Elevation Mechanism for Consumable Product Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumer products with consumable items, such as deodorant or antiperspirant, face the issue of waste generation due to the need for frequent replacement when the consumable product is depleted, as existing designs do not efficiently manage the depletion and reuse of the consumable content within the product housing.
Innovation Solution
A consumer product design featuring a housing with an engaging mechanism and an elevation mechanism that allows the consumable product to be raised and lowered using an actuating device, enabling the user to access the remaining product and facilitating the easy replacement of cartridges once they are exhausted, thereby reducing waste and extending product life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the consumable product is used until depletion, then the product life is extended, but the user cannot access the remaining product when it falls below the upper edge of the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic elevation mechanism that raises the consumable product within the housing when it falls below the upper edge. This dynamic adjustment allows the product to remain accessible throughout its entire usage lifecycle, resolving the contradiction between extending product life and maintaining ease of operation. The mechanism includes a riser that can be positioned at different heights and an elevation mechanism with an actuating device that raises the riser and consumable product when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the consumable product is frequently replaced, then the user always has access to the product, but waste is generated from discarded housing and mechanism components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the product system into a permanent housing containing reusable components (elevation mechanism, actuating device, engaging mechanism) and a replaceable cartridge containing the consumable product. This segmentation allows users to replace only the depleted cartridge while retaining the expensive housing and mechanism components, significantly reducing waste. The cartridge is designed to be easily inserted and removed through the opening in the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables selective discarding of only the consumable cartridge portion while recovering and retaining the permanent housing and all associated mechanisms. This selective discarding approach minimizes waste by keeping reusable components in circulation for extended periods, with multiple cartridges being used across different housing units over time.
3Ease of operation
If the housing design allows easy cartridge replacement, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to engaging mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of the engaging mechanism from the user interaction domain and places it within the cartridge-housing interface domain. The engaging mechanism includes protrusions on the cartridge that fit into corresponding recesses in the housing, creating an automatic engagement system that requires minimal user effort. This extraction allows easy cartridge replacement for users while containing the mechanical complexity within the interface components themselves.
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
This design allows for the efficient use of the consumable product until depletion, reducing waste by enabling the user to access and utilize the remaining content and easily replace the cartridge, thus enhancing product usability and sustainability.
Implementation Method 1
An inner surface of a portion of the riser includes threads, and the portion of the riser is biased into a first position where the threads of the riser are not engaged with the threads of the shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A consumer product includes a housing defining an internal volume. An engaging mechanism is coupled to or integral with the housing. A cartridge is configured to be inserted into the internal volume through a first end of the housing, and the engaging mechanism is configured to engage a second engaging mechanism on the cartridge. An elevation mechanism is positioned at least partially within the internal volume. An actuating device is coupled to the housing proximate to a second end of the housing. The elevation mechanism is configured to move in response to actuation of the actuating device.