Dispensing Container Gas Space Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing delamination dispensing containers often leave a residual amount of content, typically around 5-6%, due to their design that prevents external air from entering, which can lead to incomplete discharge despite user effort.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a gas space within the internal container, which is compressed more easily than the content, to facilitate complete discharge by acting as a substitute for the content, thereby reducing residual amounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external air is prevented from entering the internal container to prevent oxidation of content, then content quality is maintained, but a part of the content (5-6%) remains in the container even when the user squeezes strongly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent quality maintenanceVSAvoidcontent discharge completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the internal container into two distinct spaces: a content holding space and a gas space. This segmentation allows the gas space to function independently as a compressible element that pushes remaining content toward the discharge opening, while the content space maintains its sealed, oxidation-free environment. The gas space acts as a mechanical assistant that overcomes the adhesion and surface tension forces preventing complete discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a gas phase (different physical state) into the container to change the pressure dynamics. The gas is highly compressible compared to liquid content, allowing significant volume reduction under squeezing forces. This parameter change (from liquid-only to gas-liquid system) enables the creation of a pressure differential that pushes remaining content outward without compromising the sealed environment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the internal container is made flexible to deform and deflate with decreasing liquid content, then the container adapts to content volume, but the same structure causes content to remain trapped when the user squeezes strongly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer volume adaptationVSAvoidcontent discharge completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible internal container is segmented into a content space and a gas space. The flexibility of the container wall allows the gas space to compress significantly during squeezing while the content space maintains its structural integrity. This segmentation enables the flexible container to adapt to decreasing content volume while the gas space provides the necessary mechanical push for complete discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gas space acts as an intermediary element between the user's squeezing force and the liquid content. Instead of the flexible container wall directly pushing the content (which may not generate sufficient force), the compressible gas transmits and amplifies the mechanical force, mediating the interaction between the flexible container and the liquid content to achieve complete discharge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 gas space effectively aids in the complete discharge of the content, minimizing the amount of remaining content compared to traditional designs.

Implementation Method 1

a gas is housed in the internal container, from the very beginning, to form a gas space therein. Since a gas is generally compressed more easily as compared to the content, when a user squeezes the container in an attempt to use up the content, the gas acts in such a way as to press the content

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas compressibility: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2740688B1Dispensing container
Publication Date: 2016.10.12 KIKKOMAN CORP
  • EP2740688B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2740688B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2740688B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to facilitate discharge of the content in a dispensing container having a delamination structure so as to minimize the amount of remaining content. In order to achieve this object, a gas is housed in the internal container 11 to thereby form a gas space S therein and the volume of the gas is 4% or more of the volume of the internal container 11. The gas preferably moves rapidly in the internal container 11 when the dispensing container is tilted to a discharge posture in order to discharge the content M from the discharge port 14. The gas may be encapsulated in a gas bag or the gas may be encapsulated in a gas chamber formed in the internal container 11.