Refillable Pump Dispenser with Nested Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pump dispensers for viscous flowable materials are not refillable, leading to excessive packaging waste as both the upper and lower components must be discarded when the product is exhausted, which contradicts environmental regulations aiming to reduce packaging and facilitate recycling.
Innovation Solution
A refillable pump dispenser design where the outer and inner containers are detachably connected to a dispenser head assembly, allowing the inner container to be replaced or refilled without mixing or spillage, with a mechanism enabling easy attachment and detachment of the refill container, utilizing a cap, pump assembly, pressing member, and annular sleeve for efficient product dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional pump dispensers are used, then product dispensing function is achieved, but packaging waste increases as both upper and lower components must be discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The pump dispenser is divided into three main segments: the reusable outer container with dispenser head assembly, the replaceable inner container holding the cosmetic product, and the pushing plate mechanism. This segmentation allows the inner container to be replaced independently without discarding the functional pump components, thereby reducing packaging waste while maintaining ease of refilling.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner container is nested within the outer container, with the pushing plate positioned inside the inner container. The dispenser head assembly couples both containers together. This nested structure enables the inner container to be inserted and removed from the outer container without mixing or spillage, facilitating easy refilling while keeping the outer container reusable.
2Loss of substance
If refillable design is implemented, then packaging waste is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser head assembly merges the cap, pump assembly, and coupling mechanisms into a single integrated component that couples both the outer and inner containers. This merging reduces the number of separate parts compared to a fully disposable pump dispenser, as the functional components are consolidated into one reusable assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer container with dispenser head assembly serves multiple functions: it houses the pump mechanism, provides structural support, enables product dispensing, and accommodates the replaceable inner container. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving refillability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If inner container is replaceable, then refilling becomes possible, but connection reliability between containers and dispenser head must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The outer container and inner container are pre-formed with specific coupling features (protrusions and grooves) that enable reliable connection to the dispenser head assembly. These features are integrated into the container structures during manufacturing, ensuring that when the inner container is replaced, it automatically connects reliably without requiring additional assembly steps or compromising connection stability.
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
This design allows for the reuse of the outer container and dispenser head assembly while replacing only the inner container, significantly reducing packaging waste and enabling easy refilling without mess, thus aligning with environmental goals for reduced packaging and simplified recycling.
Implementation Method 1
a spring (7) having a top end (7a) bearing upon a collar (5b) of the stem (5), which is made of a single piece with the stem (5) at an upper end portion of said stem (5)
Implementation Method 2
an annular piston (6) which is slidable in a fluid-tight way on an inner surface of said chamber (4) and on a lower end of said hollow stem (5)
Data Source
AI summary
A refillable pump dispenser comprising an outer container formed at an upper portion thereof with an entrance, an inner container inserted into the outer container for accommodating a cosmetic product in the inner container; a pushing plate inserted into an inner lower side of the inner container to push up the cosmetic product; and a dispenser head assembly removably coupled with upper sides of both the outer container and the inner container so that the outer container and the dispenser head assembly can be reused while the inner container can be replaced or refilled when the cosmetic product accommodated inside the inner container has been completely exhausted.