Applicator Teeth Flow Reducer for Hair Coloring Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hair coloring product dispensing assemblies struggle to allow precise application of products like mousse, gel, or cream to specific hair locks without overflowing onto adjacent hair, due to difficulties in measuring and regulating the product flow, which is exacerbated by the limited capillary retention of hair fibers.
Innovation Solution
An applicator member with a base and protruding teeth forming a closed curve around a dispensing orifice, where at least one tooth has a bend to act as a flow reducer, allowing the user to visually regulate product flow by observing product retention between the teeth, and featuring a removable cap for sealing and easy manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user presses the container walls to initiate product flow, then the product dispensing is enabled, but the user cannot precisely measure or regulate the force applied to control the flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth structure automatically regulates product flow by using the product's own weight and viscosity to fill the spaces between teeth, creating a self-limiting flow mechanism that eliminates the need for precise force measurement by the user
Solution Approach 2:
The bent tooth design provides visual feedback to the user by showing when product has accumulated between the teeth, allowing the user to regulate flow based on observable indicators rather than attempting to measure applied force
2Quantity of substance
If hair fibers are used to retain product through capillarity, then product retention is achieved, but the limited number of fibers cannot retain large volumes of product without overflow
Solution Approach 1:
The teeth act as an intermediary structure between the dispensing orifice and the hair, providing additional surface area and capillary spaces that enhance product retention capacity beyond what hair fibers alone can provide
Solution Approach 2:
The bent tooth geometry creates three-dimensional product retention spaces around the dispensing orifice, adding vertical and radial dimensions to product holding capacity that complement the horizontal arrangement of hair fibers
3Ease of manufacture
If the applicator member uses a simple dispensing orifice design, then manufacturing is easier, but precise metering of product quantity cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is segmented into multiple functional elements (base, multiple teeth, bent tooth flow reducer) that work together to control product flow, allowing each element to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall manufacturability
Solution Approach 2:
The bent tooth geometry changes the physical parameters of the flow path, creating a flow reducer effect that meters product quantity through geometric constraints rather than complex mechanical or electronic controls
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
Enables precise and controlled application of hair coloring products to specific hair locks, reducing overflow and allowing users to easily regulate the product flow by observing product retention between the teeth, thus improving application precision and reducing waste.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of said teeth has a bend between its free end and its end integral with the base so as to form a flow reducer for the product exiting from said orifice
Implementation Method 2
a lock consists of a limited number of hair fibers, which do not allow a large volume of product to be retained between them by capillarity
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The unit has a zone having a slotted outer circumference, and a base having a passage (13) which permits a communication of a container (16) containing a product with a distribution opening (3) of the base. A set of notches (4) has an end integrated to the base and projects on an external edge (7) of the opening. The base has a tapered portion (23) extending until an external border (9) of the edge (7) so that the passage extends partly inside a volume delimited by the portion. The base has a sealing skirt (22) which is in sealing contact with an internal edge of a neck (19).