Dispensing system for a flowable product
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing systems for flowable products, such as soaps and disinfectants, lack effective mechanisms to prevent the incorrect insertion of containers, leading to potential contamination and loss of product integrity.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of recesses and projections on the closure and deposit device ensures that only correctly coded containers can be inserted, with a deposit device retaining the closure in a parking position during insertion, preventing the insertion of incorrect containers and maintaining product integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the container region surrounding the opening is made compatible with the container mounting, then the container can be fitted into the dispenser, but all containers of the same configuration can be used without preventing wrong content insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adding specific coding elements (projections and recesses) to particular locations on the container closure and deposit device, rather than requiring complete configuration matching. This allows the container to be easily inserted while simultaneously providing localized features that prevent incorrect containers from being inserted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the coding parameters from requiring complete configuration matching to using simplified projection-recess relationships. By modifying the coding system to use discrete geometric features (projections on closure, recesses on deposit device) rather than overall configuration compatibility, the system achieves both ease of insertion and prevention of wrong container use.
2Reliability
If coding elements are added to prevent incorrect container insertion, then product integrity is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coding function into separate elements: projections on the closure and recesses on the deposit device. This segmentation allows each element to be simple in structure while collectively providing robust coding functionality, reducing overall device complexity compared to integrated coding systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure acts as an intermediary element that carries coding features (projections) and interacts with the deposit device (recesses) during the insertion process. This intermediary approach distributes the coding complexity across multiple components rather than concentrating it in a single complex mechanism.
3Reliability
If the closure is retained in a parking position during insertion, then incorrect containers are prevented from being inserted, but the insertion process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the closure engage with the deposit device in a parking position before the container is fully inserted. This preliminary engagement verifies compatibility early in the process, allowing quick rejection of incorrect containers without completing the full insertion sequence, thus minimizing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The parking position mechanism provides preliminary anti-action by preventing incorrect containers from completing insertion before they can cause product contamination. The coding features create immediate mechanical interference for incompatible containers, stopping the insertion process before any harmful effects can occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A container has an opening lying in a plane, wherein the opening is provided on a connecting piece of the container. A closure of the container can be removed by displacement in the plane. At least one guide element is provided on the connecting piece, on or in which the closure can be displaced relative to the container. The closure has at least one recess on at least one of its outer surfaces.