Dual Dispenser Pivoting Head for Contamination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing duo dispensers for cosmetics and pharmacy applications fail to ensure that only one fluid product is dispensed through the outlet orifice at the end of the dispensing phase, potentially contaminating or degrading sensitive products due to exposure to air or other fluids.

Innovation Solution

A duo dispenser design where two support elements move in a synchronized, symmetrical path, pivoting to ensure that only one fluid product passes through the dispensing orifice at the end of the dispensing phase, with the outlet channel and support elements rotating to maintain stability and prevent contamination, utilizing a thrust transmission zone for balanced distribution and maintaining the channel's stability during movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a common dispensing orifice is used for two different fluid products, then the dispenser can dispense both products, but the sensitive product may be contaminated or degraded due to contact with air or the other fluid product

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to dispense two different fluid productsVSAvoidcontamination or degradation of sensitive product
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dispensing head is made movable relative to the two outlet channels through a pivoting mechanism. The head can dynamically switch between contacting only the first outlet channel or only the second outlet channel, preventing contamination of sensitive products while maintaining the ability to dispense both fluid products through a common dispensing orifice

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the actuating rods have different stroke lengths, then one product can be dispensed alone at the end of the stroke, but the actuation forces become different requiring complex axial guide means

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to dispense one product aloneVSAvoidcomplexity of axial guide means
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The two actuating rods are designed with different stroke lengths to match the different volumes of their respective reservoirs. The first actuating rod has a first stroke length and the second actuating rod has a second stroke length that is different from the first, allowing each rod to fully empty its corresponding reservoir while maintaining simple, identical actuation forces through the common pivoting mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

3Stability of the object's composition

If the outlet channel rotates on itself, then the channel remains stable during movement, but the mechanism becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of outlet channel during movementVSAvoidcomplexity of pivoting mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The common pivoting mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it moves the dispensing head between the two outlet channels, controls the selective contact with each channel, and enables the outlet channel to rotate on itself for stability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms and simplifies the overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3347138B1Dual dispenser
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 APTAR FRANCE SAS
  • EP3347138B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3347138B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3347138B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A dual dispenser comprises two pumps (P1, P2) and an outlet channel (10) to which fluid products are supplied by the two pumps (P1, P2), wherein - the two pumps (P1, P2) comprise actuation rods (P11, P21) which are axially movable with strokes of different lengths, i.e. a first actuation rod (P11) with a long stroke and a second actuation rod (P21) with a short stroke; and - the common dispensing head comprises a pivoting member (1) which forms two bearing elements (1C1, 1C2) which move together to move the two actuation rods (P11, P21) simultaneously over an axial height which corresponds to the short stroke, one of the bearing elements (1C1) then continuing to move to the end of its long stroke in that the pivoting member (1) pivots or rotates once the bearing element (1C2) is blocked against the bearing plate C21, as a result of the fact that the second actuation rod (P21) is already completely pushed in.