Dispensing Device Air Compensation Duct Cup Volume

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Prior dispensing devices for fluid products face inefficiencies due to reduced cup capacity from air ducts needed to prevent back pumping, leading to multiple fillings and potential soiling during first use, and are prone to damage during transport.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing device with a reversible locking mechanism and an air compensation duct outside the pumping system, utilizing an L-shaped passage in the cup to maximize volume and prevent back pumping, along with a valve for precise fluid control and enhanced structural integrity through ribs and a secure lid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an air duct is added inside the cup to prevent liquid escape after removal, then liquid containment is improved, but the cup capacity is reduced due to the duct occupying inner space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid containmentVSAvoidcup capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The air compensation function is extracted from the cup interior and relocated to the exterior of the pumping system. The patent implements this by positioning the air compensation duct outside the pumping system, allowing air to enter the bottle from the external environment without occupying cup capacity, thereby resolving the contradiction between liquid containment and cup volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air compensation pathway is moved from a two-dimensional space inside the cup to a three-dimensional space outside the pumping system. The L-shaped passage configuration allows the air duct to extend vertically and horizontally, utilizing external space rather than internal cup volume, thus maintaining full cup capacity while ensuring reliable liquid containment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If multiple fillings are performed to dose large quantities of fluid, then the required fluid quantity can be achieved, but the operation time increases and complexity is added

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid quantityVSAvoidoperation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The air compensation function is extracted from the cup interior and relocated to the exterior of the pumping system. The patent implements this by positioning the air compensation duct outside the pumping system, allowing air to enter the bottle from the external environment without occupying cup capacity, thereby resolving the contradiction between liquid containment and cup volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The air compensation duct is pre-configured with an L-shaped passage that extends vertically and horizontally, establishing an efficient air entry pathway before operation begins. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that air can quickly compensate for fluid removal during the first filling operation, eliminating the need for multiple fillings and reducing operation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the dispensing device is locked in a high position during transport, then accidental dispensing is prevented, but the structure is more prone to mechanical stress and damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccidental dispensing preventionVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of locking the dispensing head in the traditional high position, the patent inverts the locking approach by securing the dispensing head in a lowered position relative to the bottle. This inverted configuration prevents accidental dispensing while simultaneously reducing mechanical stress on the structure during transport, as the lowered position creates a more stable, stress-resistant arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3562595B1Dispensing device for fluid products
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 APTAR ITAL
  • EP3562595B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3562595B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3562595B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Described is a dispensing device (1) for fluid products comprising a draw-up pipe (2), a main body (3) and a dispensing head (4). The main body (3) is equipped with a pumping system (5), connected to the draw-up pipe (2) and a fastening ring nut (6), for fixing the dispensing device (1) to a container for fluid products. The fastening ring nut (6) and the pumping system (5) are mutually coupled for forming between them an air compensation duct (7) which allows the selective passage of air from the outside towards the inside of the container during the operation of the dispensing device (1). The dispensing head (4) in turn comprises a cup (8), which has in a relative lower portion a passage (L), and a valve (9), housed in the lower portion of the cup (8), configured to adopt a first configuration, or open configuration, wherein the passage (L) is put in fluid communication with the pumping system (5) and a second configuration, or closed configuration, wherein the passage (L) is occluded.