Rubbing Alcohol Pad Dispenser with Plunger-Based Ejection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antiseptic devices for applying rubbing alcohol lack efficient and user-friendly mechanisms for dispensing alcohol pads, which can lead to inconsistent application and user difficulty in sanitizing surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A casing and cartridge housing system with a dispense plunger and pad tracks that allows for easy insertion and alignment of alcohol pads, enabling controlled ejection through aligned apertures and slots, facilitating uniform application of rubbing alcohol.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple dispensing mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but dispensing consistency and control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a cartridge housing containing alcohol pads, a dispense plunger for controlled ejection, a lift plunger for pad advancement, and a casing with aligned apertures. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function with simple mechanics while achieving overall dispensing consistency through the coordinated action of these modular parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge housing is nested within the casing, with the dispense plunger and lift plunger nested within the cartridge housing. This nested structure enables compact design while maintaining controlled dispensing through the hierarchical arrangement of moving parts that work together through aligned apertures and slots in the casing and housing.
2Ease of operation
If manual pad insertion is used, then ease of operation is improved, but productivity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Alcohol pads are pre-loaded into the cartridge housing in a stack before insertion into the dispenser. The lift plunger is pre-positioned to advance pads sequentially. This preliminary preparation enables rapid, continuous dispensing operation without requiring manual pad insertion during use, thereby improving productivity while maintaining ease of operation through simple cartridge replacement when pads are depleted.
3Manufacturing precision
If controlled ejection mechanism is used, then dispensing precision is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The dispense plunger is designed to be manually actuated by the user through the aperture in the casing, directly ejecting pads through the aligned apertures and slots. The lift plunger automatically advances the next pad into position after each ejection. This self-service mechanism provides controlled, precise dispensing through simple manual operation without requiring complex automated control systems.
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 provides a user-friendly and efficient method for applying rubbing alcohol, ensuring consistent sanitization of target areas by allowing controlled dispensing of alcohol pads, enhancing user experience and application efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
a dispense spring coupled within the spring protrusion and a dispense plate coupled to the dispense spring
Implementation Method 2
The lift plunger has at least one lift spring coupled to the housing bottom side and a lift plate coupled to the lift spring
Data Source
AI summary
A rubbing alcohol dispenser apparatus for applying rubbing alcohol includes a casing having a casing dispense aperture and a thumb slot extending through to a casing inside. A cartridge housing has a housing dispense aperture and a pin slot extending through to a cartridge inside. The cartridge housing is slidably engageable within the casing inside. A dispense plunger and a lift plunger are coupled within the cartridge inside to manipulate a plurality of alcohol pads through a plurality of pad tracks towards the housing dispense aperture. The dispense plunger has a thumb pin extending through the pin slot and accessible through the thumb slot to reset the dispense plunger and allow the lift plunger to advance the plurality of alcohol pads. The housing dispense aperture aligns with the casing dispense aperture to release rubbing alcohol as needed.