Retractable Dispensing Head Sealing Membrane Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices suffer from wear and leakage issues due to the direct involvement of moving parts in fluid conduits, leading to reduced longevity and increased chances of product leakage.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a sealing membrane that delimits the chamber, where the pump moves with the membrane, reducing the number of fluid-contacting parts and ensuring sealing across positions, using a separate drive mechanism for the pump to maintain the dispensing head's mobility without adapting the pump itself.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the dispensing head and pump are directly connected through moving parts to enable retraction, then the dispensing head can move between positions, but wear and leakage occur due to friction and play between parts
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible membrane is introduced as an intermediary element between the pump and dispensing head. The membrane transmits motion from the pump to the dispensing head while maintaining a sealed fluid pathway. This eliminates rigid mechanical connections that cause wear and leakage, allowing the dispensing head to retract without compromising sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible membrane (thin film) to connect the pump to the dispensing head. This membrane can deform to accommodate the retraction movement while maintaining fluid tightness. The flexible nature of the membrane eliminates the need for rigid mechanical joints, thereby preventing wear and leakage associated with traditional moving part connections.
2Ease of operation
If multiple fittings and connections are used to enable pump movement, then the dispensing head can be repositioned, but the number of potential leakage points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple separate connections (pump-to-chamber and pump-to-dispensing head) into a single continuous flexible membrane. This eliminates intermediate fittings and joints, reducing the number of potential leakage points while maintaining the necessary mobility of the pump throughout the chamber.
3Ease of operation
If the pump is adapted to work with the retractable mechanism, then the dispensing head can move smoothly, but the complexity and cost of the pump increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adapting the pump to work with the retraction mechanism, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple, conventional pump that moves freely within the chamber and relies on the flexible membrane to transmit its motion to the dispensing head. This simplifies the pump design while achieving the desired smooth movement.
Data Source
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AI summary
Dispensing device (10) for a container (80) that contains a product to be dispensed, the device comprising a body (20) intended to be connected to the container and having an open chamber (21) at a lower end of the body, a pump (50) connected to an upper dispensing head (30) being disposed in said chamber. The dispensing device also comprises a driver (40) that is able to be moved in order to cause the dispensing head (30) to move between a stowed position, in which the dispensing head is substantially retracted into the body (20), and a dispensing position, in which the dispensing head protrudes beyond an upper end (23) of the body. The dispensing device has a sealing membrane (70) which delimits an upper end of the chamber and which has a mobile end (71) connected to the pump (50) and a fixed end (72) able to be connected to the container (80).