Accordion Bladder Valve for Leak-Proof Metered Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dispensers face issues with leaking during manufacture and transportation, especially with bottles containing low viscosity formulas, and struggle to dispense these formulas in a metered way without an induction seal.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system that secures to a bottle with a cap and an accordion bladder, which compresses to retain a metered dose of formula and dispenses it through a distributor nozzle, eliminating the need for an induction seal and ensuring leak prevention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an induction seal is used to prevent leaking, then leaking during manufacture and transportation is prevented, but the system becomes more complex and the seal must be broken before dispensing can begin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the induction seal component entirely from the system. Instead of using an induction seal to prevent leaking, the invention employs a valve assembly integrated into the dispenser that actively controls fluid flow, eliminating the need for a separate sealing mechanism that requires breaking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a valve assembly as an intermediary component between the bottle and the dispensing mechanism. This valve assembly actively regulates fluid flow and prevents leaking without requiring an induction seal, thereby simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliability.
2Device complexity
If a simple cap is used on the bottle, then the device is simpler, but low viscosity formulas cannot be dispensed in a metered way
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cap structure into multiple functional components: a valve assembly with movable valve members, a actuation mechanism, and a metering chamber. This segmentation allows the simple cap to incorporate precise metering functionality while maintaining overall system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic valve members that can move between open and closed positions, and a movable piston that creates pressure differentials to control fluid flow. This dynamic mechanism enables precise metered dispensing of low viscosity formulas while keeping the cap structure relatively simple.
3Ease of operation
If the bottle is compressed to dispense formula, then dispensing is achieved, but low viscosity formulas leak during manufacture and transportation before dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a valve assembly that is pre-configured in a closed position during manufacture and transportation. This preliminary action prevents leaking before dispensing begins, while still allowing easy compression-based dispensing when the valve is actuated.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly serves as an intermediary that decouples the compression action from direct fluid flow. During storage, the valve remains closed despite compression forces, preventing leaking. During dispensing, the valve is actuated to allow controlled flow, maintaining both reliability and ease of operation.
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 system effectively prevents leakage and allows for precise, metered dispensing of low viscosity formulas, enhancing handling and usage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the accordion bladder is configured to compress
Implementation Method 2
pushing the metered dose through the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing system including a cap that is capable of securing the dispensing system to a bottle filled with a formula, wherein the cap is configured to retain a metered dose of the formula, a shaft in fluid communication with the cap, an accordion bladder inside the cap, wherein the accordion bladder includes at least one opening, one or more bellows, and a stopper, a distributor nozzle in fluid communication with the shaft, and an outer nozzle covering the distributor nozzle and configured to dispense the formula.