Integrated Foam Dispenser Pump with Deformable Membrane Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam dispensing systems for cosmetic products require two separate pumps for air and product, leading to increased device size, complexity, and manufacturing time due to the need for additional parts and components.
Innovation Solution
A compact foam dispensing system integrating an air pump and a product pump with a deformable element that shares functions for both pumps, including a membrane for varying the metering chamber volume and flaps for valve operations, reducing the number of parts and enhancing technical synergy between the pumps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate pumps (air pump and product pump) are used in a foam dispensing system, then the foam generation capability is improved, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air pump and product pump into a single integrated pump unit. The pump chamber serves dual functions: it draws in both air through an air inlet and cosmetic product through a product inlet, then delivers a mixture of both through a single outlet. This merging eliminates the need for separate air and product pumps, reducing the number of parts while maintaining foam generation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single pump is designed with multi-functionality to perform both air pumping and product pumping operations. The pump chamber, piston, and associated valves work together to handle two different substances (air and cosmetic product) and deliver their mixture, making one component serve multiple functions that previously required separate dedicated components.
2Productivity
If two separate pumps are used for air and product, then the pumping function is improved, but the manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the air pump and product pump into a single integrated unit with common components (pump chamber, piston, outlet), the number of manufacturing steps is reduced. Instead of manufacturing and assembling two separate pump units, only one pump unit needs to be manufactured and assembled, directly reducing manufacturing time while maintaining the dual pumping function.
3Reliability
If a deformable element with flaps is used for valve operations, then the valve function is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable element is designed with multiple flaps that serve multiple valve functions simultaneously. Different portions of the deformable element form air inlet valve, product inlet valve, and outlet valve mechanisms, all integrated into a single component. This eliminates the need for separate valve components, reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable valve operations for controlling air and product flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The use of a deformable element with flexible flaps provides reliable valve sealing and opening actions through elastic deformation. The flexibility of the deformable element allows it to conform to sealing surfaces and maintain tight seals without requiring complex mechanical valve mechanisms, thereby improving reliability while keeping the structure simple.
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 integrated system achieves a compact design with reduced parts, simplifies manufacturing, and creates a technical synergy between the air and product pumps, while maintaining effective foam dispensing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a deformable element, the product pump operating by varying the volume of the product metering chamber by elastically deforming a membrane of the deformable element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention proposes a foam dispensing system for a dispenser comprising a reservoir storing cosmetic product, said system comprising a product pump and an air pump, said product pump comprising a variable volume product metering chamber (13) defined at least partly by a deformable element (2), said system comprising at least five valves referred to as a product inlet valve for the product to enter toward the product metering chamber (13), a product outlet valve for the product to exit from the product metering chamber (13), an air inlet valve for the air to enter in an air metering chamber (14) of the air pump, an air outlet valve for the air to exit from the air metering chamber (14), an air return valve for the recovery of the air of the reservoir. The deformable element (2) comprises at least four flaps which are movable between a valve open state and a valve closed state.