Refillable Compact Liquid Container With Membrane Pump Cavity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid containers with dispensing mechanisms are inconvenient for travel due to size and weight constraints, leading to wastefulness and inconsistency in product delivery, especially for luxury brands where packaging is crucial, and existing solutions do not effectively address the need for a compact, resource-efficient, and consistent dispensing system for travel use.
Innovation Solution
A two-part liquid container system where a parent container with a refillable child container uses a membrane as both the moving part and restoring means, allowing the child container to be refilled and reused multiple times without manual intervention, with the membrane defining the cavity adjacent to the refill opening to facilitate easy sealing and minimal waste, and the system can be used as a single unit or separately for convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional pump mechanism is used in a standard pack container, then the liquid can be dispensed in controlled amounts, but the container becomes too large and heavy for travel
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the liquid storage function into two separate containers: a large parent container for bulk storage and a small child container for travel use. The child container can be detached and carried separately, while the parent container remains at home. This segmentation allows users to have access to a full-sized dispensing system without constantly carrying heavy containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The child container is designed to nest within or attach to the parent container when not in use. The refilling mechanism allows the child container to be replenished from the parent container, creating a nested relationship where the smaller unit is contained within or associated with the larger unit. This nesting principle optimizes space utilization and maintains a compact form factor.
2Ease of operation
If the liquid is transferred from the original container to a smaller container for travel, then portability is improved, but spillage and contamination occur
Solution Approach 1:
The refilling mechanism is designed to be self-operating through a simple attachment and detachment action. When the child container is attached to the parent container, the refilling occurs automatically without requiring the user to manually transfer liquid. This self-service approach eliminates the risks of spillage and contamination associated with manual pouring while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a controlled refilling interface that acts as an intermediary between the parent and child containers. This interface includes valves and flow control mechanisms that mediate the liquid transfer process, ensuring it occurs in a controlled, spill-free manner. The intermediary structure protects product integrity while enabling reliable refilling.
3Ease of operation
If a removable unit with an application element is used, then the liquid can be applied directly, but the unit can only retain a small amount of liquid limited by the application element
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the application element (in the child container) from the bulk liquid storage (in the parent container). The child container maintains its small size suitable for portability and direct application, while the parent container provides extensive liquid capacity. This segmentation allows the application unit to remain compact and convenient while the storage capacity is expanded separately.
Solution Approach 2:
The child container is pre-filled with liquid through the automatic refilling mechanism before detachment for travel. This preliminary action ensures the application element has sufficient liquid loaded ready for use, eliminating the need for frequent refilling during travel while maintaining the small, portable form factor.
4Reliability
If the same delivery mechanism is incorporated into travel packs, then product consistency is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the delivery mechanism into two parts: a permanent, high-quality mechanism in the parent container and a simpler refilling interface in the child container. This allows the expensive, precision delivery mechanism to be manufactured once in the parent container, while the travel-sized child container uses a simpler design that is more cost-effective to manufacture. Product consistency is maintained through the controlled refilling process.
Solution Approach 2:
The parent container's delivery mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as both a dispensing system for home use and a refilling station for the child container. This multi-functionality eliminates the need to manufacture separate delivery mechanisms for both parent and child containers, reducing overall manufacturing costs while maintaining product consistency across both units.
5Extent of automation
If a movable part with restoring means is used to refill the child container, then automatic refilling is achieved, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The refilling mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the simple mechanical action of attaching and detaching the child container. The movable part and restoring means work together to automatically initiate and complete the refilling process without requiring additional controls, sensors, or complex actuation mechanisms. This self-service approach achieves automatic refilling while minimizing added complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a mechanical intermediary (the movable part with restoring means) that mediates between the user's simple attachment action and the complex refilling process. This intermediary converts the simple mechanical motion of connecting the containers into the coordinated sequence of valve operations and liquid transfer required for automatic refilling, thereby achieving automation without exposing the user to complexity.
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
Ensures the child container is always full when detached, reducing waste and maintaining product consistency, while allowing for easy refilling and use as a standalone or combined unit, addressing the challenges of travel convenience and resource efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a pressure differential between the inside and outside of the child container is generated, causing the membrane to move in response to the pressure differential, thereby drawing liquid from the parent container into the child container
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a container system for liquids such as spray fragrances. The system includes a parent container (110) and a child container (120). The parent container provides a first cavity (113) for confining a liquid, and couples detachably to the child container for refilling the child container through a supply opening (111) in the parent container, so that the child container can be used for instance as a travel pack in a handbag or hand luggage. Here the child container is a compact dispenser, comprising a bowl - shaped rigid container (221) having a refill opening (222), which is kept closed by a valve unless the dispenser is connected to a supply container, and a dispense opening (224). These openings are located with a spacing from each other, and a pump (225) dispenses liquid from the dispense opening (224). In this particularly simple construction, the opening of the bowl is covered by a deformable membrane (227) to form a closed dispense cavity (226), the cavity becoming mainly or completely evacuated as the dispensing means is operated. The membrane then relaxes again, filling the dispenser, when the dispenser is re -applied to the parent container.