Spray Bottle Assembly With Dilution Wheel For Variable Liquid Ratios
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spray bottles lack the ability to deliver two or more liquids in selected variable amounts from multiple sections of a container, requiring multiple products for different cleaning purposes even if the same base ingredients are used.
Innovation Solution
A spray bottle assembly featuring a trigger sprayer adapter with a dip tube combiner, a dilution wheel, and a bottle adapter with a dip tube receiver and axle, allowing users to select from predetermined liquid mix ratios by rotating the dilution wheel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate cleaning products are used for different cleaning purposes, then the cleaning effectiveness for specific surfaces is improved, but the number of products required increases and consumer expense increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple cleaning solutions into a single spray bottle by using a multi-chamber container system. Each chamber holds a different cleaning solution, and through a selective dispensing mechanism, the user can choose which chamber's solution is dispensed. This merging approach maintains the effectiveness of specialized cleaners while reducing the number of separate products consumers need to purchase and store.
Solution Approach 2:
The spray bottle is designed with multi-functionality to dispense different cleaning solutions for various purposes. The device includes a selector mechanism that allows the user to choose between multiple cleaning formulations within the same bottle, making a single product capable of performing the functions of multiple separate cleaners.
2Reliability
If manufacturers mix and label different cleaning products for different purposes, then the cleaning solution is optimized for specific surfaces, but the manufacturing complexity and labeling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into multiple independent chambers, each capable of holding a different cleaning solution. This segmentation allows manufacturers to produce standardized multi-chamber bottles and then fill them with different solutions, simplifying the manufacturing process compared to creating entirely separate products for each cleaning purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispensing mechanism is designed to be dynamically selectable, allowing the user to switch between different cleaning solutions on demand. This dynamic selection capability is achieved through a simple mechanical selector that redirects the flow path, avoiding the need for complex automated mixing systems or multiple separate dispensing mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If a spray bottle delivers a fixed ratio of liquids, then the dispensing mechanism is simple, but the versatility for different cleaning purposes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The spray bottle incorporates a dynamic selection mechanism that allows the user to choose between different liquid ratios or different cleaning solutions. The selector mechanism mechanically adjusts the flow paths or chamber selection, providing variable dispensing options while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure compared to automated mixing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary selector mechanism that mediates between the multiple cleaning solution chambers and the single spray nozzle. This intermediary component directs the flow from the selected chamber or combination of chambers to the nozzle, enabling ratio selection and solution switching without requiring complex mixing mechanisms at the dispensing point.
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 the efficient dispensing of multiple cleaning solutions with varying liquid ratios from a single spray bottle, reducing the need for multiple products and enhancing user flexibility and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a spring surrounds the rod and rests on the flange. The dip tube receiver rests directly on the spring.
Data Source
AI summary
The spray bottle assembly has a trigger sprayer assembly, dip tube combiner, trigger sprayer adapter, dilution wheel, bottle adapter, at least two dip tubes and a bottle configuration. The bottle configuration has at least two containers that engage with a bottle adapter. Bottle adapter has two openings that accept at least two dip tubes extending into at least two containers. On the upper flat portion of bottle adapter cuffs that engage with detents on a dilution wheel surround the openings that are fluidly connected to the at least two dip tubes. The detents on dilution wheel determine how much fluid passes through each opening, thus allowing different proportions of fluid from each container to pass through to the dip tube combiner housed within trigger sprayer adapter. Dip tube combiner combines the two fluids prior to being expelled by prior art trigger sprayer assembly.