Squeeze Sprayer Cap With Friction Fit Valve Prevents Dripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional sprayers with multiple components are costly, complex, and prone to malfunction, and they often experience fluid dripping when inverted and not squeezed for an extended period, lacking directional aiming capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A squeeze sprayer with a single-piece construction featuring a cap with a sleeve and dip tube, a two-way diaphragm valve, and a flip-top lid, which uses a friction fit connection to prevent fluid leakage when inverted and allows for directional spraying by mixing air and fluid at high velocity to create a spray mist.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional pump sprayer mechanisms with multiple components are used, then atomization capability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple traditional sprayer components (container, valve, dip tube, and spray mechanism) into a single integrated squeezable container structure. The container itself performs the pumping function through manual squeezing, eliminating the need for separate trigger mechanisms and pump components, thereby reducing complexity from 6-9 parts to a unified single-piece design.
2Device complexity
If squeeze bottle dispensers are used, then component complexity is reduced, but ability to achieve high back pressure and flow velocity for atomization is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The container is designed with dynamic deformable walls that can be manually squeezed to create variable pressure conditions. This allows the system to transition from a static low-pressure state to a dynamic high-pressure state during squeezing, generating sufficient back pressure and flow velocity for atomization while maintaining a simple single-piece structure.
3Ease of operation
If inverted spray dispenser design is used, then usability is improved, but fluid dripping occurs when not squeezed for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated valve mechanism is designed to automatically close and seal the fluid passage when the container is not being squeezed, preventing fluid from flowing toward the outlet in inverted positions. This preliminary sealing action counteracts the gravitational force that would otherwise cause dripping, allowing the dispenser to be used inverted without leakage issues.
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 design reduces component complexity, prevents fluid dripping when inverted, and enables directional spraying by efficiently mixing air and fluid to produce a consistent spray mist, enhancing usability and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
applying pressure to the container forces a first material through the fluid passageway of the valve and forces a second material through the inner fluid passageway of the dip tube
Implementation Method 2
The cap and valve are coupled via a friction fit
Data Source
AI summary
A squeeze sprayer for dispensing fluid product as a spray or spray mist includes a squeeze bottle and a squeeze sprayer closure attached to the squeeze bottle. The squeeze sprayer includes a cap which defines a chamber for receipt of air and fluid and further defines an outlet. Further included as a part of the squeeze sprayer is a valve which is assembled into the cap and a dip tube which is received by the cap. The dip tube is constructed and arranged to provide air to the chamber and the squeezing of the bottle forces air and fluid into the chamber and from there through the outlet to be dispensed as a spray or spray mist. A second embodiment provides an upright squeeze sprayer with a unique orifice cup. A third embodiment includes a directional adapter.