Dispensing Container Foldable Wall Twisting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dispensing tubes face issues such as difficulty in removing the last remaining content, 'plopping' of content, crumpled appearance, and the need to stand on their head for efficient use.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing container design featuring a foldable wall that can be twisted to extract the content completely, with a constriction near the end to enhance twisting, displacement surfaces to compensate for space, and a guide element to maintain the foldable wall's shape, allowing for comfortable one-handed operation and efficient dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a conventional tube is used for dispensing, then the structure is simple, but the final remaining content cannot be removed or is very difficult to remove

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremaining contentVSAvoiddifficulty to remove content
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tube incorporates a foldable wall that can be dynamically twisted and compressed during dispensing. This dynamic structure allows the tube to be squeezed and folded to extract the final remaining content, transforming the static tube into an actively deformable dispensing system that enables complete content removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tube design changes the physical parameters of the tube structure by introducing a foldable wall that can alter the tube's volume and shape. By changing the tube's geometric parameters through folding and twisting, the system enables extraction of the last remaining content that would otherwise be inaccessible in a conventional rigid tube.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If a conventional tube is used for dispensing, then the structure is simple, but the content 'plopping' out of the tube at the end

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing controlVSAvoidplopping
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The foldable wall enables dynamic control over the dispensing process. By progressively folding and twisting the tube, the user can control the flow rate and prevent sudden large amounts of content from being dispensed at once, thereby eliminating the plopping effect while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tube's geometric parameters are dynamically changed during dispensing through folding. This changes the cross-sectional area and flow characteristics, allowing controlled dispensing that prevents the harmful plopping effect while maintaining simple operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a conventional tube is used for dispensing, then the structure is simple, but the tube per se having to stand on its head

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehandling comfortVSAvoidorientation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The foldable wall creates a dynamic structure that can be compressed and folded in multiple directions. This dynamic deformation capability allows the tube to be held and operated in various orientations, eliminating the requirement to stand on its head while maintaining simple handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the tube's geometric parameters through folding, the center of gravity and structural support points are dynamically adjusted. This allows the tube to be stably held in different orientations during dispensing, eliminating the orientation requirement while keeping the structure simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Measurement precision

If the foldable wall is twisted to extract content, then the dispensing is accurate and constant, but the foldable wall shortens during twisting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing accuracyVSAvoidfoldable wall length
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The guide element creates a nested structure where the foldable wall is guided within a frame. This nesting arrangement allows the foldable wall to twist and compress while the guide element compensates for the length shortening, maintaining dispensing accuracy without requiring the foldable wall to maintain its original length.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide element acts as an intermediary between the foldable wall and the external environment. It mediates the twisting motion, allowing the foldable wall to shorten during twisting while maintaining controlled dispensing accuracy through the guiding and constraining mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

5Strength

If the frame is made strong to protect and conceal the reservoir, then the protection is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe strengthVSAvoidframe structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural strength for protection, conceals the reservoir, and guides the foldable wall during twisting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby maintaining device complexity at an acceptable level while enhancing protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame walls serve multiple purposes: structural support, reservoir concealment, and guidance for the foldable wall. By making the frame multi-functional, the design achieves enhanced protection without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural elements fulfill multiple roles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2585386B1Dispensing container
Publication Date: 2016.12.14 YILDIRIM MUSLUM
  • EP2585386B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2585386B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2585386B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a dispensing container, comprising : - an elongate frame with a first end and a second and; and - an elongate reservoir extending between the first end and the second end of the frame; wherein the reservoir comprises: - a foldable wall which is connected at a first end thereof to the frame close to the first end of the frame for rotation around a longitudinal axis of the frame by means of an operating element, and which is connected non-rotatably to the frame at a second end thereof; and - a dispensing opening close to the first end of the frame.