Measurable Dispenser with One-Way Valve and Child-Proof Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing methods for liquids, particularly for children, are messy, inaccurate, and pose safety risks due to spillage and potential overdose, especially when dealing with substances like medicines that require precise measurement and child-proof handling.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser system featuring a main vessel with a one-way valve and a removable measurable vessel, combined with a child-proof locking mechanism, allows for precise measurement and controlled dispensing by squeezing or pumping, ensuring the measured amount is securely contained until dispensed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pouring or syringe methods are used to dispense liquid medicine, then measurement can be achieved, but the process becomes messy and inaccurate due to spillage and stickiness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing accuracyVSAvoidmessiness and spillage
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the dispensing process into two separate vessels: a storage vessel for the bulk liquid medicine and a measuring vessel for the precise dose. The storage vessel contains a one-way valve that controls liquid flow, while the measuring vessel receives the exact amount needed. This segmentation eliminates the messiness of direct pouring or syringe extraction while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the bottle is kept close to the child for convenient dispensing, then accessibility is improved, but safety risks increase due to potential knockovers, spilling, or unauthorized ingestion

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsafety risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-measuring the exact dose in a separate measuring vessel before the child needs it. The storage vessel can be kept safely away from the child, while only the small measuring vessel with the pre-measured dose is brought into the child's vicinity. This eliminates safety risks associated with storing large bottles near children while maintaining ease of administration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the measured dose from the storage vessel into a separate measuring vessel. This extracted portion can be safely handled and administered without risking the entire storage bottle being knocked over or accessed by the child. The harmful potential is taken out and isolated in a controlled, small-scale vessel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a child-proof locking mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized access, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunauthorized access preventionVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The child-proof mechanism is segmented into simple geometric features: a recess in the storage vessel and a protrusion on the measuring vessel that must align for the vessels to connect. This simple geometric interlocking provides effective child-proof protection without adding complex mechanical locking components, maintaining ease of manufacture and operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If a one-way valve is used to control liquid flow, then precise dispensing is achieved, but the valve mechanism adds device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid flow controlVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The one-way valve is implemented as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured into the measuring vessel. It uses basic geometric features (protrusions and recesses) rather than complex mechanical valve components. This simple valve mechanism provides precise liquid flow control while minimizing device complexity and manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 system provides accurate, mess-free, and safe dispensing of liquids by preventing over-dispensing and unauthorized access, particularly suitable for children, through its one-way valve and child-proof locking mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

a one-way valve (3) in communication with the bottom of the first vessel (1)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOne-way valve mechanism: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3987254B1dispenser
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 PRODROMOU PHRIXOS
  • EP3987254B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3987254B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3987254B1 patent drawingFigure 4(a)~4(c)

AI summary

A measurable dispenser, comprising a first vessel for containing a substance to be dispensed, a second, measurable, vessel, mounted on the first vessel, a one –way valve whereby fluid from the first vessel can be caused to move into the second vessel and retained therein virtue of the one-way valve, and wherein the second vessel is provided with one or more indicia indicating measured amounts. A child- proof locking mechanism is also disclosed.