Valve assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve assemblies for infant drinking cups, which rely on suction or lip pressure, suffer from leaks, poor sealing, and difficulty in controlling fluid flow, especially when shaken or inverted, and restrict the infant to drinking from a specific orientation.
Innovation Solution
A valve assembly with a diaphragm and retainer system that uses a folded section as a biasing means, anchored around the circumference of the cup, providing a strong seal and allowing fluid control through a localized opening mechanism responsive to lip pressure, minimizing the effect of bending moments and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a suction-operated valve with a flexible valve member is used, then the infant can open the valve by sucking, but the valve is subject to leaks and can be easily inadvertently opened by liquid pressure or shaking
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is divided into a rigid portion and a flexible portion, with the rigid portion providing structural support and the flexible portion providing sealing. This segmentation allows the valve to maintain a strong seal while still being operable by suction, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member is constructed as a composite structure combining rigid and flexible materials in a single component. The rigid portion provides resistance to liquid pressure and shaking, while the flexible portion maintains sealing contact, thereby improving both reliability and ease of operation simultaneously.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a lip-openable valve with a disc-shaped cap and central valve member is used, then the infant can drink from any point around the rim, but the valve provides poor seals and is difficult to actuate
Solution Approach 1:
The valve member is configured with an annular shape that extends around the rim, allowing the infant to open the valve at any point around the circumference. This annular configuration provides multiple opening points while maintaining structural integrity for easier actuation, resolving the contradiction between versatility and ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If a centrally anchored circular valve member is used, then the valve can be opened by pushing the cap downwards, but the arrangement provides poor seals and leaks when shaken
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid portion of the valve member acts as a counterweight that resists the effects of shaking and vibration. This rigid structure provides stability and maintains the seal against liquid pressure and external disturbances, thereby improving reliability while preserving ease of operation through the flexible portion.
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
The solution provides a leak-proof, easily operable valve that allows fluid to be consumed from any point around the rim, maintaining a strong seal even when the cup is tilted or inverted, and prevents accidental opening by liquid pressure, enhancing user control over fluid flow.
Implementation Method 1
a folded section (242) of the diaphragm (204) acts as a biasing means
Implementation Method 2
the application of negative pressure by the infant (i.e. sucking) causes the flexible valve member to flex, move or invert to allow fluid flow
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a valve assembly for a feeding or drinking vessel. The valve assembly comprises a valve seat surface (229), and a valve element having a valve face opposing said valve seat surface (229), a center axis and a rim (232). The valve element further comprises a biasing element (242) configured such that, in a rest position, the valve face is biased against the valve seat surface (229), wherein the valve element rim (232) is arranged to be anchored and the biasing element (242) is arranged intermediate the valve element center axis and rim (232).