One-Handed Dispensing Adaptor for Polyurethane Foam

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional disposable dispensing guns for one-component polyurethane foam require both hands to operate, leading to reduced work efficiency and safety, and the residual foam inside the container hardens when not in use, necessitating frequent replacement.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing adaptor with a stationary lever and an extended, curved lever that allows one-handed operation and includes a blocking projection to prevent air from entering the outlet pipe, keeping the foam usable after suspension.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lever for operation is disposed distantly from the pressurized container, then the valve can be opened effectively, but both hands are required for operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveone-handed operationVSAvoidlever structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lever is divided into two distinct parts: a stationary lever fixed to the adapter body and an extended lever that can be detached. This segmentation allows the extended lever to be removed when not needed, simplifying the device for one-handed use while maintaining the full functionality when both hands are available.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lever system transitions from a static, fixed structure to a dynamic, adjustable configuration. The extended lever can be attached or detached based on operational needs, allowing the device to adapt between one-handed and two-handed operation modes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the dispensing work is temporarily suspended with residual polyurethane inside the container, then the work can be paused, but the residual polyurethane hardens in the outlet pipe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverepeated use capabilityVSAvoidfoam usability time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

A blocking projection is provided that can be inserted into the outlet pipe before the dispensing work is suspended. This preliminary blocking action prevents air from entering the pipe and contacting the residual polyurethane, thereby preventing hardening and enabling the work to be resumed later.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking projection acts as an intermediary element between the residual polyurethane and the external environment. By physically blocking the outlet pipe, it mediates the interaction between air and foam, preventing the harmful oxidation and hardening process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2977333B1Dispensing adaptor for one-component polyurethane foam
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 HAMIL SELENA
  • EP2977333B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2977333B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2977333B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates a dispensing adaptor for one-component polyurethane foam, which is coupled to a valve stem of a polyurethane pressurized container, the dispensing adaptor including: a tubular main adaptor body coupled to the valve stem and introducing polyurethane foam out of the pressurized container; a stem coupling portion formed at one end portion of the adaptor main body and coupled to and communicating with the valve stem; a discharging pipe extended from the other end portion of the adaptor main body; a stationary lever formed integrally with and extended from an outer wall of the adaptor main body; and an extended lever curvedly extended from the stationary lever along a lengthwise direction of the pressurized container, and making the valve stem be inclined to open with respect to an axial direction. Thus, according to the present invention, since the stationary lever is formed integrally with and extended from the outer wall of the adaptor main body in a direction transverse to the axial direction of the pressurized container, and the extended lever is curvedly extended from the stationary lever along the lengthwise direction of the pressurized container, it is possible to hold the pressurized container and the extended lever with one hand, thereby improving work efficiency and safety. Further, the end portion of the outlet pipe is temporarily blocked when the disposable dispensing adaptor is not in use, so that the disposable dispensing adaptor can be used again.