Multi-Component Spray Container Segmentation

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spray devices face challenges in efficiently mixing multiple components, such as liquid paints, which often result in waste due to premature chemical reactions and difficulty in internal mixing, especially in gravity feed systems, leading to inefficiencies in time and material usage.

Innovation Solution

A spray device with a multi-component container featuring a nonsymmetrical configuration of outlets and a nested or side-by-side arrangement of container portions, allowing for simultaneous delivery and mixing of multiple liquids at the spray tip, reducing waste by minimizing pre-mixing and optimizing flow rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple components are mixed together separately from the spray device, then the liquid mixture can be supplied to the spray device, but the chemical reaction starts once mixed, limiting the amount of time to use the liquid mixture and requiring cleanup after each job

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mixing multiple componentsVSAvoidusable time of liquid mixture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple separate compartments, each holding a different liquid component. The compartments are separated by partition walls that prevent mixing until the moment of spraying, when the liquids are delivered simultaneously through separate outlets to the spray device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The partition walls act as intermediaries that physically separate the liquid components during storage and transport, preventing premature chemical reactions while allowing controlled delivery to the spray device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If multiple components are mixed together separately from the spray device, then the liquid mixture can be supplied to the spray device, but the operator must discard residual mixture and clean the spray device after each job

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of mixing multiple componentsVSAvoidwaste of liquid mixture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple separate compartments, each holding a different liquid component. The compartments are separated by partition walls that prevent mixing until the moment of spraying, when the liquids are delivered simultaneously through separate outlets to the spray device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows for easy discarding of individual component containers when empty, while the spray device itself requires minimal cleaning since the components are mixed only at the point of application rather than in a separate mixing chamber.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Device complexity

If a gravity feed container is used, then the spray device can operate with simple feed mechanism, but it is particularly challenging to mix multiple components internally in the spray device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of feed mechanismVSAvoidease of internal mixing

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple separate compartments, each holding a different liquid component. The compartments are separated by partition walls that prevent mixing until the moment of spraying, when the liquids are delivered simultaneously through separate outlets to the spray device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing function is extracted from the container and performed externally at the spray device outlet, where the separate liquid streams combine naturally during atomization, eliminating the need for complex internal mixing mechanisms in the gravity feed container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If multiple components are mixed together separately from the spray device, then the liquid mixture can be supplied to the spray device, but significant waste in time and materials occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of spraying operationVSAvoidtime wasted on mixing and cleanup

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple liquid components are pre-loaded into separate compartments of the container before use, ready for immediate spraying. The components are prepared and separated in advance, eliminating the need for on-site mixing and reducing setup time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous spraying operation by keeping multiple liquid components separated but readily available in the container, allowing uninterrupted delivery of mixed components to the spray device without stopping for mixing or cleanup operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 solution enables efficient and uniform mixing of multiple components directly within the spray device, reducing waste and extending the usable time of materials, while also simplifying cleanup and operation by mixing only what is needed during spraying.

Implementation Method 1

a first liquid passage configured to flow a first liquid and a second liquid passage configured to flow a second liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow:

Implementation Method 2

the first and second outlets are positioned in close proximity to one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion mixing: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS9987643B2System and method having multi-component container for spray device

Publication Date: 2018.06.05 CARLISLE FLUID TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A system may include a spray device having a body with a first liquid passage configured to flow a first liquid and a second liquid passage configured to flow a second liquid. The spray device also may include a spray head configured to output a spray of the first liquid and the second liquid. In addition, the spray device may include a multi-component container coupled to the body, wherein the multi-component container comprises a first container portion having a first outlet configured to supply the first liquid to the first liquid passage and a second container portion having a second outlet configured to supply the second liquid to the second liquid passage, and the first and second outlets are positioned in close proximity to one another.