Pivotable Dispenser Actuator Assembly for Interface Crushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass ampoule assemblies are costly, cumbersome, and prone to glass shard injuries, with inadequate crushing mechanisms that obstruct flowable material dispensing and are not user-friendly for those with limited finger strength, often leaving a dome-shaped end that restricts material flow.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser actuator assembly with a base member and pivotable actuator arms that engage the outer container to crush the ampoule at the optimal interface area, ensuring efficient dispensing and user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cardboard sleeve is used to cover the applicator end, then storage and transport protection is improved, but the design becomes cumbersome and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the cardboard sleeve from the ampoule holder design, extracting the protective function to the ampoule holder itself through the resilient outer container that protects the glass ampoule during storage and transport without adding cumbersome covering components
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient outer container serves multiple functions: it protects the glass ampoule during storage and transport, provides a structure for the actuator arms to engage, and acts as a filter to prevent glass shards from reaching the applicator, eliminating the need for separate protective components
2Ease of operation
If the glass ampoule is crushed at the central location, then the crushing action is simplified, but the dome-shaped end portion obstructs the flow of flowable material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning the actuator arms to engage the glass ampoule at specific locations away from the central dome-shaped end portion, crushing the ampoule at the interface area where it joins the outer container to allow the dome to remain intact and not obstruct material flow
3Device complexity
If finger pressure is used to crush the glass ampoule, then the design is simple, but users with limited finger strength cannot operate it effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by providing a reusable actuator assembly with pivotable actuator arms that can be pressed to generate sufficient crushing force, allowing users with limited finger strength to operate the device effectively while maintaining a relatively simple overall design
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator arms serve as intermediaries between the user's finger pressure and the glass ampoule, amplifying the applied force through the pivotable mechanism to achieve effective crushing with minimal user effort
4Productivity
If the glass ampoule is ruptured, then the flowable material is dispensed, but glass shards puncture through the outer container and injure the user
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient outer container acts as an intermediary protective barrier between the glass ampoule and the user, filtering and containing glass shards when the ampoule is crushed, preventing injury while allowing the flowable material to pass through to the applicator
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 actuator assembly effectively crushes the ampoule at the optimal location, preventing glass shard injuries and ensuring smooth material flow, while being adaptable for various user strengths and reusable designs.
Implementation Method 1
The first actuator arm and the second actuator arm are pivotable from the first position towards one another to a second position, or actuating position, wherein the first protrusion is configured to engage the outer container and the second protrusion is configured to engage the outer container to rupture the glass ampoule
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser actuator assembly (100) for actuating a dispenser (10) is disclosed. The dispenser (10) is in the form of a glass ampoule assembly (10) having a rupturable glass ampoule (12) containing a flowable material (M). The glass ampoule (12) is contained within an outer container (14) wherein the outer container (14) has a first open end (22) and a second closed end (24). The glass ampoule assembly (10) has an applicator (16) positioned in the first open end (22). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) has a base member (102) configured to mount on the outer container (14). The dispenser actuator assembly (100) also has an actuator assembly (104) operably connected to the base member (102) wherein the actuator assembly (104) has a first actuator arm (132a) and a second actuator arm (132b) each pivotally connected to the base member (102). The first actuator arm (132a) and the second actuator arm (132b) extend from the base member (102) in generally opposed relation defining a first position, or neutral position. The first actuator arm (132a) has a first protrusion (150a) depending therefrom and the second actuator arm (132b) has a second protrusion (150b) depending therefrom. The first actuator arm (132a) and the second actuator arm (132b) are pivotable from the first position towards one another to a second position, or actuating position, that is configured such that the first protrusion (150a) engages the outer container (14) and the second protrusion (150b) engages the outer container (14) to crush the glass ampoule (12) wherein the flowable material (M) is configured to be dispensed from the glass ampoule assembly (10).