Reversible Liquid Container with Microporous Pad
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for dispensing liquids, such as pharmaceutical solutions, face challenges in balancing the protection of the liquid from contaminants with controlled delivery, simplicity of structure, and cost-effectiveness, as irreversible deformable containers waste the last drops and reversible deformable containers risk leakage and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A container with reversibly elastic walls and a dispensing head featuring a hydrophobic microporous pad and a partially hydrophilic-hydrophobic filter membrane, along with an intermediate chamber, ensures controlled delivery and protection from contaminants by preventing spontaneous flow and allowing pressure-driven dispensing, while maintaining simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the container walls are made irreversibly deformable to enable liquid dispensing, then the liquid can be expelled through compression, but the last drops cannot be delivered and part of the liquid is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The container walls are designed to be reversibly deformable, transitioning from a compressed state during dispensing to an expanded state for storage. This dynamic capability allows the container to maintain pressure for complete liquid delivery while enabling user-friendly operation through compression
Solution Approach 2:
An air permeable membrane is introduced to regulate pressure dynamics within the container. The membrane allows controlled air exchange that maintains internal pressure, enabling complete liquid expulsion while preventing premature leakage or wasting
2Loss of substance
If the container walls are made reversibly deformable to allow complete liquid delivery, then all liquid can be dispensed, but the structure becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
An air permeable membrane is integrated into the container structure to enable reversible deformation and complete liquid delivery. The membrane's porous structure allows controlled air passage while maintaining liquid containment, achieving complete dispensing without requiring complex mechanical systems
Solution Approach 2:
The container utilizes changes in physical parameters (pressure, volume, membrane permeability) to achieve reversible deformation. By controlling pressure differentials and utilizing the membrane's selective permeability, the system achieves complete liquid delivery through simpler means compared to complex mechanical reversal mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a filter membrane is added to protect the liquid from contaminants, then the liquid is preserved from bacteria, but the structure becomes more complex and production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
A filter membrane with controlled porosity is integrated into the dispensing head to protect the liquid from contaminants while allowing controlled air passage. The membrane's specific pore structure enables selective filtration without requiring complex mechanical sealing or closure systems
Solution Approach 2:
The filter membrane is combined with the air permeable membrane and dispensing nozzle into an integrated dispensing head assembly. This merging of functions (filtration, air exchange, and dispensing) into a single component reduces overall system complexity while maintaining protective capabilities
4Ease of operation
If the dispensing head is made movable to perforate a sealing disc for first use, then the liquid can be dispensed, but the risk of loss of leaktightness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing disc and its associated perforation mechanism are removed from the system. Instead, the container utilizes its reversible deformation capability combined with the filter membrane to achieve both first-use activation and maintained sealing integrity without the risks associated with movable dispensing heads and perforated seals
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 solution ensures complete use of the liquid, prevents contamination, and provides controlled, leak-proof delivery, eliminating the need for complex closure systems and ensuring the liquid is protected from external contaminants until use.
Implementation Method 1
a microporous pad (8) which is made of a hydrophobic material, particularly polyethylene
Implementation Method 2
This pressure differential prevents the liquid contained in the container from passing through the pad
Implementation Method 3
a filter membrane (7) which is antibacterial, partially hydrophilic and partially hydrophobic, therefore permeable to air but also to the liquid
Implementation Method 4
A container (1) with spontaneously reversible deformation so as to allow liquid (1) to be dispensed from manual compression exerted by a user on its walls (2) and spontaneous return to its initial shape by the admission of air
Implementation Method 5
The chamber (9) extends over the entire surface of the pad so as to constitute a reserve of air which, when the nozzle (5) is sealed by the cap (6), exerts pressure over the entire surface of the pad (8) preventing the liquid (1) from passing through the microporous pad (8)
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a container for packaging a liquid (1) to be dispensed in drops. The container is reversibly deformable by air input and is equipped with a head (3) for dispensing liquid through a nozzle (5). The dispensing head (3) comprises a recessed body (4) which is nested inside a neck (10) of the container and which holds a hydrophobic microporous pad (8) arranged upstream of a chamber (9). Chamber (9) is provided with an air reservoir for preventing the liquid from passing through the microporous pad (8) between two liquid dispensing operations, when the nozzle (5) is sealingly obstructed with a cap (6), and for drying a partly hydrophilic and hydrophobic filtering membrane (7) arranged in the dispensing head (3).