Dispensing Head With Flexible Interconnection for Cosmetic Application

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fluid dispensers in cosmetics and pharmacy, such as rigid applicator pads and 'roll-on' dispensers, suffer from uncontrolled and aggressive hand movements that reduce application pleasure and hygiene issues due to contamination from impurities and microorganisms.

Innovation Solution

A dispenser and applicator head with a heat-transfer applicator pad made of metal or ceramic for a cold sensation, combined with an elastically-deformable interconnection section that dampens hand movements, preventing sudden movements from being transmitted to the pad, thus improving application quality and hygiene by decoupling the pad from the connection section.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a rigid applicator pad is used, then the cold sensation and massaging effect are enhanced, but the uncontrolled hand movements transmit aggressive forces to the skin reducing application pleasure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecold sensationVSAvoidapplication pleasure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head is divided into a rigid application section (pad) and a flexible interconnection section, separating the function of providing cold sensation from the function of transmitting user movements. This segmentation allows the rigid pad to maintain its temperature transfer capability while the flexible section absorbs unwanted movement forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interconnection section is made of an elastically deformable material that acts as a flexible element between the rigid applicator pad and the connection section. This flexible material absorbs and dampens sudden hand movements while allowing controlled movement for application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If a roll-on ball is used, then the massaging effect and cold sensation are improved, but the ball becomes contaminated with impurities and microorganisms from the skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemassaging effectVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The application section is extracted and separated from the connection to the fluid reservoir by introducing a flexible interconnection section. This separation prevents the applicator pad from revolving and contaminating the reservoir, as the pad is mechanically decoupled from the fluid supply path.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible interconnection section acts as an intermediary element between the applicator pad and the connection section. It allows the pad to move freely for massaging while preventing direct contact and contamination between the skin-exposed pad and the fluid reservoir.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Temperature

If the applicator pad is made of heat-transfer material, then the cold sensation on contact with the skin is enhanced, but the rigid structure transmits all hand movements directly to the skin

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecold sensationVSAvoidaggressive hand movements

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head is segmented into a rigid application section for temperature transfer and a flexible interconnection section for movement absorption. This segmentation allows each part to perform its optimal function without the drawbacks of the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible interconnection section is positioned beforehand between the rigid pad and the connection section to cushion and absorb sudden hand movements before they can be transmitted to the skin, protecting against aggressive application forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution provides a more pleasant and controlled application experience with reduced risk of contamination, maintaining the cold and massaging sensations while ensuring the fluid remains hygienic by attenuating sudden hand movements and preventing impurities from entering the reservoir.

Implementation Method 1

the applicator pad is made of a heat-transfer material, such as metal or ceramic, so as to impart a cold sensation on contact with the skin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

the interconnection section is made of an elastically-deformable material, such that the applicator pad is movable relative to the connection section

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9427764B2Dispensing and application head

Publication Date: 2016.08.30 APTAR FRANCE SAS

AI summary

A dispenser and applicator head (T1) for associating with a dispenser unit (2), the head comprising:a connection section (4a) for connecting to the dispenser unit;a fluid application section (4c) that defines at least one fluid dispenser orifice (50), and a fluid applicator pad (51) for applying the fluid coming from the dispenser orifice (50) onto the application surface;an interconnection section (4b) that interconnects the connection section (4a) and the application section (4c);the dispenser and applicator head being characterized in that:the applicator pad (51) is made of a rigid heat-transfer material so as to impart a cold sensation on contact with the skin; andthe interconnection section (4b) is made of an elastically-deformable material, such that the applicator pad (51) is movable relative to the connection section (4a).