Bladder Valve System for Leak-Proof Cosmetic Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dispensers face issues with leaking during manufacture and transportation, especially for bottles containing low viscosity formulas, and struggle to dispense these formulas in a metered way without induction seals.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system that secures to a bottle with a cap and bladder, allowing for a metered dose to be retained and dispensed through a shaft and distributor nozzle, eliminating the need for induction seals and enabling controlled dispensing of low viscosity formulas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an induction seal is used to prevent leaking, then leaking is prevented before the product is opened, but the bottle cannot prevent leaking after the induction seal is broken
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the induction seal from the system entirely. Instead of relying on a seal that breaks upon first use, the invention uses a bladder valve mechanism that provides continuous leak prevention without requiring seal integrity to be maintained throughout the product lifecycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder acts as an intermediary component between the bottle and the dispensing mechanism. It provides a flexible barrier that can deform to prevent leakage while allowing controlled dispensing through the valve opening, eliminating the need for rigid induction seals.
2Device complexity
If no induction seal is used, then the bottle structure is simplified, but leaking occurs during manufacture and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder valve system is pre-assembled and tested within the dispensing mechanism before the product reaches the consumer. This preliminary configuration ensures leak prevention is built-in from the start, eliminating the need for induction seals during manufacturing and transportation phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder is a flexible membrane component that can deform to accommodate volume changes during manufacturing and transportation while maintaining a sealed environment. This flexibility allows the system to prevent leaking without rigid seal structures.
3Device complexity
If a simple dispensing mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but metered dispensing of low viscosity formulas is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bladder valve system automatically controls the dispensing process without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The bladder's elastic deformation naturally meters the low viscosity formula as it compresses and releases, providing self-regulating flow control that simplifies the overall dispensing mechanism while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state and flow parameters of the low viscosity formula by controlling bladder compression. This allows precise metering of liquids that would otherwise be difficult to control, using mechanical deformation to regulate fluid flow through the valve opening.
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
Prevents leaking and allows for precise, metered dispensing of low viscosity formulas, enhancing product handling and usage efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a bladder inside the cap, wherein the bladder comprises one or more openings, and wherein the bladder is configured to lift to cover the shaft
Implementation Method 2
compressing the bottle a second time, wherein compressing the bottle the second time pushes the metered dose through the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing system including a cap configured to secure 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, a bladder inside the cap, wherein the bladder comprises one or more openings, and wherein the bladder is configured to lift to cover the shaft, a distributor nozzle in fluid communication with the shaft, and an outer nozzle covering the distributor nozzle and configured to dispense the formula.