Travel Dispenser Pump with Open Venting Passage for Refill

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current travel dispensers for liquids, gels, or creams face issues during re-filling, including product oxidation, waste, and safety concerns due to the need to separate and reassemble components, which can lead to spills and inefficiency, especially when using conventional bottles without specific valve systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and design that allows the travel dispenser to be re-filled by blocking the pump in a lower position with an open venting passage, eliminating the need to separate components and allowing re-filling through the existing venting passage, using a mechanism that disengages the assemblies for re-filling without requiring a specific bottle type, thus preventing oxidation and reducing operational complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the pump is blocked in the lower position with venting passage open, then re-filling can be performed without separating components, but the dispenser cannot dispense product

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-filling operationVSAvoidproduct dispensing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The pump is designed to be movable between an upper position (for dispensing) and a lower position (for re-filling). By dynamically changing the pump position, the system switches between dispensing mode and re-filling mode, allowing the same structure to serve dual purposes without permanent modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The re-filling operation is segmented into distinct phases: blocking the pump in lower position, separating the assemblies, performing re-filling through the open venting passage, and then restoring to dispensing mode. This segmentation allows controlled transition between conflicting operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional bottles are used without specific valve systems, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but product oxidation occurs during re-filling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebottle manufacturingVSAvoidproduct oxidation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The venting passage is pre-configured in the pump assembly to be openable during re-filling operations. This preliminary design feature allows conventional bottles to be used while preventing oxidation by providing a controlled air pathway that isolates the product from direct air contact during the re-filling process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The venting passage acts as an intermediary mechanism between the product and the external environment. It provides a controlled interface that allows air displacement during re-filling while preventing direct oxidation of the product, enabling the use of simple conventional bottles without compromising product integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If components are separated for re-filling, then re-filling access is improved, but product spillage and waste increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-filling accessVSAvoidproduct spillage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The venting passage serves multiple functions: it enables air displacement during normal dispensing operations and simultaneously provides a controlled access pathway for re-filling. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate access mechanisms, allowing re-filling without component separation and thereby preventing product spillage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pump assembly itself provides the re-filling access through its venting passage, eliminating the need for external access mechanisms or complete disassembly. The system serves its own re-filling needs through the existing structural features, reducing handling and minimizing spillage risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If a specific bottom valve system is added to bottles, then re-filling control is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvere-filling controlVSAvoidbottle structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding complexity to the bottle bottom, the invention inverts the approach by placing the control mechanism (venting passage) in the pump assembly that connects to the bottle opening. This allows re-filling control without modifying the bottle structure, maintaining simplicity while achieving precise control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11440039B2Method for the re-filling of a travel dispenser with product and travel dispenser

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 TECHNIPLAST

AI summary

A method is provided for the re-filling with product of a travel dispenser (10) which has two assemblies (12, 14) which are connected together mechanically for dispensing the product. A first assembly (12) includes a bottle (10) of the product, a venting passage which is able to be opened to connect the interior and the exterior of the bottle and a pump (22) mounted on the bottle which is able to assume an upper rest position in which the passage is closed and a lower position in which the passage is open. A second assembly (14) includes a product dispensing device (16). The method includes blocking of the pump (22) in the lower position, and disengagement of the two assemblies (12, 14) from one another in order to allow the bottle (10) to be re-filled with product through the open venting passage of the first assembly (12) in re-fill mode.