Auto Refill Perfume Atomizer Vacuum Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refillable liquid dispensers for perfumes and cosmetics often require pouring or pumping, which can be time-consuming and prone to spillage or leakage, especially when refilling small, portable designs.
Innovation Solution
A fluid dispenser with a dual-chamber system, where a conduit connects the first fluid reservoir to a second air reservoir, and an end plug with a valve allows for refilling without pouring or pumping by creating a vacuum for automatic liquid intake, maintaining air and liquid isolation from the external atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional refillable dispenser is opened to refill liquid, then the liquid chamber can be refilled, but the liquid is exposed to the external atmosphere which may cause contamination or spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a refill valve as an intermediary component that enables liquid transfer from a refill container to the liquid chamber without direct exposure to the external atmosphere. The valve acts as a controlled interface, allowing liquid to pass through while maintaining isolation from atmospheric contaminants, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of refilling and protection from harmful exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a sealed internal environment within the dispenser where the liquid chamber is isolated from the external atmosphere. By maintaining this inert, controlled environment and using a refill valve that operates within the sealed system, the liquid remains protected from atmospheric contamination during the refilling process, while still allowing operational refilling capability.
2Productivity
If pouring is used to refill the liquid chamber, then refilling can be accomplished, but it is time-consuming and prone to spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The refill valve serves as a controlled intermediary that enables liquid transfer without the uncontrolled pouring process. By channeling liquid through the valve mechanism, the system achieves both speed (automated or assisted flow) and reliability (controlled flow path that prevents spillage), resolving the contradiction between refilling productivity and spill-free operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual pouring mechanism with a valve-controlled liquid transfer system. This substitution eliminates the inherent spillage risk of pouring while maintaining or improving refilling speed through controlled flow regulation, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and reliability in the refilling process.
3Ease of operation
If a pressurized liquid reservoir is used with an inlet valve, then liquid can be injected into the liquid chamber, but the attachment may fail during pumping causing leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The refill valve acts as an intermediary between the refill container and the liquid chamber, providing a controlled interface that eliminates the need for separate attachment mechanisms. By integrating the valve function directly into the refilling process, the system maintains reliable liquid transfer without the attachment failure risks associated with separate reservoir connections.
4Volume of moving object
If the dispenser size is reduced for portability, then it can be stored in a pocket or small purse, but the capacity for perfume is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the liquid storage function into two segments: a small integrated liquid chamber within the portable dispenser and a separate refill container. This segmentation allows the dispenser to maintain its compact portable size while enabling full refilling capability through the separate container, thus resolving the contradiction between small volume for portability and sufficient quantity of substance for capacity.
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
Enables efficient and spill-free refilling of the dispenser without exposing the liquid to the external atmosphere, maintaining portability and capacity, and reducing the complexity of refilling operations.
Implementation Method 1
A movable plug or pump is configured so that an amount of air is transferred from the fluid reservoir to the evacuation chamber each time a portion of the plug is retracted from the container... a negative pressure is created relative to the external atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
A conduit connects the first and second fluid chambers and includes a passageway that allows exchange of fluids between the first and second fluid chambers
Implementation Method 3
The free end of the stem includes a redundant seal that engages to the sidewalls of the passageway and blocks or seals the passageway, thereby restricting the flow of fluid between the first and second fluid chambers
Data Source
AI summary
A refillable perfume atomizer apparatus is described, capable of refill without requiring pouring or exposure of an interior of the liquid storage chamber to the external atmosphere. The perfume atomizer includes an internal pump that creates a negative air pressure within the sealed liquid storage container so that refill liquid is drawn into the liquid storage chamber when the perfume atomizer dispenser is engaged to a refill reservoir container.