Dispensing device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manual dispensing devices for liquid foods are bulky, heavy, and prone to leakage, with poor food shelf life and inaccurate dispensing due to their rigid structure and linear movement mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A compact, ergonomic dispensing device using a flexible container with a rotating operating sleeve and blocking device that allows axial piston displacement for precise and repeatable dispensing, featuring a spiral track for controlled piston movement and easy reloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a rigid container with piston mechanism is used for manual dispensing, then the device can dispense food products, but the device becomes bulky and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual dispensing capabilityVSAvoiddevice weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the rigid container with a flexible container made of collapsible material that can be compressed to dispense food products. The flexible container eliminates the need for a heavy rigid structure while maintaining dispensing functionality, directly reducing device weight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent removes the heavy rigid container structure and piston mechanism from the device, retaining only the essential dispensing function through a simplified flexible container system. This extraction of unnecessary structural elements reduces overall device weight and bulk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid container structure is used, then the device is structurally stable, but the food shelf life deteriorates and leakage occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidfood shelf life and leakage control

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible container is designed to be compression-resistant and leakage-proof while allowing the container to collapse as food is dispensed. This flexible structure maintains food integrity and extends shelf life by providing a sealed, adaptable containment system that prevents leakage better than rigid structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The container transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that adapts its shape and volume as food is dispensed. The flexible container can compress and deform to maintain structural integrity during dispensing, preventing leakage while accommodating the decreasing food volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If linear axial movement is used for piston displacement, then the device structure is simple, but dispensing accuracy is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement mechanism simplicityVSAvoiddispensing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces linear axial movement with rotational movement of the dispensing element. The rotational mechanism allows for more precise control of food product dispensing through angular positioning, improving dispensing accuracy while maintaining relatively simple device structure through the use of rotational joints and cam mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution provides a lightweight, easy-to-handle device with improved hygiene and accuracy in dispensing, reducing food waste and effort required for reloading, while ensuring precise and controlled dispensing of food products.

Implementation Method 1

at least one external spiral track on the dispensing tank, which outer track is adapted to engage with at least one inwardly facing track slider on the blocking device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpiral track mechanism: Helix

Implementation Method 2

at least one blocking device adapted to allow axial movement of the piston in only the dispensing direction when the operating sleeve moves the piston in the dispensing direction by releasable interacting engagement with the dispensing tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDirectional constraint mechanism: Ratchet

Data Source

PatentUS10934075B2Dispensing device

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 ASEPT INT

AI summary

The present invention relates to a feeding device (1) for manual dispensing of a food product in fluid form packaged in a flexible container (3) and a method for this, which invention solves the problem of bulky and heavy feeding devices which leak food product. The feeding device comprises a dispensing tank (10) adapted to hold the container, an operating sleeve (30) arranged on top of the dispensing tank, and a piston (40) arranged inside the dispensing tank and adapted to compress the container when the operating sleeve by rotation axially displaces the piston along the inside of the dispensing tank in a discharging direction so that the container is compressed while dispensing the food product (2) and allows a return of the piston in a return direction opposite the discharging direction after each dispensing of food product.