Refillable Deodorant Dispenser With Reusable Housing and Twist Plunger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-use deodorant dispensers result in excessive waste and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for frequent replacements.
Innovation Solution
A reusable deodorant dispenser system that allows for the replacement of refill cartridges, reducing material usage and waste by enabling the reuse of the dispenser component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If single-use dispensers are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to excessive waste
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser system is divided into two separate components: a reusable dispenser body and a disposable refill cartridge. This segmentation allows the durable housing to be manufactured once and reused, while only the consumable deodorant cartridge needs to be frequently produced and disposed of, thereby reducing overall material waste while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables consumers to discard only the depleted refill cartridge while retaining and reusing the dispenser body. This selective discarding approach recovers the valuable dispenser housing from the waste stream, significantly reducing the amount of material that needs to be continuously manufactured and disposed of.
2Device complexity
If single-use dispensers are used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity worsens due to frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser incorporates a dynamic refill mechanism where the telescoping plunger automatically advances the deodorant product as it is dispensed. This dynamic adjustment ensures continuous product availability without requiring manual intervention or complex replacement procedures, thereby maintaining simple device operation while improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The refill cartridge is designed with an automatic advancement mechanism where the telescoping plunger self-adjusts to push remaining deodorant product toward the dispensing opening as the product level decreases. This self-service feature eliminates the need for manual product manipulation or complex replacement procedures, enhancing productivity while keeping the device simple.
3Loss of substance
If reusable dispensers with refill cartridges are used, then loss of substance is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refill cartridge is nested within the dispenser body, with the telescoping plunger mechanism housed inside the cartridge assembly. This nested configuration allows the complex refill mechanism to be compactly integrated into the disposable cartridge, which is then simply inserted into the reusable dispenser housing, minimizing overall device complexity while enabling waste reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The telescoping plunger acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user's manual rotation of the cartridge and the actual dispensing action. This intermediary component translates simple rotational input into automated product advancement and dispensing, reducing the complexity of user interaction while maintaining an effective refill and dispensing system.
4Ease of manufacture
If reusable dispensers with refill cartridges are used, then manufacturing costs are lowered, but ease of operation worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is designed with a periodic dispensing mechanism where the user rotates the refill cartridge in discrete increments to advance the deodorant product. This periodic action provides clear tactile feedback and control over the dispensing rate, making the operation intuitive and easy to learn despite the refill mechanism's complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complex electronic or motorized dispensing mechanisms with a simple manual rotation system. The user's hand rotation of the refill cartridge directly drives the telescoping plunger through mechanical engagement, eliminating the need for batteries, motors, or electronic controls while maintaining ease of operation and reducing manufacturing costs.
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
Reduces waste and lowers manufacturing costs by allowing consumers to purchase refill cartridges instead of complete dispensers, promoting sustainability and efficiency in production.
Implementation Method 1
The spring may have a proximal portion operably coupled to the spring holster of the base and a distal portion operably coupled to the telescope. Additionally, the spring may be biased to distally advance the telescope along the longitudinal axis.
Implementation Method 2
The refill barrel includes a threaded inner wall and a latching mechanism for releasably coupling the refill barrel to the reusable product dispenser. The refill plunger includes a threaded outer wall configured to mate with the threaded inner wall of the refill barrel. Rotation of the refill plunger about the longitudinal axis causes longitudinal translation of the refill plunger along the longitudinal axis.
Data Source
AI summary
A deodorant dispensing apparatus including a reusable product dispenser and a deodorant refill cartridge releasably coupled to the reusable product dispenser. The reusable product dispenser includes a cylindrical housing, a base, a telescope, and a spring. The base is rotatably coupled to the cylindrical housing and operably coupled to the telescope. The spring is operably coupled to a spring holster of the base and the telescope. The deodorant refill cartridge includes a refill barrel and refill plunger. The refill plunger is rotatably coupled to the refill barrel, which retains a deodorant product therein. The refill barrel includes a latching mechanism for releasably coupling the refill barrel to the reusable product dispenser.