Hinged Protective Cap With Helical Locator Plate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective caps for dispensers under pressure, such as atomizers and micro-pumps, are complex to operate, require two hands, and are not suitable for use in situations with constrained mobility, as they often detach during dispensing and require intricate alignment for mounting.

Innovation Solution

A protective cap with a hinged lid and cylindrical body that can be easily applied to dispensers, allowing single-handed operation and automatic alignment, featuring snap-in coupling and a helical guiding mechanism for secure attachment, enabling operation with one hand and ensuring the cap does not interfere with the dispensing mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a removable protective hood is used, then the dispenser is protected from accidental pressure, but the hood remains uncoupled during dispensing and can be misplaced, requiring two hands to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidoperation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protective cap is nested within the dispenser assembly, with the cap forming an integral part of the dispenser structure. The cap is received by a seat on the dispenser body, creating a nested configuration where the protective element is permanently integrated rather than removable, eliminating the risk of misplacement while maintaining protection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cap and dispenser are merged into a single integrated assembly. The cap includes integrated components such as the nozzle, seal, and coupling elements that directly interface with the dispenser plunger mechanism, combining the protective function with the dispensing function in one unified structure that operates with a single hand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If complex articulated mechanisms are used to lock the plunger, then the dispenser can be blocked in positioning, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires two hands to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex articulated locking mechanisms and separate actuator members are extracted from the dispenser design. Instead, a simple push-button plunger actuator is used that directly pushes the plunger without requiring rotation or complex articulation, achieving reliable positioning through a simplified linear motion mechanism that operates with one hand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Complex mechanical articulated mechanisms are replaced with a direct linear push mechanism. The plunger is actuated by a simple translational motion of the button assembly rather than rotational mechanics, substituting complex multi-component mechanical systems with a simpler single-degree-of-freedom mechanism that maintains positioning reliability while reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If a flip-top cap is used, then the dispenser can be covered, but complex operations are required for mounting with alignment of the lid with hinging portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage reliabilityVSAvoidmounting simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The complex hinging portion and alignment features are extracted from the design. Instead of a flip-top cap requiring precise angular alignment with hinging mechanisms, a simple cylindrical cap with a basic seat interface is used, eliminating the need for complex mounting alignment operations while maintaining coverage functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing a cap that hinges open from a closed position requiring alignment, the design inverts the approach by using a cap that simply sits on an open dispenser and is held in place by a basic retaining seat. The mounting process is inverted from complex alignment to simple placement, achieving coverage reliability through a straightforward snap-fit or friction-fit interface rather than precision hinging

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8662353B2Protective cap for dispensers and container comprising said cap

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 APTAR ITAL

AI summary

A container comprises a dispensing head (13) and a protective cap (1) fitted on the dispensing head (13). The cap (1) comprises a base portion (1a) engageable to a dispensing head (13); a lid (1b) hinged to said base portion (1a) and movable between an open position, in which it allows access to the dispensing head (13), and a closed position in which it prevents access to the dispensing head (13); an outer locator plate (9) engageable with a corresponding inner locator plate (24) of said dispensing head (13), the mutual engagement between said locator plates (9, 24) defining a screwing motion of the cap (1) relative to the dispensing head (13) to automatically achieve an installation of the cap (1) on the dispensing head (13) according to a pre-determined mutual angular positioning. The dispensing head (13) comprising a base (14) able to be coupled stably to an outlet portion of the container; a dispenser (15) having a dispensing head and slidably movable relative to the base (14) to obtain a dispensing of a product contained in the container as a result of a pressure exerted on the dispenser (15); at least one inner locator plate (24) engageable with the outer locator plate (9) of the cap (1), to guide the outer locator plate (9) according to a helical path around the dispenser (15).