Ophthalmic Liquid Dispenser With Conical Flow Obstruction

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensers for ophthalmic liquids often require complex structures and precise construction to deliver individual drops, leading to high costs and potential air introduction into the reservoir.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser design featuring a flange and bushing system with a conical element inside the domed tip, which obstructs liquid flow and allows precise drop dispensing without requiring intricate precision, enabling free air flow post-dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If complex structures and precise construction are used in dispensers, then individual drop dispensing is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecise constructionVSAvoidcomplex structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser is divided into separate functional components: a reservoir for liquid storage, a dispensing mechanism with a conical element and flange system for drop control, and an air introduction system. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining precise drop dispensing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A conical element with a flange is introduced as an intermediary component between the reservoir and dispensing opening. This intermediate structure controls liquid flow and enables precise drop formation without requiring the entire dispenser assembly to be of high precision, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If complex structures are used in dispensers, then individual drop dispensing is achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecise constructionVSAvoidmanufacturing costs

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The dispenser employs a simple, inexpensive design with a conical element and flange system that can be manufactured using basic molding techniques. The design accepts that the dispenser may be discarded after use, allowing for lower manufacturing costs without compromising the precision needed for individual drop dispensing during its service life.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex precision mechanisms to control liquid flow, the invention inverts the approach by using a simple conical element with a flange that relies on surface tension and gravity to achieve precise drop formation. This inverted approach simplifies manufacturing while maintaining dispensing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If traditional dispensing structures are used, then liquid dispensing is achieved, but air may be introduced into the reservoir

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid dispensingVSAvoidair introduction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The air introduction function is extracted as a separate feature from the liquid dispensing mechanism. A dedicated air introduction opening is provided in the flange, allowing air to enter the reservoir independently of the liquid flow path. This prevents air from being forced into the reservoir during dispensing while maintaining ease of liquid dispensing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The dispenser design allows air to automatically enter the reservoir through the flange opening when liquid level decreases, without requiring active control or complex mechanisms. This self-service air intake prevents vacuum formation and ensures continuous liquid flow while avoiding harmful air introduction during the dispensing action itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 design facilitates easy and precise dispensing of individual drops with reduced complexity and cost, ensuring effective liquid delivery while avoiding air introduction into the reservoir.

Implementation Method 1

a conical element placed inside the bushing and the domed tip, blocking the flow of liquids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow restriction:

Implementation Method 2

The fin directed towards the conical element blocking the flow of liquids has a local gap with the following dimensions: A from 0.3 to 0.6 mm and B from 0.3 to 0.6 mm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS11931749B2Dispenser for dispensing liquids

Publication Date: 2024.03.19 GERRESHEIMER BOLESAWIEC SPOKA AKCYJNA

AI summary

A dispenser for dispensing liquids, in particular ophthalmic liquids, for dispensing the medicine as individual drops is mounted on the neck of a reservoir, e.g., a bottle, and it is made of a flange connected to a bushing and with a domed tip situated on the opposite side of the bushing, the flange being fitted onto the neck of the reservoir and the bushing entering the neck of the reservoir, while a dispensing domed tip comprising a dispensing opening protrudes outside the reservoir. Inside the bushing and the domed tip there is a conical element placed therein, blocking the flow of liquids, the opening in the domed tip having an inner flange. The conical element has a flange at the base of the cone. The flange situated in the dispensing domed tip is ended from the inside with a fin directed towards the conical element blocking the flow of liquids.