Dispensing Container Sump Design for Reliable Low-Level Liquid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensing containers with trigger- or pump-actuated dispensers face difficulties in reliably dispensing the entire amount of liquid, often resulting in misfiring, foaming, or oozing, especially when the liquid level is low or the container is tilted, leading to product waste.
Innovation Solution
A container with a manually-operated positive displacement dispensing nozzle and a sump-including receptacle design that maintains positive liquid pressure through a draw tube, ensuring consistent dispensing even when the liquid level is low and the container is tilted, preventing misfiring, foaming, or oozing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trigger- or pump-actuated dispensers are used, then dispensing action is achieved, but reliable dispensing deteriorates as liquid level decreases
Solution Approach 1:
A sump is introduced as an intermediary reservoir between the main liquid storage and the dispensing nozzle. The sump maintains a reserve of liquid that continuously feeds the draw tube, ensuring that the dispenser always has access to liquid even when the main container is depleted. This mediator structure decouples the dispensing reliability from the main liquid level.
Solution Approach 2:
The sump is pre-filled with liquid from the main container during normal operation. This preliminary accumulation of liquid in the sump ensures that when the main container is emptied, the dispensing system continues to function reliably using the pre-stored liquid in the sump, preventing misfiring and maintaining consistent spray performance.
2Adaptability or versatility
If container is tilted for horizontal surface dispensing, then delivery to horizontal surface is enabled, but misfiring and foaming occur
Solution Approach 1:
The sump is positioned at the bottom of the container in a vertical dimension, creating a gravitational reserve that operates independently of the container's tilt angle. By storing liquid in the vertical lowest point and using a draw tube to access it, the system maintains reliable liquid supply whether the container is upright or tilted for horizontal surface application.
Solution Approach 2:
The sump-draw tube configuration creates a hydraulic connection that maintains positive liquid pressure to the dispenser regardless of container orientation. The sump acts as a hydraulic reservoir that continuously feeds the draw tube, ensuring consistent liquid flow and pressure to the nozzle even when the container is tilted, preventing misfiring and foaming.
3Quantity of substance
If dispenser is removed to empty final contents, then complete liquid removal is achieved, but product waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sump is designed to automatically feed the draw tube and dispensing system as the main container is depleted. When the main container is empty, the sump continues to provide liquid through the draw tube without requiring user intervention or dispenser removal. This self-service mechanism ensures complete utilization of all liquid in the container, eliminating the need to discard partially used containers.
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 container effectively delivers virtually all liquid without interruption, reducing product waste and ensuring reliable dispensing, even when tilted, by maintaining positive pressure in the draw tube and nozzle.
Implementation Method 1
maintains positive liquid pressure in the draw tube and the manually-operated positive displacement dispensing nozzle
Implementation Method 2
The second curved wall, the lower sump wall, the third curved wall and the bottom wall form a sump. The draw tube has a lower end which extends into the sump
Data Source
AI summary
A container comprises a receptacle, a manually-operated positive displacement dispensing nozzle, and a draw tube extending from the nozzle. The receptacle includes an upper body wall and an intermediate body wall connected by a first curved wall, and a lower sump wall connected with the intermediate body wall by a second curved wall. The lower sump wall and a bottom wall are connected by a third curved wall. The second curved wall, the lower sump wall, the third curved wall and the bottom wall form a sump into which the draw tube lower end extends to a midpoint. The volume of the sump below the midpoint is substantially equal to the volume of the sump above the midpoint, the draw tube end is spaced substantially equal distance from the surrounding lower sump wall, and the volume of the sump is about three times the volume of the draw tube.