Dispenser system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pump-style soap dispensers result in excessive waste and mess when refilled, as they require replacement of the entire unit and often lead to spills during manual refilling, with inefficiencies in evacuating the remaining product.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a dispenser with a refill cavity and a slidable refill cartridge, where the dispenser body has a pump sub-system and a dispenser lid that can be coupled to enclose the refill cartridge, allowing for easy replacement and use of multiple cartridges, reducing waste and mess.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the entire dispenser is discarded and replaced as a single unit, then the dispenser can be replaced quickly and easily, but excessive waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser system is divided into two separable components: a reusable dispenser body and replaceable refill cartridges. This segmentation allows only the depleted cartridge to be discarded while the dispenser body continues to be used, thereby reducing waste while maintaining ease of replacement through simple cartridge swaps
2Productivity
If manual refilling is performed by pouring liquid from a refill container, then the dispenser can be replenished, but liquid spills and mess are created
Solution Approach 1:
The refilling process is extracted and eliminated by providing pre-filled, sealed refill cartridges that are simply inserted into the dispenser body. This removes the manual pouring step that causes spills and mess, while maintaining the ability to replenish the dispenser
3Device complexity
If conventional dispensers are used, then the dispenser structure is simple, but a significant amount of product cannot be evacuated from the container
Solution Approach 1:
The refill cartridge is designed with a collapsible flexible container that dynamically changes shape as product is dispensed. This allows the container to collapse inward, enabling complete evacuation of the product without requiring complex mechanical evacuation systems in the dispenser body
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
Enables convenient, mess-free replenishment of personal care fluids, allowing for the use of all the product and reducing waste by allowing the dispenser to be reused with multiple refill cartridges.
Implementation Method 1
a pump sub-system mounted to the dispenser lid, the pump sub-system comprising a first dip tube, a dispensing orifice, and a pump
Data Source
AI summary
A system for dispensing a personal care fluid, such as a hand soap or the like. The system includes a dispenser and a refill cartridge. The dispenser includes a dispenser body having a refill cavity and a dispenser lid configured to be coupled to the dispenser body. There may be a pump sub-system mounted to the dispenser lid, or alternatively the personal care fluid may be dispensed by squeezing the dispenser and refill cartridge. The refill cartridge is configured for slidable insertion into and removal from the refill cavity of the dispenser body. The personal care fluid system is designed so that a user can readily and easily change out/replace the refill cartridge for use with a common dispenser, dispenser lid, and pump sub-system.