Pivoting Spray Head Unit With Integrated Blocking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray heads for dispensing products like cosmetics and foods are not easy or safe to handle, particularly for viscous or air-sensitive items that require secure closure after use, as they often require complex mechanisms and risk unintentional actuation or contamination.
Innovation Solution
A spray head design where the actuating element and closure form a unit that rotates about a horizontal axis, featuring a blocking mechanism allowing one-handed operation, a restoring mechanism for automatic closure, and a blocking means like a button or twist lock to prevent accidental actuation, ensuring secure closure and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closure element is hinged to the attachment element and must be opened before actuation, then the outlet opening can be closed securely, but the operation becomes complex and requires multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The closure element and actuating element are merged into a single integrated unit that performs both closure and actuation functions simultaneously. This integration eliminates the need for separate opening and actuation steps, reducing operational complexity while maintaining secure closure through the unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the closure element that seals the outlet opening and the actuating element that triggers the valve. This multi-functionality allows a single component to achieve both secure closure and product dispensing activation, simplifying the user interaction.
2Reliability
If a blocking device is added to prevent unintentional actuation, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking means is integrated directly into the unit formed by the closure element and actuating element, rather than being a separate component. This integration allows the blocking function to be achieved through the existing structural elements, preventing unintentional actuation without adding significant complexity to the overall device.
3Reliability
If the closure element and actuating element form a locking device that blocks triggering, then unintentional actuation is prevented, but the ease of operation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated unit automatically performs the blocking and unblocking functions based on its own position and state. When in the closed position, the unit's structure inherently prevents actuation; when opened, the blocking is automatically released. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate user actions to engage or disengage safety blocks, maintaining ease of operation.
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 enhances safety and ease of use by allowing one-handed operation, preventing unintentional actuation, and ensuring immediate closure of the spray channel, suitable for viscous and air-sensitive products, while maintaining product integrity and preventing contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a restoring means is provided for returning the unit from the actuated position to the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a spray head for dispensing product from a container, having ° an attachment element, on which is arranged a closure element for closing an outlet opening of a spray channel, and ° an actuating element, actuation of which allows the outlet opening to be connected to a valve opening of the container. In order to create a spray head which is easier, and more reliable, to handle than in the prior art, it is proposed within the context of the invention, that the closure element and the actuating element form a unit which can be pivoted about an axis from a closure position into an actuating position, wherein the outlet opening of the spray channel can be closed by the unit in the closed position, and that the unit has a blocking means, via which the unit can be blocked in the closure position.