Elastomeric Dispensing Container with Rigid Rings for Precise Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional squeezable liquid containers made of PET or polyolefin materials are limited in their ability to provide a continuous range of flow rates, are prone to cracking, and require varying squeezing forces based on the liquid volume, making them unsuitable for precise dosing and durability.
Innovation Solution
A resiliently squeezable container with fixedly attached rigid rings, made from elastomeric materials, which allows for deformation and quick spring-back, ensuring consistent flow rates independent of liquid volume and providing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a plastic container (PET or polyolefin) is used for dispensing liquid by squeezing, then the container can be deformed to dispense liquid, but the container is not freely deformable and can only assume discrete stable configurations, limiting the range of flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid plastic (PET/polyolefin) to elastomeric material, which fundamentally alters the deformation behavior from discrete stable configurations to continuous free deformation, enabling a continuous range of flow rates while maintaining ease of operation through natural hand pressure
2Reliability
If a plastic container is used for repeated dispensing, then the container can be reused, but the container is prone to cracking upon repeated use and is not durable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from rigid plastic to elastomeric material, which has superior resistance to cracking and fatigue under repeated deformation cycles, significantly extending the container lifetime and improving reliability for repeated dispensing operations
3Reliability
If a more flexible elastomeric material is used to overcome cracking issues, then the container becomes more durable, but the container does not spring back to its default shape quickly enough, reducing dispensing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the elastomeric material parameters (durometer hardness, elastic modulus) to achieve the right balance between flexibility for durability and stiffness for rapid spring-back, allowing the container to be both durable and fast in its return to default shape
4Measurement precision
If a plastic container is used for dispensing, then the container can be made, but the amount of squeezing force required varies depending on the volume of liquid remaining, making precise dosing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes from rigid plastic to elastomeric material, which provides non-linear elastic deformation characteristics that compensate for liquid volume changes, maintaining consistent squeezing force requirements across different fill levels and enabling precise dosing
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 precise and repeatable dosing with a broad range of flow rates, including micro-dosing, while maintaining durability and ease of refilling, reducing liquid spoilage and improving user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a container (10) made of an elastomeric material... the container wall (11) exhibits a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation in response to manual forces applied to the outer surface of the container wall and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition
Implementation Method 2
the container wall (11) exhibits a degree of flexibility sufficient to permit deformation in response to manual forces applied to the outer surface of the container wall and a degree of resilience sufficient to return automatically to its undeformed condition
Data Source
AI summary
The need for a durable environmentally-friendly dispensing package which is easy to dispense from, while having sufficient elasticity to return back to its original shape after dispensing, while also being easy to clean, and having reduced or no leakage during use, is met by making the container of a reversibly squeezable material and by providing rigid top and bottom rings fixedly attached to the squeezable material.