Soap Dispenser Mixing Chamber for Controlled Dilution and Foam

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid dispenser systems for concentrated liquids, such as soap and sanitizers, often require manual mixing and lack efficient mechanisms for dispensing diluted solutions or foamy mixtures, which can be inconvenient and may not ensure proper dilution ratios or user safety.

Innovation Solution

The dispenser system includes a housing with a concentrate container, a diluent container, and pumps for both, with a mixing chamber that combines the liquids and an air passageway for creating a foamy output, ensuring a controlled and safe dispensing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual mixing is used for concentrated liquids, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of dilution ratios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispenser structureVSAvoiddilution ratio

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses automated pumps to draw concentrated liquid and diluent into the mixing chamber, eliminating the need for manual mixing operations while ensuring consistent dilution ratios through controlled pumping mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical mixing with an automated pumping and mixing system that uses motor-driven pumps to transfer liquids and a mixing chamber to combine them, substituting human operation with mechanical automation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If concentrated liquid is dispensed directly, then productivity is improved, but object-affected harmful factors increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing speedVSAvoiduser safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary dilution by mixing concentrated liquid with diluent in the mixing chamber before dispensing, ensuring that the liquid is properly diluted before it comes into contact with the user, thereby preventing harmful effects while maintaining efficient dispensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing chamber acts as an intermediary between the concentrated liquid source and the user, where the concentrated liquid is mixed with diluent to create a safer diluted solution before dispensing, mediating the potential harmful effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If foam is created by injecting air into liquid, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefoam dispensingVSAvoidpump and air injection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing chamber serves multiple functions: it mixes concentrated liquid with diluent to create diluted solution, and also serves as the location where air is injected to create foam, combining mixing and foaming functions in a single component to reduce overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This system allows for efficient mixing and dispensing of diluted liquid solutions, including foamy outputs, ensuring consistent dilution ratios and user safety by integrating a mixing chamber and air passageway within the dispenser.

Implementation Method 1

A concentrate pump is in fluid communication with the concentrate container. A diluent pump for pumping the diluent is also included.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

When concentrated soap or sanitizer is pumped from the concentrate container, it mixes with diluent pumped from the diluent container to form a diluted mixture.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMixing:

Implementation Method 3

A mixing media is located downstream of the mixing chamber. During operation, the diluted mixture is mixed with compressed air and the air and diluted mixture flow through the mixing media and is dispensed at the outlet as a foam.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir injection and foam formation: Foam

Data Source

PatentUS9027790B2Dispensers for diluting a concentrated liquid and dispensing the diluted concentrate

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 GOJO IND INC

AI summary

Exemplary embodiments of dispensers are disclosed herein. One exemplary dispenser is a soap or sanitizer dispenser. The dispenser includes a housing. A removable and replaceable concentrate container for holding concentrated soap or sanitizer is located within the housing. A concentrate pump is in fluid communication with the concentrate container. A diluent container for holding a liquid is also located within the housing and a diluent pump for pumping the diluent is also included. The dispenser includes a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the concentrate pump and the diluent pump. The dispenser includes an outlet. When concentrated soap or sanitizer is pumped from the concentrate container, it mixes with diluent pumped from the diluent container to form a diluted mixture. The diluted mixture is dispensed at the outlet of the dispenser.