Sprayer System with Mixing Chamber for Concentrate Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for dispensing household cleaning substances are inefficient due to the need for multiple individual bottles, which occupy significant space and generate waste, and require consumers to manually mix concentrates with water, leading to storage and environmental issues.

Innovation Solution

A sprayer system with a monolithic housing and attachment mechanism that allows for easy attachment to standard bottles, featuring a mixing chamber and pump engine to automatically mix the exact amount of concentrate with solvent at the point of use, reducing storage needs and waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If concentrated dispensable substances are sold in packets requiring mixing with water in separate containers, then the storage space is reduced, but the consumer is required to manually mix entire batches in advance and store or dispose of the resulting mixture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidmanual mixing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic mixing of concentrate and water through a pump mechanism that draws from the concentrate container and mixes it with water from a separate container, eliminating the need for manual mixing by the consumer. The system serves itself by automatically combining the required components in the correct proportions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system separates the concentrate storage from the water storage into two distinct containers, allowing independent storage and on-demand mixing. This segmentation enables reduced storage space for concentrates while providing water only when needed, rather than requiring pre-mixed large batches to be stored.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If individual bottles of dispensable substances are used, then each substance serves a specific purpose, but significant shelf space and storage space are occupied

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific purpose functionalityVSAvoidshelf space and storage space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a single spray mechanism that can be attached to different concentrate containers, allowing one universal spray device to perform multiple cleaning functions. Instead of needing separate spray bottles for each cleaning purpose, the user attaches different concentrate containers to the same spray mechanism, reducing both shelf space and storage space requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of stationary object

If concentrated substances are mixed in advance in separate containers, then storage space is reduced, but time and effort are expended on mixing and the process is unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage spaceVSAvoidmixing time and effort

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares the mixing components (concentrate and water) in advance in separate containers, but performs the actual mixing action only when needed through the pump mechanism. This preliminary preparation of components without premature mixing eliminates the time and effort of manual mixing while ensuring the substance is ready for immediate use when the spray is activated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If entire batches of concentrate are mixed in advance, then the substance is ready for use, but the consumer must dispose of or store extra amount if too much is mixed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereadiness for useVSAvoidwasted dispensable material

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system mixes only the partial amount of concentrate needed at each moment through the pump mechanism, rather than mixing entire batches in advance. The pump draws the exact amount of concentrate required for the current spraying need, combining it with water on-demand. This prevents excessive mixing and the subsequent waste or storage burden of unused concentrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 minimizes storage space, reduces packaging waste, and eliminates the need for consumers to manually mix substances, providing a convenient and environmentally friendly solution for dispensing cleaning agents.

Implementation Method 1

The sprayer system includes a pump engine to facilitate mixing of the concentrate with the solvent

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 2

a nozzle through which the substance exits the sprayer system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Data Source

PatentUS10335817B2System for spraying a dispensable material and methods relating thereto

Publication Date: 2019.07.02 SC JOHNSON & SON INC

AI summary

According to one aspect of the invention, a method for directing the use of a sprayer includes the step of directing a user to affix a sprayer to a neck of a water bottle (114) via an attachment mechanism (112). The method further includes the step of directing the user to adjust the attachment mechanism (112) to change the internal geometry thereof and attach the sprayer to the neck of the bottle.