Single-Use Cosmetic Capsule With Controlled Opening and Channeled Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deformable single-use capsules suffer from uncontrolled opening and unchanneled flow issues, leading to uncontrolled discharge and contamination risks during the mixing process.
Innovation Solution
A deformable capsule design featuring a re-entrant angular sector in the frangible wall and a guide channel with a narrowing cross-section, coupled with a connector, ensures controlled opening and directed flow, allowing for better homogenization within interconnected capsules without external mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a frangible wall with a re-entrant angular sector is used to control capsule opening, then the opening control is improved, but the flow channeling of contents remains uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule structure is segmented into distinct functional zones: the frangible wall with re-entrant angular sector for controlled opening, the guide channel for flow direction, and the connector for inter-capsule coupling. This segmentation allows each component to independently perform its specific function, resolving the contradiction between opening control and flow channeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide channel acts as an intermediary element between the pouch interior and the external environment. It receives the cosmetic product from the pouch and directs it through a controlled path to the connector, mediating the transition from uncontrolled burst to controlled flow.
2Force
If the frangible wall is designed for reduced pressure force opening, then the opening threshold is lowered, but the opening becomes intermittent and uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The frangible wall incorporates a re-entrant angular sector that concentrates stress at specific locations, creating localized weak points with predictable failure characteristics. This local quality modification ensures that the wall opens reliably at a specific pressure threshold without intermittent failure.
Solution Approach 2:
The re-entrant angular sector is pre-formed during manufacturing to create predetermined stress concentration zones. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when pressure is applied, the frangible wall will open in a controlled and consistent manner at the designed threshold pressure.
3Productivity
If the cosmetic product flows directly out of the pouch, then the discharge is rapid, but the flow is uncontrolled and causes contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The guide channel serves as an intermediary structure between the pouch and the external environment. It maintains a controlled interface during discharge, preventing direct exposure to contaminants while allowing rapid flow of the cosmetic product through its narrowed cross-section.
Solution Approach 2:
The pouch and capsule structures utilize flexible materials that can deform under pressure to enable rapid discharge while maintaining structural integrity and controlled openings. The flexibility allows the structure to adapt to pressure changes without creating uncontrolled rupture paths.
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 achieves controlled opening and channeled flow, preventing contamination and enhancing homogenization efficiency within the capsules, ensuring a clean and reproducible mixing process.
Implementation Method 1
the rupture of which, caused by pressure exerted on the pouch, is effected by peeling, at the level of this re-entrant angular sector, of these two sheets plated and fixed to one another
Implementation Method 2
the rupture of which, caused by pressure exerted on the pouch, is effected by peeling, at the level of this re-entrant angular sector, of these two sheets plated and fixed to one another
Implementation Method 3
a guide channel forming a narrowing of the cross-section and a connector located at the end of the guide channel allowing the coupling of the capsule to another capsule
Implementation Method 4
a male or female connector, intended to couple with a female or male connector of another capsule
Implementation Method 5
the passage of the mixture between the two respective pouches of the two capsules via a channel of narrowed cross-section between the pouches, encompassing the two connectors, also achieving a better homogenization of this mixture
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~8
Figure 9~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a single-use deformable capsule comprising: a pouch (11, 41): containing a cosmetic product, of which the periphery (16, 46) is formed by two sheets (2 and 3, 5 and 6) pressed firmly together and joined to one another, a canal (20, 50): connecting the pouch (11, 41) to the outside of the capsule (1, 4), forming a narrowing of cross-section relative to the pouch (1, 4), a frangible wall (13, 43): separating the pouch (11, 41) from the canal (20, 50), having the form of a salient angular sector (13, 43) projecting into the otherwise convex shape of the periphery (16, 46) of the pouch (11, 41), of which the breakage, brought about by pressure applied to the pouch (11, 41), comes about by the peeling-apart, at this salient angular sector (13, 43), of these two sheets (2 and 3, 5 and 6) which are pressed firmly together and joined to one another, places the pouch (11, 41) in communication with the canal (20, 50) so that the cosmetic product flows from the pouch (11, 41) towards the canal (20, 50), a connector (14, 44): male (44) or female (14), intended to couple with a connector, female (14) or male (44), of another capsule (1, 4), rigid enough to provide a fluidtight connection between the capsules (1, 4), once the connectors (14, 44) have been coupled to one another, situated at an opposite end (52) of the canal (50) to an end (51) of the canal (50) that is situated at the pouch (41) end, or else situated at an opening (22) of the canal (20) that is distinct from that end (21) of the canal (2) that is situated at the pouch (11) end, opening to the outside of the capsule (1).