Heated Cosmetic Applicator With Flexible Printed Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Separable heated applicators for cosmetics and personal care products face challenges such as increased size due to heating components, complex and costly designs, and unreliable electronics, which affect their convenience, portability, and manufacturing efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A separable product applicator with a flexible printed circuit subassembly and a targeted heating element that connects to a low-voltage power source, allowing for effective heating of the product without requiring separate heating of the reservoir, and featuring a modular electronic circuit design for improved reliability and assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If heating components are added to a separable applicator, then the applicator can heat products during application, but the applicator size increases and portability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct heating capabilityVSAvoidapplicator size

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is segmented into a compact coil configuration that fits within the limited space of the separable applicator handle, allowing heating functionality without proportionally increasing overall applicator volume

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The heating element is nested within the applicator handle structure, with the coil fitting inside the cylindrical handle volume, maximizing space utilization and minimizing external dimension increases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If electronic circuitry is housed within the separable applicator, then continuous power supply is achieved, but the applicator becomes more complex and costly to manufacture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous power supplyVSAvoidelectronic circuit integration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The battery compartment serves multiple functions: it houses the power source, provides structural support for the handle, and acts as the main body housing for the electronic circuitry, reducing the need for separate components and simplifying manufacturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic circuitry is merged with the battery compartment structure, where the circuit board is mounted directly within the same housing that contains the power source, eliminating separate enclosures and reducing assembly steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If the entire product reservoir is heated, then uniform heating is achieved, but product damage occurs and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform product heatingVSAvoidproduct damage from excessive heat

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The heating element is positioned to provide localized heating at the applicator tip and immediate surrounding product area, rather than heating the entire reservoir uniformly, preventing product damage while maintaining effective application temperature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Only the portion of product needed for immediate application is heated to the required temperature, rather than heating the entire reservoir contents, reducing energy consumption and preventing thermal degradation of the product

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

4Ease of manufacture

If a flexible printed circuit subassembly is used, then manufacturing reliability and assembly simplicity are improved, but circuit flexibility is constrained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidcircuit flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible printed circuit board (FPC) is used instead of rigid circuit boards, allowing the circuit to bend and conform to the curved interior surfaces of the cylindrical handle while maintaining electrical connectivity and enabling compact integration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 solution provides a compact, reliable, and cost-effective heated applicator that effectively heats products without damaging them, offering better temperature control and ease of use, while being more portable and simpler to manufacture than prior art devices.

Implementation Method 1

A heated applicator that is separable from a product container... comprises a heating element... Heat emanates from the surface of the separable applicator so that the product that is closest to the applicator surface is heated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Data Source

PatentEP2086368B1Cosmetic applicators containing heating elements

Publication Date: 2017.07.05 ELC MANAGEMENT LLC

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AI summary

The present invention pertains to product applicators that are separable from a product reservoir and that heat a portion of product. The invention comprises a product applicator fitted with an electronic heating element capable of connecting to a low voltage power source. Most of the electric circuitry is incorporated into a circuit subassembly, for example a flexible substrate with printed-on circuit. The preferred heating element is a flexible heater. Heat emanates from the surface of the separable applicator so that the product that is closest to the applicator surface is heated prior to and/or during application.