Trigger Sprayer Refill Port Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional soap or cleaner dispensers are either not refillsable or require disassembly to access refill ports, making them inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A trigger sprayer bottle assembly with a refillable bottle and a separate refill port, allowing for refilling without removing the sprayer pump or disassembling the dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cartridge-based dispensers use pump and outlet valve combinations that are not separable from single-use cartridges, then the device structure is simplified, but the dispenser becomes incapable of being refilled
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser is divided into separable components: a reusable pump assembly and a replaceable cartridge. The pump assembly includes the pump, outlet valve, and refill port, while the cartridge contains only the fluid container. This segmentation allows the pump to remain attached to the fluid container for refilling while enabling cartridge replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
A refill port serves as an intermediary component that enables material transfer from a refilling assembly to the fluid container. The refill port includes a valve that controls material flow, acting as a mediator between the refilling assembly and the cartridge-based dispenser system.
2Ease of operation
If conventional soap or cleaner dispensers require removing a portion of the dispenser assembly to access refill ports, then the device structure is simplified, but the refilling operation becomes time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The refill port and valve are pre-positioned and pre-configured in the pump assembly before use. The valve is already in place to control material flow, so no disassembly or additional setup is required during the refilling operation. The user simply connects the refilling assembly to the pre-prepared refill port.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service refilling where the dispenser automatically controls the refilling process through its integrated valve. The valve opens to allow material flow when the refilling assembly is connected and closes automatically when refilling is complete, eliminating the need for manual disassembly or complex operations.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the pump and outlet valve are integrated with the cartridge, then the device structure is simplified, but the cartridge can only be used once and cannot be refilled
Solution Approach 1:
The pump assembly is segmented from the cartridge, with the pump and outlet valve remaining with the fluid container rather than being integrated into the disposable cartridge. This allows the cartridge to be replaced while the pump assembly with the refillable fluid container remains in use.
Solution Approach 2:
The cartridge is designed to be discarded after single use, while the pump assembly including the fluid container is recovered and refilled. The refill port and valve in the pump assembly enable the fluid container to be recovered and refilled multiple times, extending its duration of action.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for refilling a trigger sprayer bottle assembly includes the trigger sprayer bottle assembly including a trigger movable between a first trigger position and a second trigger position. A refillable bottle is coupled to the trigger such that material within the refillable bottle is dispensed from the refillable bottle when the trigger is moved from the first trigger position to the second trigger position. The trigger sprayer bottle assembly includes a first refill port through which material is added to the refillable bottle. The trigger sprayer bottle assembly is selectively coupled to a refilling assembly. The refilling assembly includes a refill reservoir and a second refill port through which material is removed from the refill reservoir. The second refill port is selectively coupled to the first refill port when the trigger sprayer bottle assembly is coupled to the refilling assembly.