Refillable Aerosol System with Segmented Stems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing transfer-fill method for aerosol containers requires complex and wasteful processes for propellant discharge during disposal and results in significant propellant loss during filling, leading to increased environmental burden and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A refillable aerosol system with a parent container having divided storage spaces for liquid content and propellant, allowing for separate and efficient discharge of propellant and transfer-filling of liquid content to a child container through distinct stems, reducing propellant loss and enabling safe disposal without damaging the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If the existing transfer-fill method is used to fill child containers from parent containers, then liquid content can be transferred, but significant propellant loss occurs during filling and disposal processes
Solution Approach 1:
The parent container valve assembly is segmented into separate first and second stems. The first stem is dedicated for liquid content transfer while the second stem is dedicated for propellant discharge. This segmentation allows independent control of liquid and propellant flows, enabling complete propellant recovery during disposal without affecting the liquid transfer filling process.
2Ease of operation
If the existing transfer-fill method is used, then liquid content transfer is possible, but complex and wasteful disposal processes are required
Solution Approach 1:
The propellant discharge function is extracted as a separate stem (second stem) from the liquid transfer function (first stem). This allows the propellant to be discharged independently through a dedicated pathway, simplifying the disposal process to merely activating the second stem while the first stem remains sealed for liquid transfer operations.
3Device complexity
If a single stem is used for both liquid transfer and propellant discharge, then device structure is simpler, but propellant loss increases and disposal becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is divided into two separate stems: the first stem for liquid content transfer with its own seal member, and the second stem for propellant discharge with its own seal member. This segmentation prevents propellant loss during liquid transfer by keeping the propellant pathway sealed, and enables complete propellant recovery during disposal by providing a dedicated discharge pathway.
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 system minimizes propellant loss during filling, facilitates safe and efficient propellant discharge, and ensures reliable transfer-filling of liquid content, reducing environmental impact and production costs while allowing for multiple liquid content types and ratios.
Implementation Method 1
a propellant storage part (116) that stores a propellant; a first parent stem (112) corresponding to the liquid content storage part
Implementation Method 2
a seal member (114) that opens and closes the first and second parent stems; wherein the seal member opens and closes the first and second parent stems in response to a pressure difference
Data Source
AI summary
To provide a simple-structured refillable aerosol system that allows for easy release of a propellant gas even from the space outside of an inner bag within a double-structure parent container, that allows for fast transfer-filling of a liquid content from the parent container to a child container. The refillable aerosol system (100) allows the child container (120) to be filled with the liquid content (F) transferred from the parent container (110). The parent container (110) includes a first parent stem (112) for a liquid content storage part (115) and a second parent stem (113) for a propellant storage part (116). The liquid content storage part (115) is pressed by a parent-container propellant (MG). The parent container (110) has a higher internal pressure than the child container (120). The child container (120) is filled with the liquid content (F) ejected through the first parent stem (112) via a child stem (122).