Soap Dispenser Pump Assembly With Placard for Clear Refill Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Soap dispensers lack the ability to identify the type of soap contained within after filling, and collapsible bags obscure information when soap is partially used.

Innovation Solution

A pumping dispenser with a placard portion that displays viewable information about the soap type, efficacy, attributes, and facility usage, integrated with a pumping assembly and container system that allows easy identification without opening the dispenser.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a collapsible bag is used to hold soap in the dispenser, then the dispenser can be refilled and the soap can be dispensed, but the information or text on the bag becomes difficult to read when the soap is partially removed and the bag collapses

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverefillabilityVSAvoidinformation readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The information display function is segmented from the collapsible soap bag into a separate placard component. The placard is attached to the pump assembly rather than the bag, allowing the bag to collapse freely while the information display remains stable and readable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The placard acts as an intermediary between the pump assembly and the information display requirement. By attaching the placard to the pump assembly (which remains stationary) rather than the collapsible bag, the information can be displayed clearly without being affected by bag collapse.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If the dispenser is designed with a simple structure, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the ability to display information about the soap type is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsoap type identification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The placard is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and attached to the pump assembly. It serves as a disposable or easily replaceable information display element that adds minimal cost to the overall dispenser system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The information display function is merged with the existing pump assembly structure rather than requiring a separate complex subsystem. The placard is simply attached to the pump assembly, combining the pumping function with the information display function in a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the placard is attached to the collapsible bag, then the information travels with the soap, but the information becomes obscured when the bag collapses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation portabilityVSAvoidinformation visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of attaching the information display to the collapsible bag (moving with the soap), the placard is invertedly attached to the stationary pump assembly. This reverses the conventional approach and ensures the information remains visible while the bag collapses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8746510B2Pumping dispenser

Publication Date: 2014.06.10 GPCP IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

A device for dispensing a flowable material is disclosed. The device includes a container holding the flowable material therein and a pumping assembly attached to the container. The pumping assembly includes a pump and a placard portion configured for displaying viewable information thereon associated with the flowable material.