Directional Flow Flange for Clog-Resistant Clean Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pump-type dispensers for liquids and gels often clog due to polymeric thickeners and evaporation, leading to misdirection of the dispensed substance, which can result in unsatisfactory and unclean dispensing, as the material may be directed onto the user's clothing or face instead of the intended target.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser with an arched flange that acts as a baffle, redirecting the media ventrally to prevent misdirection, featuring a concave surface that forces the media to be dispensed away from the user's face and eyes, and can be manufactured from thermoplastic or silicone materials for versatility and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pump-type dispenser is used for dispensing liquid and gel media, then the substance can be dispensed through a chamber, but the chamber may become clogged due to polymeric thickeners and evaporation, leading to misdirection of the dispensed substance
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into functional segments: a pump mechanism for dispensing, a chamber for media storage, and a directional flow controlling flange with baffle structure. This segmentation allows each component to address specific issues - the pump provides dispensing function while the flange-baffle segment prevents misdirection caused by clogging
Solution Approach 2:
A directional flow controlling flange with integrated baffle structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the pump chamber and the dispensing opening. This flange acts as a mediator that redirects the flow path of dispensed media, ensuring that even when clogging occurs in the chamber, the substance flows in a controlled direction away from the user's face
2Reliability
If the chamber becomes clogged, then dispensation of the substance is compromised, but adding clogging prevention mechanisms increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The directional flow controlling flange merges multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both a flow director and a baffle structure. This consolidation provides clogging resistance and misdirection prevention without requiring separate complex mechanisms, thus maintaining dispensing consistency while minimizing added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The flange structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it controls directional flow, acts as a baffle to prevent misdirection, and accommodates the pump mechanism. This multi-functionality ensures reliable dispensing without proportionally increasing device complexity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the dispensed media is redirected ventrally to prevent misdirection, then the user's face and eyes are protected, but the dispensing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The flange incorporates a curved baffle surface that naturally redirects media flow ventrally away from the user's face. This curved geometry achieves misdirection prevention through its shape alone, without requiring additional active components or complex mechanical structures
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser (300) includes an arched flange (303) that works as a baffle to prevent dispensed media from exiting a nozzle erratically. The dispenser (300) can be configured with a connector (402), connector extension (403), and nozzle (401) for use with vessels (802). Alternatively, a dispenser cap (1100) can include a coupling mechanism (1200) configured to attach to prior art dispensers. Dispensed media is directed along the dispensing surface (301) in a ventral direction (302) relative to the dispenser (300), thereby eliminating the possibility of the media being dispensed into the user's face or eyes, regardless of clogs present or user hand position.