Bottom-Fill Dispenser Skeletal Platform Adherence

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing stick dispensers face challenges with stick adherence to the platform, resource conservation, even filling, air pockets, and assembly complexity, particularly in bottom-fill designs, which affect the efficiency and reliability of cosmetic product dispensing.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser design featuring a skeletal platform with an oval barrel, a separately moulded spindle, and a rotor wheel with a central hollow boss, allowing for precise assembly and reduced dead space, enabling efficient stick material flow and adherence while minimizing plastic usage and assembly time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a solid platform is used in bottom-fill dispensers, then filling is simplified, but stick adherence to the platform is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling processVSAvoidstick adherence

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is segmented into a skeletal structure with multiple apertures and support walls rather than a solid surface. This segmentation allows the stick material to be contained in multiple locations simultaneously, improving adherence while maintaining bottom-fill capability. The skeletal structure creates multiple contact points between the stick and platform, distributing the adherence requirement across several areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The platform structure is optimized locally with strategic placement of support walls and apertures. The support walls extend upward to provide localized adherence surfaces where the stick material needs support, while apertures are positioned to allow proper filling flow. This local optimization ensures adequate adherence in critical areas without requiring a completely solid platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a skeletal platform with multiple walls is used to improve stick adherence, then adherence is enhanced, but the platform depth must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestick adherenceVSAvoidplatform depth

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of providing continuous deep support walls throughout the entire platform, the invention uses partial walls that extend only to the necessary height to provide adequate adherence. The support walls are positioned strategically to provide sufficient contact area for stick adherence without extending unnecessarily deep, thus avoiding increased platform depth while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the spindle and rotor wheel are moulded separately, then assembly flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle and rotor wheel are merged into a single integrated component that is moulded as one piece. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly steps to join these two parts, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining the flexibility benefits. The single-piece construction ensures proper alignment and connection between the spindle and rotor wheel without requiring additional fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Manufacturing precision

If bottom-fill dispensers are used to avoid spillage, then filling control is improved, but air pockets and uneven filling occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling controlVSAvoidfilling uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The platform is segmented with multiple apertures distributed across its surface, allowing the liquid stick material to flow through multiple pathways simultaneously during bottom-fill. This segmentation prevents air pockets from forming by providing multiple escape routes for air bubbles, ensuring more uniform filling. The material can fill different sections of the dispenser evenly through the distributed aperture network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 design enhances stick adherence, reduces plastic usage, and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining efficient filling and dispensing, addressing issues of adherence, resource conservation, and assembly complexity in bottom-fill dispensers.

Implementation Method 1

a screw threaded spindle that extends through the base, is dimensioned to engage the screw-thread in the hub

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew thread mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

the rotor wheel that is mounted in the base of the barrel defines a central aperture spanned by a cross spoke or spokes bearing the spindle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Data Source

PatentUS8899860B2Dispenser

Publication Date: 2014.12.02 CONOPCO INC

AI summary

A dispenser for stick material that is suitable for bottom filling comprises a barrel (2) having at one end a base (6) with a central hollow boss with integrally moulded mountings for a separately moulded spindle having at one end at least two opposed struts terminating in means to engage with the mountings in the boss. Preferably, the spindle snaps fits with the boss. Preferably, the spindle has two struts that align with spokes within a skeletal platform (30) that link a filling ring therein to its rim.