Fluid Product Dispenser with Factory-Set Valve Stroke Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid dispensers lack the ability to adjust the fluid dose according to the specific characteristics of the fluid, such as viscosity and surface tension, as users manually modify the shutter travel without considering these properties.

Innovation Solution

The dispenser incorporates adjustment means within the reservoir that are set during factory assembly based on fluid characteristics, using snap-fastening or screwing mechanisms to define the stroke distance of the shutter, making it inaccessible to users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If adjustment means are made accessible to users for modifying shutter travel, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates because users adjust without considering fluid characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoiddosing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment means are extracted from the user-accessible area and placed inside the reservoir, making them inaccessible to users during normal operation. This allows manufacturing precision to be maintained by preventing unauthorized adjustments, while still allowing factory adjustment capabilities to exist for proper initial setup based on fluid characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If a fixed metering device design is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates because the device cannot be adjusted for different fluid characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice simplicityVSAvoidfluid type adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The metering device is preliminarily adjusted at the factory before reaching the user, with the adjustment means set to optimal positions for specific fluid characteristics. This preliminary action ensures dosing precision for the intended fluid type while maintaining a simple fixed design that cannot be altered by users, thus resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 allows for precise adjustment of the fluid dose according to the fluid's properties, ensuring consistent and accurate dispensing without user intervention.

Implementation Method 1

the shutter is biased by a return force (density differential between the fluid and the shutter and/or spring)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

the shutter is selectively driven towards the sealing seat against the return force by the fluid flowing in the chamber from the inlet to the outlet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 3

The body may form snap-on notches and the cap may form snap-on teeth capable of snap-engaging with the snap-on notches

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical snap-fit: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 4

The body may form a thread and the cap may form threads capable of threadedly engaging with the thread

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreaded fastening: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP4449067B1Fluid product dispenser
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 APTAR FRANCE SAS
  • EP4449067B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4449067B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP4449067B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a fluid product dispenser comprising a tank (R) and a metering device (D) mounted on the tank (R), the metering device (D) comprising: - a chamber (C) defining an inlet (25, 23), an abutment (28), an outlet (14) and a sealing seat (44), the abutment (28) being separated from the sealing seat (44) by a stroke distance; - a valve (3) movable inside the chamber (C) over the stroke defined between a rest position, in which the valve (3) is biased by a return force towards the abutment (28), and an end position, in which the valve (3) is selectively urged onto the sealing seat (44) against the return force by the fluid flowing in the chamber (C) from the inlet (25, 23) to the outlet (14); - means (24) for adjusting the stroke of the valve (3) capable of adjusting the stroke distance separating the abutment (28) from the sealing seat (44), characterised in that the adjustment means (24) are located in the fluid tank (R), so that they are inaccessible and cannot be actuated from outside the fluid product dispenser.