Refillable Fluid Dispenser Same-Face Nozzle Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable fluid product devices are not optimal in terms of simplicity, compactness, and sealing, leading to issues with ease of use, manufacturing, and risk of leakage or obstruction by foreign bodies.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable device with a reservoir that can be elastically deformed to reduce internal volume, featuring a nozzle and filling opening on the same face, and utilizing a ball valve and elastic members for closure systems to ensure compactness and prevent air intake, along with a refill device that automatically opens closure systems when mounted, reducing the risk of leakage and obstruction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the nozzle and filling opening are positioned on opposite faces, then the device can be used when mounted on the refilling device, but the device complexity increases and compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the nozzle and filling opening onto the same face of the device, eliminating the need for opposite positioning. This consolidation simplifies the device structure while maintaining the ability to function when mounted on a refilling device, as both openings can access the reservoir through the same external face.
Solution Approach 2:
The filling channel is designed to serve dual purposes: it functions as the filling passage when the device is being refilled, and as part of the fluid distribution system during normal operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated passages, reducing overall device complexity.
2Productivity
If the reservoir internal volume is reduced during use, then the fluid product is dispensed, but the risk of air intake and foreign body obstruction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an airless system where the reservoir is sealed and fluid is dispensed through a closed circulation pathway. The fluid is pumped from the reservoir through the nozzle and returns to the reservoir, creating a closed loop that prevents air and foreign bodies from entering the system, thereby eliminating the risks associated with air intake and obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pump as an intermediary device between the reservoir and the nozzle. This pump enables controlled fluid dispensing while maintaining the sealed environment, allowing productivity improvement without compromising reliability by preventing direct air contact during the dispensing process.
3Volume of moving object
If the device is designed to be compact, then portability is improved, but the risk of leakage and obstruction by foreign bodies increases
Solution Approach 1:
The airless sealed system design allows the device to be compact while maintaining high reliability. By eliminating air contact throughout the fluid pathway, the system prevents both leakage and foreign body obstruction, enabling compact design without sacrificing reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The closed-loop fluid circulation system ensures continuous, controlled fluid movement through the pump mechanism. This continuous action maintains system integrity and prevents leakage, while the sealed nature of the continuous pathway prevents foreign body entry, allowing for compact design.
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 device is simple to use and manufacture, compact, and has a reduced risk of leakage and obstruction, maintaining fluid quality and aesthetics while ensuring effective fluid distribution and refill functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the reservoir (16) arranged to be able to receive an effort from a user in order to reduce its internal volume
Implementation Method 2
the first closure system includes a ball valve (34), the second closure system comprising an elastic member (64, 92)
Data Source
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AI summary
Refillable device (12) for packaging/dispensing a fluid product, comprising: a reservoir (16) delimiting a variable interior volume for containing said product; a product distribution nozzle (18); a product distribution passage (20) connecting the reservoir and the nozzle and provided with a first closure system (32) designed to allow/prevent a flow of product between the reservoir and the nozzle; an opening (48) for filling with product; and a product filling duct (50) connecting the opening and the reservoir and provided with a second closure system (58) designed to allow/prevent a flow of product between the opening and the reservoir, the second closure system being normally kept closed and being designed for opening via collaboration with a product refilling device (14). The reservoir is positioned in such a way as to accept a force from a user in order to reduce its volume. The nozzle and the opening open onto one and the same face of the refillable device.