Trigger Dispensing Head With Movable Nozzle Actuation Lock

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing trigger dispensing devices face issues with unintentional actuation during transport and require a reduction in component count, complexity, and cost while maintaining functionality and user intuitiveness.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing head with a nozzle that can be moved between opening and closing positions to prevent unintentional trigger actuation, featuring a locking system with a locking member and interference elements to ensure the trigger remains inactive in the closed position, using a limited number of integrated components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking system is added to prevent unintentional trigger actuation, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unintentional trigger actuationVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member is integrated into the trigger assembly, and the interference elements are incorporated into the nozzle structure, merging the locking function with existing components rather than adding entirely separate locking mechanisms. This reduces overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking system uses a movable locking member that can transition between engaged and disengaged states, rather than a fixed locking mechanism. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt between locked and unlocked states without requiring complex control systems, resolving the contradiction between reliability and simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the nozzle is made movable between opening and closing positions, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of unintentional trigger actuationVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The movable nozzle is integrated with the locking member, combining the product flow control function with the safety locking function into a single structural component. This merger reduces the number of separate parts while achieving both reliability and structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle serves dual functions: controlling product flow and providing the locking interface through its interference elements. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If integrated components are used to reduce component count, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidprecision of integrated features
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The locking member and nozzle are integrated into fewer components, which can be manufactured using injection molding or similar processes. While this requires precise feature integration, modern manufacturing techniques can achieve the required precision at scale, balancing manufacturing cost and precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4405112B1Trigger dispensing device
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 GUALA DISPENSING SPA
  • EP4405112B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4405112B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4405112B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dispensing head (8) with a trigger (10) for a dispensing device (1) comprising a frame (12), a piston chamber (16), a piston (18), a dispensing duct (22), a suction duct (34), pre-compression valve means, suction valve means, a locking member (19) and a nozzle (50), which comprises a gripping wall equipped with an actuation compartment (53) and an interference element (95). The nozzle (50) is movable between an opening position, wherein the locking member (19) is freely movable in the actuation compartment (53), and a closing position, wherein the locking member (19) engages the interference element (95), preventing the actuation stroke of the trigger (10).