Elastomeric Dispensing Container with Rigid Rings
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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, providing a consistent flow rate independent of liquid volume and enhancing 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
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite construction with an elastomeric inner container surrounded by a rigid outer shell, combining the flexibility of elastomers for continuous deformation with the structural integrity of rigid materials, achieving both free deformation and stable dispensing
2Productivity
If a plastic container is squeezed to dispense liquid, then liquid can be dispensed, but the container retracts only slowly to its default shape, preventing high-speed repeated dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
Changing from rigid plastic to elastomeric material fundamentally changes the rebound characteristics, enabling rapid spring-back to original shape after deformation, which directly increases dispensing speed and allows high-speed repeated dispensing operations
3Reliability
If a plastic container is used, then the container can be manufactured from common materials, but the container is prone to cracking upon repeated use and is not durable for re-usable applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from rigid plastic to elastomeric material, which fundamentally improves resistance to cracking and fatigue from repeated use, while the outer rigid shell provides structural integrity and manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The composite structure combines elastomeric inner container (for crack resistance and flexibility) with rigid outer shell (for structural strength and manufacturability), achieving both durability and ease of manufacture
4Reliability
If a more flexible elastomeric material is used, then the container becomes more durable and freely deformable, but the container may not spring back to its default shape quickly enough and the relationship between squeezing force and flow rate is not independent from filling level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction where the elastomeric inner container provides durability and free deformation, while the rigid outer shell provides structural support and controls spring-back characteristics, achieving both durability and rapid rebound
5Reliability
If a more flexible elastomeric material is used, then the container becomes more durable, but the container may not enable quick spring-back to default shape
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure with rigid outer shell provides structural integrity that enables rapid spring-back, while the elastomeric inner container maintains durability and flexibility, resolving the contradiction between durability and spring-back speed
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
resiliently squeezable container with fixedly attached rigid rings, made from elastomeric materials, which allows for deformation and quick spring-back
Data Source
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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.