Asymmetric Personal Care Dispenser with Flow Restriction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid personal care products, such as shaving cream, often result in wastage due to inefficient dispensing and lack of effective lathering aids, particularly for smaller skin areas, and there is a need for ergonomic packaging that informs users of the applicator's orientation.
Innovation Solution
A package design featuring a non-cylindrical applicator integrated with the container, including a displacement member and flow-restricting mechanism, allowing for direct skin application and lathering, with features like adjustable skin-contacting portions and safety caps to prevent leakage and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cylindrical applicator is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it is difficult for users to view the orientation of the applicator when placed against the skin
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is designed with an asymmetric non-cylindrical shape (such as oval, rectangular, or triangular cross-section) instead of a symmetric cylindrical shape. This asymmetric geometry provides visual cues that help users understand the orientation of the applicator when it is placed against the skin, while still maintaining simplicity in manufacturing through standard molding processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the applicator shape is changed from cylindrical to better fit smaller skin areas, then the applicability to various skin areas is improved, but it becomes harder for users to view the orientation of the applicator
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator employs an asymmetric cross-sectional shape (oval, rectangular, or triangular) that is optimized for contoured skin surfaces while the asymmetric geometry itself serves as a visual indicator of orientation, eliminating the need for additional orientation markers.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator may incorporate color coding or visual markers on its surface that change or become visible in specific orientations, helping users understand the correct positioning of the applicator on contoured skin areas without compromising the optimized shape for those areas.
3Device complexity
If traditional hand application method is used, then no special applicator is needed, but product waste occurs due to inefficient transfer from fingers to skin
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is designed to be self-lathering, where the product dispenses and lathers automatically as the applicator moves across the skin surface. This eliminates the need for manual lathering actions and ensures complete product transfer to the skin, preventing waste while keeping the device relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator combines the dispensing mechanism and lathering function into a single integrated component. The product is dispensed directly onto the applicator surface which simultaneously performs the lathering action, ensuring efficient product transfer and eliminating the waste associated with manual application.
4Device complexity
If no flow-restricting mechanism is used, then the dispensing system is simple, but water and impurities can enter the container and product can flow out unintentionally
Solution Approach 1:
The flow-restricting mechanism is designed as a separate, removable component that can be taken out for cleaning or replacement. This modular approach maintains container protection while allowing the dispensing system to remain relatively simple and easy to maintain.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow-restricting mechanism automatically responds to pressure changes and orientation, opening or closing based on the container's position and dispensing conditions without requiring external control systems, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring reliable protection.
Data Source
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AI summary
A package for dispensing a liquid personal care product, the package comprising: a body for grasping with a user's hand; an applicator comprising an applicator base and a skin-contacting portion extending from the applicator base to a first height; a dispensing conduit through which a liquid personal care product is dispensable from the body, wherein the dispensing conduit comprises a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end comprises an inlet that is in fluid communication with the body, wherein the distal end extends from the applicator base to a second height that is less than the first height; and a flow-restricting member associated with the dispensing conduit.