Dispensing and application head

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispenser and applicator heads face a compromise between flexibility and stiffness, where flexible link sections compromise the necessary stiffness required for secure fastening and sealing, and stiff connection sections lack the necessary flexibility for effective fluid application.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser and applicator head design featuring a connection stub and assembly core made of a substantially rigid material, with a flexible link section comprising a flexible bridge and sheathing, allowing for independent control of flexibility and stiffness, and an applicator pad made of heat-transfer material for a cold sensation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the link section is made flexible to provide massage effect, then the flexibility and comfort are improved, but the stiffness required for secure mounting and sealing deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidmounting stiffness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head is divided into three distinct segments: a connection stub made of rigid material for secure mounting, a flexible link section for massage effect, and an applicator section for fluid application. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties for its specific function without compromising the others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the applicator head have different material properties: the connection stub uses substantially rigid material for structural support and sealing, while the link section uses flexible material for comfort and massage effect. This local differentiation of material qualities resolves the contradiction between overall stiffness and local flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the connection section is made stiff to ensure secure mounting, then the mounting reliability is improved, but the flexibility required for massage effect deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting stiffnessVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head is divided into three distinct segments: a connection stub made of rigid material for secure mounting, a flexible link section for massage effect, and an applicator section for fluid application. This segmentation allows each part to have optimized properties for its specific function without compromising the others.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the applicator head have different material properties: the connection stub uses substantially rigid material for structural support and sealing, while the link section uses flexible material for comfort and massage effect. This local differentiation of material qualities resolves the contradiction between overall stiffness and local flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If a single material is used for the entire applicator head to simplify manufacturing, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to provide both stiffness and flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial uniformityVSAvoidfunctional performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head uses composite construction with at least two different materials: a substantially rigid material for the connection stub and a flexible material for the link section. This composite approach allows the single component to exhibit both rigid and flexible characteristics, maintaining functional versatility while avoiding the need for assembly of multiple parts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 achieves flexible link sections with enhanced resilience and deformation characteristics while ensuring the necessary stiffness for connection and assembly core, improving the applicator head's functionality and ease of assembly.

Implementation Method 1

the applicator pad being made out of a heat-transfer material, such as metal or ceramic, so as to impart a cold sensation on contact with the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the link section made out of an elastically-deformable material so that the applicator pad is movable relative to the connection section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9827589B2Dispensing and application head

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 APTAR FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A dispenser and applicator head (T1) having a connection stub (1) made of a substantially-rigid first material; an assembly core (2) made of the same material; a flexible link section (S) that interconnects the connection stub and the assembly core; an applicator pad (5) made of a heat-transfer material to impart a cold sensation on contact with the skin and mounted on the assembly core; and a dispenser channel (6) that passes through the stub, the link section, the core, and the pad in which it forms a dispenser orifice. The link section includes a flexible bridge (3) made of the same material as the stub and interconnecting the stub and the core; and sheathing (4) made of an elastically-deformable material, the sheathing surrounding the bridge, at least in part, and interconnecting the stub and the core.