Tip Seal with Position Indicator for Foam Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pressurized dispensing containers with viscous foamable solutions, such as polyurethane foams, face issues with clogging and spoilage due to the closure elements inside the dispensing tube, which hinder fluid flow and are difficult to clean, and are complex to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A tip seal design with a core part sealed from the outside and a cap part that includes stop members and movement restriction members to prevent accidental separation and clogging, allowing for easy cleaning and manufacturing, and featuring dispensing orifices for homogeneous foam distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a closure element is placed inside the dispensing tube to seal the foamable solution, then the contents remain fresh and usable for longer, but the closure element hinders fluid flow and causes clogging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreshness of contentsVSAvoidclogging

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is extracted from the interior of the tube and relocated to the exterior. The cap part seals the distal end of the tube from the outside, eliminating the need for an internal closure element that would obstruct fluid flow and cause clogging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The tip seal acts as an intermediary sealing mechanism between the tube and the environment. It provides effective sealing without requiring internal components that would interfere with the foamable solution flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a closure element is placed inside the dispensing tube to prevent spoilage, then the contents remain usable longer, but the closure element is difficult to clean

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability durationVSAvoidcleaning difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of placing the sealing element inside the tube as conventionally done, the invention inverts the approach by sealing from the outside. The cap part encloses the distal end of the tube externally, making the structure simpler and easier to clean.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If a closure element is placed inside the dispensing tube to seal the foamable solution, then the contents remain fresh longer, but the structure becomes complex to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreshness preservationVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tip seal is divided into two functional segments: a core part that fits inside the tube and a cap part that seals the distal end. This segmentation allows for simple manufacturing of each part while achieving effective sealing when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If the cap part can be easily separated from the core part, then the tip seal is easy to assemble and disassemble, but the parts may be accidentally lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly easeVSAvoidpart retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The core part is inserted into the cap part in a nested arrangement. The core part has a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the cap part, allowing it to fit inside while maintaining secure connection through the sealing interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The core part is pre-equipped with an outer diameter that is specifically designed to fit within the cap part's inner diameter. This preliminary dimensional design ensures proper engagement and prevents accidental separation during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9010572B2Tip seal having a position indicator, the tip seal being configured to dispense a foam solution

Publication Date: 2015.04.21 ALTACHEM

AI summary

The invention relates to a tip seal (10) for an adapter (1) and such an adapter (1) for a pressurized dispensing container comprising a viscous foamable solution, said adapter (1) comprising a tube (11) in connection with said container and conveying the into foam converted viscous foamable solution towards said tip seal (10), said tip seal (10) comprising a core part (101) with an at least partially open proximal end (101a) and at least partially open distal end (101b), said core part (101) at least partially being inserted into said tube (11) at said proximal end (101a); and a cap part (102) which is movably connected with said core part (101) at said distal end (102b) of said core part (101) between an open position and a closed position of said tip seal (10), wherein said cap part (102) comprises a closure element (1021) which is adapted for closing off said at least partially open distal end (101b) of said core part (101) in said closed position of said tip seal (10).