Vented Tap Assembly With Isolated Air Intake to Prevent Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tap assemblies for dispensing liquids from containers face challenges in preventing contamination of the remaining liquid in the container during dispensing, particularly for liquids like water, where even small amounts of contamination can be noticeable.
Innovation Solution
A tap assembly design featuring a partially hollow body with a dispensing chamber, a valve assembly, a push button, a connecting member, an air intake passage isolated from the operating chamber, and a vent system that ensures air intake is separate from the liquid outlet, with a deformable seal and a spout design to prevent liquid contamination and meniscus formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If air inlet and air intake passage are positioned close to the outlet arrangement for efficient air flow, then air circulation is improved, but liquid contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The air intake passage is segmented into distinct sections: an air inlet portion positioned above the outlet arrangement for efficient air circulation, and a sealed connection portion that isolates the passage from the operating chamber. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both good air flow and contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal is introduced as an intermediary element between the air intake passage and the operating chamber. The seal prevents direct contact between air flow paths and liquid-containing chambers, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining efficient air circulation through the passage.
2Ease of operation
If connecting member extends through the body to actuate the valve element, then valve operation is enabled, but liquid contamination of the operating chamber is possible
Solution Approach 1:
A seal is positioned at the opening where the connecting member passes through the body. This seal acts as an intermediary barrier that allows mechanical actuation to be transmitted while preventing liquid from contaminating the operating chamber through the connecting member passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The air intake passage is extracted or isolated from contact with the connecting member and operating chamber. By separating the air flow path from the mechanical actuation path, the system enables valve operation while eliminating the contamination route.
3Ease of operation
If push button defines an operating chamber for valve actuation, then valve control is improved, but air trapped in the operating chamber causes operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
A vent is provided in the air intake passage to extract or remove trapped air from the operating chamber. This venting mechanism allows air to escape while liquid is being dispensed, maintaining reliable valve operation without air trapping issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The vent in the air intake passage provides continuous air removal during the dispensing operation. As liquid flows through the system, air is continuously vented from the operating chamber, ensuring uninterrupted and reliable valve control throughout the dispensing process.
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 design effectively prevents contamination of the remaining liquid in the container by ensuring air intake is isolated from the operating chamber, maintains liquid quality, and prevents staleness due to meniscus formation, while being cost-effective and reliable.
Implementation Method 1
The opening in the body may comprise a deformable part which is deformed by the connecting member extending through the opening, and which deformable part forms a swipe seal against the connecting member.
Data Source
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AI summary
A tap assembly (10) with a hollow tap body (16) which defines a dispensing chamber (24) leading to an outlet arrangement (26). A valve assembly with a valve element (18) is provided to selectively open an inlet into the dispensing chamber (24). A push button (20) is provided which operates the valve assembly, and which defines an operating chamber (28), with the push button movable into the operating chamber. A connecting member is provided extending from the push button (20) through the operating chamber. A seal (39) is provided to prevent liquid passing from the dispensing chamber (24) to the operating chamber. The body (16) defining an air inlet (42) separate from the outlet arrangement, and an air intake passage (44) which extends from the air inlet (42) to an air outlet (46) connecting to the dispensing chamber.