Expandable Capsule for Narrow Bottle Dispensing

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need to effectively disperse or dissolve substances in liquids contained in bottles with narrow openings, while preventing the substances from being poured back out, especially when they impart flavor and are not intended for consumption.

Innovation Solution

A capsule with an expandable element that changes size upon contact with liquid, allowing it to pass through a narrow opening but expanding to prevent re-entry, combined with a one-way mechanism and optional resilient sections to secure the capsule within the bottle, ensuring the substance remains inside.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a capsule with a substance is dropped into a bottle through a narrow opening, then the substance can be dispersed into the liquid, but the capsule may be poured back out of the opening

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inserting capsuleVSAvoidretention of capsule in bottle

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule incorporates an expandable element that changes its diameter dynamically. In the first state, the capsule has a smaller diameter allowing it to pass through the narrow bottle opening easily. Upon contact with liquid, the expandable element expands to a second state with a larger diameter that prevents the capsule from being poured back out, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and retention reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule utilizes a one-way mechanism that changes the physical parameter of diameter. The capsule transitions from a first diameter suitable for passing through the opening to a second, larger diameter that ensures retention. This parameter change is triggered by contact with liquid, allowing the capsule to be inserted easily but retained reliably once inside

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the capsule expands to prevent re-entry through the opening, then the capsule is retained in the bottle, but the capsule cannot pass through the opening easily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretention of capsule in bottleVSAvoidease of inserting capsule

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The capsule is designed with an expandable element in a compressed first state before insertion. This preliminary compressed state allows the capsule to pass through the narrow opening easily. The expansion to the second state occurs after insertion, ensuring retention without hindering the initial insertion process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dynamic expandable element allows the capsule to adapt its diameter based on the operational phase. During insertion, the capsule maintains a smaller diameter for easy passage. After insertion and upon liquid contact, it expands to a larger diameter for reliable retention, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of insertion and retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If a substance is used to impart flavor to liquid without dissolving, then the flavor is imparted, but the substance may be poured back out

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflavor impartmentVSAvoidsubstance consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The expandable capsule contains the flavoring substance and releases it into the liquid while remaining intact. The capsule expands to prevent being poured out, ensuring the substance is retained in the bottle. The substance dissolves or disperses into the liquid to impart flavor, but the capsule structure prevents loss of the substance through the opening

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule acts as an intermediary carrier for the flavoring substance. It allows the substance to be delivered into the liquid and dissolve to impart flavor, while the capsule itself remains as a retaining structure that prevents the substance from being poured back out, thus preventing substance consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 capsule effectively diffuses or dissolves substances within the liquid, preventing them from being poured back out, ensuring they remain in the bottle and mix with the liquid without being consumed.

Implementation Method 1

the expandable element comprises a material that expands upon contact with liquid. This might be a hydro-expandable material that expands significantly upon contacting liquid to swell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydro-expansion: Hydrogel

Implementation Method 2

the resilient section comprises an elastically deformable plastics material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10479571B2Diffusing device

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 LANAGAN DAVID ROBERT

AI summary

The present invention relates to a capsule (11) for diffusing a substance in a liquid within a receptacle (50). The capsule comprises an expandable element and, in a first state the capsule has a first width and in a second state the capsule has a second width. The width of the capsule in the second state is greater than that of the first state.