Dispensing Head Housing Joint Base Lid Shutter Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing heads with transverse spouts and downward outlet mouths are complex and expensive to manufacture, and they often suffer from fluid dripping and limited shutter performance and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing head design featuring a housing formed jointly by a base and a lid, with a shutter integrated into the housing, allowing for varied spout shapes and orientations, and a transverse connecting duct shared between the two parts to reduce manufacturing complexity and prevent dripping.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a transverse connecting duct is formed using a curved pin or flexible brush, then the fluid product can be routed to the outlet mouth, but the manufacturing becomes expensive and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing complexityVSAvoidduct structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the transverse connecting duct directly into the molded body of the dispensing head, combining the duct structure with the head housing itself. This eliminates the need for separate curved pins or flexible brushes, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the required fluid routing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The molded dispensing head serves multiple functions: it houses the internal axial duct, forms the transverse connecting duct, provides the outlet mouth structure, and integrates the shutter mechanism. This multi-functional integration eliminates the need for separate components like curved pins, reducing both manufacturing complexity and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a shutter is formed by a flexible blade in leaktight elastic support on the base, then the outlet mouth can be sealed, but the performance and flexibility of the shutter are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshutter performanceVSAvoidshutter structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible shutter blade that can dynamically respond to fluid pressure. The shutter transitions from a closed position (when no fluid is flowing) to an open position (when fluid pressure acts upon it), providing adaptive control. This dynamic behavior enhances shutter performance while maintaining a relatively simple structural implementation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter design allows for variation in blade flexibility, thickness, and mounting configuration to optimize performance for different fluid products and dispensing requirements. By changing these parameters, the same basic shutter structure can be adapted to achieve different sealing and flow control characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the outlet mouth is oriented laterally, then the spout can be formed, but the fluid product remaining inside the spout tends to drip

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid drippingVSAvoidoutlet mouth orientation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a shutter mechanism that closes the outlet mouth in advance before dispensing stops. This preliminary action prevents fluid remaining in the spout from dripping by sealing the outlet, thereby counteracting the harmful effect of dripping while maintaining the desired lateral outlet orientation for spout formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 design simplifies manufacturing, enhances shutter performance and flexibility, and reduces fluid dripping by integrating the shutter within the housing, ensuring effective sealing and capillary retention of the fluid product.

Implementation Method 1

The integration of a shutter inside the dispensing head is easily possible because the housing in which it is received is formed jointly by the base and the cover. The integrated shutter fulfills an anti-drip function by maintaining the fluid product by capillarity and/or by sealing inside the connecting duct and the housing.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillarity: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentEP2138424B1Distribution head for a fluid
Publication Date: 2011.03.30 SEAQUIST PERFECT DISPENSING SAS
  • EP2138424B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2138424B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2138424B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The head has a base (2) comprising an axial connecting sleeve connected to a distribution unit, and an axial internal pipe (211) extended into and from the sleeve. A cover (3) is extended on the base from the pipe until a fluid product outlet. The pipe is connected to a housing. The housing has a housing part (27) formed jointly by the base and the cover. A transversal channel (25) is projected into the housing, and connects the axial pipe to the outlet. The housing part comprises an obturator (O) defining a distribution orifice (F) positioned at the level of the outlet.