Sealable Ventilation Channel for Dispenser Hygiene

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispenser caps with ventilation openings for rapid drying of residual liquids are prone to contamination by microorganisms, as they create a permanent connection with the external environment, and existing solutions do not provide a reliable, irreversible shut-off mechanism to prevent germ entry.

Innovation Solution

A protective cap with an outer and inner element forming a sealable ventilation channel, featuring a tamper-evident safety device that irreversibly separates before first use, ensuring airtight and germproof closure, preventing microbial entry during storage and transport, and allowing rapid drying after initial use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If ventilation openings are provided in the protective cap to enable rapid drying of residual liquid, then the drying speed is improved, but microorganisms can enter through the ventilation openings causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying speedVSAvoidmicrobial contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A shut-off element is provided that can be removed before first use to open the ventilation channel. This preliminary action allows the system to be sealed during storage (preventing contamination) and opened later (enabling drying), resolving the contradiction between preventing microbial entry and allowing rapid drying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ventilation channel transitions from a closed state (during storage and transport) to an open state (after shut-off element removal and during use). This dynamic state change allows the system to adapt between the two conflicting requirements: sealed when contamination risk exists, open when drying is needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a permanent ventilation channel is provided for rapid drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but the risk of contamination increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidcontamination prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shut-off element is removed before first use as a preliminary action, converting the ventilation channel from closed to open state. This ensures that during storage and transport the channel remains sealed (maintaining reliability), but becomes open when needed for drying (improving productivity).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The shut-off element is designed as a single-use component that is removed before first use. This disposable element provides a simple, cost-effective solution to transition the ventilation channel from sealed to open state, resolving the contradiction between contamination prevention and drying efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the protective cap is sealed to prevent contamination, then hygiene is improved, but residual liquid cannot dry rapidly

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovehygieneVSAvoiddrying speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The ventilation channel's state changes dynamically: closed during storage and transport to maintain hygiene, open after shut-off element removal to enable rapid drying. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining hygiene and enabling drying.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The removal of the shut-off element before first use is a preliminary action that prepares the system for drying while maintaining hygiene during storage. This preliminary opening of the ventilation channel allows the system to achieve both hygiene (during storage) and drying speed (during use).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution effectively prevents microbial contamination by maintaining a germproof seal during storage and transport, ensuring the quality of the liquid, while allowing rapid drying of residual liquids after initial use, thus enhancing the hygiene and usability of the dispenser.

Implementation Method 1

a shut-off element which is to be separated irreversibly from the protective cap before a first use and by means of which the at least one ventilation channel is closed in an airtight and germproof manner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAirtight seal:

Implementation Method 2

at least one ventilation channel providing communication between an interior of the protective cap and an external environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVentilation:

Data Source

PatentEP3083432B1Protective cap for a dispenser, and discharge device for discharging pharmaceutical and/or cosmetical liquids

Publication Date: 2018.06.27 APTAR RADOLFZELL

Figure 1
Figure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a protective cap for a dispenser, and to a dispenser for discharging pharmaceutical and/or cosmetical liquids, wherein the dispenser (2) has a liquid reservoir (21) and an outlet opening (24) through which the liquid (4) can be discharged into a surrounding atmosphere. The protective cap (3) comprises an outer cap (31) and an inner element (32) inserted therein, wherein either at least one ventilation channel (33), which can be closed by means of a shut-off element and provides communication between an interior of the protective cap (3) and an external environment, is formed between the outer cap (31) and the inner element (32), or the inner element closes a ventilation opening of the outer cap (31).