Metered Fluid Dispenser With Vacuum Chamber and One-Way Valves
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensing devices are inefficient, delivering erratic amounts of fluid, requiring user effort to squeeze containers, and are gravity-dependent, limiting application to one side and resulting in uneven distribution.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser with a flexible metering housing and one-way valves that allow for controlled, equal dosing of fluid through vacuum action, combined with an applicator for even distribution, enabling fluid delivery at any point without gravity constraints.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible container body is squeezed by the user to deliver fluid material, then the fluid can be dispensed from the nozzle tip, but the amount of fluid delivered is erratic and inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The container body is divided into multiple separate compartments, each containing a specific amount of fluid material. This segmentation ensures that each squeeze delivers a consistent, pre-measured amount of fluid, eliminating the erratic delivery caused by varying squeeze pressures or durations.
Solution Approach 2:
The fluid material is pre-packaged in sealed compartments within the container body before use. This preliminary preparation of divided portions allows the user to simply activate the dispensing mechanism without needing to control the force or duration of squeezing, ensuring consistent delivery of the pre-measured fluid amount.
2Productivity
If a single one-way check valve is provided as an exit port, then the fluid material can be urged out under pressure, but the container must be held upright to avoid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple check valves are provided at different locations and orientations within the container body, corresponding to different compartments. This allows the container to be used in various orientations (upright, inverted, sideways) while maintaining proper fluid flow control and preventing leakage regardless of container position.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing system is designed with multiple check valves that enable the container to function properly in multiple orientations. The system universally handles different container positions, allowing the user to dispense fluid whether the container is held upright, inverted, or at various angles, thus eliminating the restriction of needing to hold the container in a specific orientation.
3Ease of operation
If spring-loaded buttons are used to open an exit port for gravity flow, then the device is easier to operate, but the fluid material must exit at a lower side and cannot be dispensed against gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The container body is divided into multiple compartments with multiple check valves positioned at different locations and orientations. This segmentation allows different compartments to serve different dispensing functions, enabling fluid to be delivered to applicators positioned at various locations including top, bottom, and sides of the container, regardless of gravity direction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-direction gravity-dependent flow to multi-directional dispensing capability. Check valves are positioned to allow fluid flow in multiple spatial dimensions, enabling the container to dispense fluid upward, downward, sideways, or in any orientation, thus adding dimensional flexibility to the dispensing operation.
4Productivity
If the container body is squeezed to deliver fluid, then fluid can be dispensed, but the container must be held upright and leakage occurs when not held properly
Solution Approach 1:
The container body is divided into multiple sealed compartments, each with its own check valve. This segmentation isolates fluid in discrete portions, preventing leakage between compartments and ensuring that fluid only exits through the controlled check valve mechanism when intended, thereby improving reliability and preventing unintended leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
Check valves serve as intermediary components between the fluid compartments and the external environment. These valves act as controlled gatekeepers that allow fluid to pass only when proper activation occurs, preventing leakage while maintaining the ability to deliver fluid on demand, thus improving reliability without sacrificing productivity.
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 dispenser consistently delivers a metered dose of fluid with even distribution, independent of gravity, facilitating efficient application across multiple locations.
Implementation Method 1
vacuum action when the flexible metering housing is depressed and then released
Implementation Method 2
A first one-way valve disposed between the container and the flexible metering housing. One way flow from the interior fluid storage region of the container fills the predetermined volume of the metering chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The fluid dispensing device (10) includes a container (20) with an interior fluid storage region (22) therein. A flexible metering housing (26) is disposed in fluid communication with the fluid storage region (22) a first one-way valve (30) disposed between the container (20) and the flexible metering housing (26). One way flow from the interior fluid storage region (22) of the container (20) fills the predetermined volume of the metering chamber (32) with fluid by vacuum action when a button (36) is depressed and then released. A second valve (40) is in fluid communication with the metering housing (26) and permits one-way fluid flow from the metering chamber (32) to the exterior outer region of the container (20) when the metering housing (26) is depressed again. Each time the metering housing (26) is depressed a substantially equal volume of fluid (24) is dispensed from the container (20). An additional foam layer (12) on the outside of container (20) facilitates dispersion and delivery of the fluid (24).