Movable Spray Head Assembly for Needle-Protected Fluid Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid product distribution systems, such as syringes with spray nozzles, do not allow for aspiration mode and often damage the needle tip during transport, are complex to manufacture, and lack material optimization, while dual-mode operation and reproducible spraying are not adequately addressed.

Innovation Solution

A fluid product distribution assembly with a removable spray head that moves between transport and use positions, featuring guiding and locking mechanisms, and a sampling needle with a protected tip, allowing both suction and expulsion modes, and optimized material use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a spray head is assembled around the sampling needle, then the needle tip is exposed and vulnerable to damage during transport, but the assembly allows for spray dispensing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneedle tip integrityVSAvoiddamage risk during transport

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spray head is pre-assembled around the sampling needle in a protected configuration before use. The spray head body shields the needle tip from external impacts during transport and storage, preventing damage beforehand rather than providing remediation after damage occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The device is divided into separable components: the spray head assembly (including the protective body) and the reservoir with sampling needle. This segmentation allows the spray head to be removed for aspiration mode while providing protection during transport when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the spray head is made as a single piece with the reservoir, then manufacturing is simplified, but material optimization is limited and the needle tip is unprotected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmaterial optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components: the spray head assembly (including the protective body) and the reservoir with sampling needle. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured from optimized materials independently and simplifies assembly through standard coupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spray head is fixed in one position, then the structure is simplified, but the device cannot operate in both aspiration and expulsion modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual-mode operationVSAvoidspray head positioning mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spray head is designed to be movable relative to the reservoir, transitioning between a transport position (shielding the needle) and an operating position (allowing aspiration or expulsion). This dynamic positioning enables dual-mode operation while keeping the mechanical mechanism simple through guided linear movement with locking features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If the spray head is removable, then the device can operate in aspiration mode, but the assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaspiration mode capabilityVSAvoidassembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separable components: the spray head assembly and the reservoir with sampling needle. This segmentation allows the spray head to be removed for aspiration mode while providing protection during transport when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spray head assembly serves multiple functions: it provides the spray dispensing mechanism, protects the needle tip during transport, and can be removed to enable aspiration mode. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate protective components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4408591B1Assembly for dispensing a fluid product

Publication Date: 2025.11.12 APTAR FRANCE SAS

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AI summary

An assembly for dispensing a fluid product having a tank (10) and a piston (20) sliding in the tank (10), a sampling needle being attached to the tank (10) for drawing a fluid product into the tank (10), a removable spray head (40) being assembled on the tank (10), around the sampling needle (30), for spraying the fluid product, the spray head (40) comprising an insert (50) arranged upstream of a dispensing port (41), the spray head (40), when assembled on the tank (10), being axially movable between transport and use positions, the assembly comprising guide means (111; 39) for guiding the spray head (40) when it is assembled in its transport position and/or when it is moved into its use position, first locking means (112; 46, 119) for holding the spray head (40) in its transport position, and second locking means (113; 48, 119) for holding the spray head (40) in its use position.