Portable Dispenser Refill Pump for Creamy Product Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging and dispensing devices for liquid or semi-liquid products rely on pressurized propellant gas, limiting their operation to only as long as the gas remains and preventing the use with creamy products due to insufficient pressure for expulsion.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a miniature electric transfer pump between the first and second reservoirs, powered by an electric power supply and controlled by a control means, with complementary two-way coupling elements to facilitate product transfer and filling, while accounting for the expansion of alcoholic products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If pressurized propellant gas is used to transfer product from the second reservoir to the first reservoir, then the device can operate continuously as long as gas remains, but the device cannot handle creamy products due to insufficient pressure and the operation is limited to liquid products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the gas-based pneumatic system with an electric pump system. The electric pump provides mechanical force to transfer products of varying viscosities from the second reservoir to the first reservoir, eliminating the limitation of propellant gas pressure while ensuring reliable operation continuity through electric power supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the driving mechanism from gas pressure (variable and limited) to electric pump-driven flow (controllable and adjustable). This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different product viscosities including creamy products, while maintaining reliable continuous operation through controlled pump operation.
2Ease of operation
If a valve system is interposed between the second reservoir and the first reservoir with pressurized propellant gas, then product transfer is enabled, but the device operation is limited to the duration of gas supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the finite propellant gas system with an electric pump system powered by rechargeable or replaceable power sources. This replacement enables the device to operate for extended periods by simply recharging or replacing the power source, rather than being limited by gas consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric pump system can be integrated with power management features allowing the device to recharge its own power source when docked with the base station, enabling self-service operation extension without requiring external intervention for gas refilling.
3Device complexity
If the first tank is filled from the second tank using gravity flow, then simple structure is achieved, but overflow cannot be prevented and expansion of alcoholic products with temperature cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces passive gravity flow with active electric pump-controlled transfer. The pump provides precise flow control to fill the first reservoir to the appropriate level without overflow, while also accommodating thermal expansion of alcoholic products by controlling the transfer rate and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The electric pump acts as an intermediary between the second reservoir and first reservoir, mediating the product transfer process. It controls the flow to prevent overflow while ensuring complete transfer, and can pause or reverse flow to accommodate thermal expansion of alcoholic products during temperature changes.
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 continuous operation by allowing the filling of the first tank from the second tank and accommodates various product viscosities, including creamy products, by using a piezoelectric transfer pump and rechargeable power supply, ensuring efficient and versatile product dispensing.
Implementation Method 1
miniaturised electric pump, in particular of the piezoelectric type
Implementation Method 2
rechargeable power supply, in particular a rechargeable accumulator
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a packaging and dispensing device (10) for a liquid or semi-liquid product, including: a movable spray head (12) comprising at least one container (16) supplying an outlet member (18); and at least one stationary base (14) comprising a second container (20) which can be connected to the above-mentioned first container (16) via coupling means (22) so that the product can be transferred from the second container (20) in the base (14) to the first container (16) in the movable spray head (12) in order for at least the product in the movable spray head to be refilled. The invention is characterised in that a miniature electric pump (24), known as a transfer pump, powered by an electrical power supply means (140) and controlled by a control means (142), is disposed between the first and second containers (16, 20) to allow the product to be conveyed through the coupling means (22).