Capsule With Off-Center Dipstick Passage And Asymmetric Piston
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing capsules for flasks suffer from bulkiness due to the need for a dipstick passage channel and a piston, reducing the volume for the second component, complicating filling and sealing, and requiring complex piston designs that may be structurally weak.
Innovation Solution
A capsule design with an off-center dipstick passage and a plunger that breaks the bottom wall efficiently, allowing for better volume utilization, easy filling, and secure sealing, compatible with various dispenser positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a through channel is cut for the dip-pipe passage and a piston is housed inside the container, then the dispensing function is achieved, but the volume for storing the second component is reduced and the device becomes bulkier
Solution Approach 1:
The dip-pipe passage is relocated from a through-channel configuration to an opening in the bottom wall of the container. This dimensional change allows the dip-pipe to access the solvent reservoir without requiring a channel through the container body, thereby maximizing the storage volume for the second component while maintaining the dispensing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into functionally distinct zones: the solvent reservoir with its own dip-pipe opening, and the second component storage area with the piston. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the piston positioned to break only the bottom wall of the second component container without interfering with the solvent dip-pipe passage.
2Volume of stationary object
If the piston is designed to be compact to fit within the container, then the storage volume is maximized, but the structural strength is reduced and reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The piston is designed with an asymmetric T-shaped cross-section rather than a symmetric cylindrical form. This asymmetric geometry allows the piston to achieve the necessary breaking force with a reduced cross-sectional area, maximizing storage volume while maintaining sufficient structural strength through optimized stress distribution in the T-shaped profile.
3Ease of operation
If the plunger is attached to the spray body and passes through the piston, then the dispensing mechanism is achieved, but the piston design becomes more complex and sealing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is extracted from the piston structure and repositioned to be attached directly to the spray body, passing through the solvent reservoir dip-pipe opening instead. This separation eliminates the complexity of integrating the plunger through the piston while maintaining the dispensing mechanism, and improves sealing by removing the plunger-piston interface that would compromise the seal.
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 design enhances capacity, simplifies filling, ensures secure sealing, and maintains structural integrity while being compatible with different dispenser configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a piston or plunger (2), which breaks the bottom wall (12) when completely inserted into the capsule (1)
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3~4C
Figure 5A~6B
AI summary
Object of the invention is a capsule (1) for containing and dispensing a component (C), intended to be housed in a flask having a dispenser connected to a dip tube, comprising a first side wall (11), a second bottom wall (12) at least partially removable, which define a cavity (13) intended to contain said component (C), an opening (14) for access to the cavity (13) delimited by an upper margin (140), a hole (16) at a position adjacent and contiguous to the upper margin (140) to allow the dip tube to reach the bottom of the flask, a first constriction or reduction in diameter (15) and/or a second constriction (150) located on an inner face (111) thereof and proximate to the upper margin (140) Another object is a piston (2) intended to be inserted into a capsule (1) of the said type, comprising a head (21) and a stem (22), wherein the head (21) is intended to at least partially contact a portion of the first wall (11) of the capsule (1) near its opening (14) so as to seal it, wherein the head (21) is shaped so as to present a groove (24) such that it does not interfere with the hole (16) of the capsule (1). The invention also relates to a kit comprising a capsule and a piston of the type described.