Valve Cartridge for Packaging Actuators Dispensing Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging with pump-type mechanisms struggles to dispense semi-solid products with different fluidity characteristics, such as drip, trickle, and spray, leading to contamination and deterioration due to the lack of a seal-tight valve at the nozzle.
Innovation Solution
A valve cartridge is designed to be mounted on the nozzle outlet of existing packaging actuators, featuring three embodiments that alter the outlet stream into drip, trickle, and spray, while providing a seal-tight closure to prevent air contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pump-type mechanism is used to dispense semi-solid products, then a controlled quantity of product can be dispensed, but the outlet nozzle remains open allowing air contamination and product deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
A valve cartridge is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump-type mechanism and the outlet nozzle. This cartridge includes a valve body with a movable valve element that can open to allow product flow during dispensing and close to prevent air contamination when dispensing is complete, thus mediating between the need for controlled dispensing and the need for contamination prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet system is segmented into distinct functional components: the pump-type mechanism for product extraction, the valve cartridge with its valve element for flow control and air prevention, and the outlet nozzle for product delivery. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the others
2Productivity
If the outlet nozzle is kept open for product dispensing, then product can be dispensed in controlled quantity, but the remaining product between nozzle and extractor mechanism is exposed to air and deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cartridge acts as an intermediary barrier between the product remaining in the actuator region and the external air environment. The valve element can close to create a seal that prevents air from reaching and contaminating the remaining product, thus protecting product quality while allowing controlled dispensing to continue
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful function of air entry is extracted and blocked by the valve mechanism. The valve element is positioned to intercept and prevent air from entering the product pathway, effectively removing the contamination risk from the system while preserving the beneficial dispensing function
3Adaptability or versatility
If different stream types (drip, trickle, spray) are required for different products, then product fluidity characteristics can be matched, but multiple pump-type mechanisms are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The valve cartridge is designed as a universal component that can be attached to existing pump-type mechanisms to provide multiple stream types. By varying the geometry of the valve outlet (such as the shape and size of the valve opening or the configuration of the valve element), the same cartridge can produce different stream types (drip, trickle, spray) suitable for different product viscosities and applications
Solution Approach 2:
The valve element is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust the outlet stream characteristics. The movable valve can be positioned in different locations or oriented in different directions to create varying flow patterns and stream types, providing adaptability without requiring multiple separate mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
VALVE CARTRIDGE FOR ACTUATORS OF A RANGE OF PACKAGING, having an independent complementary valve mechanism (1) to be mounted directly on the internal region of an outlet nozzle (2) of a known actuator (3) of a usual packaging (4), which actuator is traditionally combined with a pump-type mechanism (5) for extracting the product (P) contained in said packaging (4) and, accordingly, said packaging has a seal-tight upper closing part (6) that forms the body housing the extractor pump-type mechanism (5), the upper part of which is in communication with the outlet nozzle (2), while the lower part is in communication with the inside of the packaging (4), where it produces a vacuum, negative pressure or positive pressure, sufficient to move the product (P) to the outlet nozzle (2), containing an inlet duct (7) and an outlet duct (8), and in the latter there is mounted the independent complementary valve mechanism (1) which alters said stream of the semi-solid product (P) turning it into a drip, trickle or spray.