Sliding Sleeve Dispenser with Plug for Sealed Foam Application
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices for compressed foamable fluids often result in residual liquid expansion and messes after application, requiring continuous cleaning and two-handed operation to seal the tube, with limitations in design such as needing a rod through the barrel or fluid pressure to seal.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a hollow tube, sleeve, and trigger mechanism that allows single-handed operation to open and close the valve stem without extending a rod through the barrel, using an elastic element to restore the sleeve to a closed position and prevent fluid communication outside the tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rod extends through the barrel to seal the dispensing end, then sealing is achieved, but the open volume inside the barrel is decreased and foam formulation flow is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented from the barrel structure and embodied in a separate movable plug component. The plug can be positioned at different locations within the barrel - extended to seal the dispensing end when needed, or retracted to maximize open volume during filling and dispensing operations. This segmentation allows the sealing capability to be activated only when required, rather than continuously occupying space.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is designed as a dynamic component that can move between different positions within the barrel. During filling operations, the plug is retracted to allow maximum open volume. During dispensing, the plug is extended to seal the dispensing end. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by making the sealing element present only when needed, rather than permanently occupying space in the barrel.
2Productivity
If the valve is held in the open position continuously, then foam formulation can flow freely, but residual foamable liquid continues to expand and expel from the application tube after application is complete
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sealing action by positioning the plug to seal the dispensing end before the user finishes dispensing. This preliminary sealing prevents the harmful expansion of residual foamable liquid that would otherwise continue to expel after application is complete. The valve mechanism allows the user to close the valve after dispensing, and the plug maintains the sealed state to prevent residual expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable plug acts as an intermediary element between the foamable liquid in the barrel and the external environment. It provides a controllable barrier that can be positioned to allow flow during dispensing or to seal and prevent residual expansion after dispensing. This intermediary component enables precise control over when the foamable liquid is exposed to the environment, preventing uncontrolled expansion.
3Reliability
If a plug is pressed into the exit opening by fluid pressure to seal the straw, then sealing is achieved, but fluid pressure is required to maintain the sealed state
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using fluid pressure to push the plug into the sealing position, the invention inverts the approach by using a spring mechanism to push the plug into the sealing position. The spring applies mechanical force in the opposite direction of fluid pressure, sealing the dispensing end without requiring continuous fluid pressure. This inversion eliminates the need for high fluid pressure to maintain sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded plug mechanism is self-actuating and does not require external fluid pressure to function. The spring automatically pushes the plug into the sealing position when the valve is closed, and the plug maintains sealing through the spring's stored mechanical energy. This self-service mechanism eliminates dependency on fluid pressure for sealing, allowing the system to seal even when fluid pressure is low or zero.
4Reliability
If the trigger mechanism requires two hands to reposition the nipple into the straw, then sealing can be achieved, but foam can undesirably continue to expel from the straw during the two-handed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the sealing function with the existing trigger mechanism. The movable plug is integrated into the trigger assembly so that pulling the trigger simultaneously opens the valve and positions the plug to seal the dispensing end. This merging of functions allows sealing to be achieved as part of the normal single-handed dispensing operation, eliminating the need for a separate two-handed sealing action that would allow foam to expel.
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
Enables efficient, mess-free dispensing and sealing of compressed fluids with a single action, preventing residual foam expansion and maintaining the container in a closed state until dispensing is desired, thus reducing waste and user effort.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element (70) that provides a restorative force to the trigger to replace the sleeve in the closed position
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
Figure 7(a)~7(d)
AI summary
A dispensing device for attaching to a container having a valve stem includes: (a) a hollow tube having a flow channel defined by a wall extending between entrance and exit ends with a connector on the entrance end for connecting to the valve stem; (b) a sleeve extending slidably over a portion of the hollow tube, the sleeve extending over, and having an opening proximate to, the hollow tube's exit end; (c) a sealing gasket around the outside of the hollow tube and between the hollow tube and the sleeve that prevents fluid communication past the gasket between the hollow tube and sleeve; (d) a trigger mount rigidly attached to the hollow tube or container; (e) a trigger hingedly connected at a first location to the trigger mount and operatively engaged with the sleeve at a second location; and (f) an elastic element between the trigger and the hollow tube and/or container.