Metering dispensing system with improved valving to prevent accidental dispensing of liquid therefrom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensing devices are prone to erratic fluid delivery, accidental dispensing, and leakage, as they rely on user squeezing or gravity, limiting their ability to deliver consistent doses and operate independently of gravity.
Innovation Solution
A novel dispensing device featuring a flexible metering housing with a one-way valve system, including a base plate with a convex aperture and a flapper valve that prevents accidental dispensing until intentionally activated, allowing for controlled, consistent fluid delivery and applicator-assisted distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a flexible container body with a nozzle tip is used for dispensing fluid material, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but the fluid delivery is erratic and the container must be held upright to avoid leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device is segmented into distinct functional components: a flexible storage container, a rigid metering housing with a dome pump, and a valve system. This segmentation allows the storage function to remain simple and flexible while the metering and delivery functions provide consistent, controlled dispensing independent of container orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
A rigid metering housing acts as an intermediary between the flexible storage container and the dispensing nozzle. This intermediate structure houses the dome pump and valve mechanisms that regulate fluid flow, transforming the erratic flow from simple squeezing into controlled, metered dispensing while preventing gravitational leakage.
2Ease of operation
If spring-loaded buttons are used to open an exit port for fluid flow to an applicator material layer, then the dispensing operation is simplified, but the device cannot deliver equal doses and is limited by gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The dome pump provides dynamic, bidirectional control of fluid flow. During the pumping stroke, it delivers a precise metered dose through the exit port to the applicator. During the recovery stroke, it automatically draws in the next dose through an inlet port. This dynamic operation ensures equal doses are delivered with each pump cycle, independent of gravity or container orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing mechanism operates through periodic pumping cycles, where each complete cycle (pumping stroke followed by recovery stroke) delivers one precise dose. This periodic action, driven by the dome pump's reciprocating motion, ensures consistent dosing while the spring-loaded button provides simple periodic actuation for the user.
3Reliability
If a single one-way check valve is provided as an exit port from the flexible container, then the device prevents backflow, but it cannot prevent accidental dispensing when the container is squeezed
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system is pre-configured with a closed position that blocks the exit port before dispensing is intended. The spring-loaded button remains in a position that keeps the valve closed until the user intentionally activates it. This preliminary closed state prevents accidental dispensing, while the one-way check valve functionality prevents backflow during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system automatically responds to pressure changes: when the dome pump is pressed, it opens the exit port to allow dispensing; when pressure is released, the spring automatically closes the valve to prevent leakage or accidental dispensing. This self-regulating behavior eliminates the need for additional locking mechanisms while preventing both backflow and accidental dispensing.
4Manufacturing precision
If the metering device requires the user to squeeze the entire body of the container, then consistent metered doses can be delivered, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the large flexible storage container from the small rigid metering housing containing the dome pump. Only the small pump housing needs to be compressed for metered dispensing, while the large container simply provides fluid storage. This segmentation maintains precise metering control while dramatically reducing the physical effort and complexity compared to squeezing the entire container body.
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
Ensures consistent metered doses with reduced accidental dispensing and leakage, enabling fluid delivery at any point and in various orientations, including opposite to the pumping mechanism, while maintaining a compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
A first one-way valve is disposed between the container and the flexible metering housing. A second one-way valve is disposed between the flexible metering housing and the exit port.
Implementation Method 2
Resting above the aperture and within the cavity of the dome is a flapper valve of thin film construction... the flapper valve closes and actually seals the aperture thereby closing the passage back into the reservoir
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A liquid dispensing device (300) includes a storage container (320) and dome pump mechanism (500, 600) attached thereto for metered dispensing. A one-way valve (508, 612) is employed to pull liquid from the storage container (300) into the dome (508, 608) for metering. An exit passageway (506, 606) serves as an output valve. Each time the dome pump housing (508, 608) is depressed, a substantially equal volume of fluid is dispensed from the container (320). To prevent accidental dispensing, the one-way valve in the dome pump remains normally open and unsealed to allow backflow of liquid back into the storage container (320) pouch when pressure is placed on the dome (508, 608). The user squeezes the dome (508, 608) and base plate together to seal the one-way valve to urge liquid out through the exit port for actual dispensing. The dome pump (500, 600) is integrally formed with a top portion of the exit pathway. Optionally, the base plate (502) and bottom portion (504) of the exit pathway are also integrally formed to facilitate manufacture and reduce costs of the pump (500, 600) while improving performance thereof.