Through-Pump Liquid Drain-Back System for Dispensing Packages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump-up dispensing packages for cleaning and disinfecting compositions require two hands to operate, and lack a efficient mechanism for returning excess liquid to the container, leading to inefficiencies and aesthetic issues like drooling.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing package with a gravity-flow liquid drain-back subsystem that uses the same liquid pathway for both dispensing and draining excess liquid back to the container, eliminating the need for a separate return pathway and allowing one-handed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If a separate drain-back pathway is added to return excess liquid to the container, then liquid drooling is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the liquid distribution pathway and drain-back pathway into a single shared pathway. The same orifice and channel used to deliver liquid to the actuator top surface also serve as the return path for excess liquid to drain back to the container, eliminating the need for separate drain-back components
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid pathway performs dual functions: it distributes liquid from the container to the actuator top surface during dispensing, and simultaneously serves as the drain-back pathway to return excess liquid to the container when the dispensing package is inverted or excess liquid needs to be recovered
2Reliability
If two hands are required to operate the dispensing package, then control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing package is designed to be self-regulating through the shared liquid pathway system. When inverted, gravity automatically causes excess liquid to drain back through the same pathway to the container, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex valve mechanisms to control liquid flow
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
Enables convenient, controlled application of cleaning compositions with one hand and prevents liquid drooling by efficiently returning excess liquid to the container, improving user experience and product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
A dispensing package with a gravity-flow liquid drain-back subsystem that uses the same liquid pathway for both dispensing and draining excess liquid back to the container
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a liquid dispensing package for a container adapted to contain a liquid that includes a hand operated pump assembly coupled to an actuator, a liquid distribution subsystem in fluid communication with a discharge tube from the pump assembly, wherein downward motion of the actuator, provided by a user, causes liquid to travel through the discharge tube to the actuator top surface, and a through-pump liquid drain-back subsystem that permits drain-back of liquid from the top surface of the actuator when the actuator is in a rest position.