Fluid Dispenser Case with Elastic Crown Locking Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fluid dispenser protective covers do not adequately protect other components and are easily accessible to children, lacking extended safety features.

Innovation Solution

A protective case with locking mechanisms that require coordinated gestures to extract the dispenser, incorporating elastically deformable crowns and gripping windows, making it difficult for children to operate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a conventional protective cover is used that can be simply removed by friction or snap-fastening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the safety against unauthorized use by children deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of cover removalVSAvoidunauthorized use by children
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The case incorporates an elastically deformable crown that dynamically changes its shape during the unlocking process. When pressure is applied to the crown, it deforms elastically to release the blocking means, allowing the dispenser to be extracted. This dynamic mechanical response creates a safety mechanism that is simple to operate for adults but difficult for children to manipulate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The blocking means change their engagement parameter with the reservoir based on the state of the crown. When the crown is in its resting position, the blocking edges engage with the reservoir to prevent extraction. When the crown is deformed by applying pressure, the engagement parameter changes, releasing the block and allowing extraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If locking means are added to prevent easy extraction, then the safety against unauthorized use is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against unauthorized useVSAvoidcomplexity of locking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The case utilizes an elastically deformable crown, which is a flexible structural element, to implement the locking and unlocking mechanism. This flexible component replaces complex multi-part locking systems with a single elastic element that can be deformed to release the blocking means, significantly reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is self-activating through the natural elastic properties of the crown. When pressure is applied to the crown, it automatically deforms and releases the blocking edges without requiring additional actuators, motors, or complex control systems. The system uses the user's input force directly to overcome the elastic resistance and unlock the dispenser.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If blocking means are arranged diametrically opposed on the crown, then the reliability of locking is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of locking engagementVSAvoiddifficulty of simultaneous coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The crown is segmented into distinct functional zones: blocking means positioned diametrically opposed for reliable locking, and unlocking sections positioned between them for actuation. This segmentation allows the blocking means to maintain strong engagement with the reservoir while providing separate, accessible areas for the user to apply unlocking force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unlocking mechanism operates in a different dimensional approach by using radial pressure applied to the crown's perimeter. Instead of requiring complex multi-directional manipulation, the user applies force in a simple radial direction at the unlocking sections, which translates into the necessary deformation to release the diametrically opposed blocking means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enhances protection by requiring complex gestures for dispenser extraction, ensuring safe use, particularly preventing accidental or unauthorized use by children.

Implementation Method 1

the locking means are formed at the level of an elastically deformable crown acting as unlocking means. Preferably, the blocking means are arranged in a diametrically opposed manner, so that an elastic deformation of the crown generates mutual separation of the blocking means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2996815B1Assembly for dispensing fluid product
Publication Date: 2019.11.20 APTAR RADOLFZELL
  • EP2996815B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~3b
  • EP2996815B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b
  • EP2996815B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6b

AI summary

Assembly for dispensing fluid product comprising a fluid product dispenser (D) having a reservoir (1) forming a closed end (11), characterized in that the dispensing assembly further comprises a case (E) at least partially enveloping the fluid-product dispenser (D) and defining an insertion/extraction opening (61) through which the fluid-product dispenser (D) can be inserted by sliding, the case (E) comprising immobilizing means (66) for immobilizing the dispenser (D) in the case (E) and release means for deactivating the immobilizing means (66) so that the fluid-product dispenser (D) can be extracted from the case (E) by sliding.