Cosmetic Applicator Closure with Separate Gasket and Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cosmetic product applicator containers face challenges in achieving a simple and effective closure mechanism that prevents product alteration when the container is closed.
Innovation Solution
The product application device incorporates a container with a closure portion and a rod with an applicator, featuring a gasket with an O-ring for sealing and constraint means for interlocking, ensuring a secure and easy-to-use closure mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a closure mechanism is designed to be simple to operate, then ease of operation is improved, but product confinement capability deteriorates leading to product alteration
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is divided into two independent functional components: constraint means (protrusion-recess interlocking system) for mechanical closure, and a separate gasket with O-ring for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the constraint means provides simple mechanical operation while the gasket ensures reliable product confinement without complicating the user interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket acts as an intermediary sealing element between the container and closure portion. It mediates the sealing function by deforming under the action of constraint means to create a gas-tight barrier, thereby protecting the product from external gas without requiring the user to directly manipulate sealing components.
2Reliability
If a closure mechanism provides adequate product confinement, then product protection is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the sealing function (gasket) from the operating mechanism (constraint means), the system achieves strong product confinement through the gasket's deformation capability while maintaining simple user interaction through the protrusion-recess interlocking system that requires minimal manual manipulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket performs self-service sealing by automatically deforming under the mechanical action of the constraint means to create a gas-tight seal. This eliminates the need for users to manually adjust or activate sealing mechanisms, thereby maintaining ease of operation while ensuring reliable product confinement.
3Reliability
If constraint means are used to interlock container and closure portion, then closure reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional gasket component
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is implemented as a flexible thin film element with an O-ring cross-section that deforms elastically to create sealing contact. This flexible membrane approach achieves reliable gas-tight confinement with minimal structural complexity, as the gasket's sealing capability arises from its material properties rather than complex mechanical structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure system combines rigid constraint means (protrusion and recess features) with a flexible gasket material to create a composite sealing system. The rigid components provide structural integrity and mechanical interlocking, while the flexible gasket material provides the sealing function, together achieving high closure reliability without excessive complexity.
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
The device provides an effective closure mechanism that prevents external gas from entering the container, thus preserving the product and enhancing its durability, while also being easy to operate.
Implementation Method 1
a gasket, distinct from said constraint means, including an O-ring and suitable for pressing said interface surfaces along a portion wherein the interface surfaces are mutually parallel
Data Source
AI summary
Device (1) for the application of a product (10), comprising: a container (2) suitable for containing the product (10) and defining a first opening (20) and a longitudinal axis (1a); a closure portion (3) configured to reversibly close the first opening (20); a rod (4) defining a first end (40) integral with the closure portion (3) and a second end (41) opposite the first end (40), comprising an applicator (42); the container (2) and the closure portion (3) respectively define a first interface surface (2a) and a second interface surface (3a) mutually opposed when the closure portion (3) closes the first opening (20); constraint means (5) configured to reversibly constrain the container (2) and the closure portion (3); the constraint means (5) achieve an interlock when the closure portion (3) closes the first opening (20);the device (1) comprises a gasket (6) designed to press the interface surfaces (2a, 3a) along a portion wherein the interface surfaces (2a, 3a) are mutually parallel and form an angle (α) of less than 30° with the longitudinal axis (1a), and the constraint means (5) are distinct from the gasket (6).