG
  • EP2600050B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2600050B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2600050B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The device has a pivot (1) connected with a stopcock, where an external thread (12) is provided at a side of the pivot for screwing the pivot into a barrel aperture. An internal thread (5) is provided at another side of the pivot for screwing the pivot into connecting pieces of a tin, and a spreading device is provided in the former side of the pivot. The spreading device engages with a container opening. The pivot has an outer part (3) and an inner part (2) rotatable against each other, and a seal is provided between the inner part and the outer part.