Inverted Foam Pump Layout for Low Residual Refill Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispenser systems face challenges in minimizing the space occupied by pumping and foaming apparatus, leading to residual fluid issues and inefficiencies in liquid and air mixing for foam dispensing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with a piston that reciprocates, featuring a hollow center, an orifice, and one-way valves for liquid and air, allowing for efficient fluid and air mixing within a compact profile, minimizing residual fluid and optimizing space in refill units and dispenser systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the pumping and foaming apparatus is made compact to maximize liquid storage space, then the volume for liquid storage is improved, but residual fluid remains in the container causing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is inverted so that the piston is at the bottom and the liquid inlet is at the top. This inversion allows the liquid to flow into the charge chamber from above, and the one-way inlet valve positioned at the bottom ensures that residual liquid is drawn into the chamber rather than remaining in the container, thus reducing waste while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid inlet is positioned at a higher point in the container rather than at the bottom. This parameter change in inlet location, combined with the inverted pump orientation, enables the liquid to flow downward into the charge chamber, ensuring complete evacuation of the container and minimizing residual fluid while keeping the overall pump volume compact.
2Volume of moving object
If the pump components are reduced in size to maximize liquid storage, then the liquid storage capacity is improved, but the mixing of liquid and air becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The charge chamber serves dual functions: it acts as the pumping chamber for drawing liquid from the container and simultaneously serves as the mixing chamber where air is introduced through the one-way air inlet valve. This merging of functions eliminates the need for a separate mixing chamber, maintaining compact size while ensuring efficient liquid-air mixing for foam generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The charge chamber is designed to perform multiple functions: liquid intake, air intake, and mixing. By making the charge chamber universal for these operations, the pump achieves efficient liquid-air mixing within a compact footprint, maximizing liquid storage capacity without compromising productivity.
3Area of stationary object
If the pump is designed to be compact to maximize storage space, then the dispenser system size is reduced, but residual fluid cannot be fully evacuated from the container
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted pump configuration with the liquid inlet positioned at the top and the one-way inlet valve at the bottom enables complete evacuation of the container. The inversion allows liquid to flow naturally into the charge chamber, and the valve positioning ensures that even residual liquid is drawn in, achieving full evacuation within a compact dispenser footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid inlet is positioned at a higher vertical dimension rather than extending horizontally. This dimensional change allows the compact pump to access and evacuate liquid from the entire container volume, including residual fluid near the bottom, without increasing the horizontal footprint of the dispenser system.
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
This solution enables the creation of compact, efficient foam dispensing systems with minimal residual fluid, reducing waste and maximizing space for liquid storage while ensuring sanitary sealing and effective air-liquid mixing.
Implementation Method 1
A first one-way liquid inlet valve is located proximate the liquid inlet. A liquid outlet having a second one-way liquid outlet valve
Implementation Method 2
A one-way air inlet valve allows air to pass through the air inlet into the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 3
a piston that reciprocates within the housing... Movement of the piston in an upward direction causes fluid to flow into the charge chamber and movement of the piston in the downward direction causes fluid to be expelled from the charge chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A foam pump including a housing and a piston that reciprocates within the housing is disclosed herein. The piston has a hollow portion and an orifice through the wall of the piston. A first seal located proximate the upper end of the piston provides a seal between the piston and the housing. A liquid inlet is located in the side wall of the housing at a point lower than the top of the piston. A one-way liquid inlet valve is located proximate the liquid inlet and a one-way liquid outlet valve is located prior to the liquid outlet. A charge chamber is defined at least in part by the liquid inlet valve, the liquid outlet valve, a wall of the piston and a wall of the housing.