Refillable Fluid Dispenser With Dip Tube Filling Window
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing refillable fluid product dispensers, such as nomadic dispensers, suffer from cleanliness issues due to residual fluid contamination at the filling orifice, which deters commercial adoption.
Innovation Solution
A refillable dispenser design that secures the dip tube to the reservoir via a support forming a filling window, allowing filling through the window without a filling valve, and incorporates a fastening mechanism to separate the dispensing member for intuitive and spill-free filling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a filling valve is used in nomadic dispensers, then the filling operation can be automated, but residual fluid contamination occurs at the filling orifice
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the filling valve from the dispenser system entirely. Instead of using a traditional filling valve that remains attached to the dispenser, the system uses a removable cap that can be completely separated from the reservoir. This extraction eliminates the source of contamination (the valve orifice) while maintaining automated filling capability through the removable cap interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling system is segmented into separate components: the reservoir with its opening, the removable cap that seals the opening, and the filling source. This segmentation allows the cap to be removed for filling and then reattached, separating the filling function from the dispensing function and eliminating residual fluid accumulation at a fixed valve orifice.
2Device complexity
If the dispensing member is fixed to the reservoir, then the structure is simplified, but filling becomes complex and prone to soiling
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing member is segmented from the reservoir structure. The reservoir has a simple cylindrical shape with an opening that can be easily accessed by removing the cap. The dispensing member (pump) is attached to the reservoir but can be independently removed or replaced. This segmentation simplifies the filling operation while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces dynamic elements: the removable cap that can be taken off and put back on, and the dispensing member that can be removed and replaced. These dynamic components enable easy filling operations without compromising the overall structural simplicity of the reservoir body.
3Ease of repair
If the dip tube is removed with the pump, then the pump can be cleaned, but fluid product is lost and contamination occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The dip tube is segmented from the pump assembly. The dip tube remains fixed in the reservoir while the pump can be removed and cleaned separately. This segmentation allows the pump to be accessed for cleaning without removing the dip tube, preventing fluid loss and contamination that would occur if both were removed together.
Solution Approach 2:
The dip tube acts as an intermediary element that remains in place during pump removal. It serves as a fixed reference point and fluid conduit while allowing the pump to be independently removed for cleaning. The dip tube's fixed position prevents fluid loss while enabling pump maintenance.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a refillable fluid product dispenser comprising:a fluid product reservoir (R) defining a neck (R2);a dispensing member (P) that is mounted on the neck (R2) and comprising an inlet (P2);and a fastening member (2, 2) for fastening the dispensing member (P) onto the neck (R2);a dip tube (D) that is connected to the inlet (P2) of the dispensing member (P) and extends into the reservoir (R);the dispenser being characterised in that the dip tube (D) is secured to the fluid product reservoir (R) by means of a support (1) that forms at least one filling window (15) communicating directly with the inside of the fluid product reservoir (R), the fastening member (2, 3) enabling withdrawal of the dispensing member (P), thus providing access to the support (1) in order to fill the fluid product reservoir (R) through said at least one filling window (15).