Dropper Valve Opening Limiter for Distinct Drop Formation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dropper dispensers struggle to produce distinct drops due to the valve opening widely during both dispensing and suction phases, leading to a continuous jet rather than separate drops, and fail to return to the initial shape due to significant pressure drops.
Innovation Solution
A dropper dispenser with a valve opening limiter that restricts the passage section during dispensing phases, allowing the valve to open freely during suction phases, creating a greater pressure drop during dispensing and ensuring distinct drop formation, while allowing the reservoir to return to its initial shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the valve opens widely during the dispensing phase, then the passage section is increased, but this leads to a continuous jet instead of distinct drops
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is designed with non-uniform properties: the flexible flaps have different dimensions (first flap larger than second flap) and the passage section varies at different locations. This local quality variation allows the valve to provide sufficient total passage area for adequate suction while creating a restricted outlet area that controls fluid ejection to form distinct drops rather than continuous jets.
2Manufacturing precision
If the valve passage section is reduced to ensure distinct drops, then drop formation is improved, but the reservoir cannot return to its initial shape due to significant pressure drop
Solution Approach 1:
The valve structure is designed with non-uniform properties: the flexible flaps have different dimensions (first flap larger than second flap) and the passage section varies at different locations. This local quality variation allows the valve to provide sufficient total passage area for adequate suction while creating a restricted outlet area that controls fluid ejection to form distinct drops rather than continuous jets.
3Productivity
If the valve opens widely during both dispensing and suction phases, then sufficient suction is achieved, but distinct drops cannot be formed
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is designed as a dynamic structure with flexible flaps that can deform in response to pressure changes. During suction, the flaps deform to open the passage widely for efficient fluid intake. During dispensing, the flaps are pushed against the outlet to restrict the passage, creating a dynamic adaptation of the passage section that satisfies both suction efficiency and drop formation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve structure is designed with non-uniform properties: the flexible flaps have different dimensions (first flap larger than second flap) and the passage section varies at different locations. This local quality variation allows the valve to provide sufficient total passage area for adequate suction while creating a restricted outlet area that controls fluid ejection to form distinct drops rather than continuous jets.
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 ensures the formation of distinct drops by limiting the valve opening during dispensing and allowing rapid aspiration, maintaining the reservoir's original shape and improving the operational efficiency of the dropper dispenser.
Implementation Method 1
a reservoir of fluid product comprising at least one movable wall for putting the fluid product under pressure in the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
the valve, subjected to sufficient pressure of the fluid product coming from the reservoir, defining an opening whose passage section is proportional to the force exerted on the movable wall of the tank
Implementation Method 3
Each drop falls from the dispenser by gravity onto a desired application surface
Implementation Method 4
a valve opening limiter to limit the opening of the valve during the passage of fluid product from the reservoir to the cannula, in order to create an additional pressure drop which reduces the passage of fluid product through the cannula
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a dropper dispenser comprising: - a fluid product reservoir (1) comprising at least one movable wall (11) for pressurising the fluid product in the reservoir (1), - a cannula (24) having an outlet (25) designed to form a drop of fluid product, - a valve (3) arranged between the reservoir (1) and the cannula (24) to control the flow of fluid product from the reservoir (1) to the cannula (24) and the flow of fluid product and possibly air from the cannula (24) to the reservoir (1), the valve (3), subjected to sufficient pressure from the fluid product originating from the reservoir (1), defining an opening (33) of which the flow cross-section is proportional to the force exerted on the movable wall (11) of the reservoir (1), characterised in that it further comprises a valve opening limiter (27) for limiting the opening (33) of the valve (3) when the fluid product is flowing from the reservoir (1) to the cannula (24), in order to create an additional head loss that reduces the flow of fluid product through the cannula (24).