Manual Pump Valve Integration for Recyclable Mono-Material Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid dispensers, such as those used for intranasal administration, are not easily recyclable due to the combination of materials like metal and plastic, which increases costs and reduces recyclability.
Innovation Solution
A manual pump design that uses a plastic valve body and integrally formed resilient elements, allowing for a mono-material construction that enhances recyclability and reduces costs by eliminating the need for metal components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal components (springs, valve elements) are used in the fluid dispenser, then the device functions properly, but recyclability is reduced and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making the entire pump assembly, including the valve body and piston rod, from the same plastic material (polypropylene). This eliminates the need for metal components while maintaining proper pump function, thereby improving recyclability without sacrificing device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive metal components with inexpensive plastic alternatives that can be easily manufactured and disposed of. The plastic valve body and piston rod are designed to be functionally equivalent to metal components but at lower cost and with better recyclability characteristics.
2Reliability
If metal components are used in the fluid dispenser, then the device functions properly, but production and transporting costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making the entire pump assembly, including the valve body and piston rod, from the same plastic material (polypropylene). This eliminates the need for metal components while maintaining proper pump function, thereby improving recyclability without sacrificing device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive metal components with inexpensive plastic alternatives that can be easily manufactured and disposed of. The plastic valve body and piston rod are designed to be functionally equivalent to metal components but at lower cost and with better recyclability characteristics.
3Ease of manufacture
If a mono-material construction is used, then recyclability is increased, but the valve may not function properly without dense materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making the entire pump assembly, including the valve body and piston rod, from the same plastic material (polypropylene). This eliminates the need for metal components while maintaining proper pump function, thereby improving recyclability without sacrificing device functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by designing the valve mechanism to rely on dynamic pressure differential rather than static material density. The valve body moves in response to pressure changes during pumping, opening and closing the inlet passage dynamically, which eliminates the need for dense materials like metal while maintaining valve functionality.
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 increases recyclability and reduces production costs by using a single plastic material for the entire pump, while maintaining functionality and efficiency in fluid dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
one or more resilient elements arranged to interact with the piston assembly, wherein the one or more resilient elements are integrally formed with the piston and/or piston rod
Implementation Method 2
the closing section and the valve body are arranged such that: the opening is closed by the closing section as the piston rod moves axially downwards, so that a flow of fluid from the pump chamber into the inlet is prevented
Implementation Method 3
the piston assembly is arranged to move axially downwards to set a dose of fluid in the pump chamber under pressure and arranged to move axially upwards to suck a fluid from the reservoir into the pump chamber via the inlet
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a manual pump (1) for a fluid dispenser, such a fluid dispenser for dispensing a fluid for intranasal administration, the pump (1) comprising: a pump body (2) delimiting a pump chamber (3) and having an inlet (21) connectable to a reservoir (4); a piston assembly (5) comprising a piston (6) and a piston rod (7), wherein the piston assembly (5) is arranged to move axially downwards to set a dose of fluid in the pump chamber (3) under pressure and arranged to move axially upwards to suck a fluid from the reservoir (4) into the pump chamber (3) via the inlet (21); and a valve (8) arranged to prevent a flow of the fluid from the pump chamber (3) into the inlet (21) as the piston assembly (5) moves axially downwards and to allow a flow of the fluid from the inlet (21) into the pump chamber (3) as the piston assembly (5) moves axially upwards; wherein: a) the piston assembly (5) comprises a closing section (9) attached to the piston rod (7), and the valve (8) comprises an axially moveable valve body (81) with an opening (82) for conducting a fluid from the inlet (21) into the pump chamber (3), wherein the closing section (9) and the valve body (81) are arranged such that - the opening (82) is closed by the closing section (9) as the piston rod (7) moves axially downwards, so that a flow of fluid from the pump chamber (3) into the inlet (21) is prevented, and - the opening (82) is distanced from the closing section (9) as the piston rod (7) moves axially upwards, so that a flow of fluid from the inlet (21) into the pump chamber (3) is allowed; and/or b) the pump (1) comprises one or more resilient elements (10, 11) arranged to interact with the piston assembly (5) and integrally formed with the piston (6) and/or piston rod (7).