Valved Container Assembly with Resilient Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valved container assemblies for dispensing fluids, such as medicaments, lack an efficient mechanism for ensuring a metered dose delivery and reliable sealing, particularly under varying pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
A valved container assembly featuring a permanent seal and a resilient seal that moves from a sealing to an open configuration when fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, allowing fluid communication between a first volume and a dispensing opening, with a plunger element to increase pressure and facilitate controlled dispensing, and a dispensing apparatus powered by a propellant like hydrofluoroalkane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a resilient seal is used to seal the outlet in a storage condition, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the metered dose delivery control deteriorates under varying pressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient seal is designed to dynamically transition between a sealed configuration (blocking the outlet in storage) and an open configuration (allowing fluid flow during dispensing). This dynamic behavior enables the seal to adapt to varying pressure conditions while maintaining both sealing reliability and metered dose control through controlled deformation of the resilient material.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the resilient seal by applying pressure to deform it from its original sealed configuration to an open configuration. This parameter change (from sealed to open state) allows the outlet to be blocked during storage and opened during dispensing, resolving the contradiction between maintaining seal integrity and enabling controlled delivery.
2Productivity
If pressure in the interior of the container is increased by displacing the closure member, then the fluid outflow is enabled, but the sealing portion integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into two separate components: a permanent seal that maintains structural integrity and a resilient seal that controls fluid flow. The permanent seal remains stationary and maintains sealing integrity, while the resilient seal is displaced by pressure to enable outflow, thus resolving the contradiction between enabling fluid flow and maintaining seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient seal acts as an intermediary element between the permanent seal and the outlet. It transmits the pressure force to open the outlet while the permanent seal maintains the structural sealing integrity, allowing fluid outflow without compromising the overall sealing portion integrity.
3Measurement precision
If a valve mechanism is added to control metered dose delivery, then the delivery precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient seal performs dual functions: it acts as both the sealing mechanism and the valve control element. When pressure is applied, the resilient seal automatically deforms to open the outlet without requiring additional valve components, thereby achieving precise metered dose delivery while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient seal is designed to perform multiple functions: sealing the outlet during storage, controlling the opening of the outlet during dispensing, and maintaining metered dose delivery precision. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate valve components, reducing device complexity while maintaining delivery precision.
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
Enables precise and controlled dispensing of a metered dose of fluid, ensuring reliable sealing and efficient fluid delivery, suitable for nasal or other applications, with the ability to be easily replaced and reused.
Implementation Method 1
the resilient seal is moveable from the sealing configuration to the open configuration upon fluid pressure in the first volume exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold
Implementation Method 2
a resilient seal that is axially rearward of said permanent seal and is moveable between a sealing configuration and an open configuration
Implementation Method 3
the plunger element is configured to increase the pressure of a fluid in the first volume upon axial movement relative to the valve
Implementation Method 4
wherein the plunger element is configured to increase the pressure of a fluid in the first volume upon axial movement relative to the valve
Implementation Method 5
a permanent seal forming a fluidic seal between the at least one venting opening and the first volume
Implementation Method 6
in the sealing configuration the resilient seal forms a fluidic seal with the container between the at least one dispensing opening and the first volume
Data Source
AI summary
A valved container assembly (10) comprising a container (12) for containing a fluid, the container (12) extending in an axial direction and having at least one venting opening (12a) at a front end and at least one dispensing opening (12b). The valved container assembly (10) further comprising a valve (14) disposed in the container (12) and a plunger element (20) disposed axially rearward of the valve (14), the plunger element (20) being axially moveable in the container (12) and defining a first volume (22) in the container (12) between the plunger element (20) and the valve (14), where the plunger element (20) is configured to increase the pressure of a fluid in the first volume (22) upon axial movement relative to the valve (14). The valve (14) comprises a permanent seal (16) forming a fluidic seal between the at least one venting opening (12a) and the first volume (22), and a resilient seal (18) that is axially rearward of said permanent seal (16) and is moveable between a sealing configuration and an open configuration. In the sealing configuration the resilient seal (18) forms a fluidic seal with the container (12) between the at least one dispensing opening (12b) and the first volume (22). In at least one axial position of the valve (14) in the container (12) when the resilient seal (18) is in the open configuration the first volume (22) is fluidly connected to the at least one dispensing opening (12b). The resilient seal (18) is moveable from the sealing configuration to the open configuration upon fluid pressure in the first volume (22) exceeding a predetermined pressure threshold.