Refillable Deodorant Dispenser with Check Valve and Pressure Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underarm antiperspirant and deodorant dispensers often result in waste due to single-use packaging, and refill cartridges are prone to spillage and manufacturing inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A refillable dispenser system featuring a check valve and pressure relief valve, along with a valve-piercing element in the refill cartridge, allows for precise fluid transfer and pressure management to prevent spillage and waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a refill cartridge is used to refill the dispenser reservoir, then waste is reduced by enabling multiple uses, but spillage occurs during the refilling process
Solution Approach 1:
A check valve is introduced as an intermediary component between the refill cartridge and the dispenser reservoir. This check valve allows fluid to flow in one direction only (from the cartridge into the reservoir) while preventing backflow and spillage during the refilling process, thus enabling waste reduction without compromising reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter during refilling by using a pressure relief valve that opens when pressure exceeds a certain threshold. This pressure regulation mechanism controls the refilling process parameters to prevent uncontrolled flow and spillage while maintaining the ability to refill multiple times
2Ease of manufacture
If the dispenser is designed for single use, then manufacturing is simplified, but a large amount of waste is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser system is segmented into separable components: a reusable dispenser housing and replaceable refill cartridges. This segmentation allows the complex refilling mechanism to be isolated in a disposable cartridge while the main housing remains simple and reusable, balancing manufacturing simplicity with waste reduction
Solution Approach 2:
The refill cartridge is designed as a cheap, disposable component that contains the fluid and the refilling mechanism. By making the cartridge disposable rather than the entire dispenser, the system achieves waste reduction while keeping the main dispenser structure simple and easy to manufacture
3Productivity
If fluid is discharged through the valve-piercing element during refilling, then the reservoir is refilled efficiently, but pressure builds up in the reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure relief valve acts as an intermediary safety mechanism that opens when pressure in the reservoir exceeds a predetermined threshold during refilling. This allows excess pressure to be released while maintaining efficient refilling through the check valve, preventing pressure buildup that would otherwise oppose fluid entry
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve provides feedback control during the refilling process by automatically opening when pressure reaches a critical level and closing when pressure decreases. This feedback mechanism maintains pressure within acceptable limits while allowing efficient refilling to occur
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 enables efficient and spill-free refilling of the dispenser reservoir, reducing waste and improving user experience by ensuring precise application and easy refilling without the risk of pressure buildup.
Implementation Method 1
The dispenser may include a check valve, such as a self-sealing rubber valve, that extends through a wall of the dispenser
Implementation Method 2
The dispenser may also include a pressure relief valve configured to release gas contained in the reservoir when it exceeds a certain pressure
Implementation Method 3
The dispenser may then be actuated (e.g., squeezed) to discharge the fluid contained therein through the valve-piercing element, out the outlet, and into the dispenser reservoir
Implementation Method 4
Air in the dispenser reservoir may be compressed by the introduction of the fluid from the dispenser
Data Source
AI summary
A system (100) for dispensing a fluid, such as a deodorant is provided. The system (100) includes a dispenser (102) defining a first reservoir (108) therein and comprising a check valve (112) communicating with the first reservoir (108) and an exterior of the dispenser (102). The system (100) also includes a refill cartridge (104) defining a second reservoir (128) therein and including a valve-piercing element (126) configured to be received through the check valve (112), such that, when the valve-piercing element (126) is received through the check valve (112), the second reservoir (128) of the refill cartridge (104) fluidly communicates with the first reservoir (108) of the dispenser (102) via the valve-piercing element (126).