Dispensing container

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Solution Overview

Problem

Containers with large openings for easy access to items inside allow moisture loss, while those with small openings restrict access, and existing solutions require additional lids for closure, which can be inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A container with a flexible lid featuring frangible petals that can be easily opened by a user to access items without the need for a separate lid, providing a self-sealing mechanism that maintains moisture within the container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a container has a large opening for easy access to items, then ease of access is improved, but moisture loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of accessVSAvoidmoisture loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The lid is divided into multiple frangible petals that can be selectively broken. This segmentation allows the opening to be divided into multiple smaller access points rather than one large opening, enabling easier access to items while reducing the total exposed surface area and thus minimizing moisture loss from the container contents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of substance

If a container has a small opening to minimize moisture loss, then moisture retention is improved, but ease of access deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture retentionVSAvoidease of access

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid transitions from a static sealed state to a dynamic partially-open state through the frangible petals. The petals can be broken to create access openings of varying sizes depending on user needs, allowing the system to adapt between moisture retention (sealed) and ease of access (partially open) states dynamically rather than being fixed at one opening size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If a container uses a separate removable lid for closure, then sealing capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure function is merged into the lid structure itself through the frangible petals that form an integral part of the lid. Instead of requiring a separate removable lid, the lid's petals can be broken to create access and then folded back to maintain closure, combining the access mechanism and sealing function into a single integrated component, thereby reducing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11547253B2Dispensing container

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 THE CLOROX CO

AI summary

Disclosed is a container assembly to enclose a volume. The container assembly includes a container, which may be substantially rigid, and an access portal. The access portal or aperture may be covered with a lid that is configurable in a sealed configuration, a closed configuration, and an open configuration.