Bottle Assembly With Removable Lip Balm Compartment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often forget to bring either sunscreen or lip balm when outdoors, as these products are typically sold and stored separately, leading to a need for a convenient way to purchase, store, and use them simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A bottle assembly that includes a recessed end wall with a U-shaped or L-shaped compartment for a lip balm container, coupled via a flexible plastic coupling assembly that removably secures the lip balm container to the bottle, allowing easy access and storage without the need for separate locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sunscreen and lip balm are stored separately, then each product can be independently purchased and stored, but users often forget to bring one or the other when going outdoors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines sunscreen and lip balm into a single integrated container assembly, where the lip balm container is releasably secured to the sunscreen bottle. This merging of previously separate products into one unified structure ensures users carry both items together, eliminating the forgetting problem while maintaining independent accessibility to each product.
2Reliability
If a coupling assembly is added to secure the lip balm container to the bottle, then the lip balm container is securely held, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly utilizes the natural geometry of the lip balm container (specifically its rim structure) to engage with corresponding features on the bottle. The design allows the container itself to participate in the securing mechanism through its existing structural characteristics, rather than requiring additional active components or complex fastening systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it secures the lip balm container to the bottle, provides a releasable connection mechanism, and maintains accessibility to both products. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components for each function.
3Ease of operation
If a flexible plastic coupling assembly is used, then the lip balm container can be easily inserted and removed, but the coupling assembly requires sufficient resilience which may compromise structural stability
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling assembly is designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters that allow it to exhibit flexible, resilient behavior during insertion and removal operations. The plastic material and structural design enable temporary deformation under load that provides the necessary flexibility for easy operation, while maintaining adequate structural stability when engaged.
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 bottle assembly ensures that both sunscreen and lip balm are conveniently stored and easily accessible as a single unit, reducing the likelihood of users forgetting either product when outdoors.
Implementation Method 1
the coupling assembly is comprised of a plastic material, for example, that has sufficient resilience such that (i) the coupling assembly has sufficient flexibility that the lip balm container can be placed within the substantially U-shaped compartment by being pressed into the coupling assembly... and such that (ii) the coupling assembly has sufficient flexibility such that the coupling assembly releases the lip balm container when a force is generated pulling the lip balm container out
Data Source
AI summary
A bottle assembly comprises a bottle having an end wall having a substantially U-shaped compartment for receiving a lip balm container and a coupling assembly for removably grasping the lip balm container as the lip balm container rests within the substantially U-shaped compartment, the coupling assembly removably coupling the lip balm container to the bottle. The coupling assembly can be configured to be mounted onto a top surface of the bottle and can have a connecting ring thereon for coupling to a carabiner.