Dual Compartment Container Adapter Manifold Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters for dual compartment containers are complex, cumbersome, and require consumers to manually mix fluids, which can be incompatible, and are inefficient to manufacture, particularly when using injection molding technology.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece adapter with a manifold that combines two separate fluids from a dual compartment container into a single stream for delivery to a spray head dispenser, featuring two separate conduits that connect to the container and merge into a single conduit leading to the dispenser, allowing for efficient and accurate mixing without manual intervention and simplified manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-component adapter design is used to combine two fluids, then the mixing function can be achieved, but the device complexity and assembly complication increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple adapter components into a single integrated adapter body that houses both fluid conduits and mixing chamber. The housing, conduits, and mixing chamber are formed as one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate components and simplifying assembly while maintaining the dual-fluid combining function.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece adapter serves multiple functions simultaneously: it receives two separate fluids through dedicated conduits, provides a mixing chamber for combining the fluids, and connects to the spray dispenser. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mixing devices and simplifies the overall system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a complex multi-component adapter is used, then fluid mixing can be achieved, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter housing, conduits, and mixing chamber are combined into a single molded part that can be produced in one injection molding cycle. This eliminates the need for multiple manufacturing steps, assembly operations, and quality checks associated with multi-component designs, significantly improving manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes the molding parameters and mold design to produce the complex single-piece adapter structure efficiently. By carefully controlling the injection molding process parameters, the patent achieves high-volume production of the integrated adapter with consistent quality and minimal cycle time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If consumers manually mix incompatible fluids, then the fluids can be combined, but time is lost and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is pre-configured with separate sealed conduits for each fluid and a built-in mixing chamber. The user simply connects the adapter to the container and activates the spray mechanism - the mixing occurs automatically through the pre-designed fluid pathways without requiring any manual mixing actions from the consumer.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter performs the mixing function automatically through its internal manifold design. When the spray mechanism is activated, both fluids are drawn through their respective conduits and combine in the mixing chamber without human intervention. The system self-regulates the mixing process, eliminating time loss and safety risks associated with manual mixing of incompatible chemicals.
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 adapter enables accurate and efficient mixing of incompatible fluids immediately before use, reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing costs, while ensuring compatibility and ease of use through a streamlined design that can be efficiently produced using injection molding.
Implementation Method 1
The first conduits each are in fluid communication with the second conduit, allowing the two fluids to combine into a single mixed fluid stream
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter receives two separate fluids from a container having two separate fluid compartments and combines the fluids into a single fluid stream for delivery to a spray fluid dispenser. The adapter comprises a unitary housing having a first open end for fluid connection to the container and a second open end for fluid connection to the spray fluid dispenser. The housing defines a manifold forming a fluid passageway therein between the first end and the second end. The manifold includes two separate first conduits formed at the first end. Each of the first conduits is connected to a respective one of the fluid compartments. The manifold further includes a second conduit in fluid communication with the second end for delivery of the combined fluids to the spray fluid dispenser. The first conduits are each in fluid communication with the second conduit.