Refillable Applicator Cartridge Coupling for Clean Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing applicator systems face issues with complete disposal after mass depletion, leading to environmental waste and inconvenience in refilling or replacing cartridges and applicators, with potential leakage and contamination risks.

Innovation Solution

A refillable applicator system with an exchangeable cartridge containing a mass container and applicator unit, featuring a coupling element that forms a permanent connection with the cap upon insertion, allowing easy refilling without additional tools and minimizing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If manual refilling of the mass container is attempted, then the mass can be replenished, but the process is cumbersome and risks mass leakage and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass supplyVSAvoidrefilling process

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the mass supply from the delicate mass container and places it in a separate, robust refill cartridge. The cartridge can be removed and replaced without touching or risking damage to the mass container, eliminating leakage and contamination risks while simplifying the refilling process to a simple cartridge exchange operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The refill cartridge acts as an intermediary between the user and the mass container. Instead of directly refilling the delicate mass container, the user refills or replaces the cartridge, which then supplies mass to the container through a controlled interface, preventing direct contact and potential contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the entire applicator system is discarded after mass depletion, then a fresh system ensures optimal performance, but it creates environmental waste and is economically inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication performanceVSAvoiddiscarded components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator system is segmented into three distinct components: a reusable cap, a reusable mass container, and a disposable/refillable cartridge. This segmentation allows only the cartridge to be discarded or replaced, while the cap and mass container continue to be used, reducing waste while maintaining application performance through a fresh cartridge.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables selective discarding of only the depleted cartridge while recovering and reusing the cap and mass container. This partial discarding approach eliminates the need to discard functional components, reducing environmental waste and economic loss while ensuring optimal performance through fresh mass supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the applicator is integrated into the refill cartridge, then a new applicator is used with each refill, but the number of components to be discarded increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicator performanceVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the applicator (attached to the cap) from the mass supply (in the cartridge). This segmentation allows the applicator to be reused with each new cartridge, eliminating the need to discard a new applicator with each refill while still providing fresh mass supply for optimal performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Loss of substance

If a two-part mass container with exchangeable cartridge is used, then the cartridge can be replaced without discarding the applicator system, but changing the cartridge remains inconvenient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponents to discardVSAvoidcartridge replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cartridge is designed to integrate with the cap assembly through a coupling mechanism, merging the mass supply function with the applicator handling. This integration allows the cartridge to be replaced as a single unit with the cap already attached, simplifying the replacement process while maintaining the ability to reuse the cap and mass container.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20260026600A1Conveniently refillable applicator system

Publication Date: 2026.01.29 GEKA

AI summary

A refillable applicator system includes an exchangeable cartridge including a mass container containing a mass supply, when in a new state, and an applicator unit with a first end projecting into an area of the mass supply and a second end forming a closure of the mass container, a sleeve configured to have the exchangeable cartridge fixed therein, and a cap configured to be fixed to the sleeve to close a removal side of the sleeve from which the applicator unit is capable of being removed. The applicator unit includes, at the second end, a coupling element designed and positioned so as to enter into a connection with a counter-coupling element while the exchangeable cartridge is completely inserted into the sleeve, and while the sleeve is closed on a removal side with the cap.