Fluid Dispensing Device with Cap Closure and Air Ejector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid or powder product dispensing devices face challenges such as unpredictable air pressure requirements, difficulty in controlling the expulsion of closure elements, potential for undesired actuation during transport, and lack of reusability, leading to inefficiencies and environmental concerns.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a piston-based air flush system that allows for adjustable air flow, a breakable part for easy reservoir replacement, and a mechanical opening system to expel the closure element, ensuring precise product dispensing and reusability without the need for high air pressure or complex mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spherical closure element is used to close the reservoir outlet, then the device can be actuated by air pressure, but the air pressure required is difficult to control and predetermine due to friction between the ball and its cylindrical seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the closure element from a spherical shape to a cap-shaped structure that is force-fitted into the outlet. This eliminates the friction-based sealing mechanism of the spherical ball while maintaining effective closure. The cap-shaped closure element is retained in the outlet by a retaining structure, providing predictable and controllable air pressure requirements for actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the closure element from a sphere to a cap shape with specific dimensions (diameter slightly less than the outlet diameter). This parameter change transforms the sealing mechanism from friction-based to geometry-based, making the air pressure required for actuation more predictable and easier to control.
2Ease of operation
If the interference between the ball and its cylindrical seat is minimized to facilitate expulsion, then the closure element can be more easily expelled, but the effectiveness of the obturation is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spherical ball and its cylindrical seat interface entirely, replacing it with a cap-shaped closure element that is force-fitted into the outlet. This extraction eliminates the interference fit problem while maintaining effective sealing through the force-fit design and retaining structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure element is pre-installed in a force-fit manner into the outlet, creating an initial secure connection. The retaining structure is then engaged to lock the closure element in place. This preliminary action ensures both effective sealing and controlled expulsion without requiring minimization of interference.
3Productivity
If a high air pressure is used to guarantee complete dispensing of the dose, then the dispensing effectiveness is improved, but it becomes difficult to achieve using a pump system or bellows system, especially when manually activated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the closure element geometry from spherical to cap-shaped with optimized dimensions. This parameter change reduces the force required to expel the closure element, thereby reducing the air pressure needed for complete dose dispensing while maintaining effective sealing. The force-fit design and retaining structure ensure that lower pressures are sufficient for both sealing and expulsion.
4Ease of operation
If the depth and positioning of the sphere in its seat are minimized to facilitate expulsion, then the closure element can be more easily expelled, but the distribution instant cannot be precisely predetermined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spherical closure element and its seat positioning mechanism, replacing it with a cap-shaped closure element with defined dimensions. The force-fit design and retaining structure provide precise positioning without requiring minimized depth, enabling both easy expulsion and predictable distribution timing.
5Stress or pressure
If a sealed air flush is used to maintain pressure, then the air pressure can be maintained, but there is a risk of triggering undesired actuation during transport or storage due to pressure difference
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element is pre-installed in a force-fit manner into the outlet, creating an initial secure connection. The retaining structure is then engaged to lock the closure element in place. This preliminary action ensures both effective sealing and controlled expulsion without requiring minimized depth, enabling both easy expulsion and predictable distribution timing.
6Ease of manufacture
If the entire device is discarded after use to ensure safety and simplicity, then manufacturing can be simple, but it is not reusable and creates environmental and economic waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device into reusable and disposable components. The air flush mechanism, pump system, and housing are designed as reusable components that can be refilled and reused. The reservoir is designed as a replaceable component that can be emptied and replaced with a new one. This segmentation maintains manufacturing simplicity while enabling reusability and reducing waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flush mechanism is designed as a universal component that can work with multiple reservoirs containing different products. The standardized interface and force-fit closure element design allow the same air flush unit to be used repeatedly with different reservoirs, enhancing versatility and reusability.
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 device provides a simple, cost-effective, and reliable method for dispensing fluid or powder products, allowing for multiple uses with different reservoirs and minimizing environmental impact by enabling easy reservoir replacement and avoiding high air pressure requirements.
Implementation Method 1
an air flush comprising a piston sliding in an air chamber to generate a flow of air when the device is actuated
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A fluid or powdery product dispensing device comprises a dispensing outlet (10), an air ejector (20) to generate an air flow when the device is actuated, and at least one reservoir (30) containing a unit dose of the product, the reservoir comprising an air inlet (31) and a product outlet (32) closed by a closing element (50), the device comprising a mechanical opening system (61, 62) to eject the closing element mechanically from its closing position, the reservoir being removably mounted on the air ejector, such that after the device has been actuated, the empty reservoir can be removed from the air ejector and replaced by a new, full reservoir, the air ejector being brought back to the rest position when the empty reservoir is replaced by the full reservoir.