Triple Valve Member Trigger Sprayer Reducing Component Count
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manually operated foaming liquid dispensers, such as trigger sprayers, face increased manufacturing costs due to the need for additional components like air pump chambers and check valves to produce dense foams, which is not efficiently addressed by existing designs.
Innovation Solution
A compact trigger sprayer design utilizing a triple valve member that integrates the functions of three separate valves, reducing the number of components by using a single valve member with a cylindrical base, coaxial resilient sleeves, and a disk valve to control liquid and air flow, eliminating the need for additional air vent valves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an air pump chamber and multiple check valves are added to produce dense foam, then the foam density is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple check valve functions into a single integrated valve assembly. The valve member includes a body portion with a valve seat and multiple valve elements (first check valve, second check valve, and air vent valve) that are all part of one unified component structure, eliminating the need for separate check valve assemblies and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the required foam density control
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs the functions of multiple check valves and an air vent valve. The single valve assembly controls liquid flow in both directions, air flow into the pump chamber, and air venting, thereby consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate components into one universal valve unit
2Reliability
If an air pump chamber and additional check valves are added to produce dense foam, then the foam density is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple check valve functions into a single integrated valve assembly. The valve member includes a body portion with a valve seat and multiple valve elements (first check valve, second check valve, and air vent valve) that are all part of one unified component structure, eliminating the need for separate check valve assemblies and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the required foam density control
Solution Approach 2:
The valve member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs the functions of multiple check valves and an air vent valve. The single valve assembly controls liquid flow in both directions, air flow into the pump chamber, and air venting, thereby consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate components into one universal valve unit
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
This design reduces manufacturing costs by minimizing the number of separate parts required, while maintaining the ability to produce a dense foam by effectively mixing liquid and air under pressure, thus addressing the cost and complexity issues of prior art designs.
Implementation Method 1
The first check valve allows liquid to travel through a dip tube and the liquid supply passage into the pump chamber when the pump piston is moved to the charge position, and prevents the reverse flow of liquid from the pump chamber when the pump piston is moved to the discharge position
Implementation Method 2
A pump piston is mounted in the pump chamber for reciprocating movement between charge and discharge positions
Implementation Method 3
The spray hitting the obstruction mixes the liquid spray with the air of the atmosphere producing the foam that is discharged from the trigger sprayer
Data Source
AI summary
A manually operated liquid foaming dispenser is attached to the top of a container of liquid and is manually reciprocated to dispense the liquid from the container as a foam. The dispenser includes a liquid pump chamber and an air pump chamber that respectively pump liquid and air under pressure to a discharge passage of the pump where the liquid and air are mixed, generating the foam dispensed from the dispenser. The air pump chamber has a tube valve controlling the discharge of air from the air pump to the discharge passage, and the air pump chamber is charged with air by opening the air pump chamber to the exterior environment of the dispenser.