Dispensing Device Shutter Mechanism for Air Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices for fluid substances, such as creams and liquids, face issues with air compression at the first actuation, leading to incomplete filling and product loss due to venting, especially in light products like creams or sprays, resulting in waste and contamination.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a shutter mechanism comprising a piston and a spring, where the shutter is designed to be mechanically retracted only upon full button press, expelling trapped air and allowing efficient filling of the chamber with the fluid substance, minimizing waste and ensuring proper dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If venting openings are provided to allow air to escape during triggering, then the triggering problem is solved and the chamber can be filled with fluid substance, but fluid substance drips through the vents during subsequent dispensing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is segmented from the main dispensing path by providing separate venting openings that are distinct from the dispensing opening. This allows air to be vented through dedicated pathways while the dispensing opening remains sealed by the shutter during non-dispensing periods, preventing product loss through the vents.
Solution Approach 2:
The shutter is designed to be dynamically controllable, moving between a closed position (blocking the dispensing opening) and an open position (allowing fluid discharge). This dynamic control allows the system to vent air through separate vents while maintaining the dispensing opening closed, and then open only when actual dispensing is required, preventing unwanted product loss.
2Loss of substance
If the shutter is held closed by spring force to prevent product loss, then product waste is minimized, but the first actuation fails to trigger properly due to air compression
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the air venting function from the main dispensing pathway by providing dedicated venting openings separate from the dispensing opening. This allows the shutter to remain closed (held by spring force) while air escapes through the separate vents during triggering, enabling reliable first actuation without compromising product loss prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The venting openings act as an intermediary pathway that allows air to escape during triggering without requiring the dispensing opening to be open. This intermediary venting mechanism resolves the conflict between maintaining shutter closure (to prevent product loss) and allowing air escape (to enable proper triggering).
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 enables effective triggering and filling of the dispensing device at the first actuation, reducing product loss and ensuring accurate dispensing without contamination, particularly beneficial for high-end products.
Implementation Method 1
a spring arranged in contrast to the shutter in the direction of movement of the shutter, for holding the shutter in a position in which it blocks the dispensing opening
Implementation Method 2
the air trapped in the stem, pushed by the pressure of the fluid substance that comes through it, flows towards the said chamber and compresses there forming a cushion that prevents the correct filling of the chamber with the fluid substance
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Dispensing device (1) of a fluid substance, comprising a dispensing button (2) provided with a hole (3) configured for the tight coupling with a hollow stem of a pump or a valve, and with a dispensing opening (4), the dispensing opening (4) being associated with a shutter (5) that, at least when it is subjected to a pressure exerted by the fluid substance to be dispensed, translates in contrast to an elastic element (6) thus freeing the dispensing opening, the shutter (5) having at least one projection (5A) cooperating with a mechanical opening element (7) associated with the dispensing button (2), the opening element (7) being devoid of passages for said fluid substance and having a first fixing portion (8) to the dispensing button and a second portion (9) adapted to abut, in use, a fixed part from which the stem extends, the first portion (8) and the second portion (9) being mutually interconnected by at least one elastically deformable part (10), an actuation lever (11) extending from the second portion (9) cooperating with said projection (5A) to open the shutter when the second portion (9) is in contact with said fixed part with consequent deformation of said elastically deformable part.