Dosing Nozzle With Rigid Reinforcement Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional packaging and dispensing devices for liquid or viscous products face challenges in maintaining sterility and delivering precise doses, especially when flexible tips are used, as they tend to lose accuracy with manipulation and are not well-suited for precise dosing requirements in pharmaceutical applications.
Innovation Solution
A packaging and dispensing device with a dosing assembly featuring a flexible actuating portion reinforced by a rigid layer, which prevents deformation and ensures consistent pressure and precise dosing, combined with an air renewal and filtration system to maintain sterility and accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible tip is used for dispensing, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates as the device loses accuracy with manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating portion is constructed as a composite structure with a flexible first layer (e.g., elastomer) providing ease of operation and a rigid second layer (e.g., plastic) providing structural stability. This composite construction allows the flexible tip to maintain its operational flexibility while the rigid reinforcement layer prevents deformation that would compromise dosing accuracy, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single flexible layer is used for the actuating portion, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to inconsistent pressure application
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating portion combines a flexible first layer with a rigid second reinforcement layer to create a composite structure. The rigid second layer provides structural support that ensures consistent pressure application and reliable return to the rest position, while the flexible first layer maintains ease of actuation. This composite construction resolves the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability by adding a relatively simple reinforcement layer that significantly improves pressure consistency.
3Manufacturing precision
If the actuating portion is made completely rigid, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating portion is designed with local quality differentiation: the first layer is flexible to provide ease of operation where needed (in the actuation zone), while the second reinforcement layer is rigid to provide structural stability where needed (in the bearing zone). This spatial differentiation of material properties allows the device to simultaneously achieve both ease of operation and manufacturing precision without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite construction with a flexible first layer and rigid second layer allows different regions of the actuating portion to have different mechanical properties optimized for their specific functions. The flexible region enables easy actuation while the rigid reinforcement ensures precise dosing, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and manufacturing precision.
4Device complexity
If no reinforcement layer is added, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to deformation of the flexible layer
Solution Approach 1:
The addition of a relatively simple rigid reinforcement layer to the flexible first layer creates a composite actuating portion that prevents deformation while maintaining flexibility. This minimal addition of structural complexity resolves the reliability issue by ensuring consistent pressure application and accurate dosing, while the overall device complexity remains low due to the straightforward construction approach.
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 device maintains product sterility and delivers precise, consistent doses over multiple uses, ensuring the same pressure is applied each time, facilitating efficient and accurate dispensing of pharmaceutical products.
Implementation Method 1
a second reinforcement layer which covers the first layer on the outside (and thus stiffens the bearing zone of the actuating portion)
Implementation Method 2
a rigid portion to which the second layer of the actuating portion is connected, in an articulated manner and/or with an outward return action of said second layer when the pressure applied to the actuation portion ceases
Data Source
Figure 1~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The device for packaging and dispensing a generally fluid product comprises a rigid container (1) intended to contain the product (11) and a dosing assembly made up of a nozzle (3) with a flexible part engaging with a rigid seat. A movable actuating portion (35), reinforced by an external layer (40) in order to be rendered non-deformable, allows the product to be dispensed when a force is applied to said actuating portion (35), compressing a dosing chamber (34). The dosing assembly (2) comprises a rigid portion (41) to which the external layer (40) is connected in an articulated manner and/or with a return action towards the outside of the external layer (40) when the application of a force to the actuating portion (35) stops. Application to the packaging and dispensing of sterile products, in particular pharmaceutical or cosmetology products.