Dual-Chamber Drop Dispenser for Homogeneous Liquid Mixing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dispensers fail to ensure high homogeneity of mixed liquids and are not intuitive or easy to use, particularly when mixing different media such as liquids and powders or granules.

Innovation Solution

A liquid dispenser with separate media chambers that mix before dispensing, featuring a pump device with inlet and outlet valves, a droplet formation contour, and a threaded connection mechanism for easy assembly and mixing, ensuring high homogeneity and intuitive use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If separate media chambers are used to store different media, then the homogeneity of mixed liquid is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneity of mixed liquidVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate media chambers (first and second chambers) that are isolated from each other in the delivery state. Each chamber stores different media independently, preventing premature mixing and ensuring homogeneous mixing only when intended. The chambers are connected through a controlled connection mechanism that allows user activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second media chamber is disposed inside the first media chamber in a nested configuration. The inner body forms the second chamber within the outer structure of the first chamber, creating a compact integrated design that reduces overall device complexity while maintaining separate storage functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Manufacturing precision

If a pump device with valves is used to convey liquid, then the homogeneity of dispensed liquid is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneity of dispensed liquidVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump device is designed to be manually operated by the user through simple actuation. The inlet and outlet valves automatically respond to pressure changes during pumping, eliminating the need for complex control systems. The pump chamber itself performs the mixing function through its pumping action, reducing the need for separate mixing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If a droplet formation contour is added to ensure droplet dispensing, then the precision of liquid discharge is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of liquid dischargeVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The droplet formation contour is applied locally at the dispensing opening where liquid discharge occurs. This localized feature modifies only the critical discharge area to promote droplet formation, while the rest of the device maintains a simpler structure. The contour is integrated into the housing or dispensing mechanism without adding separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If threaded connection mechanism is used for media chambers, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connection mechanism merges the sealing and connecting functions into a single threaded interface. The thread engages the outer surface of the inner body with the housing, simultaneously achieving mechanical connection and sealing when properly engaged. This integrated approach provides ease of operation through familiar threading while minimizing additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 achieves high homogeneity of mixed liquids by pressurizing the mixture and facilitating easy, mistake-proof assembly, ensuring consistent and homogeneous liquid discharge in droplet form.

Implementation Method 1

The pump unit is designed to pressurize the mixed liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure increase: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

a discharge valve that opens even at a slight overpressure in the mixed liquid relative to the environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure-sensitive valve opening: Valve

Implementation Method 3

it has a droplet formation contour downstream of the dispensing opening so that the mixed liquid can collect there and subsequently detach from the droplet formation contour in the form of a droplet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Data Source

PatentEP4334041B1Drop dispenser, liquid dispenser and method of manufacturing a liquid dispenser
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 APTAR RADOLFZELL
  • EP4334041B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4334041B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4334041B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4C

AI summary

The main disclosure is a droplet dispenser (10) for dispensing cosmetic or pharmaceutical liquids in the form of individual droplets. This droplet dispenser (10) has a medium reservoir (20) with a first medium chamber (22) and a second medium chamber (24), which are isolated from one another for the separate storage of two media. The medium chambers (22, 24) are able to be connected together in order to produce a combined liquid. The droplet dispenser (10) has a discharging opening (60) and, downstream of the discharging opening (60), a droplet forming contour (62) assigned to the discharging opening, in order to create, at this point, droplets which detach from the droplet forming contour as soon as they have reached a defined volume. It is proposed that the droplet dispenser (10) has a pump device (50) between the medium reservoir (20) and the discharging opening (60), wherein the pump device (50) has a variable-volume pump chamber (52) for delivering combined liquid, which has an inlet valve (54) on the entry side and an outlet valve (56) on the exit side.