Gas Injection Liquid Extraction Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid dispensing devices are limited in increasing the dose of liquid extracted and do not allow refilling of the liquid container, as the dispensing device is often non-removable and configured to dispense a predetermined dose.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the injection of gas under pressure into the container through compensation air inlets to expel a predetermined quantity of liquid, allowing for increased extraction and potential refilling by creating pressure that forces liquid out of the device, with a removable system replacing the actuating part of the conventional device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a conventional liquid dispensing device is used with a predetermined dosing mechanism, then the device can dispense a controlled dose of liquid, but the dose cannot be increased and the liquid cannot be extracted in larger quantities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid doseVSAvoiddose adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses gas injection (pneumatic method) to expel liquid from the container. By injecting a volume of gas under pressure into the container through the open compensating air inlet, the liquid is forced out through the liquid dispensing device, allowing extraction of quantities beyond the predetermined dose without modifying the dosing mechanism itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid dispensing device is made multi-functional by allowing it to serve both its original purpose of dispensing predetermined doses and a new function of extracting larger quantities of liquid through gas injection. The same dispensing pathway is used for both small controlled doses and large extraction volumes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If the liquid dispensing device is permanently mounted on the container, then the device structure is simplified, but refilling of the container becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice assembly simplicityVSAvoidrefilling capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from a static permanent mounting to a dynamic removable mounting. The liquid dispensing device can be removed from the container opening, allowing the container to be refilled, and then remounted to resume dispensing or extraction operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Quantity of substance

If gas is injected into the container to expel liquid, then large quantities of liquid can be extracted, but the liquid path may be closed or partially closed in the actuated position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid extraction volumeVSAvoidliquid flow path openness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The compensating air inlet serves as an intermediary pathway. It allows gas to enter the container to push liquid out while also providing a route for air to compensate for the volume changes during liquid extraction, maintaining pressure balance and enabling continuous flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables the extraction of liquid beyond the predetermined dose and allows for refilling of another container without disassembling the dispensing device, as the quantity of liquid extracted is determined by the volume of gas injected, providing flexibility and simplicity in operation.

Implementation Method 1

Injecting a volume of gas under pressure into the container through the open compensating air inlet(s) expels a predetermined quantity of liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

the volume of gas injected, down to the gas compression height

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas compression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2926914B1Method for extracting liquid from an apparatus for dispensing liquid by gas injection
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 TECHNIPLAST
  • EP2926914B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2926914B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2926914B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for extracting liquid from a liquid dispensing apparatus (10), the apparatus comprising a liquid container (12), and connected to the container, a liquid dispensing device (14) which is capable of drawing liquid from the container and conveying it by a path to at least one liquid outlet (29a) in order to dispense this liquid outside, characterized in that the method comprises a step of injecting under pressure a volume of extraction gas into the container so as to exert pressure on the liquid in the container to make it circulate in at least a part of the device and allow the extraction of a predetermined quantity of liquid out of the apparatus.