Beveled Lip Wiper for Applicator Residual Product Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wipers for liquid or pasty product applicators often leave residual product on the applicator, leading to unsightly accumulation or messy drops during application, especially due to the viscosity and shape of the product and applicator, which existing devices fail to effectively address.

Innovation Solution

A wringer assembly with a flexible tubular sleeve and a beveled annular lip that interacts with the applicator to scrape off excess product, featuring a frustoconical portion and a convex orifice, allowing for deformation to fit closely with the applicator and direct excess product back into the container, while a less flexible fixing part maintains attachment to the container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional wiper is used on the container neck, then the wiper can remove excess product, but residual product remains on the applicator tip causing unsightly accumulation or messy drops

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct removal effectivenessVSAvoidresidual product accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The wringing sleeve is made of flexible material that can deform during applicator withdrawal to conform to the applicator shape and effectively scrape off residual product. The flexibility allows the sleeve to adapt to different applicator geometries and maintain contact for thorough wringing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The beveled lip is designed with a specific curvature and angle to optimize the scraping action. The curved surface of the beveled lip follows the contour of the applicator tip, enabling effective product removal while preventing residual accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the wringing sleeve is made flexible to adapt to applicator shape, then wringing effectiveness improves, but the fixing part must remain rigid to maintain stable attachment to the container

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to applicator shapeVSAvoidattachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The wringer is divided into two distinct parts: a flexible wringing sleeve for adapting to the applicator shape and a rigid fixing part for stable container attachment. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without compromise.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the wringer have different mechanical properties - the wringing sleeve is locally made flexible for adaptability, while the fixing part is locally made rigid for stability. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between flexibility and stability requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the lip is beveled to scrape the applicator tip, then residual product removal improves, but the structure becomes more complex compared to a simple wiper

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresidual product removalVSAvoidwringer structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The beveled lip is integrated directly into the wringing sleeve as a continuous structure, merging the scraping function with the wringing function in a single component. This eliminates the need for separate scraping elements and keeps the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Effectively removes residual product from the applicator, preventing unsightly accumulation and messy drops by ensuring efficient wringing and containment of the product within the container, enhancing application precision and cleanliness.

Implementation Method 1

the wringing sleeve can deform to best adapt to the shape of the applicator being wrung

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

the distal part of the lip, in response to the deformation of the entire wringing sleeve, scrapes the tip of the applicator and removes any drop of product

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

the lip is beveled with respect to a withdrawal direction of the applicator through the wringer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

the distal part of the lip, in response to the deformation of the entire wringing sleeve, scrapes the tip of the applicator and removes any drop of product that would otherwise remain on the applicator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInclined Plane: Inclined Plane

Data Source

PatentEP3989771B1Wiper for a liquid or pasty product applicator

Publication Date: 2023.09.13 PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR SA

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AI summary

Wiper (10) for a liquid or pasty product applicator, comprising a fastening portion (20) which is configured to fasten the wiper (10) to the opening (56) of a container (50) which can contain the product, and a tubular wiping sleeve (30) which is connected to the fastening portion (20), wherein the wiping sleeve (30) is more flexible than the fastening portion (20), and the end of the wiping sleeve (30) opposite the fastening portion (20) forms an annular lip (38), the lip (38) defining an opening (40) which is bevelled in relation to a withdrawal direction (X) of the applicator through the wiper (10).