Refillable Pod Dispenser With Threaded Shaft And Anti-Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers for solid or gel products, such as deodorant or antiperspirant, are single-use, leading to excessive waste and expense due to the need to dispose of the entire dispenser when the product is consumed, and existing refillable designs require disposal of the pod support after use.
Innovation Solution
A refillable dispenser with a pod holder and dispensing mechanism that maintains the pod stationary relative to the base container, allowing the pod housing to be displaced between configurations, using a threaded shaft to retract or extend the pod within the base container, enabling refilling without disposing of the entire dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the pod housing is displaced vertically within the base container during dispensing, then the pod can be gradually consumed and refilled, but the pod may rotate during displacement causing improper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The pod holder is pre-configured with a rotation prevention feature (protrusion or keyed interface) that engages with the base container before vertical displacement begins. This preliminary mechanical constraint ensures the pod maintains proper alignment throughout the entire dispensing and refilling cycle, preventing rotation issues before they can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The pod holder acts as an intermediary component between the pod and the base container, providing a specialized interface that includes rotation prevention features. This intermediary structure allows vertical displacement for refilling while simultaneously preventing rotational movement, thus maintaining alignment precision during the refillable operation.
2Device complexity
If the pod holder is integrated with the pod support, then the dispensing mechanism is simplified, but the entire pod support must be disposed of after use increasing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into three distinct components: the reusable base container, the disposable pod, and the reusable pod holder. The pod holder is designed as a separate component that remains in the base container and can be refilled multiple times, while only the consumable pod is disposed of. This segmentation eliminates the need to discard the entire pod support structure after single use.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables recovery and reuse of the pod holder component after the pod is consumed. The pod holder is retrieved from the base container and prepared for the next refill cycle, while only the depleted pod is discarded. This selective discarding approach significantly reduces waste compared to disposing of integrated pod supports.
3Ease of operation
If the threaded shaft is used to retract and extend the pod housing, then precise control is achieved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded shaft mechanism is designed to be manually operated by the user through a simple rotational interface. The user's manual rotation of the shaft directly drives the vertical movement of the pod housing without requiring external power sources, motors, or complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself through direct user input, achieving precise control while minimizing added complexity.
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
Reduces waste and manufacturing costs by allowing the dispenser to be refilled, minimizing environmental impact and expenses by preventing the pod from rotating during displacement, and maintaining the pod stationary relative to the base container.
Implementation Method 1
The dispensing mechanism comprises a threaded shaft received in both the container aperture and the housing aperture, the threaded shaft defining a vertical axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a refillable dispenser for receiving consumable pods, such as deodorant pods and lipstick pods, that are gradually consumed during use. The refillable dispenser includes a base container, a pod housing for receiving the pod which is vertically displaceable within the base container, and a dispensing mechanism for moving the pod housing relative to the base container between an uppermost and a lowermost configuration. Lowering the pod housing in the base container causes an upper portion of the pod to extend through an opened top defined by the pod housing. In the uppermost configuration, a new pod introduced within the pod housing will have its upper portion extending through the opened top of the pod housing and will be dispensable therefrom, while in the lowermost configuration, an almost fully dispensed pod can be removed from the pod housing, or alternatively, the pod can be fully dispensed.