Cap-Activated Dosing Reservoir for Precise Liquid Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid containers lack an economical, hygienic, and precise dosing system that simplifies dose measurement without increasing the product's final price, making industrial application challenging in a competitive market.
Innovation Solution
A liquid dispensing dosing device with a reservoir, cover, and coupling means that allows for controlled filling and dosing through a cap-activated sliding mechanism, utilizing elastic return means to ensure leak-tight closure and precise dosing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a dosing device is added to liquid containers, then dosing precision and hygiene are improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device is divided into separate functional components: a reservoir for liquid storage, a cover with inlet hole that seals when closed, and coupling means for attachment. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall device simple and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap serves dual functions: it closes the container opening to prevent contamination and simultaneously acts as a dosing mechanism by pressing against the reservoir to dispense controlled portions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dosing and closing mechanisms, reducing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If a dosing device is added to liquid containers, then dosing precision is improved, but the final product price increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dosing device is designed to be integrated with the existing container cap structure. The coupling means attach to the cap, merging the dosing function with the closing function. This integration allows manufacturers to add dosing capability to existing container designs without requiring entirely new manufacturing processes, thereby controlling production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The dosing device components are designed to be simple, inexpensive parts that can be easily manufactured from common materials. The reservoir, cover, and coupling means are structured to minimize material usage and manufacturing complexity, making the added cost negligible compared to the value provided by precise dosing.
3Productivity
If the reservoir inlet hole is exposed for filling, then filling speed is improved, but liquid leakage and spills increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to slide relative to the reservoir, dynamically opening the inlet hole during filling operations and closing it during storage and transport. This dynamic mechanism allows the system to adapt its state based on operational requirements: open for rapid filling, closed for leak-free storage, eliminating the trade-off between filling speed and leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding cover mechanism automatically seals the inlet hole when the container is not being filled, requiring no additional user action to prevent leakage. The system self-regulates its own sealing state, ensuring the inlet hole is covered during storage and transport, thus preventing spills without interfering with filling operations.
4Ease of operation
If the cap mechanism is used for dosing, then ease of operation is improved, but dosing precision and hygiene are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir acts as an intermediary component between the cap and the liquid. When the cap presses against the reservoir, it forces liquid through a controlled outlet, providing precise dosing. This intermediary mechanism translates the simple closing motion of the cap into accurate liquid dispensing, maintaining both ease of operation and dosing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The outlet of the reservoir is designed with specific local characteristics that control liquid flow. The outlet geometry and positioning ensure that liquid is dispensed in precise, controlled portions when the reservoir is pressed by the cap, while the rest of the reservoir maintains a simple structure for easy manufacturing and 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 device provides a simple, hygienic, and precise dosing system that adapts to various containers, prevents spills, and maintains container design integrity while ensuring consistent dose delivery and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
return means configured to cause the reservoir to return to its initial position when the cap is removed, said return means comprising elastic means
Data Source
AI summary
The invention comprises a cylindrical reservoir (1) with a mouth (14), side through hole (3), shaft (28) and perimeter flange (8) whose top is associated with a concentric cover (2) anchored to the container (6) equipped with an upper mouth (13), vertical or diagonal grooves (16) and a lower mouth (11); the cover (2) enables the rotary or longitudinal sliding of the reservoir (1), which is activated by the pressure exerted by the cap (T) on said reservoir (1) which descends when the container is closed and takes the side through hole (3) out from inside the cover (2), descent that enables the reservoir (1) to be filled; when removing said cap (T), the reservoir (1) rises driven by the compression means (10), (17), (24) or (25) leaving the through hole (3) thereof enclosed inside the cover (2); the dose (Ds) is selected by tipping over the container (6) and when the liquid returns to the vertical position and is levelled, it is calibrated and when the cap is unscrewed, it is served and used, and so on.