Non-Propellant Spray Dispenser With Pumping Chamber
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a dispensing device that can effectively dispense non-propellant products, such as cooking sprays, without using aerosol propellants, while maintaining consistent spray characteristics and protecting the product from moisture and oxygen exposure.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design featuring a housing with a container and plunger system that separates the product from air, using a valve mechanism with a pumping chamber and piston to achieve dispensing pressure, and a nozzle with an orifice to control spray characteristics, allowing for the use of non-aerosol products like edible oils and pan release agents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-propellant product is used in the container, then the product is protected from oxidation and hydration, but the product requires higher viscosity and thicker consistency for effective dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pumping chamber with a reciprocating piston as an intermediary mechanism between the high viscosity product in the container and the dispensing nozzle. The piston mechanically pressurizes the product in discrete strokes, enabling the thick, non-propellant product to be forced through the valve mechanism and nozzle for effective spraying without requiring aerosol propellants.
2Stress or pressure
If a valve mechanism with pumping chamber and piston is used, then dispensing pressure is achieved for non-propellant products, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the reciprocating motion of the piston. The piston's back-and-forth movement automatically creates pressure cycles that open and close the valve, eliminating the need for external actuators, motors, or complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself through the inherent mechanics of piston displacement and pressure differential.
3Reliability
If the plunger base separates product cavity from air cavity, then product protection from moisture and oxygen is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger base acts as a flexible or resilient sealing element that divides the container interior into product and air cavities. This sealing structure accommodates manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion better than rigid seals, maintaining the hermetic barrier against moisture and oxygen while being more forgiving of manufacturing variations.
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
The dispenser provides consistent and repeatable spray characteristics, reduces the need for preservatives by protecting the product from oxidation and hydration, and allows for cost-effective storage and dispensing of non-propellant cooking sprays with desired viscosity and release properties.
Implementation Method 1
The displacement of the piston in one direction increases a pressure of the portion of the product in the pumping chamber to a dispensing pressure
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle defining an orifice
Data Source
AI summary
A dispenser includes a housing having a sidewall with first and second axial ends. A container has first and second end portions with the second end portion engaged with the housing such that the container extends from the first axial end of the housing. A plunger having first and second sides is disposed in the interior cavity of the container. The interior cavity of the container and the first side of the base cooperatively define a product cavity. The interior cavity of the container and the second side of the base cooperatively define an air cavity. A valve mechanism is in engagement with the second end portion of the container. The valve mechanism includes a nozzle defining an orifice and an accumulator defining a pumping chamber. The pumping chamber is adapted to receive a portion of the product in the container. A piston is selectively slidable in the pumping chamber.