Applicator Positioning Means for Controlled Spreadable Composition Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for applying spreadable compositions, such as ointments or creams, often result in messiness and require skill to use, with challenges in cleaning and reusing the applicator, especially when used on body parts where infection risk is high.

Innovation Solution

A device with a container and positioning means to control the application of the spreadable composition directly onto an applicator, which includes a core with a non-porous surface and a sleeve for controlled distribution, using a propellant gas to simplify the application process and reduce messiness, and a valve operated by the applicator for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a tube and wad of cotton is used to apply spreadable composition, then the application process is simple, but messiness occurs and skill is required to avoid messiness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidmessiness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A positioning means acts as an intermediary between the container and applicator, controlling the transfer of spreadable composition. The positioning means includes a positioning element that engages with the applicator and guides it to a precise position relative to the container's outflow opening, ensuring controlled application without messiness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The device changes the spatial parameter by precisely positioning the applicator at a specific location and orientation relative to the container. The positioning means adjusts the applicator's position parameters (location and orientation) to align with the outflow opening, enabling controlled composition transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-generated harmful factors

If guide means are used to guide spreadable composition from outflow opening to applicator, then messiness is reduced, but device complexity increases and cleaning operations become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovemessinessVSAvoiddevice structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the complex guide means from the system. Instead of using elaborate guiding structures, it employs a simple positioning means with a positioning element that directly engages the applicator, simplifying the device structure while maintaining controlled composition transfer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning means enables self-alignment and self-positioning of the applicator. The positioning element engages with features on the applicator itself, allowing the applicator to be automatically positioned correctly without requiring complex external guiding mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Quantity of substance

If porous material such as wadding or foam is used for the applicator, then the spreadable composition is absorbed, but the applicator cannot be easily cleaned and reused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomposition retentionVSAvoidcleaning and reuse
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The invention deliberately avoids using porous materials for the applicator. Instead, it employs a non-porous material that does not absorb the spreadable composition, preventing contamination and enabling easy cleaning and reuse of the applicator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The non-porous applicator allows for recovery and reuse. The applicator can be easily cleaned by rinsing with water or suitable solvent, and is ready for reuse, eliminating the need to discard it after single use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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 solution effectively reduces messiness and simplifies the application process, allowing for easy cleaning and reuse of the applicator, ensuring precise application and distribution of the composition, particularly suitable for body cavities.

Implementation Method 1

The container comprises a propellant gas and an internal movable wall, on one side of which the spreadable composition is present and on the other side of which the propellant gas is present

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPropulsion by gas pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP1993656B1Device for applying a spreadable composition to a part of the human or animal body
Publication Date: 2016.05.18 YOUMEDICAL BV
  • EP1993656B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2
  • EP1993656B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c
  • EP1993656B1 patent drawingFigure 3d~3f

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for applying a spreadable composition to a part of the human or animal body, wherein the device comprises a container containing the spreadable composition, an applicator for the spreadable composition and means for urging the spreadable composition out of the container and into contact with the applicator, provided with positioning means connected to the container for positioning the applicator in a position in which composition urged out of the container can be brought into contact with the applicator. As a result of these measures the process of arranging the spreadable substance on the applicator can be much better controlled, thus avoiding messiness. The spreadable composition is preferably urged from the applicator to the body by reducing the volume of the cavity formed in the applicator.