Bag-On-Valve Dispenser With Activated Carbon Gas Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bag-on-valve technologies face limitations due to the use of propellants that cause pressure drops, incomplete emptying of containers, and environmental concerns, as well as issues with solvent use and inefficient aerosolization of active ingredients.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser using activated carbon to store a dispensing carrier gas, such as CO2, which is adsorbed within the container, and a valve assembly with divided tubes to mix the carrier gas with the active ingredient for efficient dispensing without liquefied propellants or solvents, ensuring complete emptying and effective aerosolization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If compressed aerial gas propellants are used, then environmental impact is reduced and solvent abuse is avoided, but the gas cannot be stored in sufficient quantity to enable complete discharge of bag contents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses activated carbon, a porous material, to adsorb and store compressed aerial gas propellants. The high surface area and porosity of activated carbon enable sufficient gas storage volume while maintaining the environmental benefits of using compressed aerial gases instead of traditional propellants.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines activated carbon with compressed aerial gas to create a composite propellant system. This composite approach allows the system to achieve both the environmental advantages of aerial gases and the storage capacity needed for complete bag discharge.
2Productivity
If traditional propellants are used, then sufficient pressure is maintained for complete emptying, but environmental harm and solvent abuse increase
Solution Approach 1:
Activated carbon's porous structure provides both storage capacity and controlled release of the compressed aerial gas, enabling complete emptying of the bag while avoiding the environmental harms associated with traditional propellants.
3Adaptability or versatility
If water or solvent-based products are used in traditional aerosols, then product versatility is achieved, but solvent abuse and environmental concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes solvents from the aerosol system by using compressed aerial gas as the propellant. This eliminates solvent abuse while maintaining the ability to deliver various water-based or solvent-free products through the bag-on-valve mechanism.
4Reliability
If fluorocarbon-based propellants are used, then product performance is maintained, but regulatory compliance becomes increasingly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of propellant type from fluorocarbon-based to compressed aerial gas stored on activated carbon. This parameter change maintains product performance while ensuring compliance with evolving environmental regulations, as aerial gases are exempt from regulations like REACH.
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 complete discharge of contents, avoids solvent abuse, reduces environmental impact, and provides a dry, forceful spray with efficient aerosolization of active ingredients, suitable for a wide range of products including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food items.
Implementation Method 1
Applicants use of activated carbon to enhance the gas storage volume enables the contents of normal sized pouches to be discharged in full.
Implementation Method 2
the dispensers described herein enable aerosolization (dispersal into an aerosol form)
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser includes a dispenser container and a valve assembly including a valve connected to the dispenser container. The dispenser container is at least partially filled with activated carbon and/or another adsorbent and a dispensing carrier gas. An ingredient is contained in an ingredient containing reservoir. The valve assembly further includes an upper end of which is in operative communication with an actuator spray nozzle, and a lower end connected to the ingredient containing reservoir, and a means to prevent the activated carbon and/or another adsorbent from passing into the valve assembly when the pressurised dispensing carrier gas is released. On actuation, the dispensing carrier gas is released together with the ingredient, and the ingredient and dispensing carrier gas mix before exiting the dispenser.