Single-Part Plastic Dispenser Actuator for Fluid Products

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing systems for fluid products, such as lotions and perfumes, are complex and costly to manufacture, with multiple parts that can lead to malfunctions and recycling challenges due to the use of different materials.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser with an actuating head made from a single plastic part, incorporating a piston, actuator, and return means, which allows for smooth and automatic return to the rest position without the need for a separate metal spring, facilitating easier assembly, use, and recycling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a metal spring is used for the return means, then the reliability of piston return is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepiston return reliabilityVSAvoidsystem parts quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the actuator, piston, and return means into a single integrated component made from a single piece of plastic material. This merging eliminates the need for separate metal springs and multiple assembly steps, reducing device complexity while maintaining the return function through the elastic deformation capability of the plastic material itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional metal spring mechanical system with a plastic deformation-based return mechanism. The plastic actuator-piston assembly utilizes its own material elasticity and geometric design to provide the return force, substituting the separate metal spring system and reducing the number of parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If multiple materials are used for different parts, then the functional performance of each component is improved, but the ease of recycling deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent functionalityVSAvoidrecycling difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a homogeneous material approach by manufacturing the actuator, piston, and return means entirely from a single plastic material. This homogeneity simplifies recycling processes as the entire assembly can be processed together without material separation, while the plastic material's inherent properties provide sufficient functional performance for the dispensing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

3Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate parts are used, then the ease of manufacture through specialization is improved, but the reliability of the system deteriorates due to wear and play

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing specializationVSAvoidsystem malfunction risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the actuator, piston, and return means into a single monolithic component. This integration eliminates the interfaces between separate parts where wear and play could develop, thereby improving reliability. The single-piece construction ensures consistent performance throughout the product lifecycle without degradation from inter-part friction or loosening.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250091073A1Dispenser for a fluid product and associated receptacle

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 ALBEA SERVICES SAS

AI summary

An actuating head configured to be mounted on a dispensing body of a fluid product comprising a pipette. The actuating head includes a piston and an actuator, a translation of which from an actuated end position to a rest position allows for suction into the pipette of the fluid product and a translation from the rest position to the actuated end position allows a distribution of the fluid product outside the pipette. A return means allowing a return of the piston and actuator to the rest position. The piston, the actuator and the return means are made from a single plastic part.