Dispenser and container
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers often inaccurately indicate when a container is empty, leading to premature replacement and waste, as materials may pool or not collapse sufficiently, causing users to avoid dispensing from what appears to be an empty container despite remaining material.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser and container system with a biasing structure that applies force to deform a collapsible section, moving material into a rigid section, maintaining the appearance of fullness for a longer period, thereby reducing unnecessary replacements and waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a collapsible container is used to dispense material, then material can be moved toward the outlet, but the container may not collapse sufficiently and material may pool in non-visible locations
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into a collapsible section and a rigid section with viewport. This segmentation allows the collapsible portion to move material while the rigid portion with viewport provides accurate visual indication of material levels, resolving the contradiction between material movement and accurate fullness indication.
Solution Approach 2:
A biasing structure acts as an intermediary between the collapsible section and the material, applying force to ensure complete material movement toward the outlet. This intermediary mechanism prevents material pooling in non-visible locations while maintaining accurate viewport indication.
2Reliability
If users avoid dispensing from containers that appear empty, then they prevent dispensing from containers with pooled material, but this leads to unnecessary container replacements and material waste
Solution Approach 1:
The viewport provides continuous visual feedback about the actual material level in the container. By making the material level visible and accurate, users can make informed decisions about whether to continue dispensing, eliminating the need to avoid dispensing from potentially non-empty containers and reducing material waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent or translucent viewport allows visual detection of material presence and level. This optical property enables users to accurately assess container fullness without ambiguity, preventing premature replacement and reducing material waste.
3Ease of manufacture
If a rigid container is used, then material storage is simple, but material cannot be efficiently moved toward the outlet
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into a rigid section (easy to manufacture) and a collapsible section (efficient for material movement). This segmentation combines the manufacturing simplicity of rigid containers with the dispensing efficiency of collapsible containers.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the container have different mechanical properties - the rigid section provides structural stability and ease of manufacture, while the collapsible section provides efficient material movement. This local differentiation of properties resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and dispensing efficiency.
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
The system prolongs the appearance of fullness, reducing unnecessary container replacements and material waste by ensuring material is dispensed efficiently and effectively, promoting prolonged use and cost savings.
Implementation Method 1
The second section is constructed to be deformable. Biasing structure is associated with the second section of the container. The biasing structure is constructed to apply a force to deform the second section of the container and urge the material into the first section.
Data Source
AI summary
Among other things, a dispenser for dispensing material is provided herein. The dispenser includes a cover. The dispenser is configured to receive a container from which material is dispensed. The container is adapted to be supported by the cover. Biasing structure is adapted to apply a force to the container to facilitate dispensing the material from the container.