Applicator Closure with Linear Interlock and Gasket Sealing
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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 while ensuring easy operation.
Innovation Solution
The application device features a closure mechanism with a reversible interlock between the container and the closure portion, facilitated by constraint means and a gasket for effective sealing, allowing for easy linear translation for opening and closing operations.
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 from the external environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is segmented into a closure portion and a container with separate constraint means and gasket components. The constraint means features protruding portions that engage with corresponding recesses, while the gasket is a separate sealing element, allowing each component to perform its specific function effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket acts as an intermediary sealing element between the closure portion and the container. This intermediate component provides the necessary seal to prevent product alteration while allowing the closure mechanism to remain simple in its basic interlocking structure
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a closure mechanism provides adequate product confinement, then product protection is improved, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism divides sealing and constraining functions into separate components: constraint means with protruding portions for structural interlocking, and a separate gasket for sealing. This segmentation prevents product alteration while keeping each component relatively simple in design
Solution Approach 2:
The constraint means with protruding portions automatically engage with corresponding recesses in the container during closure, providing self-aligning and self-constraining functionality that reduces the need for complex operational mechanisms
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the closure mechanism uses rotational movements, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using rotational movement to achieve sealing, the invention inverts the approach by using linear translational movement where the closure portion simply moves along the longitudinal axis. The protruding portions of the constraint means engage with recesses during this linear motion, providing both sealing and constraining functions without requiring rotation
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2~3
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).