Syringe Adapter Valve for Two-Part Paint Pens
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional paint pen systems require specialized equipment for configuration and filling, leading to high costs and complexity, especially when dealing with two-part paints like epoxies and urethanes, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,988, which uses an internal disk that separates a tube into two chambers but needs factory-specific setup.
Innovation Solution
A syringe adapter valve with a stainless steel spherical ball that distorts under pressure to open, allowing fluid transfer and mixing, enabling the use of off-the-shelf components and simplifying the filling process, while the ball also acts as an agitator for mixing fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If an internal disk is used to separate the tube into two chambers, then the paint components can be kept separate, but the system requires specialized equipment for configuration and filling at the factory
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the separating function from a complex internal disk mechanism and implements it through a simple valve with a spherical ball that can be removed. The valve housing separates the tube into chambers, but the ball valve itself can be taken out and replaced, eliminating the need for specialized factory equipment to set complex internal disks.
Solution Approach 2:
The spherical ball valve is designed as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily manufactured and installed. Instead of requiring expensive specialized equipment to set permanent internal disk configurations, the ball valve can be produced with standard equipment and replaced if needed, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
2Manufacturing precision
If specially designed equipment is used to set the disk and exterior ring, then the paint pen can be configured precisely, but the costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the valve assembly into distinct components: the valve housing, the spherical ball, and the exterior ring. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured separately with standard equipment and then assembled, reducing the need for expensive specialized equipment while maintaining configuration precision through proper fit and seal design.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve housing serves multiple functions: it separates the tube into two chambers, provides a mounting surface for the spherical ball valve, and creates the necessary pressure differential. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components and equipment, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining precision through integrated design.
3Ease of operation
If a spherical ball is used as the valve plug, then the valve can be opened by pressure distortion, but the ball must be restrained in a closed position
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical ball valve transitions from a static closed position to a dynamic open position through pressure application. The ball is restrained by the valve housing in the closed position but can be deformed and moved when pressure is applied, providing easy operation through a simple mechanical action without complex control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve operation relies on changing the physical state and position of the spherical ball through pressure application. The ball's position changes from restrained (closed) to free-floating (open) as pressure increases, providing a simple yet effective valve mechanism that opens with pressure distortion without requiring complex actuation systems.
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 solution reduces costs and simplifies the use of two-part paint pens by allowing easy integration of off-the-shelf syringes and paint pens, facilitating fluid mixing and dispensing without the need for specialized equipment, and provides effective mixing through the spherical ball's agitating action.
Implementation Method 1
the valve utilizes a plug (a stainless steel spherical ball in one aspect) that distorts the valve as pressure from the syringe is applied to the ball, thus opening the valve
Implementation Method 2
The ball is used as an agitator in the combined mixture to assist in mixing the fluids
Data Source
AI summary
A valve housing adapter for a paint pen kit includes a protruding inlet, a protruding outlet and a valve. The protruding inlet is adapted to matingly fit a syringe housing and the protruding outlet is adapted to matingly fit a paint tube housing. The valve having a closed position configured to bias a plug so as to prevent fluid flow through a dispensing tip of the syringe housing in the closed position when the protruding inlet is matingly fitted to the syringe housing. The valve is further configured to flex to an open position whereby the plug is no longer restrained relative to the dispensing tip of the syringe housing.