Packaging and docking system for non-contact chemical dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In high-volume and commercial applications, transferring concentrated chemical products from storage containers to dispensing systems can lead to spills and exposure risks due to the need for manual handling and dilution, posing safety and environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
A chemical dispensing system featuring a reservoir with movable retention tabs that engage with a docking station, allowing for non-contact transfer of chemicals by moving the retention tabs from a blocking to an unblocking position, enabling safe and efficient discharge without direct user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If concentrated chemical products are transferred manually from storage containers to dispensing systems, then the chemical can be diluted and used in ready-to-use form, but spills and exposure risks occur during transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary docking station system that mediates between the sealed chemical container and the dispensing system. The docking station includes a receiving chamber that accepts the sealed container, eliminating the need for manual transfer of chemical. The system uses mechanical interfaces (receiving walls, engagement features) to connect the container to the dispensing system, allowing chemical to be dispensed through the intermediary structure without direct user contact with the chemical substance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the harmful transfer operation from the system by removing the need for manual chemical handling. The sealed container is taken directly into the dispensing system through the docking station interface, and the chemical is dispensed through controlled openings without requiring the user to physically transfer or handle the chemical substance. This extraction of the manual transfer step eliminates the associated spill and exposure risks.
2Ease of operation
If concentrated chemical products are provided in ready-to-use form, then no dilution or manual handling is needed, but packaging, shipping, and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-sealing the chemical in a container with integrated dispensing features before shipment. The container is prepared in advance with retention tabs, discharge openings, and engagement features that enable direct docking with the dispensing system. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for post-arrival handling and dilution operations, allowing the chemical to be used directly from the sealed container at the application site.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service through the autonomous docking and dispensing mechanism. The container is designed to self-dock with the dispensing system through complementary engagement features (protrusions fitting into recesses, threading, or bayonet connections). The retention tabs automatically control the discharge opening, and the system dispenses chemical without requiring manual intervention for transfer or dilution, enabling the user to simply attach the container and receive ready-to-use chemical solution.
3Reliability
If manual transfer of concentrated chemical is performed, then the chemical can be moved to dispensing system, but user safety and environmental protection are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The docking station serves as a protective intermediary between the chemical container and the environment. It provides a controlled interface with sealed connections, preventing chemical leakage during the transfer and dispensing process. The intermediary structure includes controlled discharge pathways and retention mechanisms that ensure chemical is moved and dispensed reliably without exposing users or the environment to hazards.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates beforehand cushioning through the sealed container design with integrated retention tabs and controlled discharge openings. The retention tabs prevent premature discharge, and the sealed container protects the chemical during transport and docking. This preliminary protective design cushions against potential spills and exposure risks before they can occur, ensuring safe and reliable chemical transfer.
Data Source
AI summary
A chemical dispensing system can include a docking stating that receives a reservoir containing chemical to be dispensed. The reservoir may have one or more retention tabs which are movable from a first position in which each tab extends radially across at least a portion of the bore to a second position in which each tab is offset relative to the bore. A user can engage the reservoir with the docking station, causing the one or more retention tabs on the reservoir to engage with one or more corresponding retention tab receiving regions. This can cause each retention tab to move from the first position to the second position, thereby dispensing chemical from the bore through a discharge aperture of the docking station. In this way, the contents of the reservoir may be dispensed without the user coming into physical content with the chemical in the reservoir.