Hinged Dispensing Package That Keeps the Applicator Flat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing packages face challenges in maintaining a large effective surface area of the applicator after opening, leading to reduced efficiency in applying substances like fluids, gels, or pastes, as the applicator area is often diminished when the package is folded for use.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing package design featuring a stiff sheet with a score, a flexible layer, and hinges that allow the applicator to remain flat and perpendicular, maintaining a larger surface area for application, with a flexible sheet and barrier layer to facilitate efficient substance transfer through a metering hole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the applicator is adhered along its entire side to the plastic backing layer, then the package can be opened and the contents can be released, but the effective surface area of the applicator is dramatically reduced as the package is folded to the open position
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is detached from the backing layer and divided into separate functional components. The applicator can be positioned independently over the score line without being adhered along its entire side, allowing it to maintain its full surface area while still enabling package opening through the score line mechanism.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the applicator is folded back from the middle portion when the package is opened, then the package structure can be maintained, but only a portion of the applicator is usable at any one time for applying the contents
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is extracted from the folded-back configuration and repositioned to extend outward from the package. This allows the entire applicator surface to be accessible and usable for substance application, eliminating the limitation where only a portion of the applicator was usable at any one time.
3Area of moving object
If the applicator remains flat and perpendicular to the package, then a larger surface area is maintained for application, but the package structure becomes more complex with additional hinges and flexible layers
Solution Approach 1:
The package structure incorporates flexible layers and hinges that allow dynamic adjustment of the applicator position. The applicator can transition between different configurations - remaining flat and perpendicular during application, while still allowing the package to be folded and opened through the score line mechanism.
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
Enables easy one-handed opening and maintains a larger applicator surface area for effective substance application, ensuring efficient and uniform distribution without loss of contact area, enhancing the dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
an applicator having a porous material pad
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A package (20) for dispensing a substance (39) is described, where the package includes a stiff sheet (26) that has a score (27) formed on and traversing the first surface (44). The package also includes a flexible sheet (36) defining a cavity (38) for receiving the substance between the stiff sheet and the flexible sheet. The package also includes an applicator (24) having a porous material pad, where the applicator is attached to the stiff sheet over the score by two hinges (46,47). The stiff sheet is configured to be folded about the score to cause the substance to be expelled from the cavity through a metering hole (41) into the porous material pad and the two hinges allow the porous material pad to remain generally flat as the stiff sheet is folded.