Apparatus for dispensing liquid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Bar soaps are slippery when wet, leading to unhygienic situations and residue issues, while liquid soaps lack the tactile cleaning experience that some users prefer, necessitating the use of additional accessories like brushes or sponges.

Innovation Solution

A squeezable, hollow body with integrated scrubbing elements and a refillable reservoir that provides a tactile cleaning experience, combining the benefits of liquid soap with a textured surface for improved grip and cleaning efficacy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If bar soap is used, then solid cleaning action is provided, but it becomes slippery and unhygienic when wet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip stabilityVSAvoidhygiene maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines liquid soap dispensing functionality with solid scrubbing elements (brushes, sponges, or loofahs) into a single integrated device. The body contains a reservoir for liquid soap while also incorporating scrubbing elements on its surface, merging the functions of liquid application and mechanical scrubbing that were previously separate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The body of the device is made from elastomeric material that is resilient and flexible, allowing it to be squeezed to dispense liquid soap while maintaining structural integrity. This flexible shell encloses the liquid reservoir and provides a gripable exterior that doesn't become slippery when wet.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If liquid soap is used, then hygiene and cleanliness are improved, but tactile cleaning experience is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene maintenanceVSAvoidtactile cleaning experience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device merges liquid soap dispensing with solid scrubbing surfaces by integrating brushes, sponges, or loofahs onto the body. This allows users to experience both the hygiene benefits of liquid soap and the tactile satisfaction of rubbing a solid surface against their skin during bathing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If bar soap is used, then solid cleaning action is provided, but it may slip and drop causing unhygienic situations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning actionVSAvoidhandling security

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric body provides a flexible yet structurally sound housing that encloses the liquid reservoir and incorporates scrubbing elements. This flexible shell design prevents the device from slipping and dropping while maintaining the solid cleaning action through integrated brushes or sponges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses composite construction combining elastomeric material for the body with attached scrubbing elements (brushes, sponges, or loofahs). This composite structure provides both the handling security of a solid object and the cleaning effectiveness of multiple materials working together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If liquid soap is stored in a container, then hygiene is maintained, but additional accessories are needed for tactile cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehygiene maintenanceVSAvoidaccessory requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple functions into a single device: the body serves as both the container for liquid soap and the substrate for scrubbing elements. This eliminates the need for separate liquid soap bottles and bathing accessories like brushes or sponges, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining hygiene and tactile cleaning benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it stores and dispenses liquid soap while also providing mechanical scrubbing through integrated brushes, sponges, or loofahs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for multiple separate accessories and simplifies the bathing routine.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 apparatus allows for efficient dispensing and scrubbing of liquid cleansing solutions, providing enhanced tactile feedback and preventing accidental drops through its ergonomic design and secure handling features.

Implementation Method 1

The body is made from an elastomeric material which is resilient and is squeezable by hand to allow the liquid to be dispensed therefrom

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The body is made from an elastomeric material which is resilient and is squeezable by hand

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic recovery: Elastic Recovery

Data Source

PatentUS11457774B2Apparatus for dispensing liquid

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 MUTHUSAMY SHARAHWANAUN

AI summary

An apparatus (10) is provided for dispensing liquid. The device comprises a body (11) defining a reservoir (12) for holding liquid and a valve (14) in fluid communication with the reservoir (12) to allow liquid to be dispensed from the reservoir (12) when pressure is applied onto the body. A refill port (16) in fluid communication with the reservoir (12) allows liquid to be introduced into the reservoir (12). Furthermore, a plurality of scrubbing elements is provided for scrubbing and cleaning one or more surfaces.