Fluid Dispenser Reverse Pumping to Prevent Line Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for fluids like soaps, detergents, and foods face issues with consistency changes, residue deposition, and microbial contamination in the dispensing line sections, leading to losses and the need for frequent cleaning, especially during extended breaks.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser equipped with a peristaltic pump having a switchable delivery direction and a line section made of antimicrobially active plastic, allowing for reverse fluid conveyance to prevent contamination and facilitate easy cleaning and fluid return without losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the dispenser operates with extended breaks between dispensing, then fluid can be stored for longer periods, but consistency changes, residue deposition, and microbial contamination occur leading to losses and cleaning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse pumping to convey fluid back through the dispensing opening and line section after extended breaks. This inversion of the normal flow direction prevents consistency changes, residue deposition, and microbial contamination by actively moving fluid through the system, thereby eliminating fluid loss during storage periods while maintaining dispenser functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If intensive cleaning measures are implemented to maintain functionality, then microbial contamination is reduced, but device complexity and operational time increase
Solution Approach 1:
By reversing the pump direction to convey fluid back through the dispensing opening and line section, the system prevents microbial contamination and residue buildup without requiring intensive cleaning measures. This reverse flow mechanism maintains hygiene by actively clearing the line section, thereby reducing device complexity and operational time while effectively controlling harmful factors.
3Reliability
If the line section diameter is reduced to prevent dripping or drying, then fluid return is improved, but the dispenser becomes less versatile for different fluid types
Solution Approach 1:
The reverse pumping mechanism enables effective fluid return through the dispensing opening and line section regardless of line section diameter. By actively conveying fluid back through the system, the patent ensures reliable fluid return while maintaining versatility for different fluid types, as the reverse flow prevents dripping and drying issues without requiring specific diameter optimizations for each fluid type.
4Ease of operation
If a peristaltic pump with switchable delivery direction is used, then reverse fluid conveyance is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The peristaltic pump with switchable delivery direction enables the system to perform its own maintenance by automatically conveying fluid back through the dispensing opening and line section. This self-service mechanism prevents contamination and residue buildup without requiring external cleaning interventions, thereby improving ease of operation while the modular pump design minimizes the increase in device complexity.
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 effectively minimizes fluid loss and contamination by reversing the pump direction for fluid return, using antimicrobial materials to prevent microbial colonization, and allows for tool-free line section replacement, ensuring continuous functionality and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a peristaltic pump (5) which conveys a fluid portion from the store (23) through a line section (8) to a dispensing opening (9) and, after completion of each feeding process at the dispensing opening (9), conveys the fluid back through the line section (8)
Implementation Method 2
contamination of each subsequent portion of the fluid is at least largely prevented by the fact that the fluid is conveyed through a line section which is made of an antimicrobially active plastic
Data Source
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AI summary
Method for dispensing portions of a fluid from a supply with as little loss as possible by means of a dispenser which has a storage container (23), a dispensing opening (9) and a feed pump (5) arranged between the storage container (23) and the dispensing opening (9), wherein after the end of each conveying process, at least the last line section (8) comprising the dispensing opening (9) is emptied by the fluid present at the dispensing opening (9) being conveyed back to the reservoir (23), and that contamination of each subsequent portion of the fluid during the renewed passage through the emptied line section (8) is prevented in that it is made of an antimicrobially active plastic.