Expanding Platform Deodorant Package Resolves Draft Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
In injection molded deodorant packages, draft angles pose challenges as they can lead to distortion or damage during manufacturing, and widening the internal diameter at the top to accommodate a platform for proper deodorant dispensing is problematic, as it may prevent the platform from contacting the sidewalls effectively.
Innovation Solution
A deodorant package design featuring an expanding platform with a threaded shaft connected to a rotatable dial, where the platform is joined by flexible hinges to expand and contact the inner wall, allowing for a significant draft angle during manufacturing while ensuring proper deodorant dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a significant draft angle is used during injection molding, then manufacturing ease is improved, but the internal diameter of the package widens toward the top causing the platform to fail contact with sidewalls
Solution Approach 1:
The platform transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one by incorporating flexible hinges that allow the platform sections to expand and contract. This enables the platform to adapt its shape to match the widened package opening created by the draft angle, ensuring continuous contact with the sidewalls throughout the package height.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform's geometric parameters are made variable through the flexible hinge mechanism. As the platform moves along the threaded shaft, the flexible hinges allow the platform's internal diameter to expand, changing its shape to conform to the package's widened opening. This parameter change ensures proper engagement despite the draft angle-induced widening.
2Manufacturing precision
If the internal diameter is maintained constant, then platform contact with sidewalls is improved, but the draft angle must be minimized causing manufacturing difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than maintaining a constant package internal diameter, the invention makes the platform dynamic through flexible hinges. This allows the platform to expand and maintain contact with the widened sidewalls, resolving the contradiction by adapting the platform geometry to match the package shape created by the draft angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The platform is divided into multiple sections connected by flexible hinges, allowing independent movement and expansion of each section. This segmentation enables the platform to conform to the widened package opening while maintaining sidewall contact, accommodating the draft angle requirement.
3Manufacturing precision
If platform sections are made expandable with flexible hinges, then contact with widened sidewalls is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The platform utilizes flexible hinges that act as flexible connections between rigid sections. These flexible elements allow the platform to expand and contract smoothly while maintaining structural integrity, providing a simple yet effective solution to the sidewall contact problem without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible hinge mechanism provides a simple dynamic solution that allows the platform to adapt to the widened package opening. Rather than using complex adjustable mechanisms, the flexible hinges naturally allow the platform to expand and maintain contact with the sidewalls through elastic deformation.
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 enables the use of a significant draft angle during manufacturing while ensuring the platform expands to maintain contact with the sidewalls, facilitating effective deodorant dispensing and maintaining product integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a platform comprising a threaded region that engages the threaded shaft such that rotation of the threaded shaft causes the platform to traverse along the threaded shaft, the platform comprising a first section joined to a second section by at least one flexible hinge such that the first section and the second section are biased to expand to contact an inner wall of the body
Data Source
AI summary
A deodorant package with an expanding platform is provided. The deodorant package has a threaded shaft connected to a rotatable dial. An elevator with an platform engages the threaded shaft. The platform has a first section joined to a second section by at least one flexible hinge such that the first section and the second section are biased to expand to contact an inner wall of the body of the package. An advantage that may be realized in the practice of some disclosed embodiments of the deodorant package is that a significant draft angle may be used that aids manufacturing.