Deformable Cosmetic Dispensing Head Sealing Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic product dispensing heads fail to maintain an effective seal, particularly when stored upside down, leading to potential leakage and contamination of the product.

Innovation Solution

A dispensing head design featuring a deformable application wall with curved dispensing orifices and a cap system that includes bearing elements to close the orifices without direct insertion, ensuring a secure seal even when the device is stored upside down.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rigid cap with an interior skirt is used to seal the application surface, then the seal is improved, but very precise production clearances are required to prevent leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal qualityVSAvoidproduction clearances
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the cap from rigid to deformable, allowing it to adapt its shape to the application surface. This deformation capability eliminates the need for precise production clearances while maintaining reliable sealing, as the deformable material can conform to slight variations in surface geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The cap is designed as a deformable element that can flex and conform to the application surface geometry. This flexibility allows the cap to maintain contact and seal effectively without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances, as the material itself compensates for dimensional variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If a deformable membrane is used to cover the dispensing orifices, then the seal is improved without direct cap contact, but the membrane deformation mechanism adds complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseal qualityVSAvoidmembrane deformation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable cap serves dual functions: it seals the application surface and simultaneously closes the dispensing orifices through its own deformation when pressed by the product. The system is self-regulating, requiring no additional mechanical components or complex mechanisms to achieve orifice closure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the sealing function and the orifice closure function into a single deformable cap element. Instead of using separate components for sealing the surface and closing the orifices, the cap performs both functions through its deformable nature, simplifying the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If the cap is designed to screw onto the application head, then the cap can be securely held, but the seal may be compromised during assembly or disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecap holding strengthVSAvoidseal integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable cap can accommodate the mechanical stresses of screwing and unscrewing operations without compromising the seal. Its flexibility allows it to maintain continuous contact with the application surface throughout assembly and disassembly, preventing leakage while still enabling secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 design effectively prevents product leakage and contamination by maintaining a sealed confinement of the cosmetic product, allowing for reliable dispensing and storage without the risk of leakage, even when the device is stored in an inverted position.

Implementation Method 1

When the cap (32) is in the closing position, it bears on the application wall (30) so as to close the orifices (82)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The cap (32) comprises bearing elements (106B) which bear on the application wall (30) when the cap (32) is in the closing position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure application: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP2744722B1Product dispensing head for a container and associated dispensing device
Publication Date: 2017.11.15 LOREAL SA
  • EP2744722B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2744722B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP2744722B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The head (16) includes an application wall (30) having a central axis (?-?'), in which the application wall (30) defines at least one product dispensing orifice (82A), off- centered with respect to the central axis (?-?'), It includes a removable cap, mobile between a position for closing each dispensing orifice (82A) and a product dispensing position, the removable cap (32) comprising a bearing element (106B) on the application wall (30). The dispensing orifice (82A) remains clear when the bearing element is applied on the application wall (30), When the cap (32) occupies its closing position, each dispensing orifice (82A) is placed facing an intermediate closed region (154) of a bearing element (106B), located between a first exterior contact region (152A) of the bearing element (106B) with the application wall (30) and a second interior contact region (152B) of the bearing element (106B) with the application wall (30).