Hand-Held Dispenser Pressure Equalization Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers with frangible membranes struggle to consistently release larger quantities of pharmaceutical products due to sudden pressure changes as compressed air passes through the pierced membrane, leading to reduced discharge efficiency and consistency.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held dispenser design that includes a channel to equalize pressure between the air compression device and the frangible membrane, ensuring a consistent release of the product by minimizing resistance and maintaining the majority of compressed air for product expulsion, along with a piercing tip featuring an annular cutting edge with an interruption to prevent complete membrane detachment and ensure consistent dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a frangible membrane is used to seal the product, then product protection is improved, but pressure changes impede product discharge
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure equalization channel is introduced as an intermediary element between the compression device and the frangible membrane. This channel allows pressure to be equalized on both sides of the membrane before piercing, preventing sudden pressure changes that would impede product discharge while maintaining the membrane's sealing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a sealed product chamber, a pressure equalization channel, and a discharge path. The frangible membrane is positioned at the interface between these zones, allowing it to maintain protection while enabling controlled discharge when pierced.
2Speed
If compressed air is used to expel the product, then discharge speed is improved, but pressure changes reduce discharge consistency
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure equalization is performed as a preliminary action before the frangible membrane is pierced and product discharge begins. The channel allows pressure to equalize in advance, ensuring that when the membrane is pierced, there are no sudden pressure changes to disrupt the consistency of the compressed air flow and entrained product.
3Productivity
If the piercing tip pierces the frangible membrane completely, then product release is improved, but membrane detachment interferes with dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing tip is designed with selective piercing capability - it pierces the frangible membrane at specific locations to allow product release while leaving portions of the membrane attached to the duct or sheath. This localized piercing approach maintains product release functionality while preventing complete membrane detachment that would interfere with dispensing.
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 dispenser achieves a more consistent and efficient release of pharmaceutical products with reduced user effort, allowing for reproducible spray patterns and effective delivery to specific areas, such as the nasal cavity, without interference from detached membrane flaps.
Implementation Method 1
a channel to substantially equalise the pressure in the air compression device and the pressure above the frangible membrane
Implementation Method 2
the piercing tip pierces the frangible membrane
Implementation Method 3
an air compression device to compress air for expelling a pharmaceutical product through the probe
Data Source
AI summary
A hand-held dispenser for dispensing a pharmaceutical product is disclosed. The dispenser has a housing providing a duct. A frangible membrane is provided in the duct. A probe with a piercing tip is mounted in the duct and arranged such that, in use the piercing tip pierces the frangible membrane. An air compression device is provided to compress air for expelling a pharmaceutical product through the probe and a channel is provided to substantially equalise the pressure in the air compression device and the pressure above the frangible membrane. The ability to substantially equalise the pressure in the bellows and the pressure above the frangible membrane on the sheath provides for a mote consistent release of pharmaceutical product when the frangible membrane is pierced. This is because the compressed air from the bellows which expels the pharmaceutical product through the probe does not encounter a sudden change in pressure as it passes the pierced frangible membrane with the entrained pharmaceutical product. In use, when compressed air is used to expel a pharmaceutical product through the probe, the air path through the probe has a lower resistance than the channel to substantially equalise the pressure in the air compression device and the pressure above the frangible membrane. This ensures that the majority of the compressed air is used to expel the pharmaceutical product. The piercing tip preferably comprises a generally annular cutting edge on an end portion of the probe with an interruption in the generally annular cutting edge.