Elastomeric Refill Retention for Cosmetic Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rechargeable cosmetic product packaging devices require complex and costly adaptations to maintain refills securely, often featuring visible and unattractive systems that cannot utilize standard containers like glass jars, due to the need for specific shapes and mechanical engagements to prevent refill movement and extraction.
Innovation Solution
A refill system with an elastomeric material element on the tank's external surface, providing relief and increased friction for secure hold within a shell, allowing easy insertion and removal while maintaining aesthetics, using bi-material injection processes for cohesion and varying configurations for support zones, dimensions, and aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visible mechanical engagement systems are used to hold the refill in the shell, then the refill is securely held, but the packaging device becomes aesthetically unattractive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an elastomeric material element that acts as a flexible retaining mechanism. This elastomeric element can deform elastically to engage with the shell's retention features while remaining visually concealed, providing secure holding without the aesthetic compromise of rigid mechanical fasteners.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material's physical properties (elasticity, friction coefficient) are utilized to create a retention system that adapts to the shell geometry. The material's ability to deform and recover provides secure engagement while its visual properties can be matched to the tank surface, making it aesthetically pleasing.
2Reliability
If complex mechanical engagement systems are used to prevent refill movement, then the refill is securely held, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material element replaces complex rigid mechanical engagement systems with a simple flexible element that naturally adapts to the retention features. This single elastomeric component provides both radial and axial retention through its elastic deformation, eliminating the need for multiple separate mechanical parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric material automatically adjusts its deformation to match the shell's retention geometry, providing self-aligning retention without requiring precise mechanical tolerances or complex adjustment mechanisms. The material's elasticity allows it to conform to variations in shell geometry.
3Reliability
If rigid mechanical retention systems are used to hold the refill, then the refill is securely held, but the extraction force becomes too high for easy removal
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material element provides secure retention during normal use through its elastic deformation and friction, but allows easy extraction when force is applied. The material's flexibility enables it to deform reversibly, providing strong holding force during dispensing but permitting removal when the user pulls the refill.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system transitions from a static rigid mechanical engagement to a dynamic elastomeric system that can adapt its holding characteristics. The elastomeric element maintains strong engagement during normal operations but allows controlled release during extraction, providing both security and ease of removal.
4Ease of manufacture
If standard glass containers are used as shells, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but conventional mechanical engagement systems cannot be implemented
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material element can be applied to various shell geometries including standard glass containers, providing a universal retention solution that adapts to different shell shapes without requiring complex custom-engineered engagement features. The elastomeric element's flexibility allows it to conform to the specific geometry of standard containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric retention system provides a universal solution that can be implemented with various shell types (glass, plastic, metal) and geometries, replacing the need for shell-specific mechanical engagement systems. This enables standard containers to be used as shells while maintaining secure refill retention.
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 secure, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective refill maintenance within standard or custom shells, ensuring the refill remains fixed during use and can be easily replaced, with an extraction force greater than twice the refill's weight, suitable for various cosmetic product packaging forms.
Implementation Method 1
an element made of elastomeric material bonded to the tank and which is at least partly in relief with respect to said external surface of the side wall of the tank
Implementation Method 2
uses the elastic properties and the coefficient of friction of the elastomeric material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a refill (1) for a cosmetic product packaging device comprising a container (2) adapted to hold such a product, the container (2) having a side wall (3). The side wall (3) of the container (2) has, on at least a portion of its external surface (7), an elastomeric material element (8) bonded to the container (2) and which is at least partially raised relative to said external surface (7) of the side wall (3) of the container (2). The refill thus formed is able to be held in a suitably shaped container, thanks to the raised elastomeric material formed on the external wall of the container. The invention also relates to a cosmetic product packaging device comprising a container and such a refill (1).