Dischargeable Cap Dome Radial Slits Whipped Cream Appearance

Solution Overview

Problem

Body-care compositions lack a dischargeable cap that effectively differentiates products by emphasizing their conditioning and esthetic appearance, as existing caps fail to provide a unique and attractive visual representation of the discharged composition.

Innovation Solution

A dischargeable cap with a dome-shaped discharge opening and radially extending slits, creating ridges on the discharged composition, which enhances the appearance and emphasizes the product's viscosity and conditioning effects, while maintaining sealing functionality to prevent leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a conventional dischargeable cap with a simple opening is used, then the cap structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the discharged composition lacks visual appeal and does not emphasize conditioning effects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance of discharged compositionVSAvoidcap structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge opening is segmented into multiple radial slits extending from a central opening, creating multiple ridges on the discharged composition. This segmentation transforms a simple circular opening into a multi-component structure that shapes the flowing composition into distinct ridges, enhancing visual appeal while maintaining manufacturability through straightforward mold design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cap incorporates a dome portion with a curved surface that directs the flow of composition through the radial slits. The curvature of the dome guides the composition flow to form aesthetically pleasing ridges, transforming the simple linear flow into a curved, whipped-cream-like appearance that emphasizes product viscosity and conditioning effects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of manufacture

If the cap structure is simplified for easy manufacture, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the cap cannot create the whipped cream appearance or emphasize product viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecap manufacturing easeVSAvoidridge formation on discharged composition

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge opening is segmented into multiple radial slits extending from a central opening, creating multiple ridges on the discharged composition. This segmentation transforms a simple circular opening into a multi-component structure that shapes the flowing composition into distinct ridges, enhancing visual appeal while maintaining manufacturability through straightforward mold design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cap design incorporates specific geometric parameters including the number of radial slits (3-8), their angular spacing, width-to-length ratios, and the dome height-to-diameter ratio. These parameter optimizations ensure that the composition flows through the slits to form well-defined ridges with whipped-cream appearance, achieving the desired visual effect with standard manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the discharge opening is enlarged to allow faster discharge, then discharge speed is improved, but the composition loses its ridged appearance and whipped cream effect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge speedVSAvoidridge clarity and whipped cream appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge opening is segmented into multiple radial slits extending from a central opening, creating multiple ridges on the discharged composition. This segmentation transforms a simple circular opening into a multi-component structure that shapes the flowing composition into distinct ridges, enhancing visual appeal while maintaining manufacturability through straightforward mold design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cap design incorporates specific geometric parameters including the number of radial slits (3-8), their angular spacing, width-to-length ratios, and the dome height-to-diameter ratio. These parameter optimizations ensure that the composition flows through the slits to form well-defined ridges with whipped-cream appearance, achieving the desired visual effect with standard manufacturing tolerances

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8220670B2Dischargeable cap

Publication Date: 2012.07.17 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

An ejector cap which can impart a whipped cream-like appearance to a body care composition at the time of ejection. In order to find the arrangement of an ejection opening, a main means comprises a cap body fixed to a container and having an ejection opening in the top wall, and a lid movable freely between an open position and a close position. In the ejection cap for ejecting a body care composition, contained in the container and having viscosity of 10,000-50,000 Pas, from the ejection opening, the cap body has a dome portion on the top wall, and the ejection opening is of a central opening formed in the center of the dome portion and at least three leg-like openings extending radially outward from the central opening. The lid has an enclosing function for preventing leakage of the body care composition from the ejection opening at the close position.