Refillable Fluid Dispenser With Inverted Piston Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refillable dispensers have non-intuitive refilling gestures and require attachment to a source bottle with a specific valve stem, making the process ergonomically challenging and not easily adaptable to standard bottles.

Innovation Solution

A refillable dispenser design where the reservoir is filled by pressing the dispenser against the source bottle, with a variable-volume reservoir architecture that allows intuitive refilling and compatibility with standard source bottles, featuring a permanently attached dip tube and filling valve communicating through an intermediate chamber, and a sliding member that moves oppositely to traditional syringes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the refillable dispenser uses a pulling gesture to refill (as in EP 1 588 775), then the reservoir can be filled, but the gesture is non-intuitive and ergonomically challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverefilling gestureVSAvoidconnection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional pulling gesture by implementing a pressing gesture for refilling. The movable piston is designed to move toward the dispensing member during filling (opposite to conventional syringes where the piston moves away), enabling intuitive pressing motion against the source bottle to refill the reservoir.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The filling valve is designed with a universal interface that can engage with standard source bottle valve stems, making the dispenser compatible with conventional bottles rather than requiring specialized connection mechanisms. This universality simplifies both the refilling gesture and the overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the refillable dispenser requires attachment to a source bottle with a specific valve stem, then refilling can be achieved, but adaptability to standard bottles is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with standard bottlesVSAvoidrefilling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filling valve incorporates a universal engagement interface that accommodates standard source bottle valve stems. This design allows the dispenser to work with conventional bottles without requiring specialized connection mechanisms, thereby enhancing both adaptability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the movable piston moves away from the dispensing member during filling (traditional syringe design), then fluid can be drawn in, but the gesture becomes counter-intuitive

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintuitiveness of filling gestureVSAvoidvariable volume reservoir architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional syringe mechanism by designing the movable piston to move toward the dispensing member during filling operations. This inversion enables an intuitive pressing gesture that naturally compresses the reservoir and draws fluid in through the filling valve, opposite to traditional designs where the piston moves away to create vacuum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The variable volume reservoir architecture employs a nested structure where the movable piston is positioned within the reservoir chamber. The piston can slide axially to vary the reservoir volume, with the dip tube nested within the reservoir to deliver fluid to the dispensing member. This nested arrangement enables the inverted filling mechanism while maintaining compact form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Simplifies the refilling process by using a natural pressing gesture and allows refilling with standard bottles, enhancing ergonomics and usability while maintaining efficient fluid dispensing.

Implementation Method 1

The sliding member is elastically urged towards the extended position by a spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the downward movement by pulling on the connecting rod of the source bottle, creates a depression inside the reservoir, so that fluid product from the source bottle is drawn into the reservoir through the filling valve forced open

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDepression creation through piston movement: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3408034B1Refillable fluid product dispenser.

Publication Date: 2020.10.28 APTAR FRANCE SAS

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AI summary

The invention relates to a refillable fluid product dispenser comprising a dispensing head (T) comprising a dispensing member (D), a variable-volume reservoir (R) and a filling valve (7) connected to the reservoir (R), characterized in that the dispensing member (D) is provided with a dip tube (23) which passes through the reservoir, a sliding member (3) comprising a movable piston (35) sliding in leaktight contact around the dip tube (23) so as to vary the volume of the reservoir (R), the sliding member (3) being movable between a depressed position and an extended position, the reservoir (R) defining a maximum volume in the depressed position and a minimum volume in the extended position, such that the volume of the reservoir (R) increases when the sliding member (3) is depressed around the dip tube (23) towards the dispensing member (D).