Foaming Pump Dispenser With Hands-Free Foam Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dispensers for foaming liquid compositions are often manually operated, requiring physical contact and are not well-suited for reliable metered dose delivery, which can lead to disease transmission and unattractive appearance issues, and lack effective foam recovery mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free dispenser with a foaming pump mechanism that uses sensors for non-contact interaction, incorporating a motor-driven foaming pump mechanism with improved foam recovery, allowing for user-initiated dispensing of foaming liquid compositions from a refillable unit, and includes a foam recovery system to recycle dispensed foam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a manually operated pump-type dispenser is used, then the dispenser structure is simple, but it requires physical contact which increases disease transmission risk and becomes unattractive in appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pump operation with an automatic pump mechanism activated by optical or capacitive sensors. The sensor detects hand proximity or presence without physical contact, triggering the pump to deliver foam automatically. This substitution eliminates the need for users to touch the dispenser while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces sensors as an intermediary between the user and the dispenser mechanism. The sensor detects the user's presence or hand position and transmits this information to the control system, which then activates the pump. This intermediary allows for contactless operation while keeping the mechanical pump structure simple and reliable.
2Reliability
If a manual pump dispenser is used, then the device complexity is low, but the metered dose delivery reliability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the unreliable manual pumping mechanism with an automatic pump system controlled by a microprocessor or control circuit. The control system precisely regulates the pump operation to deliver consistent metered doses, significantly improving reliability. The added electronic control complexity is offset by the elimination of manual operation variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors detect user presence and the control system monitors pump operation to ensure accurate dose delivery. The system can detect whether foam has been dispensed and adjust subsequent operations accordingly, maintaining reliable metered dose delivery through continuous feedback loops.
3Loss of substance
If foam is dispensed without recovery mechanism, then the dispenser structure is simple, but there is loss of foaming liquid composition and unattractive appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a foam recovery system that captures excess or wasted foam and returns it to the liquid composition reservoir. The recovery mechanism uses suction or pressure differential to draw foam back through a filter and mix it with the remaining liquid composition, preventing loss of valuable material. This recovery loop adds complexity but significantly reduces substance loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam recovery system operates continuously or in cycles to maintain a closed-loop system where foam is constantly recovered and reused. This continuous action ensures minimal loss of foaming liquid composition and maintains a clean dispenser appearance by preventing foam accumulation on external surfaces.
4Ease of operation
If automatic sensor-activated dispensing is implemented, then hands-free operation is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with automatic sensor-activated control. Optical sensors or capacitive sensors detect hand presence or proximity, triggering the pump mechanism without requiring physical contact. This substitution provides hands-free operation while maintaining a relatively compact and integrated system design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-functional components where the sensor system serves multiple purposes: detecting hand presence, determining dispensing timing, and potentially monitoring foam delivery. The control system integrates multiple functions including pump activation, dose control, and recovery system coordination, reducing overall complexity through functional integration.
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 provides a reliable, hands-free delivery of metered doses of foaming liquid compositions, reducing disease transmission risks and maintaining dispenser cleanliness, while effectively recovering and recycling foamed liquid, thus enhancing user safety and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
which may be a reservoir for storing liquids prior to their delivery, particularly for dispensing liquid soaps in response to a non-contact interaction with the user, e.g. the use of one or more sensors to determine the proximity of a user
Implementation Method 2
foaming pump mechanism with improved foam recovery, allowing for user-initiated dispensing of foaming liquid compositions
Implementation Method 3
A foaming pump mechanism for dispensing a foamable or foaming liquid composition, which provides an improved foam recovery means
Data Source
AI summary
A foaming pump mechanism for dispensing a foamable or foaming liquid composition, as well as dispensers for delivery of a foaming or foamable liquid composition therefrom which is operable by a non-contact interaction with the user. The foaming pump mechanism includes foam recovery.