Handheld Spray Nozzle with Separate Warm Air Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sunless tanning spray processes are uncomfortable due to cold temperatures, leading to reduced absorption of skin care ingredients and uneven application, and often result in a sticky skin surface, which can discourage customers from repeat treatments.
Innovation Solution
A hand-held spray system that incorporates controlled application of warm dry air before, during, and after the application of atomized sunless tanning sprays, using a heating element to warm the air and mix it with the spray cloud, reducing discomfort and improving uniformity and absorption of tanning compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If air-atomizing nozzles are used to produce finely atomized spray mist, then spray uniformity and coverage are improved, but spray cloud temperature decreases significantly causing discomfort and reduced absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the atomization function from the heating function by using dedicated atomizing air ports and separate heating air ports, allowing each to be optimized independently while working together to resolve the temperature-uniformity contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges cold atomizing air with warm heating air in the spray cloud, combining the benefits of fine atomization with temperature maintenance to achieve both uniformity and comfort
2Temperature
If heated air is applied to warm the spray cloud, then comfort and absorption are improved, but the heating effect is negligible due to rapid cooling from nozzle expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies heating air to the spray cloud before it contacts the skin, pre-warming the treatment area and maintaining temperature during application to prevent energy loss from rapid cooling
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the spray cloud itself as an intermediary medium, heating the air that carries the DHA solution to the skin, thereby transferring thermal energy efficiently through the atomized mixture
3Quantity of substance
If towel drying is used after spray treatment, then skin surface moisture is removed, but a significant quantity of sprayed ingredients is also removed reducing treatment effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful cooling effect and stickiness into a benefit by using controlled warm air circulation to gently evaporate surface moisture without requiring mechanical towel drying, thereby preventing DHA removal while eliminating stickiness
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 system enhances the efficacy and longevity of sunless tanning results, providing a deeper, longer-lasting tan with improved comfort and reducing stickiness, eliminating the need for towel drying and promoting even skin penetration.
Implementation Method 1
A hand-held spray system that incorporates controlled application of warm dry air before, during, and after the application of atomized sunless tanning sprays, using a heating element to warm the air and mix it with the spray cloud
Implementation Method 2
a nozzle configured to produce a finely atomized spray cloud of the liquid solution
Data Source
AI summary
A spray nozzle system includes separate air outlets to deliver one or more streams of supplemental warming or drying air. The air may be applied while spray is emitted from the nozzle to increase the spray cloud temperature, or may be applied for warming or drying before or after the spray application, with the spray turned off. In the case of air-atomizing nozzles, the air is delivered through low pressure ports separately from the atomizing or pattern shaping air to minimize the expansion cooling effect. In another implementation, the air is redirected from the nozzle using a control valve which proportions the amount of airflow directed for atomization, pattern shaping and drying.