Cosmetic Case Multipoint Locking Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cosmetic product cases fail to provide a uniform and effective seal against impurities and fluids, leading to premature degradation or leakage of cosmetic products, and the sealing system can become difficult to operate due to increased pressure and friction, making reuse of the case after the product is finished impractical.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic case design featuring a base and lid articulated via a pivot connection with a multipoint locking system, where an additional part slides or pivots relative to the lid, distributing pressure evenly across the seal and allowing for easy opening and closing without causing friction, ensuring a tight seal and extending the case's usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a seal is added to ensure sufficient sealing against impurities and fluids, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the locking system becomes more difficult to operate due to increased pressure and friction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidlocking system operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is segmented into multiple locking points distributed around the perimeter of the lid, rather than a single centralized locking mechanism. This distributes the force required to overcome seal friction across multiple locations, making the opening and closing operation easier while maintaining effective sealing at all points around the container.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If a single-point locking system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the seal pressure is not uniform and sealing effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking system structureVSAvoidsealing effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking system is divided into multiple locking points positioned at different locations around the lid perimeter. Each locking point applies pressure at a specific location, collectively creating uniform pressure distribution across the entire seal, thereby improving sealing effectiveness without requiring complex centralized mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the lid are equipped with locking points at optimized locations to apply pressure where most needed. The locking points are strategically positioned to ensure uniform pressure distribution across the seal surface, with each local locking point contributing to the overall sealing quality at its specific location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional clipping or screwing locking is used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the seal undergoes non-uniform crushing and premature wear occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking system assemblyVSAvoidseal service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of a single clipping or screwing mechanism, multiple locking points are distributed around the lid. Each locking point can be implemented with simple clipping or screwing elements that are easy to manufacture, while collectively they provide uniform pressure distribution that prevents premature seal wear and extends service life.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 multipoint locking system provides a comprehensive seal against impurities and fluids, preventing premature product degradation and allowing the case to remain functional for refilling, while simplifying the opening mechanism and reducing wear on the seal.

Implementation Method 1

The multipoint locking applies sufficient pressure to the seal when the housing is in the closed position so that the seal against impurities and fluids between the internal and external environments of said housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The gasket is provided on the surface of the base - respectively of the lid so as to be crushed by the cover - respectively by the base - when the case is in the closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3437511B1Packaging for cosmetic product
Publication Date: 2021.09.08 ALBEA SERVICES SAS
  • EP3437511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3437511B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5a
  • EP3437511B1 patent drawingFigure 5b~5d

AI summary

The invention relates to a cosmetic case (1) comprising a base (3), a cover (5), a sealing gasket (21) and a closing/opening means, the base (3) and the cover (5) being articulated relative to each other via a pivot joint, the case (1) being capable of occupying two distinct positions, a closed position in which the cover (5) is held in position on the base (3) by the closing/opening means and an open position in which the cover (5) is free to pivot relative to the base (3), said closing/opening means comprising: - an additional part (11) which is in a sliding or pivot joint with the cover (5), - a plurality of locking means (13) integral with the additional part (11) - respectively with the base (3), said locking means (13) being designed to cooperate, each, with a housing (15) provided in/on the base (3) - respectively in/on the additional part (11),the plurality of locking means (13) forming, with said housings (15), a multi-point locking system, the sealing gasket (21) being provided on the surface of the base (3) - respectively of the cover (5) - so as to be crushed by the cover (5) - respectively by the base (3) - when the housing (1) is in the closed position, the housing (1) being characterized in that the multi-point locking system applies sufficient pressure on the sealing gasket (21) when the housing (1) is in the closed position so that the sealing against impurities and fluids between the internal and external environments of said housing (1), in the closed position, is total under normal temperature and pressure (STP) conditions, the sealing gasket being in the form of a bead of material.