Dispensing Pump Cup Spring Recyclability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing pumps require disassembly for recycling due to metal springs, limiting their use and disposal, and lack efficient mechanisms for both dispensing and refilling viscous materials.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing pump with a polymer cup spring and spring ribs, allowing for elastic deformation and easy recycling, featuring a base portion with a flow conduit, inlet and piston valves, and a guide structure that enables downward compression and elastic return for material flow and refilling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal springs are used in dispensing pumps, then the spring provides reliable elastic force for dispensing and refilling, but the pump requires disassembly for recycling and limits disposal options
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the spring from metal to polymer, transforming it from a rigid metal component to a flexible polymer component that can be molded as an integrated part of the pump body, enabling complete recycling while maintaining elastic functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer spring is molded as an integrated component with the pump body, merging previously separate parts (spring and pump housing) into a single recyclable unit, eliminating the need for disassembly during recycling
2Ease of manufacture
If a polymer cup spring is used instead of metal spring, then the pump becomes fully recyclable, but the elastic deformation capability must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the viscoelastic properties of polymer materials, which exhibit both elastic recovery and viscous damping characteristics, allowing the polymer spring to maintain adequate elastic deformation capability while being fully recyclable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs polymer composite materials that combine structural integrity with elastic recovery properties, enabling the spring to function reliably while being moldable as an integrated recyclable component
3Productivity
If the pump actuator is compressed downward, then material is forced out through the dispensing orifice, but the cup spring must deform elastically to enable this compression
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the cup spring as a dynamic component that can reversibly deform during pump operation, changing shape during compression and recovery, while returning to its original configuration after each cycle
Solution Approach 2:
The cup spring undergoes periodic deformation cycles corresponding to each pump actuation, compressing during material dispensing and recovering during the refill phase, enabling continuous operation
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
Enables efficient dispensing and refilling of viscous materials while allowing the entire pump to be constructed from recyclable plastic parts, overcoming the limitations of metal springs in prior art devices.
Implementation Method 1
the cup spring is elastically deformable from its normal at-rest position by the spring ribs; forcible downward compression of the pump actuator causes a deformation of the cup spring over the spring ribs and forces material within the flow conduit to flow out of the outlet valve; upon the release of the pump actuator, the cup spring elastically returns to its normal at-rest shape and position and draws material into the flow conduit through the inlet orifice
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dispensing pump (10) for liquids, viscous materials, foams, gels, etc. includes a resilient cup spring (18) so that the entire pump can be more easily recycled. The dispensing pump (10) includes a base portion (12), an inlet valve (14), a piston valve (16), a cup spring (18), a spring guide structure (20) and a pump actuator (22). When actuated, the cup spring (18) is elastically deformed over opposing spring ribs (39), and then upon release, the cup (18) elastically returns to its normal at rest shape, returning the guide (20) and pump actuator (22) to their normal at rest positions. The cup spring (18) includes structures which interact with the piston valve (16) to open the outlet valve.