Cosmetic container having replaceable cartridges

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Solution Overview

Problem

The cosmetic industry generates significant non-recyclable plastic waste, leading to environmental pollution, and there is a demand for eco-friendly, portable, and versatile cosmetic products that offer multiple options without compromising on fashion or convenience.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic container system featuring a cylindrical design with replaceable cartridges, allowing users to easily select and rotate different cartridges through a rotatable mechanism, which includes a first elongate piece with penetration openings, a second elongate piece for rotation, and a third elongate piece for engagement, enabling up to three cartridges to be held and facilitating easy replacement and reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If traditional flat compact design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but portability and uniqueness are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecylindrical shapeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cosmetic container is divided into multiple functional segments: a cylindrical base body, a separate lid assembly, and interchangeable cartridges. This segmentation allows the unique cylindrical shape to be achieved while each component can be manufactured using standard processes, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the innovative form factor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple cosmetic varieties are offered in separate containers, then product variety is improved, but portability and convenience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecosmetic varietyVSAvoidportability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container system employs universal cartridges that can be interchanged within the same cylindrical container housing. Multiple cosmetic varieties are achieved through cartridge replacement rather than multiple separate containers, maintaining portability while providing product variety. The standardized cartridge interface enables one container to serve multiple cosmetic functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cartridge design allows one cartridge to be nested within the cylindrical container, with multiple cartridges potentially stored within the container body or lid assembly. This nesting approach enables carrying multiple cosmetic varieties in a single portable unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If disposable cosmetic packaging is used, then ease of manufacture and initial cost are improved, but environmental harm and long-term cost worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidenvironmental pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the reusable cylindrical container housing from the consumable cartridges. The durable outer container is retained and reused, while only the depleted cartridges are discarded. This recovery approach significantly reduces plastic waste compared to complete disposable packaging, while maintaining manufacturing simplicity for the standardized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material and durability parameters of the container housing, making it permanently reusable rather than disposable. Simultaneously, the cartridges are designed with optimized parameters for cost-effective production and controlled disposal, creating a hybrid system that reduces environmental impact while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Ease of manufacture

If fixed cosmetic containers are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability and reusability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidcartridge replaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container system transitions from a fixed, static design to a dynamic, interchangeable configuration. The cartridges are designed with snap-fit or threaded interfaces that allow easy replacement without tools, maintaining structural simplicity while enabling adaptability. The container can dynamically accommodate different cartridge types through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11771203B2Cosmetic container having replaceable cartridges

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 OK SOO JEONG

AI summary

A cosmetic container system comprises: a first elongate piece having a lengthwise penetration opening and defined by a circular lower periphery and a main periphery extending from the circular lower periphery, wherein the main periphery has at least two elongate openings each open to the penetration opening, wherein the elongate openings are configured to fittingly, detachably hold cosmetic cartridges each carrying a predetermined cosmetic therein; a second elongate piece rotatably engaged over the main periphery to the lower periphery and having a selection opening to selectively choose the cartridges through the selection opening by rotating the lower periphery against the second elongate piece; and a third elongate piece detachably engaged over the first elongate piece further into the lower periphery, wherein the third elongate piece is at least twice a diameter of the lower periphery in length.