Incremental Advance Dispenser Shuttle Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for consumable products like deodorants and cosmetics do not efficiently expose more product as it is used, requiring manual adjustment and lack a mechanism for incremental advancement.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design featuring a shuttle that moves incrementally from a retracted to an extended position within the barrel, advancing the product-containing cup towards the muzzle end, utilizing a system of pawls and openings to control movement and exposure of the product.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional dispenser design is used, then the structure is simple, but the product cannot be advanced incrementally to expose more product as it is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a barrel divided into chambers, a shuttle with multiple positions, and a cup carrier system. Each component performs a specific function in the incremental advancement process, allowing complex functionality to be achieved through coordinated simple parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser uses a dynamic shuttle mechanism that can move between retracted and extended positions to control cup advancement. The system transitions from static traditional dispensers to a dynamic system where the shuttle's position changes enable incremental product exposure with each operation cycle.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment is used to expose more product, then the mechanism remains simple, but user convenience is reduced and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser system performs self-service by automatically advancing the product cup incrementally through the shuttle mechanism. The system serves itself by using the normal operation cycle (shuttle movement) to simultaneously advance the product, eliminating the need for separate manual adjustment actions by the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism prepares the product for advancement in advance by positioning the cup carrier and aligning the shuttle during previous cycles. The system anticipates the need for product exposure and has the cup ready to be advanced as part of the normal operational sequence, reducing waiting time.
3Productivity
If the product is advanced incrementally with each shuttle movement, then continuous product use is enabled, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shuttle mechanism serves multiple functions: it transports material, controls cup positioning, and enables incremental product advancement. By making the shuttle multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate mechanisms for each function, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cup carrier function with the shuttle mechanism, combining two previously separate components into one integrated assembly. This merging allows the cup to be advanced incrementally along with the shuttle movement, achieving continuous product use while reducing the number of separate mechanical systems needed.
Data Source
AI summary
An incremental advance dispenser includes a barrel which has a longitudinal axis, a muzzle end, and an opposite breach end. A shuttle is slidably connected to the barrel and movable with respect to the barrel along the longitudinal axis. A cup which carries a product is movable within the barrel along the longitudinal axis. The shuttle is positionable to an extended position toward the muzzle end of the barrel, and to a retracted position toward the breach end of the barrel. Movement of the shuttle to the extended position from the retracted position causes the cup to move an incremental distance toward the muzzle end of the barrel.