Nozzle Insert Structure for Low-Viscosity Drip Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid dispensers, especially foam dispensers, experience significant dripping issues due to the low viscosity of the liquid, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
An anti-drip device with an increased inner surface area is integrated into the nozzle of liquid dispensers, featuring various cross-sectional configurations such as cruciform, octagonal, and honeycomb patterns, along with a porous member to enhance the surface area for the liquid to cling to, reducing drips.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional nozzle is used in liquid dispensers, then the dispenser structure is simple, but significant dripping occurs after use due to low viscosity liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the conventional two-dimensional nozzle opening into a three-dimensional structure by adding an internal cavity with increased surface area. The anti-drip device creates a volumetric space within the nozzle where liquid can adhere to the extended inner surfaces, effectively using the third dimension to solve the dripping problem without significantly complicating the overall dispenser structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-drip device incorporates a porous member within the nozzle cavity that provides extensive internal surface area. The porous structure allows liquid to cling to numerous small surfaces throughout the cavity, increasing adhesion points and reducing drip formation. This approach effectively increases the surface area available for liquid retention without substantially increasing the external dimensions of the nozzle.
2Reliability
If the inner surface area of the nozzle is increased to reduce dripping, then drip reduction is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the anti-drip functionality from the main nozzle structure by using a distinct anti-drip device that can be inserted into or attached to the nozzle. This segmentation allows the complex porous member with increased surface area to be manufactured separately and then integrated into the simpler nozzle body, reducing overall manufacturing difficulty while achieving drip reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-drip device serves as an intermediary component between the liquid source and the external environment. This intermediate element with its porous structure provides the necessary increased surface area for drip reduction while isolating the manufacturing complexity from the main nozzle assembly, allowing each component to be optimized and manufactured independently.
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 anti-drip device effectively minimizes dripping by providing a larger surface area for the liquid to adhere to, making it suitable for use with foam and liquid dispensers, regardless of viscosity, and can be adapted to different dispenser types and manufacturing methods.
Implementation Method 1
providing a larger surface area for the liquid to adhere to
Data Source
AI summary
An anti-drip device is for use in association with a liquid dispenser having a nozzle. The anti-drip device is adapted to fit into the nozzle. The device has an outer cross sectional dimension, an inner cross sectional dimension and an inner surface. The inner cross sectional dimension is the sum of a length of the inner surface and the inner surface is shaped such that the inner cross sectional dimension is larger than a length of the outer cross sectional dimension.