Deformable Membrane Sealing for Cosmetic Packaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic packaging fails to maintain optimal leak-tightness across varying temperatures and pressure conditions, leading to weight loss due to air pressure differences, making it difficult for users to open and close the lid efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A packaging design featuring a deformable membrane with a flexible central wall and a rigid annular rim, urged by spring means to ensure leak-tightness, which absorbs pressure differences and facilitates easy opening and closing by using a hinge or screw mechanism, with a sealing joint and variable-volume compartment to maintain consistent pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If radial sealing joints are used to ensure leak-tightness, then sealing reliability is improved, but the screwing couple or closing force required increases making the packaging difficult to manipulate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveleak-tightnessVSAvoiddifficulty to open and close lid

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing interface is transformed from a static radial contact to a dynamic axial contact. The deformable membrane with annular rim moves axially under spring force to engage with the container opening, creating a compliant sealing mechanism that adapts to pressure differences without requiring high closing forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing mechanism changes the direction of the sealing force from radial to axial. By applying axial force through the deformable membrane and spring system, the patent achieves effective sealing while reducing the torque and force requirements compared to traditional radial sealing joints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stress or pressure

If air pressure differences are allowed to rebalance through exchanges with the external environment, then pressure equilibrium is achieved, but weight loss occurs due to volatile component evaporation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure equilibriumVSAvoidweight loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

A deformable membrane formed of flexible material is used to create a dynamic sealing interface. This membrane can deform axially to accommodate pressure differences between the internal and external environments while maintaining the integrity of the seal, preventing volatile component loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing system is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid, allowing the deformable membrane to move and adapt to pressure changes. This dynamic response enables the packaging to maintain leak-tightness across varying pressure conditions without requiring the seal to remain perfectly rigid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a rigid sealing structure is used to maintain seal integrity, then sealing reliability is improved, but the packaging cannot adapt to pressure and temperature variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidadaptability to pressure and temperature variations

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a deformable membrane made of flexible material as the sealing element. This flexible structure can deform axially in response to pressure differences and temperature variations, maintaining effective sealing contact while adapting to environmental changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing system combines flexible deformable membrane material with a rigid annular rim structure. This composite approach provides both the flexibility needed to adapt to pressure variations and the structural integrity required for reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 solution provides reliable leak-tightness across a wide temperature range (-10° C. to +50° C.) with minimal weight loss, making it easier for users to open and close the lid, while maintaining the integrity of volatile products.

Implementation Method 1

said annular rim being urged in an axial direction of closure by spring means bearing on a base of the lid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the central wall of the membrane may then be deformed as a function of the differences between the pressures prevailing on either side of the deformable membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure difference: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10219603B2Packaging for containing products, in particular cosmetic preparations

Publication Date: 2019.03.05 PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR SA

AI summary

The packaging includes a container provided with an opening at the top and bounding a housing designed to receive the product, a lid designed to close the opening of the container and a deformable membrane borne by the lid to ensure the leak-tightness of the housing when the lid is in a closed position. The deformable membrane includes a generally flexible central wall surrounded by a generally rigid annular rim which is urged in the axial direction of closure by spring element bearing on a base of the lid such that the annular rim bears in a leak-tight manner on an annular bearing surrounding the opening of the container when the lid is in the closed position and the central wall may be deformed as a result of the differences in pressure prevailing on either side of the deformable membrane. The packaging may be used in particular for cosmetic preparations.