Dosing Cup Lateral Rib Attachment for Detergent Bottles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing detergent bottles with dosing cups face issues of secure attachment during handling, as the dosing cup can easily detach and risk damage when the bottle is tipped or dropped, due to either loose or overly tight connections.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates web segments on the dosing cup that provide a lateral bearing for the closure cap, ensuring a defined, firm fit while allowing relative movement, reducing the risk of detachment and damage by allowing limited mobility in certain directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the dosing cup is attached tightly to the bottle neck, then the attachment security is improved, but the risk of damage during tipping or falling increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing cup is divided into multiple attachment points (first and second attachment protrusions) that distribute the attachment force, allowing secure fixation while maintaining flexibility. The segmented structure enables the cup to withstand attachment forces without concentrating stress at a single point, thus preventing damage during accidental tipping or dropping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism uses adjustable geometric parameters (protrusion shape, recess depth, material elasticity) to optimize the balance between attachment security and damage resistance. By changing these parameters, the system achieves firm attachment during normal handling while allowing controlled movement or deformation during accidental impacts to prevent damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the dosing cup is attached loosely to the bottle neck, then the damage risk is reduced, but the attachment security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedamage riskVSAvoidattachment security
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple attachment protrusions and corresponding recesses create a distributed attachment system that provides both security and flexibility. The segmented design allows the cup to remain firmly attached during normal use while permitting controlled movement that prevents damage during accidental tipping or dropping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment mechanism transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic system that can adapt to different conditions. During normal handling, the attachment remains firm and secure. During accidental impacts or tipping, the system allows controlled movement or deformation, transforming from a rigid secure connection to a flexible damage-preventing state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the dosing cup is fixed rigidly to prevent detachment, then the attachment security is improved, but the handling safety deteriorates due to increased damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidhandling safety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism provides rigid fixation during normal handling operations through the engagement of attachment protrusions with recesses. However, during accidental tipping or dropping, the system dynamically responds by allowing controlled movement or deformation, preventing damage while maintaining attachment security during intended use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes its mechanical parameters (rigidity, flexibility) based on the applied force magnitude. During normal handling, the attachment parameters provide firm fixation. During excessive forces from accidental impacts, the parameters change to allow controlled deformation or movement, ensuring handling safety while maintaining attachment security under normal conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3544903B1Bottle having a closure cap and measuring cup
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 HENKEL KGAA
  • EP3544903B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3544903B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3544903B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The invention relates to a bottle (1), in particular a laundry or dishwashing detergent bottle, comprising a bottle neck (11) with an external thread (12), a closure cap (40), which has a cap bottom (41), a cap side wall (42) and an internal thread (46) for screwing onto the external thread (12) of the bottle neck (11), and a measuring cup (20) which has a cup bottom (21) and a cup side wall (22) which, in a put-on state, is supported on the closure cap (40) and is connected to the bottle neck (11) via a latching connection. The invention provides for a rib to extend from an inner side of the cup bottom (21) of the measuring cup (20), wherein the rib forms a lateral abutment for the cap side wall (42) of the closure cap (40).