Crushable Bag Dispenser for Propellant-Free Spray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol cans pose safety hazards due to flammable propellants, making recycling and disposal challenging, and existing alternatives have not effectively addressed the need for a propellant-free spray solution that maintains performance.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, crushable container system with a dispenser gun that uses a plunger to create hydrostatic pressure within a bag, allowing for safe and efficient dispensing of sprayable materials without a surrounding can or propellant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If aerosol cans with propellants are used for spray dispensing, then spray performance and atomization are achieved, but flammability hazards and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the propellant from the aerosol system entirely, extracting only the necessary components (container, valve, spray tip) while eliminating the harmful propellant substance. This allows spray dispensing to occur through mechanical pressure from a plunger without the flammability hazards associated with propellants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a disposable flexible container that is crushed and discarded after use, eliminating the need for expensive, reusable metal cans and their associated propellants. The container is designed for single-use, where the product and container are disposed of together after depletion, removing ongoing safety concerns with stored propellants.
2Reliability
If metal cans are used for aerosol packaging, then product protection and spray delivery are ensured, but manufacturing complexity and recycling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid metal cans with flexible plastic containers that can be easily manufactured and disposed of. The flexible container maintains product protection through its sealable design while eliminating the complexity of metal can manufacturing, welding, and recycling infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the container function from the spray mechanism function, allowing the flexible container to be manufactured independently and simply paired with a spray valve assembly. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing compared to integrated metal aerosol cans.
3Ease of operation
If propellants are included in aerosol cans, then spray atomization and product dispensing are achieved, but disposal safety and environmental hazards worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful propellant into a beneficial mechanical plunger system. The force previously provided by expanding propellant gas is replaced by manual plunger pressure, eliminating the harmful flammable substance while maintaining the spray dispensing function through a safe mechanical alternative.
4Loss of substance
If aerosol cans are collected and recycled, then resource conservation is achieved, but safety risks during processing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a disposable container approach where the flexible container is discarded after use rather than recycled. This eliminates the safety risks associated with collecting and processing used aerosol cans containing residual propellants, while the container material itself remains inexpensive and easily replaceable.
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
This solution eliminates flammability concerns during dispensing while maintaining the performance of aerosol applications, reducing the risks associated with recycling and disposal, and conserves resources by eliminating the need for can manufacturing and collection.
Implementation Method 1
A dispenser having an elongated housing is provided for receiving the bag. The dispenser is a gun type device that uses a plunger to apply force to the bottom of the bag while the top of the bag with the valve and spray tip is held securely in a slot or valve seat in the other end of the housing. The force exerted by the plunger within the housing creates the hydrostatic pressure inside the bag needed to spray the product through the valve and spray tip.
Implementation Method 2
A first trigger and handle on the device are squeezed together to exert force on the plunger. This, in turn, compresses a container spring creating the hydrostatic pressure inside the bag. As the product is dispensed, the bag collapses and the container spring extends to its free length.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dispensing sprayable material such as paint and other liquefied products. The system includes a dispenser designed to accept a flexible, crushable, container filled with sprayable material and having a valve and spray tip at one end. The container is placed into a slot in the dispenser with the valve on the container secured in the housing of the dispenser. In operation, a plunger that runs lengthwise within the housing of the dispenser exerts force on the bottom of the container crushing it as it is emptied and forcing the sprayable material out through the valve and spray tip.