Dispensing Cap with Cutting Element for Viscous Material Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing systems for viscous or granular materials in tubular casings are expensive due to the use of large, rigid plastic tubes and often result in accidental discharge of filling material when opening the packaging, leading to environmental pollution.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing cap with an attachment end for reversible attachment to a dispensing device, featuring a cutting element to open the tubular casing and secure attachment means like external screw threads, which allows for easy and safe opening and dispensing of the material without external opening, preventing accidental discharge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large rigid plastic tube is used to accommodate the complete bag-shaped packaging, then the packaging can be securely held and dispensed, but the cost increases due to expensive plastics and the device becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing system is divided into separate functional components: a reusable dispensing device and a disposable cap assembly. The cap assembly includes the cutting element and attachment mechanism, while the dispensing device provides the squeezing force. This segmentation allows the complex functions to be distributed across simpler, more compact components.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly with the cutting element is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after use, eliminating the need for a complex reusable mechanism. This allows the reusable dispensing device to be simpler and more compact, as it only needs to provide squeezing force without incorporating expensive opening mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the bag-shaped packaging is opened outside the tube before insertion, then the packaging can be prepared for dispensing, but filling material may accidentally discharge and pollute the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting element is pre-positioned within the cap assembly in a ready-to-use state. When the cap is attached to the dispensing device, the cutting element automatically engages with the packaging seal, allowing the user to simply rotate the cap to initiate cutting. This eliminates the need for separate preparation steps outside the tube.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the packaging seal. Instead of directly manipulating the seal outside the tube, the user interacts with the cap assembly, which contains the cutting element that safely cuts the seal from within the protected environment of the dispensing device.
3Ease of operation
If a cutting element is added to the dispensing cap to open the tubular casing, then easy opening is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting element is merged with the cap assembly, combining the opening function and the attachment function into a single integrated component. The cutting element is positioned such that it engages with the packaging seal when the cap is attached to the dispensing device, eliminating the need for separate opening and attachment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap assembly serves multiple functions: it attaches to the dispensing device, positions the cutting element to engage the packaging seal, and provides the attachment mechanism for the flexible packaging. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, keeping the overall device complexity manageable.
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 dispensing cap facilitates easy and safe opening of tubular casings and secure dispensing of viscous or granular materials, reducing waste and environmental impact by ensuring the filling material is contained within the dispensing system during use.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cutting element, configured to open the tubular casing, and extending from the attachment end in a direction opposite to the dispensing direction
Implementation Method 2
attachment means provided at the attachment end of the dispensing cap. The attachment means include an external screw thread configured to screw the dispensing cap into a corresponding internal thread of the dispensing device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a packaging combination for accommodating and dispensing a viscous or granular filling material. The packaging combination (1) comprises a tubular casing (10) having a first end (12), a second end (14) and a central axis (A) extending through first and second ends (12, 14), wherein the tubular casing (10) is tightly filled with filling material and closed at its first and second end (12, 14) by a closure means, like a closure clip (C). The packaging combination further comprises a dispensing system (20) including a dispensing device (30) having a passageway extending through the dispensing device (30) with an inlet opening (32) at its one end and an outlet opening (34) at its other end for guiding and dispensing the filling material in a dispensing direction (D), and being attached to the first end (12) of the tightly filled tubular casing (10), the first end (12) of the tubular casing (10) extending inside the passageway of the dispensing device (30). The dispensing system (20) further comprises a dispensing cap (40) having an attachment end (42) and a dispensing end (44), which is reversibly attachable to the outlet opening (34) of the dispensing device (30), by its attachment end (42).