Refillable Deodorant Dispenser With Spindle-Elevator Cartridge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current deodorant dispensers are complex mechanical systems with many components, leading to high manufacturing and logistical costs, and are often not redesigned frequently due to plastic packaging concerns, which are environmentally unsustainable.

Innovation Solution

A deodorant dispenser with a rotating body and spindle system that allows for initial filling and refilling through a continuous opening, using a spindle and elevator mechanism for easy refilling with a refill pack, reducing component count and enabling flexible manufacturing options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex mechanical system with multiple components is used for deodorant dispenser, then the dispensing function is reliable, but the manufacturing cost and logistical complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing functionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deodorant dispenser is divided into two main segments: a reusable outer housing and a replaceable inner cartridge. The cartridge contains the deodorant mass and essential mechanical components (rotating body, spindle, elevator), while the housing provides structural support and sealing. This segmentation allows the complex mechanical system to be simplified into modular units that can be manufactured separately and assembled, reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining reliable dispensing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If plastic packaging is used for deodorant dispenser, then the manufacturing cost is low and the structure is simple, but the environmental sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidenvironmental impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a refillable system where the outer housing is designed to be reused multiple times, while only the inner cartridge containing the deodorant mass is discarded after use. This approach recovers and reuses the plastic housing component, significantly reducing plastic waste compared to single-use dispensers. The housing can be refilled with new cartridges, extending its lifecycle and reducing the overall environmental impact of plastic packaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the deodorant dispenser is designed to be refillable, then the environmental friendliness improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional refilling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidrefilling mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of designing a complex refilling mechanism that fills the dispenser from the outside, the invention inverts the approach by allowing the user to remove the entire inner cartridge and replace it with a new one. The cartridge is designed to be easily removable and replaceable, simplifying the refilling process from a complex mechanical operation to a simple cartridge replacement action. This inversion maintains environmental friendliness through reusability while minimizing added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If a continuous closable opening is provided for filling, then the refilling process is simplified, but the sealing reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefilling processVSAvoidsealing function
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a removable inner cartridge as an intermediary element between the user and the outer housing. The cartridge contains the deodorant mass and has its own sealing mechanism that can be reliably closed and opened. This intermediary cartridge simplifies the refilling process by allowing users to simply replace the entire sealed cartridge unit, while the sealing reliability is maintained through the cartridge's dedicated sealing design, which is optimized for repeated opening and closing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4171315B1Deodorant dispenser
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 WEENER PLASTICS GRP BV
  • EP4171315B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4171315B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP4171315B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a deodorant dispenser with a container (10) and a rotary body (20) with a first coupling (21), and to a refill pack, filled with a deodorant composition, for such a deodorant dispenser with a refill container, a refill spindle (32) and a refill elevator (40) that is movable up and down on an outer thread of the refill spindle. The refill spindle has a second coupling (31) which, upon insertion of the refill container into the container of the deodorant dispenser, is connectable, with form-fit engagement and for conjoint rotation, to the first coupling of the rotary body of the deodorant dispenser.