Dual Chamber Dispenser Frangible Cap Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-reservoir containers face difficulties in releasing and mixing products within the dispenser, often resulting in shards of glass being dispensed, which can harm users.
Innovation Solution
A dual chamber dispenser design featuring an outer compliant chamber that applies a predetermined force to break off a frangibly coupled inner cap, allowing safe release and mixing of products, with the option to include an application face for product application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the inner reservoir is crushed to release its contents, then the product can be released, but glass shards are dispensed with the product which may harm the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the inner reservoir from glass to flexible polymer, allowing it to deform elastically under compression rather than fracturing. This enables the reservoir to release its contents through controlled deformation without generating harmful shards, while still providing sufficient force to dislodge the product from the mixing chamber.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure where the inner reservoir is made of flexible polymer material that can undergo elastic deformation. This material choice allows the reservoir to serve dual functions: maintaining structural integrity during storage and enabling controlled product release through compression without fracturing, thus eliminating the glass shard hazard.
2Ease of operation
If the dispenser is squeezed to release the product, then the product can be dispensed, but it is difficult to sufficiently squeeze both the dispenser and the inner reservoir to release the product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dispensing system into two independently controllable chambers: the outer dispenser chamber and the inner reservoir chamber. Each chamber can be compressed separately, allowing the user to first compress the inner reservoir to dislodge the product, then compress the outer dispenser to release the mixed product. This segmentation simplifies the overall operation by breaking down a complex simultaneous squeezing action into two simpler sequential actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the inner reservoir is positioned within the outer dispenser chamber. This nesting arrangement allows the inner reservoir to be compressed independently by applying force to the outer chamber walls, which transmit compression forces to the inner reservoir. The nested structure enables coordinated compression of both chambers through a single user action while maintaining functional independence.
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
Enables efficient and safe release of mixed products without glass shards, facilitating user-friendly operation and product application.
Implementation Method 1
the outer chamber encapsulating the inner chamber is configured to be compliant to a predetermined force, which when applied by a user allows the user to break off the inner cap frangibly coupled to the inner chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable dual chamber dispenser that contains separate products until a time of use. The disposable dual chamber dispenser includes an outer dispenser encapsulating an inner dispenser, where the outer dispenser is compliant and the inner dispenser is substantially less compliant than the outer dispenser and configured to break at a failure zone. The outer dispenser may be formed of a single material that is suitable for a blow-fill-seal process and the inner dispenser may be formed of another single material, different than the single material forming the outer dispenser, that is also suitable for a blow-fill-seal process.