Collapsible Reservoir Squeezing for Controlled Agent Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning aids lack efficient and controlled dispensing mechanisms for cleansing agents, often requiring complex buttons or frequent refilling, which increases production costs and reduces user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, collapsible reservoir or pouch connected to a sponge with a hand grip portion that snugly receives the sponge, allowing easy dispensing of cleansing agents through a nozzle upon squeezing, optionally with a control button for additional control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a complex button or control mechanism is used for dispensing cleansing agent, then dispensing control is improved, but device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The user's hand squeezing action directly activates the dispensing mechanism through the collapsible reservoir, eliminating the need for separate control buttons or complex mechanisms. The system serves itself by converting the natural gripping motion into the actuating force needed for dispensing.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex mechanical button or electronic control system is replaced with a simple collapsible reservoir design where dispensing is achieved through direct manual compression. This mechanical substitution simplifies the overall system while maintaining effective control.
2Volume of moving object
If a small reservoir is used, then device size is reduced, but refilling frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir transitions from a rigid fixed-volume container to a flexible collapsible design that can be compressed during dispensing. This dynamic characteristic allows the same physical space to deliver more product by eliminating air gaps and allowing complete emptying, effectively increasing capacity without increasing initial volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The physical state of the reservoir changes from rigid to flexible, allowing it to collapse and change shape during use. This parameter change enables more efficient space utilization and reduces the frequency of refilling by maximizing the usable volume of the reservoir.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid reservoir is used, then structural stability is improved, but dispensing control and user comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid reservoir shell is replaced with a flexible material that can be compressed and molded by hand. This flexible shell maintains sufficient structural integrity to contain the product while allowing easy manipulation and controlled dispensing through squeezing actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible container that responds to user manipulation. The flexibility allows the reservoir to change shape during gripping and squeezing, enabling intuitive control while maintaining adequate structural stability for product containment.
4Volume of moving object
If frequent refilling is required, then device size can be reduced, but user convenience and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible collapsible reservoir allows for complete emptying of contents through compression, maximizing the effective capacity. This dynamic design enables larger volumes to be dispensed from compact sizes, reducing refilling frequency and improving productivity without significantly increasing device footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the reservoir from rigid to flexible, the effective usable volume increases relative to the external dimensions. This parameter change allows the reservoir to deliver more product per fill cycle, reducing refilling frequency and improving cleaning efficiency while maintaining a compact form factor.
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
Enables easy, controlled dispensing of cleansing agents directly onto the sponge, reducing the need for frequent refilling and potentially eliminating complex control mechanisms, thereby enhancing user convenience and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the reservoir or pouch is flexible or collapsible on squeezing to help dispense the cleansing or washing or treatment agent/material from the reservoir/pouch from said at least one outlet nozzle or valve onto or into said sponge/applicator means
Data Source
Figure 5
Figure 6
AI summary
Figure 5 shows an assembly (100) of an upper, oval shaped reservoir/pouch (101) bonded or moulded with a lower peripheral hand grip portion (101a) having a rectangular well or recess snugly receiving a standard dimension off the shelf rectangular sponge (102). Reservoir/pouch (101) has a centrally located inlet valve for receiving a suitable cleansing/washing agent and a single outlet nozzle positioned on a lower surface of the reservoir. Reservoir/pouch (101) occupies a substantial volume in relation to sponge (102) to avoid the necessity of frequent filling with cleansing/washing agent. The hand grip portion (101a) has a skirt S with opposed, vertical curved wall ribbing (101g) and (101h) that can be gripped and squeezed together to dispense agent from the reservoir/pouch (101) through the outlet nozzle into and through pores in the sponge (102), in a manner that should readily be envisaged.