Alum Deodorant Pump with Isolation Chamber to Prevent Crystal Clogging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for applying saturated alum solutions as deodorants face issues with clogging due to undissolved alum crystals, which limits their usability and efficiency, especially when the bottle is tilted or inverted, and requires frequent refilling.
Innovation Solution
The device incorporates a second chamber above the pump inlet that extends to the bottom of the first chamber, with a sealed connection to prevent solution transfer except through a passage, allowing the solution to fill the second chamber and minimizing crystal contact with the pump, and includes a filter to prevent clogging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the suction tube plunges to the bottom of the bottle, then the pump can extract alum solution even when the level is low, but the filter clogs due to small crystals accumulating at the bottom
Solution Approach 1:
The bottle is divided into two chambers: a first chamber that receives and retains alum solution in an inverted position, and a second chamber containing the pump and filter. The suction tube extends only into the second chamber, not into the first chamber where crystals accumulate. This segmentation isolates the filter from crystal-laden solution while maintaining extraction capability through the controlled passage between chambers.
2Reliability
If the suction tube is shortened to avoid clogging, then the risk of crystal aspiration is reduced, but half of the alum solution remains out of reach and requires frequent refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to different usage positions through the flexible membrane and chamber design. When the bottle is inverted, the membrane deforms to allow solution to flow into the second chamber where the pump can access it through the passage, ensuring complete extraction regardless of orientation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the bottle is used in inverted position, then the device can be used in various orientations, but standard filters and vials cannot be used and crystal accumulation at the pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second chamber with the pump and filter is nested within the bottle structure, surrounded by the first chamber that holds the alum solution. This nested configuration allows the pump system to be protected and isolated while maintaining access to solution through the passage, enabling versatile positioning without compromising filter integrity.
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
This design minimizes the risk of pump clogging and allows for the use of the device in all positions, including inverted, while ensuring that almost all the alum solution is extracted, reducing the need for frequent refilling.
Implementation Method 1
a filter is attached before the suction point
Implementation Method 2
at least one passage being provided in the lower part of said second chamber so as to communicate the internal volume of said second chamber with said first chamber
Implementation Method 3
alum crystals, which have a specific gravity of about 1.7, settle at the bottom of the flask
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
This device for applying a deodorant comprises a chamber (1) which is a transparent bottle, which contains a saturated alum solution (2) and alum crystals (3). The device is equipped with a conventional hand pump (4) provided with a push-button (5) to allow the solution to be extracted and sprayed onto the body. The bottom of the pump has an inlet (6) via which the solution is drawn up when the pump is operated. A cylindrical second chamber (8) is fixed around the bottom of the pump via its upper end (9). The lower end (12) of the second chamber extends down to the bottom (10) of the bottle, but leaving a gap to allow the solution drawn up by the pump to pass through the passage (11) left open. The interior volume (13) of the second chamber (8) is at least three times greater than the volume of the solution that the pump can extract in a single press of the push-button. Each time the push-button is pressed, the pump therefore extracts only the top portion contained in the second chamber, which means that the small crystals, which are not carried up as high as this, do not block the pump. The volume of solution contained in the second chamber allows several applications in the inverted position.