Propellant-Free Dispenser Using Elastic Sleeve Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing aerosol containers are expensive, difficult to manufacture, transport, and dispose of due to the need for strong, cylindrical materials to withstand high pressures, and often result in incomplete product usage and waste due to manual pressure requirements and air interaction with contents.
Innovation Solution
A device using an elastic sleeve to compress a bag containing the material, allowing pressure to be applied without a propellant, which can be placed within a variety of external containers, enabling efficient dispensing of liquids, pastes, and foams at pressures between 1.05 bar and 9 bar.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If propellants are used to pressurize aerosol containers, then material can be delivered under high pressure (7-8 bars), but the containers become expensive, heavy, and difficult to manufacture and dispose of
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pressurization function from the container structure by using a separate propellant reservoir that can independently pressurize the material container, allowing the material container to be made from lighter, less expensive materials without compromising pressure delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
A propellant reservoir acts as an intermediary component that generates pressure and transfers it to the material container through a shared pressure space, eliminating the need for the material container itself to be a pressure-resistant aerosol can
2Object-generated harmful factors
If manual pressure is applied to dispense materials from containers, then propellants can be eliminated, but air enters the package and interacts with the material, reducing shelf life
Solution Approach 1:
The material container is nested within a larger package structure that maintains a positive pressure environment, preventing air from entering and contacting the material while still allowing complete dispensing through the valve mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an inert or protected atmosphere within the package by maintaining positive pressure with non-reactive gas or vapor, preventing air interaction with the material while allowing propellant-free operation
3Object-generated harmful factors
If manual pressure dispensing is used, then propellants are removed, but it becomes difficult or impossible to empty containers completely, leading to waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the pressure differential created during dispensing to automatically drive the remaining material toward the valve opening, enabling complete emptying of the container without requiring additional manual pressure application or propellants
4Stress or pressure
If rigid containers are used to withstand high pressure, then pressure integrity is maintained, but cost and ecological impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-containing function is segmented into a dedicated propellant reservoir that remains sealed and pressurized, while the material container can be made from inexpensive, easily manufactured materials since it operates in a shared pressure space rather than containing pressure independently
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables use of flexible or thin-walled containers for material storage since the actual pressure containment is handled by the propellant reservoir, reducing material costs and improving ecological disposability
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 provides a cost-effective, ecologically friendly, and versatile means of dispensing materials under pressure, reducing waste and enabling a range of product applications without the need for expensive, rigid containers, while maintaining high pressure integrity.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic sleeve which comprises a lumen, the sleeve being fitted over the bag and containing the bag within the lumen; the sleeve and the bag being sized and positioned so that elastic contraction forces in the sleeve exert compressive pressure on the bag
Data Source
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AI summary
Devices and methods for dispensing a fluidly dispensable material under pressure but without using a gas propellant are presented. In some embodiments an elastic sleeve is utilized to impart pressure to a bag of dispensable material positioned within the sleeve. Pressure so created pressurizes contents of the bag, which can then be dispensed through a valve. Methods for manufacturing various embodiments are presented.