Storage holder for a dispenser

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing storage holders for foam dispensers are difficult to accurately assemble due to the challenge of positioning the foam pump relative to the coupling piece, leading to potential misalignment of the foam outlet and dispenser connection, which complicates the assembly process and affects the operational positioning of the storage holder.

Innovation Solution

A storage holder design featuring a liquid reservoir with a plug and a pump having an inlet tube with a clamping connection, where the spacer is positioned between the pump section and the plug to maintain a defined distance, allowing for easier alignment and assembly by simplifying the positioning of the foam or liquid outlet, and enabling easy disassembly by pulling the pump from the plug to separate the components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the foam pump is screwed to the coupling piece, then the storage holder can be connected to the foam dispenser, but it is difficult to accurately position the foam pump relative to the coupling piece

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracy of foam pump outletVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a spacer as an intermediary component between the pump and the coupling piece. The spacer includes a pump receiving portion that receives the pump and a coupling piece receiving portion that receives the coupling piece. This intermediary structure simplifies the assembly process by providing predefined positioning features, eliminating the need for complex screwing operations while ensuring accurate positioning of the pump outlet relative to the coupling piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the pump is firmly fixed to the plug, then the connection is stable, but disassembly requires excessive force that may damage components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic clamping connection between the inlet tube and the plug. The clamping portion of the plug engages with the inlet tube to provide a secure connection during operation, ensuring reliability. However, the connection is designed to be reversible, allowing the pump to be easily removed from the plug by pulling without requiring excessive force that could damage components. This dynamic design balances connection stability with ease of disassembly for maintenance and recycling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3370591B1Storage holder for a dispenser
Publication Date: 2019.09.25 GAB ENG & DEV
  • EP3370591B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3370591B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3370591B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention is directed to a storage holder 1 destined for placement in a liquid or foam dispenser, comprising a liquid reservoir 2, a pump 3 and a spacer 4. The liquid reservoir 2 has an opening 5 provided with a plug 6. The pump 3 is provided with an inlet tube 9, which inlet tube 9 is fixed into the opening of the plug by a clamping connection. The spacer 4 is provided with an opening for the inlet tube 9 and provided at its exterior with a means 11 to couple the storage holder 1 to the liquid or foam dispenser. The spacer 4 is positioned between the pump 3 and the plug and fixed into position relative to the plug 6 and relative to the pump 3 only by the clamping connection between inlet tube 9 and plug 6.