Fluid Dispenser Frangible Seal for Clean Pump-Reservoir Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensers with frangible features to prevent reuse often leave parts of the pump trapped in the reservoir, making recycling difficult and increasing contamination risk.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispenser with a removably attached pump and a frangible sealing element that ruptures upon removal, ensuring the pump and reservoir can be separated completely, preventing reuse and facilitating recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the fluid reservoir and fluid pump are configured to be non-removable from each other, then the risk of contamination is reduced, but the device complexity increases and recycling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into separable components (reservoir and pump) that can be easily detached from each other. The engagement feature includes a pump engagement portion and a reservoir engagement portion that can disengage when the frangible sealing element ruptures, allowing complete separation for recycling while maintaining connection during use.
Solution Approach 2:
A frangible sealing element is pre-installed in the engagement feature to automatically rupture when removal force is applied. This preliminary setup ensures that when users attempt to separate the components, the sealing element breaks first, preventing contamination while enabling clean separation for recycling without requiring complex mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the fluid reservoir and fluid pump are made from different materials, then the functional requirements are met, but the recycling process is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The device is designed with separable components connected through an engagement feature that can be easily disassembled. When the frangible sealing element ruptures, the pump engagement feature disengages from the reservoir engagement feature, allowing the reservoir and pump (made of different materials) to be completely separated for appropriate recycling streams.
3Reliability
If a frangible feature is designed to fail when the pump is pulled away from the reservoir, then reuse is prevented, but the pump remains trapped within the reservoir rendering recycling difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement feature is segmented into a pump engagement portion and a reservoir engagement portion connected by a frangible sealing element. When removal force is applied, the sealing element ruptures and the portions separate completely, preventing the pump from being trapped in the reservoir while still preventing reuse through the ruptured sealing element.
Solution Approach 2:
The frangible sealing element is extracted as a separate, sacrificial component within the engagement feature. When the device is removed from service, this element is designed to fail first, allowing the main pump and reservoir components to be completely separated for recycling, while the failed sealing element remains as evidence of single-use status.
4Reliability
If the frangible sealing element forms a fluid tight seal when intact, then operation is enabled, but complete separation after rupture becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into a dedicated frangible sealing element that is part of the engagement feature. This element provides the fluid tight seal when intact but is designed to rupture and allow complete separation when removal force is applied, resolving the contradiction between sealing integrity and separability.
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 design effectively prevents contamination by ensuring the pump and reservoir can be recycled separately and renders the dispenser inoperable if reused, thus reducing the risk of contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a frangible sealing element that forms at least part of at least one fluid tight seal; wherein the pump engagement feature is configured to engage with the reservoir engagement feature upon application of a removal force; wherein, while the pump engagement feature is engaged with the reservoir engagement feature, the frangible sealing element is configured to rupture from the application of the removal force
Data Source
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AI summary
A fluid dispenser including a fluid reservoir (12) containing a supply of a fluid, and a fluid pump (14) that is removably attached to the fluid reservoir (12). The fluid pump (14) has a frangible sealing element (60) and a pump engagement feature. The fluid reservoir has a reservoir engagement feature that is configured to engage with the pump engagement feature on application of a removal force, such that at least some of the removal force is transmitted to the frangible sealing element (60) so as to cause the frangible sealing element (60) to rupture. The fluid pump (14) is configured to be removable from the fluid reservoir (12) once the frangible sealing element (60) has ruptured, without any portion of the fluid pump remaining in contact with the fluid reservoir post-removal. When the frangible sealing element (60) is ruptured, the fluid pump (14) inoperable.