Lateral Actuation Device for Nasal Dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid product dispensers, particularly nasal spray devices, face issues with axial actuation causing risk of injury and incomplete dispensing due to axial force, and lateral actuation devices are costly and bulky.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing assembly with a lateral actuation device featuring an S or inverted S-shaped actuation element that pivots about a pivot axis between a bearing part and a pushing part, allowing for reliable actuation without axial movement, reducing bulk and cost, and incorporating a removable protective cap to prevent accidental actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If axial actuation is used to actuate the dispensing member, then the device structure is simple, but the risk of injury and incomplete dispensing increases due to axial force movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from axial actuation to lateral actuation by introducing a pivot axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the reservoir. The actuation element pivots laterally about this pivot axis, moving the pushing part in a lateral direction rather than axially, thereby eliminating the harmful axial force movement while maintaining actuation functionality
2Object-affected harmful factors
If lateral actuation devices are used to eliminate axial force risks, then user safety improves, but the device cost and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation element is divided into distinct functional parts: a bearing part for user interaction, a pushing part for actuating the dispensing member, and a pivot connection. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently and simplifies manufacturing compared to complex mechanical lever systems
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanical lever system that pivots to transmit force, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple pivoting actuation element that directly moves the pushing part laterally. This eliminates the need for complex linkages and reduces both cost and bulk
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 cost-effective, compact, and reliable actuation mechanism for fluid product dispensers, ensuring safe and complete product delivery without the risks associated with axial actuation, suitable for multiple dispenser types.
Implementation Method 1
a lateral actuation element (40) having an S or inverted S shape... said pivot axis being arranged between said bearing part and said pushing part
Implementation Method 2
said lateral actuation element (40) having an S or inverted S shape... allowing for reliable actuation without axial movement
Data Source
AI summary
Dispensing assembly, comprising a fluid product dispenser, such as a nasal dispenser, wherein the fluid product dispenser comprises a reservoir (10) provided with a bottom (11), a dispensing member (20), such as a pump or a valve, mounted on the reservoir (10), and a dispensing head (30) incorporating a dispensing orifice (31), the dispensing assembly comprising a lateral actuation device comprising a body (1) and a lateral actuation element (40) mounted so as to pivot on the body (1) about a pivot axis (45) between a rest position and an actuation position, the actuation element (40) comprising a bearing part (41), which is pressed by the user during actuation and a pushing part (42) designed to cooperate with the fluid product dispenser to effect the actuation thereof, the pivot axis (45) being arranged between the bearing part (41) and the pushing part (42), the lateral actuation member (40) having an S or inverted S shape, the bearing part (41) being arranged near the dispensing head (30) and the pushing part (42) being arranged under the bottom (11) of the reservoir (10).