Integral Dip Tube Bottle Preventing Refill Dribbling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dip tubes in trigger sprayer assemblies often become warped, leading to scrap and issues with fluid dribbling during refill, especially in refillable containers, due to their separation from the pump and the presence of a column of fluid.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a dip tube directly into the container body, with a funnel-shaped landing and a snap-fit or threaded fitment, allows for a seamless connection with a dispenser, eliminating the need for a separate dip tube and reducing the risk of fluid dribbling during refill.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a separate dip tube is used in trigger sprayer assemblies, then the dip tube can be easily installed, but it becomes warped and causes fluid dribbling during refill
Solution Approach 1:
The dip tube is merged with the container body to form an integral structure. The dip tube is formed as a continuous piece with the container body, eliminating the separate component that becomes warped. This integration ensures the dip tube maintains its shape and prevents fluid dribbling during refill operations.
2Device complexity
If a separate dip tube is used, then the assembly can be simplified, but it leads to scrap and assembly issues
Solution Approach 1:
The dip tube and container body are combined into a single integral structure formed simultaneously. This eliminates the need for separate dip tube components that can become warped and cause assembly failures, thereby reducing scrap rates while maintaining assembly simplicity through the one-piece construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The dip tube is pre-formed as an integral part of the container body during the molding process. This preliminary formation ensures the dip tube is already in the correct position and shape before assembly, eliminating subsequent alignment and positioning issues that lead to scrap.
3Ease of manufacture
If the dip tube is separated from the container body, then manufacturing is easier, but it causes alignment issues with the dispenser
Solution Approach 1:
The dip tube is merged with the container body as an integral structure, ensuring precise alignment with the dispenser opening. The continuous formation process guarantees that the dip tube opening is perfectly positioned relative to the container opening, eliminating alignment issues that occur with separate components.
4Quantity of substance
If a column of fluid is present in the dip tube, then fluid can be delivered to the pump, but it causes dribbling during refill
Solution Approach 1:
The integral dip tube design eliminates the column of fluid problem by ensuring the dip tube opening is positioned at or below the container opening level. This positioning allows air to enter the container freely during refill, preventing the formation of a fluid column that would cause dribbling, while still maintaining adequate fluid delivery to the pump.
Data Source
AI summary
Fluid dispensing apparatus with integral dip tube. Container includes body having wall defining interior volume, a first neck top, and a fitment extending from the neck top. A dip tube integrally formed to the body, fluidly connected to interior bottom, and fluidly connected to interior volume at landing top edge at or below the neck top, wherein distance between landing top edge and neck top is equal to or less than length of the fitment. The landing may be funnel-shaped, with one or more sides of landing slanting inward towards top opening of dip tube. Dispenser may be coupled to fitment and include supply line connected with dip tube at landing. Bent connector may be provided for fluidly connecting supply line with dip tube at landing when dispenser is attached to neck top. Container may include second neck top separated from first neck top by gap.