Applicator System With Segmented Container For Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cosmetic, therapeutic, and medicament creams, ointments, and lotions often contaminate users' hands when applied from tub-like containers, leading to undesirable hand coating and difficulty in cleaning, especially with water-repellent substances.
Innovation Solution
An applicator system comprising a container with a first chamber to support and retain an applicator in an accessible orientation, allowing the applicator to apply substances without hand contact, and a second chamber to hold the substance, with a lid configuration that prevents contamination and allows easy access and cleaning of the applicator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If hand application is used to access cream from tub-like containers, then the application process is simple and direct, but the substance becomes contaminated and the user's hands become coated with the cream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an applicator as an intermediary tool between the user's hand and the cream substance. The applicator has an active end that contacts the cream and a handle end that the user grasps, preventing direct hand contact with the substance. This mediator approach allows simple application while preventing contamination and hand coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator is segmented into distinct functional parts: an active end for contacting the substance, a handle end for user grip, and intermediate portions. The container is also segmented with separate chambers for the applicator and cream. This segmentation allows the application function to be separated from the storage function, enabling contamination prevention while maintaining ease of use.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a spatula is used to apply the cream, then hand contamination is reduced, but the spatula requires cleaning with disposable napkins after use
Solution Approach 1:
The container system provides self-service functionality by including integrated cleaning materials (absorbent wipes or napkins) within the container structure. The applicator can be cleaned by wiping with these materials that are stored in the container, eliminating the need for external disposable napkins and reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning function is merged with the storage function by incorporating cleaning materials directly into the container structure. The absorbent wipes are stored in a dedicated chamber within the same container that holds the cream and applicator, combining multiple functions (storage, application, and cleaning) into a single integrated system.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the container lid closes the second chamber to enclose the substance, then contamination is prevented, but the applicator becomes inaccessible for insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into separate chambers: a first chamber for the applicator and a second chamber for the cream substance. The lid is configured to close only the second chamber, leaving the first chamber open. This segmentation allows the substance to be enclosed for contamination prevention while the applicator remains accessible in the separate open chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The first chamber acts as an intermediary space that mediates between the need for substance enclosure and applicator accessibility. By providing a separate open chamber for the applicator, the system allows the lid to close the second chamber for contamination prevention while maintaining applicator access through the open first chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator system comprises a container and an applicator. The container is configured to contain a substance to be applied using the applicator. The container is further configured to support the applicator in an accessible orientation in use. For example, the container can comprise a first chamber that is open at an end thereof. The first chamber can be arranged to receive and locate at least an active end of the applicator therein and to hold the applicator in the accessible orientation in use. The container can also comprise a second chamber that is arranged to receive and hold therein the substance to be contacted by the active end of the applicator in use.