Cap-Applicator Piercing Tip for Parasiticide Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid delivery systems for biologically or chemically active substances, such as parasiticides, face challenges including leakage, bacterial contamination, evaporation, difficulty in measuring precise dosages, and inefficient distribution on animal skin, often requiring users to handle open containers and risking exposure to chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A sealed fluid delivery assembly with a cap-applicator structure that remains in an inactive configuration until intentionally activated, featuring a piercing tip that minimizes accidental exposure and ensures a stable, precise dosage delivery, using a multi-stage detent mechanism to prevent unintended activation and a design that allows easy access to the skin for even distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the reservoir is opened to attach an applicator, then the applicator can be attached to dispense fluid, but the user is exposed to chemical contact and leakage risks
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is nested within the cap structure, which itself is attached to the reservoir. The piercing tip is housed inside the cap until activation, at which point it pierces the reservoir and becomes functional. This nested arrangement allows the applicator to remain protected and inactive during storage and transport, then become active only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap is pre-assembled with the applicator and piercing tip in an inactive state before the reservoir is opened. This preliminary configuration allows the reservoir to remain sealed until the moment of use, at which point the entire cap-applicator assembly is attached and activated simultaneously, minimizing user exposure time.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the reservoir remains sealed, then chemical stability is maintained, but the applicator cannot be attached for dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing tip is extracted as a separate functional element within the cap assembly, positioned to pierce the reservoir seal only when needed. This allows the reservoir to remain sealed and chemically stable during storage, while the extracted piercing mechanism is ready to be deployed at the moment of use by simply attaching the cap.
3Ease of operation
If a separate applicator is attached after opening the reservoir, then the applicator can be positioned for dispensing, but user contact with chemical is required
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator, cap, and piercing tip are merged into a single integrated assembly that attaches to the reservoir as one unit. This combination eliminates the need for separate manipulation of the applicator after reservoir opening, allowing the user to attach the entire assembly in one action and position it for dispensing without intermediate chemical exposure.
4Loss of time
If the reservoir is opened for storage, then the chemical can be reused, but it may evaporate or transform into harmful substances
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is designed as a single-use, sealed container that is attached to the reusable cap-applicator assembly. After the fluid is dispensed, the reservoir is discarded rather than stored, eliminating the risk of evaporation or chemical transformation during storage while allowing the expensive cap-applicator mechanism to be reused with a new reservoir.
5Adaptability or versatility
If users manually measure parasiticide dosage, then flexibility in dosing is achieved, but measurement precision is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoirs are manufactured with pre-determined volumes corresponding to different animal weight categories (e.g., small, medium, large dogs). This parameter change from manual measurement to pre-set volumes provides both the flexibility to match different dosage requirements and the precision of factory-controlled filling, eliminating user measurement errors.
6Area of stationary object
If parasiticide is applied through fur, then distribution throughout the affected area is achieved, but even skin coverage is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator tip is segmented into multiple dispensing ports or channels that distribute the fluid across different areas of the skin simultaneously. This segmentation allows the fluid to be applied through the fur in a distributed manner, ensuring even coverage across the entire treatment area rather than concentrating fluid in a single location.
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator tip is provided for operating in conjunction with a pierceable fluid reservoir. Assemblies in accordance with the invention can lead to an exceptionally easy to use, safe, and convenient system and method of applying a fixed dosage of chemicals to which a user might wish to avoid contact, such as parasiticides. The cap-applicator can have an internal piercing tip capable of piercing the reservoir when the assembly is converted into an active configuration. Projections can be provided, in the form of fins on a tube or a multi-prong structure with straight or curved projections. The tips of one or more projections can include dispensing ports or the ports can be recessed from the distal tip, such as in a notch, so as not to be obstructed if the distal tip of the cap is pressed against an animal to dispense the fluid.