Recyclable Dispensing Pump Actuator with External Biasing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hand-operated dispensing pumps for liquids are difficult to recycle due to their metal components, which is undesirable for environmentally conscious consumers, while recyclable alternatives lack the effectiveness of traditional designs.
Innovation Solution
A recyclable dispensing apparatus with a collar, actuator, and biasing element, where the collar and actuator are configured to couple with a container, and the biasing element is external, allowing for effective dispensing of materials without the need for metal components, using a monolithic construct made from recyclable plastic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional metal compression rings are used in dispensing pumps, then the pump effectiveness and reliability are improved, but the recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the metal compression ring from the dispensing pump system. The patent describes a pump assembly where the compression ring is eliminated entirely, replacing it with a resilient member made from recyclable plastic material that performs the same biasing function without using metal components, thereby solving the recyclability problem while maintaining pump effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the compression ring from metal to recyclable plastic. The patent specifies that the resilient member is made from plastic material with appropriate elastic properties to replace the metal compression ring's function, transforming the material composition to enable recyclability while maintaining the necessary mechanical performance for reliable pump operation
2Ease of manufacture
If recyclable materials are used in dispensing pumps, then the recyclability is improved, but the pump effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a copy of the metal compression ring's functionality using plastic material. The resilient member is designed to replicate the biasing and regeneration functions of the traditional metal compression ring, providing equivalent pump effectiveness while using recyclable plastic material. The patent describes how the plastic resilient member mimics the mechanical behavior of metal springs through careful design of its geometry and material properties
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite material design where the resilient member is formed from plastic material with specific elastic properties. The patent describes a composite structure that combines plastic material with appropriate mechanical characteristics to achieve the necessary spring-like behavior, ensuring that the recyclable material can deliver pump effectiveness comparable to traditional metal components
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 solution enables effective dispensing of liquids while being fully recyclable, maintaining the functionality of traditional pumps without the recyclability issues associated with metal components, thus addressing environmental concerns.
Implementation Method 1
The biasing element can be configured to bias the actuator toward the first position
Data Source
AI summary
A container closure can include a collar, an actuator, and a biasing element. The collar can be configured to couple to a container. The collar can have a container facing surface and a second surface opposite the container facing surface. The actuator can be movable relative to the collar from a first position to a second position. The actuator can be in fluid communication with a cavity defined by the container such that the actuator dispenses material out of the container as the actuator moves from the first position to the second position. The biasing element can have a first portion coupled to the actuator and a second portion coupled to the second surface of the collar, the biasing element configured to bias the actuator toward the first position.