Solid Concentrate Dispensing System with Vacuum-Actuated Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concentrated cleaning products require efficient methods for dilution and dispensing, as they are often packaged in solid forms that need to be manually or automatically dissolved for use, posing challenges in convenience and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system comprising a cartridge with a housing, a valve, and a solid concentrate reservoir, where a diluent is used to dissolve the concentrate upon actuation, forming a use solution that can be drawn into a fluid tube and dispensed through a nozzle, allowing for multiple refills of the diluent before replacing the solid concentrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If solid concentrate is used for efficient transport and storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual dissolution requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the solid concentrate to automatically dissolve in the diluent reservoir through contact when the valve opens, eliminating the need for manual dissolution while maintaining the concentrated storage format
Solution Approach 2:
The solid concentrate is pre-positioned in the concentrate reservoir ready for automatic dissolution when the valve opens, so that the dissolution action is prepared in advance and occurs automatically during normal operation
2Volume of stationary object
If solid concentrate is used for efficient transport and storage, then storage efficiency is improved, but device complexity deteriorates due to additional valve and reservoir components
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the storage and dissolution functions into a single integrated unit where the solid concentrate reservoir and diluent reservoir are combined with a shared valve mechanism, reducing overall system complexity despite adding functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism serves multiple functions: it controls the flow of diluent into the concentrate reservoir for dissolution, and also controls the flow of the resulting solution to the nozzle, reducing the need for separate control mechanisms
3Volume of stationary object
If manual dissolution is required, then storage efficiency is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming dissolution process
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the solid concentrate to automatically dissolve in the diluent reservoir through contact when the valve opens, eliminating the need for manual dissolution while maintaining the concentrated storage format
Solution Approach 2:
The dissolution process continues automatically as diluent flows through the valve and contacts the solid concentrate, ensuring continuous availability of ready-to-use solution without interruption for manual mixing operations
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 and convenient formation and dispensing of a use solution from a solid chemical product concentrate, allowing for repeated refilling of the diluent without replacing the solid concentrate, thus extending its usage and facilitating versatile product options.
Implementation Method 1
allow flow of the diluent from the first reservoir to the second reservoir to at least partially dissolve or erode the solid concentrate and form a use solution in the second reservoir
Implementation Method 2
upon actuation of the trigger the use solution is drawn from the second reservoir into a distal end of the fluid tube and delivered to the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
Dispensing systems facilitates formation and dispensation of a use solution from a solid concentrate. The dispensing system may include a cartridge attached to a spray bottle or other dispensing apparatus. The cartridge defines a reservoir configured to store a solid product concentrate. A diluent, such as water, is placed in a fluid reservoir of the dispensing apparatus. Activation of a dispensing mechanism, such as a trigger, creates a vacuum in the cartridge reservoir, opening a valve and drawing diluent from the fluid reservoir into the cartridge reservoir and onto the solid product. The flow of diluent onto the solid product causes a portion of the solid product to be dissolved, eroded, and/or otherwise mixed with the diluent to form a use solution. Actuation of the dispense mechanism may further draw the use solution from the cartridge reservoir and dispense the use solution through the nozzle.