Refill Cartridge Projection Design for Alignment and Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refill cartridges for pump dispensers are difficult to align and remove from the dispenser, necessitating a mechanism that facilitates easy alignment and removal while being compact, convenient, and easily manufacturable.
Innovation Solution
A refill cartridge design featuring a container with a rim having projections for user handling and a puncturable seal, combined with a pump dispenser having notches for the projections, which prevents rotation and allows for friction fit, enabling easy alignment and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a refill cartridge is designed with a simple rim structure, then manufacturing is easier and cost is lower, but alignment and removal become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The rim is segmented into multiple discrete projections (at least two, preferably three or four) spaced around the perimeter, rather than a continuous rim structure. This segmentation provides distinct engagement points for alignment while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The projections are positioned asymmetrically around the rim perimeter at specific intervals (e.g., 120 degrees apart for three projections), creating unique alignment orientations that facilitate proper insertion into the pump dispenser while preventing incorrect installation.
2Ease of operation
If the refill cartridge is designed to be easily removable, then user convenience improves, but retention and stability during use may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between projections and pump dispenser slots is designed to be dynamically adjustable - providing firm engagement during normal use through friction and geometric interlocking, while allowing easy release when lateral force is applied by the user for removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The projections feature curved surfaces that provide friction fit engagement with the pump dispenser slots, creating reliable retention during use while allowing smooth extraction when sufficient force is applied in the removal direction.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a refill cartridge (10), comprising: a container (12) defining a chamber containing a flowable substance and having a rim defining an opening through which the flowable substance is dispensable; a seal (14) attached to the container (12) and closing the opening; and at least one projection (17A, 17B) for holding by a user extending from the rim. Also disclosed is a system, comprising the refill cartridge (10) and a pump dispenser (100), the pump dispenser (100) comprising: a body (110) defining a hollow interior (113) and having a rim defining an opening (114) through which at least a portion of the refill cartridge (10) is receivable into the hollow interior (113), a lid (120), and a pump for pumping the flowable substance from the chamber when the portion of the refill cartridge (10) is in the hollow interior (113) and the lid (120) closes the opening (113), wherein the rim of the body (110) has at least one notch (117A, 117B) therein for receiving the at least one projection (17A, 17B).