Dispensing Capsule With Collapsible Cavities For Rapid Reagent Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing systems for disinfectant compositions, such as chlorine dioxide, face challenges in accelerating the formation of active agents and ensuring efficient re-use of dispensing capsules, which can lead to leakage and reduced disinfection efficacy, especially in clinical environments.

Innovation Solution

An ergonomically actuated dispensing assembly with collapsible cavities and a locking mechanism that allows for controlled pre-mixing and discharge of reagents, preventing accidental re-use and ensuring secure removal from the vessel neck.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the cap is screwed onto the neck of the vessel, then progressive crushing of the dispensing chamber walls occurs which breaks seals and permits mixing, but the mixing process is too slow to rapidly form adequate concentration of active agent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation speed of active agentVSAvoidtime needed to form adequate concentration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing chamber is pre-filled with reagents in separate compartments before use. When the cap is screwed on, the pre-positioned reagents are rapidly mixed through mechanical crushing action, eliminating the need for slow in-situ formation and enabling rapid generation of active agent concentration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The screwing action of the cap creates mechanical crushing and vibration that rapidly mixes the reagents in the dispensing chamber. This mechanical energy input accelerates the chemical reaction rate, enabling faster formation of the active agent compared to passive mixing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #18Mechanical vibration

2Reliability

If the dispensing capsule is made as a tight fit to ensure good seal, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but removal becomes difficult requiring multiple actions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidremoval ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing capsule is designed with dynamic characteristics that change during use. Initially, it maintains a tight fit for sealing. After use, the capsule becomes collapsible and deformable, allowing easy removal through simple pulling or unscrewing actions without compromising the seal during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The dispensing capsule is designed as a separate, removable component from the vessel neck. This segmentation allows the capsule to be easily detached after use by pulling or unscrewing, while still maintaining reliable sealing during the dispensing phase through proper interface design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the crushed dispensing capsule is reused by pushing up cavity walls and refilling, then cost is reduced, but integrity of cavity walls is compromised causing leakage and premature mixing

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovereusabilityVSAvoidcapsule integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing capsule is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use. This eliminates the need for complex reusability features and ensures consistent performance, as each new capsule guarantees intact cavity walls and proper sealing without the degradation issues of reused capsules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of attempting to reuse the crushed dispensing capsule, the system is designed to discard the used capsule and replace it with a new one. This approach recovers the function by ensuring each capsule starts with full integrity, preventing leakage and premature mixing issues that arise from reused capsules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 assembly provides additional pre-mixing time for reagents, ensuring rapid formation of active agents and preventing re-use issues, thereby enhancing disinfection efficiency and maintaining a secure seal for effective disinfection in clinical settings.

Implementation Method 1

the active ingredient is formed in situ when required by mixing two reagents... Chlorine dioxide, for example, may be formed by mixing a chlorite solution and an acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11794964B2Assembly for dispensing liquids

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 TRISTEL PCL

AI summary

An assembly (2) for dispensing liquids comprises: • a base member (8); • a cap (4) on the base member (8); and • a dispensing capsule (6) in the base member (8) and covered by the cap (4). The dispensing capsule (6) comprises: • a capsule body (7) having a first end (16) and a second end (18); • at least one wall (20) defining a first cavity (38) within the capsule body, the first cavity (38) having a first opening at the first end (16) of the capsule body; • at least one wall (22) defining a second cavity (40) within the capsule body, the second cavity (40) having a second opening at the first end (16) of the capsule body; • the first opening and the second opening provided with a seal member (64) which seals the first cavity (38) and the second cavity (40). The walls of the first cavity and the second cavity are collapsible if pressure is applied to the cavities from the second end (18) of the capsule body.