Refillable Aerosol Container Refilling Apparatus
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refillable dispensing containers are cumbersome, complex, and unreliable in refilling and repressurizing, and have not been widely adopted due to environmental concerns with disposable aerosol containers.
Innovation Solution
A refilling apparatus and method that includes a refillable container with a main body, dispensing and filling valves, a pressurized vessel, and a three-way valve system that allows for efficient delivery and recharging of pressurized propellant and liquid, using a supply tank with a float valve and one-way check valve to manage fluid flow and maintain a consistent liquid level.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If refillable dispensing containers are used to replace disposable aerosol containers, then environmental harm is reduced, but the refilling process becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The refilling apparatus is divided into separate functional modules: a dispensing valve assembly, a filling valve assembly, a pressurized propellant source, and a liquid source. Each module operates independently and can be easily attached or detached from the refillable container, simplifying the overall system while maintaining refilling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The refillable container is designed with a universal interface that accommodates both dispensing operations and refilling operations through a single valve assembly. The valve assembly can selectively connect to either the dispensing valve or the filling valve, allowing one container to serve multiple functions without requiring separate specialized containers.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If refillable dispensing containers are used, then environmental sustainability is improved, but reliability of refilling and repressurizing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filling valve assembly includes a float mechanism that provides automatic feedback control during the refilling process. As the liquid level in the refillable container rises, the float rises with it and automatically shuts off the flow of liquid when the container is full, preventing overfilling and ensuring reliable, consistent refilling without requiring manual monitoring or complex sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-regulating mechanisms where the filling valve automatically controls its own operation through the float mechanism, and the pressurized propellant system automatically maintains pressure equilibrium. These self-service features eliminate the need for external control systems and reduce points of failure, improving overall reliability.
3Ease of operation
If a simple refilling system is used, then ease of operation is improved, but the ability to deliver both pressurized propellant and liquid deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filling valve assembly merges the delivery of pressurized propellant and liquid into a single integrated operation. When the refillable container is placed in the filling station, both the propellant and liquid are delivered simultaneously through the same valve interface, simplifying the user operation to a single action while maintaining the complexity of delivering both substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling valve assembly acts as an intermediary device that receives pressurized propellant from the propellant source and liquid from the liquid source, then coordinates their simultaneous delivery to the refillable container. This intermediary mechanism handles the complexity of dual-substance delivery internally while presenting a simple interface to the user.
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 convenient, reliable, and safe refilling of refillable containers with pressurized propellant and liquid, addressing the shortcomings of prior art by simplifying the process and ensuring environmental sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
a float valve mounted within the supply tank, and which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the source of the liquid to be dispensed, and wherein the float valve selectively delivers the liquid to be dispensed into the supply tank so as to maintain the liquid to be dispensed at a given liquid level
Implementation Method 2
a one-way check valve mounted in downstream fluid flowing relation relative to the supply tank, and which facilitates the gravitational flow of the liquid to be dispensed out of the supply tank
Implementation Method 3
a pressurized vessel positioned in downstream fluid flowing relation relative to both the sources of the liquid to be dispensed, and the pressurized propellant, as well as the valve, and which further encloses a volume of the liquid to be dispensed, and the propellant, to refill a depleted refillable dispensing container
Data Source
AI summary
A refilling apparatus for a refillable container and associated methodology is described and wherein the apparatus includes a refillable dispensing container; a source of pressurized propellant for delivery to the refillable dispensing container; a valve coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the source of pressurized propellant; a source of a liquid to be dispensed by the refillable container and which is coupled in fluid flowing relation relative to the valve, and a pressurized vessel positioned downstream relative to both the sources of the liquid to be dispensed, and the pressurized propellant, as well as the valve, and which encloses a volume of the liquid to be dispensed to refill a depleted refillable dispensing container when the refillable dispensing container engages the valve.