Dispensing Package Movable Elevator Platform Fill Volume
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturers face challenges in producing a variety of consumer care products with different fill volumes, as existing packaging solutions require multiple molds and designs to accommodate different product offerings, leading to increased manufacturing complexity, cost, and inconsistency in dispensing.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing package with a movable elevator platform and screw assembly that allows for interchangeable components, enabling the same mold parts to produce different fill volumes, reducing the need for multiple molds and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining consistency and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different size barrels are used to accommodate different fill volumes, then the package can accommodate various product offerings, but the number of mold parts and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single barrel component that can accommodate multiple fill volumes through an adjustable elevator platform mechanism. The barrel is designed with a universal structure that works with different product offerings (varying in viscosity, fill volume, and formulation) without requiring different mold parts. The elevator platform can be positioned at different heights to accommodate various fill volumes, making one barrel design serve multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by introducing a movable elevator platform that can be adjusted to different positions within the barrel. This dynamic element allows the same barrel to adapt to different fill volumes by changing the elevator's position rather than requiring different static barrel designs. The screw mechanism enables the elevator to move dynamically to accommodate various product requirements.
2Reliability
If different package designs are used for different fill volumes, then dispensing consistency can be maintained, but manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses universality by creating a single package design that maintains dispensing consistency across different fill volumes. The standardized barrel, elevator platform, and screw mechanism combination provides reliable dispensing performance whether the barrel is filled to a low or high level, eliminating the need for multiple specialized designs while reducing manufacturing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the elevator platform position parameter rather than changing the entire package design. This allows the same package structure to accommodate different fill volumes while maintaining consistent dispensing characteristics, reducing manufacturing complexity and time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mold parts are used to produce various packaging components, then different product offerings can be accommodated, but the number of molds to be developed and maintained increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized barrel component that serves as a universal base for multiple product offerings. This single mold design can produce barrels that accommodate various products through the adjustable elevator mechanism, significantly reducing the number of molds that need to be developed and maintained compared to having dedicated molds for each product variant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the variable element (elevator platform position) from the fixed element (barrel structure). This allows the barrel to be produced using a single mold design while the elevator position can be adjusted to create different product configurations, reducing mold complexity and maintenance requirements.
4Reliability
If package designs are adapted for different fill volumes, then manufacturing and shipping problems can be avoided, but the complexity of producing multiple product forms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single package design that handles various fill volumes and product forms (liquids, creams, gels, semi-solids, and solid sticks) through the adjustable elevator platform. This universal design avoids manufacturing and shipping problems associated with different specialized designs while maintaining simplicity in production.
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
This solution reduces manufacturing time and cost by allowing fewer injection molds to be used, while ensuring adequate strength, flexibility, and consistent dispensing for various product offerings, and aids in reducing the complexity of producing multiple product forms within a single brand.
Implementation Method 1
a seal frictionally engages with the non-threaded section of the coupling sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing package for a consumer care product is provided having a product chamber with an inner surface, a major axis and a minor axis. The dispensing package has a movable elevator platform having a coupling sleeve with a non-threaded section and a threaded section along an inner surface. The dispensing package also has a screw assembly with a spindle that supports threads; a seal extending around the circumference of the spindle; a threaded first portion coupled to the threaded section along the inner surface of the moveable elevator platform; and a non-threaded second portion. The seal frictionally engages with the non-threaded section of the coupling sleeve and the movable elevator platform advances along an axis from a first fill volume position to a second fill volume position.