Liquid Refill System with Segmented Pump and One-Way Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current perfume refill systems are inconvenient, messy, and prone to spilling due to the need for partial disassembly of devices and multiple pump actuations, and often result in damage to the parent actuator, making them unsuitable for travel-sized, easy refilling without complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A liquid refill system comprising a child device with a one-way liquid refill valve and a parent device with a pump in liquid communication, allowing for direct and efficient transfer of liquid between the devices without disassembly, using a co-linear configuration and one-way valves to minimize spillage and simplify the refilling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the parent pump is used as the refill mechanism for the child device, then the refilling process can be automated, but multiple pump actuations are required which is inconvenient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the pump function into two separate components: a parent pump for dispensing and a child pump for refilling. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for its specific function, with the child pump capable of filling the child device in a single actuation, thereby reducing refilling time while maintaining automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The parent device is designed with dual functionality: it can both dispense perfume through its pump and serve as a refilling station for the child device. The parent pump and child pump work together in a coordinated manner, allowing the system to perform both dispensing and refilling operations automatically, thus reducing the time required for refilling while maintaining automation.
2Ease of operation
If the refilling process involves partial disassembly of the parent actuator to reveal the pump stem, then the pump stem can be inserted into the child device base, but this is inconvenient, messy and may result in inadvertent damage to the parent actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The refilling system is divided into separate docking components: a parent docking component with a receptacle and a child docking component with a protrusion. This segmentation eliminates the need for disassembly of the parent actuator, as the child device docks directly with the parent device through these specialized components, thereby maintaining the integrity of the parent actuator while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The parent docking component and child docking component serve as intermediary elements that facilitate the refilling process without requiring direct manipulation of the parent actuator. The receptacle and protrusion mechanism provides a safe interface for connecting the parent and child devices, preventing inadvertent damage to the parent actuator while enabling easy refilling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a vacuum is generated in the child device to evacuate liquid during use, then subsequent refilling can be enabled, but the vacuum must be generated consistently which is difficult to maintain over time and requires partial disassembly and accurate docking
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a vacuum mechanism to pull liquid into the child device, the system inverts the approach by using a positive displacement pump (child pump) to push liquid into the child device. This inversion eliminates the need for maintaining a consistent vacuum, reducing device complexity while preserving refill capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex vacuum generation and maintenance mechanism is completely removed from the system. The refilling functionality is achieved through a simpler mechanical pump mechanism that does not require vacuum generation, partial disassembly, or accurate docking procedures, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability for refilling.
4Productivity
If the parent pump volume is large relative to the child reservoir volume, then a single actuation can fill the child device, but the parent device becomes bulky and unsuitable for convenient storage
Solution Approach 1:
The pumping function is segmented between a parent pump for dispensing and a child pump for refilling. The child pump is sized appropriately for the child reservoir volume, enabling complete refilling in a single actuation without requiring the parent device to have a large pump volume, thus maintaining portability while achieving high refilling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The child device is equipped with its own pump (child pump) that performs the refilling function. This self-service capability allows the child device to be completely refilled from the parent device in a single actuation of the child pump, eliminating the need for a large parent pump and keeping the parent device compact and portable.
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 convenient, mess-free refilling of travel-sized perfume dispensers with minimal pump actuations, reducing the risk of damage and spillage, and simplifying the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for complex mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a child one way liquid refill valve associated therewith
Implementation Method 2
A parent device having a parent liquid reservoir containing a liquid, said parent device having a first portion having a parent refill mechanism a parent liquid outlet a parent one way liquid outlet valve, associated with the parent liquid outlet, said parent device having a pump, having a pump volume, in liquid communication with the parent liquid reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a liquid refilling system (10) including a parent device (201) and a child or portable travel sized device (101) that can be releasably coupled to the parent device (201) to transfer liquid from the parent to the child device. The parent device (210) is provided with a pump (207) in liquid communication with a parent reservoir (203) containing the liquid. The pump of the parent device has a volume which is preferably substantially equal to the volume (Vcr) of the child reservoir thereby enabling a minimal number of single actuations of the parent pump (207) to completely fill the child reservoir (103) if desired upon coupling thereof.