Elastomeric Pan Vacuum Expansion for Cosmetic Cake Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cosmetic compacts with non-elastic pans face issues in securely retaining cosmetic cakes without causing damage during insertion and handling, and they lack shock resistance and adaptability to size changes due to evaporation or shrinkage.
Innovation Solution
A cosmetic compact with an elastomeric pan that temporarily expands to receive a pre-formed cake, then contracts to securely trap it, using a vacuum mechanism for expansion and featuring a 'floating' design for shock absorption and adaptability to size changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-elastic pan is used in a compact, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the pan cannot securely retain the cosmetic cake without causing damage during insertion and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The pan transitions from a static non-elastic structure to a dynamic elastomeric structure that can expand and contract. The pan is expanded to receive the cake, then contracts to securely retain it, providing adaptive retention without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The pan's physical state changes from contracted to expanded and back to contracted. This parameter change allows the pan to accommodate the cake during insertion, then firmly retain it afterward, resolving the retention security issue.
2Reliability
If a rigid pan is used to secure the cake, then the cake is held firmly, but the cake may be scuffed, scratched, cracked or broken during insertion and handling
Solution Approach 1:
The pan is made from an elastomeric material that acts as a flexible shell. This flexibility allows the pan to conform to the cake during insertion, then contract to secure it, eliminating the harmful rigid contact that causes scuffing, scratching, cracking or breaking.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric pan provides cushioning protection before the cake is fully secured. The material's elasticity absorbs impact and stress during insertion and handling, preventing damage while maintaining secure retention.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the pan size is fixed, then manufacturing is simple, but the pan cannot compensate for cake shrinkage over time due to evaporation or loss of solvent
Solution Approach 1:
The pan's dynamic elastomeric nature allows it to adapt its size. When the cake shrinks due to evaporation, the pan contracts accordingly, maintaining proper fit and compensation without requiring a complex adjustable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The pan's physical dimensions change in response to cake size changes. The elastomeric material allows the pan to expand or contract to match the cake's dimensions, providing continuous adaptability throughout the product lifecycle.
4Strength
If a non-floating pan design is used, then the structure is simple, but the compact lacks shock resistance and cannot survive severe shocks or drop tests
Solution Approach 1:
The floating pan design provides beforehand cushioning by creating a gap between the pan and compact walls. This gap allows the pan to move independently during shock events, absorbing impact energy before it can reach the cake or cause structural damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric pan acts as a flexible shock-absorbing element. Its material properties allow it to deform and absorb impact energy during drops or shocks, protecting the contents while maintaining a relatively simple mounting structure.
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 elastomeric pan ensures gentle cake insertion, reduces damage risk, enhances shock resistance, and compensates for size changes over time, improving manufacturing efficiency and product durability.
Implementation Method 1
The reservoir is temporarily expanded to a size that is larger than the cake. After the cosmetic cake is dropped into the expanded reservoir, the vacuum is released
Implementation Method 2
The pan is made from an elastomeric material. It can be expanded or stretched by, for example, applying a vacuum to the underside and sidewalls of the pan
Implementation Method 3
After the cake is inserted, the reservoir contracts toward the smaller size and thus traps the cake to securely retain it in the compact
Implementation Method 4
the pan is 'floating' or suspended with a clearance between it and the outside walls. A compact with a cake cosmetic secured in the elastomeric pan is thus able to survive more severe shocks - the ability to survive drop tests is increased
Data Source
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AI summary
A cosmetic compact (2)has a pan (20) made from an elastomeric material. The pan is elastically biased to a size that is smaller than a pre-formed cake (4) of cosmetic product. The empty pan is temporarily expanded by applying vacuum to a bottom and sidewalls of the pan. The cake of cosmetic is inserted in the expanded pan and the pan is released from the vacuum. The pan contracts toward the smaller size and thus traps and holds the cake in the compact.