Spray Head Mixing Section Length vs External Size

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensers for flowable product compositions, such as hair coloring products, suffer from inadequate mixing due to short mixing sections, leading to insufficient product effectiveness and user-unfriendliness, especially when dispensing in axial directions.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing device with a mixing section longer than its external dimensions, featuring a channel-like design with flow internals, and a curved or meandering shape to enhance mixing quality, ensuring sufficient turbulence and homogeneity, while maintaining a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a short mixing section is used in the dispensing device, then the device complexity is reduced and the design is simplified, but the mixing quality of the product components becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing device designVSAvoidmixing quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the mixing section from a straight linear path into a curved or meandering path, effectively increasing the mixing length in three-dimensional space without proportionally increasing the device's external dimensions. This dimensional transformation allows the mixing section to occupy space more efficiently, providing extended mixing path length while maintaining compact device geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing section is designed with curved or meandering geometry rather than straight lines. This curvature increases the path length that product components must travel through the mixing section, enhancing mixing quality. The curved design also promotes turbulence and better fluid dynamics, improving homogeneity of the mixed product.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the mixing section is extended to improve mixing quality, then the mixing effectiveness is enhanced, but the device occupies more space and becomes less compact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemixing qualityVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing curved and meandering paths within the available device volume, the patent effectively packs a longer mixing section into a compact form factor. The three-dimensional routing of the mixing section allows it to utilize space more efficiently than a straight linear design would permit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing section is nested within the existing device structure, with the curved path efficiently utilizing the internal volume of the dispensing device. The design allows the mixing section to be integrated within the overall device envelope without requiring proportional increases in external dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Volume of moving object

If a narrow mixing section with small cross-section is used, then the device size is reduced, but the flow of highly viscous substances is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidflow of viscous substances
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different cross-sectional characteristics to different portions of the mixing section. While the overall device remains compact, the mixing section maintains sufficient local cross-sectional area to accommodate viscous product flow. The curved geometry distributes flow more effectively, preventing stagnation and maintaining adequate flow rates for highly viscous substances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 extended mixing section ensures thorough mixing of product components, improving product effectiveness and user experience by providing a homogeneous composition, even for viscous substances, and allowing for precise application.

Implementation Method 1

flow-induced mixing elements for the product components to be mixed... The extended mixing section ensures thorough mixing of product components, improving product effectiveness and user experience by providing a homogeneous composition

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTurbulence: Turbulence

Data Source

PatentEP3221236B1Spray head and its container for mixing of flowable products
Publication Date: 2019.08.28 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP3221236B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3221236B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~4b

AI summary

The invention relates to a discharge device and an associated dispenser (1) for fluid product compositions, wherein the individual components of the product composition are kept separate from one another within the dispenser (1) until the product is actually discharged. In order to permit the simplified manipulation of the dispenser (1), same accordingly comprises a discharge device (10) for discharging the multi-component product composition, said discharge device having: an actuation element (11) for activating the product discharge; at least two inlet openings (32) for the product components; at least one outlet opening (33) for discharging the product composition, said inlet openings (32) and outlet opening (33) being fluidically connected to one another; and a mixing device (30, 31) arranged between the inlet openings (32) and the outlet opening (33), said mixing device having a channel-type mixing section (35, 35') through which the product components can flow, and which has flow fittings (36) for the flow-induced mixing of the product components. In addition, the length (L) of the mixing section (35) is greater than the largest outer measurement (I) of the discharge device (10).