Adapter Assembly for Spill-Resistant Consumable Packages
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Consumable product packages often prioritize aesthetic appeal over functional usability, leading to suboptimal handling, emptying, and storage challenges, especially for infants and toddlers.
Innovation Solution
The development of an adapter assembly for consumable product packages, featuring an adapter with a functional outlet and a cap for closure, designed to attach to the fitment of a package, providing features such as spill-resistance, flow-control, and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If packages are designed with aesthetic shapes and sizes, then aesthetic quality is improved, but functional usability and ease of handling deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The package system is divided into two independent parts: the original aesthetic package design and a separate functional adapter assembly. The adapter can be attached to or removed from the package, allowing the aesthetic package design to be maintained while adding functional capabilities through the adapter component.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly serves as an intermediary component between the consumer and the package contents. It provides the functional interface for flow control, spill prevention, and ease of handling, while the original package maintains its aesthetic design. The adapter mediates between the aesthetic package and the user's needs for functional usability.
2Shape
If packages are designed with aesthetic shapes and sizes, then aesthetic quality is improved, but ease of emptying deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The emptying function is separated from the aesthetic package design by using a detachable adapter assembly. The adapter contains the flow control mechanisms and can be independently optimized for ease of emptying while the package maintains its aesthetic shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly incorporates dynamic flow control features such as rotatable valves and adjustable openings that allow the user to control the flow of contents during emptying. This dynamic capability enables easy emptying regardless of the static aesthetic package shape.
3Shape
If packages are designed with aesthetic shapes and sizes, then aesthetic quality is improved, but functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The functional capabilities are segmented into a separate adapter assembly that can be attached to the aesthetic package. This allows the package to maintain its aesthetic design while the adapter provides enhanced functionality including flow control, spill prevention, and versatile usage options.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter assembly is designed with multiple functions including flow control, spill prevention, ease of handling, and adaptability to different package types. This multi-functional adapter enhances the overall versatility of the package system while allowing each component to be optimized independently.
4Shape
If packages are designed with aesthetic shapes and sizes, then aesthetic quality is improved, but ease of storage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage function is addressed by separating the aesthetic package from the functional adapter. The adapter can be removed and stored separately, and its compact design facilitates easy storage when not in use, while the package maintains its aesthetic shape for display purposes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~6
AI summary
Functional adapters (26) for consumable product packages and methods of using same are provided. Functional features or the adapters may include, for example, spill-resistance, flow-control, ease of use, etc. In a general embodiment, the adapters include a valve (36) comprising an outlet (36a) and a cap (28) that is so constructed and arranged to seal the valve. The valve is so constructed and arranged to provide a functional feature and to attach to a package fitment (24). In another embodiment, packages are provided that include two-component adapters configured to provide specific functional features to the packages.