Refillable Fluid Dispenser with On-Demand Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing chemical dispensing devices require multiple containers for different cleaning agents, leading to cross-contamination and increased weight or frequency of refills, with no known solutions allowing multiple, replaceable concentrated chemistries to be selectively used with a single diluent dispenser.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with separate reservoirs for a diluent and concentrates, where the diluent and concentrates are mixed on demand through a nozzle assembly, allowing for multiple cleaning agents to be dispensed from separate nozzles without cross-contamination, and enabling easy replacement and refilling of each component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple cleaning agents are stored in separate containers, then cross-contamination is prevented, but the user must handle and transport multiple containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate cleaning agent containers into a single dispensing device with multiple reservoirs. Each reservoir stores a different concentrated cleaning chemistry, and all are integrated into one housing with a common dispensing mechanism. This merging allows the user to access multiple cleaning agents from a single device, eliminating the need to handle multiple separate containers while maintaining prevention of cross-contamination through physical separation of the concentrated chemistries.
2Volume of moving object
If multiple end-use products are dispensed through a single nozzle, then device size is reduced, but cross-contamination occurs between products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the dispensing system by providing separate nozzle assemblies for each concentrated cleaning chemistry. Each nozzle is dedicated to a specific reservoir and cleaning agent, preventing cross-contamination between different products. The nozzles are integrated into a common dispensing head, which maintains a compact overall device size while ensuring chemical separation through dedicated dispensing pathways for each cleaning agent.
3Ease of operation
If concentrated chemistries are combined with diluent prior to use, then the bottle can dispense only a single solution, but the entire contents must be dispensed before switching chemistries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the user can switch between different concentrated cleaning chemistries at any time during use. Each reservoir contains a different concentrated chemistry that can be independently selected and dispensed. The system allows for real-time switching between chemistries without requiring the entire contents of the bottle to be dispensed first, providing both operational simplicity and chemical versatility through independent reservoir selection.
4Reliability
If multiple concentrated cleaning chemistries are stored in separate reservoirs, then cross-contamination is prevented, but the device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores concentrated cleaning chemistries in the reservoirs rather than diluted solutions. The concentration parameter is optimized to maximize the cleaning efficacy per unit volume and weight. By storing concentrated chemistries that are mixed with diluent only at the point of dispensing, the device minimizes the overall weight and volume of the cleaning agents carried, while still providing multiple different cleaning chemistries in separate reservoirs to prevent cross-contamination.
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 allows for convenient, efficient use of multiple cleaning agents without cross-contamination and reduces the need for multiple dispensing devices, maintaining a manageable size and weight while allowing for selective use of various cleaning products.
Implementation Method 1
The outlet assembly is configured to receive the diluent from the pump assembly and mix the concentrate with the diluent as the diluent flows through the outlet assembly
Implementation Method 2
The venturi assembly includes a venturi portion with a reduced-diameter central segment, creating a pressure differential that draws concentrate upward
Implementation Method 3
The outlet assembly is configured to receive the diluent from the pump assembly and mix the concentrate with the diluent as the diluent flows through the outlet assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A device (10) for selectively dispensing ones of multiple fluids, preferably cleaning agents, is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir (50) and a container assembly (100) that can include at least one container body (105, 110, 112, 114, 116). The reservoir (50) houses a diluent “D,” for example, water, and each container body houses a concentrate “C,” for example, a concentrated form of a cleaning agent. Each container body has an outlet assembly (200) with a nozzle (260), so that container assemblies (100) with multiple container bodies correspondingly include multiple nozzles (260). The diluent “D” and concentrates “C” are kept separate from each other, whereby ho end use product is stored in the device (10). Rather, end use product is mixed on demand during dispensation, as part of the, dispensing act. Namely, diluent “D” is pumped through an outlet assembly (200), drawing concentrate “C” thereinto which mixes into the end use product while exiting the device (10).