Refillable Dispenser Venting Pump to Prevent Filling Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refillable dispenser systems face issues with fluid product leakage during filling, leading to contamination and unsanitary conditions due to the lack of effective air discharge mechanisms, as seen in prior art documents EP 2 977 109 and EP 3310491.
Innovation Solution
A refillable source bottle with a cross-flow transfer member, comprising a pump and a hollow venting rod, ensures that air from the refillable tank is discharged into the source tank while preventing excess fluid from leaking by using a concentric and axial movement system, integrating the venting rod into the pump to separate air and fluid paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a venting valve discharges air from the refillable tank directly to the outside, then air can be evacuated from the tank, but fluid product may leak through the venting valve causing contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the air discharge function from the fluid product pathway by introducing a dedicated air discharge pathway through the cross-flow transfer member. This segmentation allows air to be vented independently without risking fluid leakage through the same opening, thus resolving the contradiction between effective air evacuation and prevention of fluid contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-flow transfer member acts as an intermediary structure that provides a controlled air discharge pathway. It mediates between the need to vent air and the need to prevent fluid leakage by offering a separate route for air evacuation that does not compromise the fluid containment system.
2Quantity of substance
If the pump chamber maximum dose is greater than the refillable tank volume, then complete filling is achieved, but excess fluid may overflow and leak
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful excess fluid is extracted from the potential contamination zone by directing it through the air discharge pathway back to the source tank. Instead of allowing overflow to leak externally, the system takes out the excess fluid through the cross-flow transfer member and returns it to the source, eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining complete filling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The excess fluid that would normally be harmful is converted into a beneficial flow by routing it back to the source tank through the air discharge pathway. This transforms the potential leakage problem into a controlled return flow, ensuring complete filling while preventing contamination.
3Loss of substance
If a return valve discharges fluid directly into the source tank, then fluid can be returned, but the path may not effectively handle air discharge
Solution Approach 1:
The system adds a new dimension to the transfer member by making it hollow and capable of dual function: transferring fluid through its walls while conveying air through its internal cavity. This dimensional enhancement allows the same structure to reliably handle both fluid return and air discharge without compromising either function.
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 effectively prevents fluid leakage during filling by ensuring that excess fluid is discharged into the source tank alongside air, maintaining cleanliness of both the refillable dispenser and source bottle, thus addressing the contamination issues present in prior art.
Implementation Method 1
a pump defining a movement axis and a pump chamber... the pump comprises or includes a cross-flow transfer member capable of being connected to the filling and venting system of the refillable dispenser to inject fluid from the pump chamber into the refillable tank
Implementation Method 2
discharge the air from the refillable tank into the source tank... air inside the refillable tank is discharged into the source tank through filling and venting system of the refillable dispenser and the cross-flow transfer member integrated into the pump of the source bottle
Implementation Method 3
the source bottle comprises a source tank and a pump defining a movement axis and a pump chamber, the maximum dose of which is advantageously greater than the maximum volume of the refillable tank... excess or overflow of fluid product will be discharged into the source tank by the same path as the air inside the refillable tank
Data Source
AI summary
A source bottle(S) intended to refill a refillable dispenser (N) comprising a refillable tank (R) and a filling and venting system (R5) connected to the refillable tank (R), the source bottle(S) comprising a source tank (S1) and a pump (S2) defining an axis of movement and a pump chamber (C), the maximum dose of which is advantageously substantially equal to the maximum volume of the refillable tank (R), characterised in that the pump (S2) comprises or includes a cross-flow transfer member (St) capable of being connected to the filling and venting system (R5) of the refillable dispenser (N) to inject fluid product from the pump chamber (C) into the refillable tank (R) and to discharge the air from the refillable tank (R) into the source tank (S1).