All-Plastic Foam Pump Return Spring for Rust-Free Recycling

Solution Overview

Problem

Hand-operated liquid dispensing pumps with metal compression springs pose issues of rust contamination and difficulty in recycling due to the need for disassembly to remove metal components, making them less desirable for recycling and potentially contaminating the product.

Innovation Solution

A hand foam pump designed entirely from plastic components, including a plastic return spring, which eliminates the need for disassembly and reduces contamination risks, allowing for easy recycling by being made entirely from plastic materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If metal compression springs are used in hand pumps, then the pump operates effectively with low manufacturing cost, but the pump causes rust contamination of the product and becomes difficult to recycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump operation effectivenessVSAvoidrust contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The material parameter of the return spring is changed from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the chemical properties to eliminate rust contamination while maintaining the mechanical spring function through plastic elasticity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pump is designed as a disposable unit where the plastic return spring allows the entire assembly to be recycled as a single unit without requiring disassembly to remove metal components, reducing contamination and simplifying recycling processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If metal components are used in hand pumps, then the pump operates effectively, but the pump requires disassembly to remove metal components prior to recycling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump operation effectivenessVSAvoidrecycling process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The return spring is merged with the pump body by using the same plastic material for both components, allowing them to be manufactured as a single integrated piece that requires no disassembly for recycling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The material parameter of the return spring is changed from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the chemical properties to eliminate rust contamination while maintaining the mechanical spring function through plastic elasticity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If metal return springs are used in hand pumps, then the pump operates effectively, but the pump decreases the desirability of used hand pumps as a source of recycled plastic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump operation effectivenessVSAvoidrecycled plastic quality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The material parameter of the return spring is changed from metal to plastic, fundamentally altering the chemical properties to eliminate rust contamination while maintaining the mechanical spring function through plastic elasticity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The pump is designed as a disposable unit where the plastic return spring allows the entire assembly to be recycled as a single unit without requiring disassembly to remove metal components, reducing contamination and simplifying recycling processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 all-plastic hand foam pump prevents rust contamination and simplifies recycling by using a plastic return spring, ensuring the pump can be reused as recycled plastic without disassembly, enhancing its recyclability and product safety.

Implementation Method 1

An elastic, dome shaped, plastic return spring is disposed between the actuator and the pump closure to return the actuator to its rest position after actuation.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10898034B1All plastic hand foam pump

Publication Date: 2021.01.26 ARMINAK ARMIN

AI summary

A hand foam pump fabricated entirely from plastic components for dispensing foamable liquids, is provided. The hand foam pump includes an actuator, a closure, a housing, cylinder bores for an air piston and a liquid piston within the housing and an air piston and a liquid piston fixed to a stem, wherein the air and liquid pistons are reciprocally mounted within the cylinder bores, and check valves, among other components. An elastic, dome shaped, plastic return spring is utilized to return the actuator to its rest position after actuation. The plastic return spring is positioned over the closure and below the actuator. The all plastic hand foam pump is suitable for dispensing foamable liquids from a dispenser bottle. Used pumps do not require disassembly to be recycled.