Discharge Container Piston Sealing Inlet Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing discharge containers require cleaning after use and risk content volatilization due to mixing and storage issues, particularly in multi-component dispensing systems like hair dye containers and syringe assemblies.

Innovation Solution

A discharge container with a piston mechanism that seals inlet holes when not in use, preventing content flow and volatilization, and allowing controlled discharge through matching the discharge hole diameter with the cylinder internal diameter for efficient content transfer.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple storage portions are integrated into a single discharge container with a shared discharge space, then productivity and convenience are improved by enabling simultaneous discharge of multiple contents, but the device complexity increases due to the need for multiple inlet holes and a piston sealing mechanism

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge efficiencyVSAvoidcontainer structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple storage portions (first, second, and third storage portions) with separate inlet holes (first, second, and third inlet holes) that all communicate with a common discharge space. This segmentation allows independent storage and controlled discharge of multiple contents through a unified structure, improving productivity while managing complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple discharge pathways are merged into a single common discharge space that leads to one discharge hole. The piston mechanism unifies the control of multiple inlet holes, allowing simultaneous or selective discharge of multiple contents through a single integrated system rather than requiring separate discharge mechanisms for each storage portion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If the piston is positioned at the first position where inlet holes are closed, then reliability is improved by preventing content leakage and volatilization, but the ease of operation decreases due to the need for precise piston positioning and sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent sealingVSAvoidpiston control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The piston is extracted as a separate movable component that can be independently positioned between a first position (closing all inlet holes) and a second position (opening all inlet holes). This extraction allows the sealing function to be performed by a dedicated component rather than relying on the integrated container structure, improving reliability while making the sealing action more controllable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The piston is designed to be movable between two distinct positions, transforming the static sealing structure into a dynamic system. The piston can be positioned at the first location to seal all inlet holes during storage, and moved to the second location to open all inlet holes during discharge, providing reliable sealing when needed while maintaining operational simplicity through clear position states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of substance

If the discharge hole diameter is made substantially the same as the cylinder internal diameter, then loss of substance is reduced by preventing content residue, but manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure proper dimensional matching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent residueVSAvoiddimensional tolerance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge hole diameter is specifically designed to be substantially the same as the cylinder internal diameter, changing the dimensional parameter of the discharge opening. This parameter matching ensures that the piston can fully engage with the discharge hole at the first position, completely sealing the discharge path and preventing any content residue from remaining in the discharge space, thereby minimizing loss of substance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Prevents the need for post-discharge cleaning and minimizes content volatilization, ensuring the discharge container is ready for next use without mixing ratio interference and maintaining content integrity.

Implementation Method 1

when the piston is at the first position, the plurality of inlet holes are closed by the piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical sealing:

Implementation Method 2

the diameter of the discharge hole is substantially a same as an internal diameter of the cylinder part, and the first position is present at a substantially same position as an opening face of the discharge hole

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGeometric alignment:

Data Source

PatentEP3666687B1Discharge container, customized discharge system having discharge container, and discharge control method in discharge container
Publication Date: 2024.01.17 SHISEIDO CO LTD
  • EP3666687B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3666687B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3666687B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

A discharge container 1 includes a container body having a discharge face 13, on which a discharge hole 15 is formed, a cylinder part including a discharge space 2 in communication with the discharge hole 15 inside the container body, a piston 3 movable between a first position and a second position, the second position being farther than the first position from the discharge face in the discharge space 2, and a plurality of storage portions 5a to 5e for storing contents, wherein a plurality of inlet holes respectively corresponding to the plurality of storage portions 5a to 5e are formed in an inner wall of the discharge space 2, wherein, when the piston 3 is at the second position, the plurality of inlet holes 22a to 22e communicate with the discharge space 2 between a top face of the piston 3 and the discharge face, and the contents are ready to flow into the discharge space 2 from the plurality of inlet holes 22a to 22e, and wherein, when the piston 3 is at the first position, the plurality of inlet holes 22a to 22e are closed by the piston 3.