Method of operating a hand cleaner dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hand cleaners dispense liquid downward onto an upturned palm, requiring users to manually distribute the cleaner to their fingers and fingertips inadequately, which is inefficient for proper cleaning and disinfecting, especially in medical and food industries.
Innovation Solution
A hand cleaner dispenser that operates in two modes: dispensing liquid as a stream onto the palm and as a spray directly onto the fingertips, utilizing a piston-forming element and chamber design to alternate between stream and spray discharge during a cycle of operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand cleaner is dispensed downward onto an upturned palm, then the palm receives the cleaner, but the user must manually manipulate hands to distribute cleaner to fingers and fingertips
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser performs the distribution function automatically by spraying cleaner directly onto the fingers and fingertips, eliminating the need for users to manually manipulate their hands to distribute cleaner. This self-service approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining easy palm application while automating the finger distribution task.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser applies cleaner to the fingers and fingertips in advance of the user's manual distribution action, ensuring these areas are pre-coated with cleaner before the user begins hand rubbing. This preliminary action improves cleaning efficiency by eliminating the manual distribution step while maintaining ease of operation.
2Device complexity
If a single dispensing mode is used, then the device structure is simple, but proper cleaning of both palm and fingertips cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing mechanism is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in two distinct modes: liquid stream dispensing for the palm and spray dispensing for the fingers and fingertips. This universal design resolves the contradiction by enabling a single device to perform multiple dispensing functions, ensuring proper cleaning effectiveness without requiring separate devices for each hand area.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing system is dynamic, allowing the dispenser to switch between different dispensing modes (liquid stream and spray) based on the operational cycle. This dynamic capability enables the device to adapt its dispensing characteristics to match the specific needs of different hand areas, achieving reliable cleaning effectiveness while maintaining a unified device structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Operating a hand cleaner dispenser for dispensing a cleaning liquid from a reservoir onto a person's hands in a cycle of operation wherein, during a first time interval during the cycle dispensing the liquid onto the hand as a spray, and during a second time interval during the cycle dispensing the liquid onto the hand as a liquid stream.