Slidable Receptacle Dispenser for Reduced Refill Insertion Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing dispenser systems face difficulties in facilitating the insertion and removal of refills due to increased friction from the sealing ring, making it hard to open the slide closure when pushing in the refill, especially when the refill is made of flexible materials.
Innovation Solution
A displaceable receptacle is integrated into the housing, allowing horizontal movement and providing front and rear side walls perpendicular to the sliding direction for stabilization, along with lateral side walls forming a trough to securely insert the upside-down refill, and coding elements ensure compatibility with the dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the refill is made of flexible material with a sealing ring, then the sealing performance is improved, but the friction increases making it difficult to open the slide closure
Solution Approach 1:
A receptacle is introduced as an intermediary component between the user's hand and the refill. The receptacle has a roughened gripping surface that provides enhanced friction for holding and manipulating the refill, while the refill itself maintains its smooth sealing surface. This mediator allows the user to grip the refill firmly without compromising the sealing ring's function or requiring excessive force to operate the slide closure.
2Reliability
If the refill is pushed in tightly for secure sealing, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the insertion force required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle acts as a mediator that provides a roughened gripping surface for the user's fingers. This allows the user to apply controlled force to push the refill into the dispenser without needing to grip the refill directly with high friction, thereby reducing the overall insertion force required while still achieving secure sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into three distinct components: the dispenser housing, the receptacle (drawer-like component), and the refill. The receptacle serves as an intermediate carrier that facilitates the insertion and removal of the refill. By separating the gripping function (receptacle) from the sealing function (refill), the system reduces the force needed for insertion while maintaining sealing reliability.
3Loss of substance
If the refill is made of thin flexible film, then the material usage is optimized, but the dimensional stability and handling stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The refill is constructed from thin flexible film material that forms a shell structure. This thin-film construction optimizes material usage while the receptacle provides external support and stability during handling and insertion, allowing the flexible refill to maintain its sealing conformability without requiring excessive thickness that would compromise material efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Dispenser with a housing (1) for replaceable refills (20) of flowable products which can be inserted upside down into a receptacle (3) of the housing (1), wherein the dispenser has a dispensing unit (13) for a flowable product, wherein the receptacle (3) for the refill (20) is slidably mounted in the housing (1) relative to the dispensing unit (13) arranged in the housing (1).