Dispenser with Blocker Arm for Single-Dose Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging for on-the-go breath freshening or oral care products lacks accurate dosing and is not user-friendly for all individuals, particularly concerning dexterity and hygiene, as it often requires users to spill or grab products from containers.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser design featuring a storage cavity with a closure member and a pivotably coupled second component, allowing for single-product dispensing through a cup-shaped member, with a blocker arm preventing additional products from being dispensed when in the open state, ensuring accurate dosing and hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple container with openable lid is used for dispensing products, then the device complexity is reduced, but the dosing accuracy and hygiene are worsened because users must grab or spill products out
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into a storage cavity for bulk products and a cup-shaped dispensing cavity that holds only one product at a time. A closure member with a dispensing aperture controls the transfer from storage to dispensing cavity, ensuring precise single-unit dosing while maintaining simple overall structure
Solution Approach 2:
The cup-shaped member acts as an intermediary between the storage cavity and the user. It receives one product through the controlled dispensing aperture and presents it for removal, eliminating the need for users to directly handle bulk products and improving both dosing accuracy and hygiene
2Device complexity
If a container requires users to grab products out, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation is worsened for persons with limited dexterity
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing mechanism is self-service in that the closure member automatically controls the transfer of one product to the cup-shaped member when opened. The product is presented ready-for-removal without requiring the user to reach into and manually search for or grasp products from a bulk container, making it accessible to persons with limited dexterity
3Ease of operation
If multiple products are removed from container and put back, then the ease of operation is improved for finding desired product, but the hygiene is worsened due to contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
The desired function of product selection is extracted from the bulk storage environment. The closure member with its controlled dispensing aperture extracts and presents one product at a time to the cup-shaped member, which then presents it for removal. This eliminates the need to reach into the bulk storage area, preventing contamination while maintaining ease of operation
4Ease of operation
If container is turned upside-down for dispensing, then the ease of operation is improved for product flow, but the dosing accuracy is worsened due to spilling
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is designed to be alterable between closed and open states, dynamically controlling the dispensing aperture. When opened, it allows controlled transfer of one product to the cup-shaped member through gravity-assisted flow, maintaining dosing accuracy without requiring the entire container to be inverted and risking spills
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispenser (10) for holding and dispensing consumable products (300). The dispenser may include a first component (100) having a storage cavity (103) containing a plurality of consumable products, a closer member (150) that closes an open end (104) of the storage cavity, and a second component (200) pivotably coupled to the first component for dispensing one of the consumable products at a time. The closure member has a dispensing aperture (160) so that one of the consumable products can fit therethrough and pass onto a cup- shaped member (250) of the second component. Then, the closure member can be altered from a closed state to an open state so that a user can remove the one of the consumable products from the cup-shaped member of the second component. A blocker arm (260) protrudes from the cup-shaped member to prevent additional ones of the consumable products from being dispensed when the second component is in the open state.