Reusable Pressurized Gas Device with Large-Diameter Thread
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressurized gas aerosols are single-use, leading to waste and safety concerns due to stringent storage and use regulations, and there is a lack of practical and safe methods for refilling, as operators cannot determine if the product is not propelled due to lack of active product or propellant gas, risking valve opening under pressure.
Innovation Solution
A rechargeable device with a reusable reservoir and a detachable refill pouch made of flexible material, featuring a large-diameter thread to prevent manual unscrewing under pressure, ensuring safety and ease of use, and a safety valve to release excess pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-use aerosol design is used, then manufacturing and assembly are simplified with standardized parts, but waste is significantly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into three separable components: a reusable reservoir, a refillable pouch containing the active product, and a detachable valve assembly. This segmentation allows the reservoir to be reused while only the pouch needs replacement, significantly reducing waste compared to single-use aerosols while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized connection interfaces.
2Volume of moving object
If a refillable atomizer with small-diameter thread is used, then assembly is compact, but manual unscrewing under pressure becomes dangerous
Solution Approach 1:
The thread diameter is changed from a small dimension to a large dimension (at least 7 cm outer diameter). This parameter change fundamentally alters the mechanical properties: the larger thread creates sufficient friction to prevent accidental unscrewing under pressure while still allowing intentional manual operation. The reservoir body compensates for the increased thread size by optimizing overall dimensions.
3Reliability
If pressure indication means are added to determine propellant status, then safety is improved, but cost increases prohibitively
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides safety information through the operation itself rather than requiring additional sensing devices. The large-thread ring's resistance to unscrewing under pressure serves as a built-in safety mechanism, and the valve's operation naturally indicates whether propellant remains. This self-service approach provides safety functionality without adding costly electronic or mechanical indication systems.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If a large-diameter thread is used on the reservoir, then manual unscrewing under pressure is prevented, but device dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The large thread diameter is applied locally only to the upper portion of the reservoir body where the ring connects, rather than increasing the dimensions of the entire device. This localized application of the safety feature allows the reservoir to maintain a compact overall size while providing the necessary large-thread safety mechanism at the critical connection point.
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 safe and practical reuse, reducing waste and operational risks, with improved handling and refilling processes, ensuring effective propulsion of active products without product alteration by gas pressure.
Implementation Method 1
propelling an active product using a pressurized gas
Implementation Method 2
the friction forces make it impossible to unscrew the ring in the presence of a pressurized gas
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (30) for propelling an active ingredient by means of a pressurised gas, comprising on the one hand a reusable tank (34) having an opening and a thread (62) in an upper portion thereof, said thread (62) being engageable with the thread of a ring (64), and on the other hand a detachable refill (32) of the reusable tank (34), comprising a sealed bag (36) that is made of a flexible material and contains the active ingredient, having an outlet connected to a valve (38) on a dome (40), the periphery of the dome (40) being clamped against the perimeter of the opening of the reusable tank (34) by means of said ring (64). The device (30) is characterized in that the thread (62) of the reusable tank (34) has a minimum diameter of 7 cm, making it impossible to manually untighten the ring (64) when the tank (34) contains pressurised gas.