A refillable fluid dispenser apparatus with improved dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensers for products like ketchup and toothpaste are not refillable and suffer from air entry issues during use, leading to product deterioration and splashing, and lack effective dose adjustment mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A refillable fluid dispenser with a piston mechanism that adjusts movement via a rotating pressure cap, utilizing a leaf spring and gasket for sealing and dose control, and a shaft with a plug to prevent piston exit, allowing for controlled fluid dispensing and air isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a refillable fluid dispenser is designed to allow refilling, then the package can be reused and waste is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex and requires additional components like caps, funnels, and spoons for refilling
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed to serve multiple functions: it seals the package during storage, facilitates refilling when removed, and can be used as a dispensing tool. The pump mechanism serves both to dispense product during use and to receive product during refilling, eliminating the need for separate refilling tools
Solution Approach 2:
The refilling function is merged with the dispensing function by using the same cap and pump mechanism for both operations. The pump chamber serves as both the dispensing chamber and the refilling receptacle, simplifying the overall structure compared to having separate systems
2Ease of operation
If air is allowed to enter the package during use, then the product can be dispensed, but the product deteriorates quickly and splashing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The pump mechanism acts as an intermediary between the product and the external environment. It provides a controlled pathway for air entry during dispensing while maintaining product stability, and creates a temporary sealed environment during refilling to prevent unwanted air contact with the product
Solution Approach 2:
The pump operates in periodic cycles: during dispensing, air is allowed to enter periodically to replace displaced product; during refilling, the system transitions to a sealed state. This periodic switching between open and closed states manages air contact to prevent deterioration while enabling dispensing
3Measurement precision
If a piston mechanism is used to push product, then controlled dispensing is achieved, but the piston may exit the tube unintentionally causing wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded plunger provides a cushioning mechanism that prevents the piston from exiting the tube unintentionally. The spring absorbs excess force and maintains continuous contact between the plunger and piston, ensuring the piston remains contained while still allowing controlled movement for dose adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides continuous feedback to the piston through mechanical contact. When the piston moves, the spring compresses or extends, providing resistance that prevents over-travel and ensures the piston remains within the tube. This feedback loop maintains reliable containment while enabling precise control
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
Enables precise dose adjustment, prevents air from entering the product chamber, and reduces product deterioration by ensuring controlled dispensing and refilling without wastage.
Implementation Method 1
the leaf spring with which the pusher shaft interact and released, determining the moving direction of the shaft inside the tube by rotating around it
Implementation Method 2
a gasket inside the piston through which the pusher shaft passes and which provides sealing
Implementation Method 3
a spring inside the shaft housing in which the shaft moves back and forth and which allows the cap to return to its initial position after pressing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a refillable fluid dispenser apparatus with improved dose adjustment. The invention is characterized in that adjustment base (2.2) that enables dose adjustment by contacting the corresponding stopper (1.1) on the top side of the pressure cap (1), which is seen in FIG. 3 and a tube (2) with a shaft channel through which the shaft (5) moves the piston (3) back and forth, a pressure cap (1) that fits over this tube (2) and adjusts the forward or backward movement of the piston (3) by turning it to the right or left, and in which this movement is made by pressing on it, the piston (3), in which the movement taken from the pressure cap (1) is transmitted by the shaft (5), and the leaf spring (6) in contact with this shaft (5) is attached and released, determining the direction of movement of the shaft (5) are configured as seen in FIG. 1.