Valve-Activated Dispensing Apparatus for Automatic Fill-Stop Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing systems for granular and powdered materials lack controlled dispensing mechanisms that prevent contamination and automatically shut off the flow when the receptacle is filled, leading to potential spills.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser apparatus with a valve mechanism that includes a removable container, a receptacle with a top opening and flange, a funnel with a valve holder, and a lever assembly that activates the valve to control the flow, featuring a gap between the valve member and the receptacle to automatically stop the flow when the receptacle is filled.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve mechanism is added to control material flow, then dispensing control and contamination prevention are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is designed to automatically open and close based on receptacle insertion and removal. When the receptacle is inserted, it triggers the valve to open for dispensing. When removed, the valve automatically closes to prevent contamination, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lever assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism that translates receptacle insertion into valve activation. The lever is positioned such that receptacle insertion directly actuates it, which in turn opens the valve, creating a simple mechanical linkage that avoids complex control systems.
2Reliability
If automatic shut-off mechanism is implemented, then spill prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the receptacle itself as the triggering mechanism for automatic shut-off. When the receptacle is removed, it directly causes the valve member to close through the lever mechanism, creating an automatic shut-off system that prevents spills without requiring sensors or complex control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a mechanism to maintain flow and requiring active intervention to stop it, the system is designed to maintain closure and requires receptacle insertion to initiate flow. This inverted approach makes automatic shut-off inherent to the system design rather than an added complexity.
3Extent of automation
If valve mechanism with gap is used, then automatic flow stop is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gap width is designed to be a specific parameter that works with the properties of granular or powdered materials. The gap is sized to allow material flow when the receptacle is present but automatically closes when removed, utilizing material characteristics rather than requiring extremely tight tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the receptacle's presence and removal as the trigger for flow control. The receptacle physically blocks the gap during dispensing, and its removal automatically stops flow, converting the receptacle into an active control element rather than a passive container.
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a material, comprising: a removable container for holding the material; a receptacle for receiving the material, the receptacle comprising a top opening and a flange; a funnel for receiving the material from the removable container and guiding the material to the receptacle, the funnel comprising a valve holder at a lower end of the funnel and a lower opening aligned with the top opening of the receptacle; a valve member slidably coupled to the valve holder, the valve member comprising a valve aperture; a valve lever connected to the valve member, wherein when activated, the valve lever is configured to move the valve member to cause the valve aperture to align with the lower opening of the funnel, allowing the material to flow down from the funnel to the receptacle until the receptacle is filled to the top opening; a lever assembly coupled to the valve lever, wherein the lever assembly is configured to be activated by an operator inserting the flange of the receptacle into the lever assembly, and when activated, the lever assembly is configured to activate the valve lever; and a gap separating the valve member and the top opening of the receptacle, the gap having a gap width greater than zero and less than a predetermine value, wherein when the valve lever is activated and the material flows down and fills the receptacle to the top opening, the material further fills the gap, causing the material to stop flowing down.