Integrated Inner Tray Structure for Low-Part Dispensing Containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dispensing containers have a high number of parts, which increases production costs.

Innovation Solution

The dispensing container integrates the inner tray main body, movable cylinder, and restriction cylinder, reducing the number of separate components by forming them as a single unit, and incorporates a helical groove and vertical groove system for smooth vertical and rotational movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate components (inner tray main body, movable cylinder, restriction cylinder) are used, then functional reliability is improved, but the number of parts increases and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the inner tray main body, movable cylinder, and restriction cylinder into a single integrated inner tray component. The movable cylinder and restriction cylinder are formed as integral parts of the inner tray main body, reducing the total number of separate components while maintaining their individual functional capabilities. This merging approach directly addresses the contradiction by reducing part count without sacrificing the functional reliability that would result from having separate, well-defined components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If separate components are used, then functional reliability is improved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the movable cylinder and restriction cylinder into the inner tray main body as a single molded part, the patent reduces manufacturing steps, assembly operations, and associated costs. The integrated design allows for more efficient production while maintaining the functional reliability that comes from having precisely defined component boundaries within the integrated structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple separate components are used, then functional reliability is improved, but assembly and disassembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of the movable cylinder and restriction cylinder into the inner tray main body reduces the number of assembly and disassembly steps required. Instead of handling multiple separate components that need to be precisely aligned and assembled, the integrated design simplifies the assembly process while maintaining the functional reliability that results from having well-defined component interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 integration reduces the number of parts, lowering production costs while maintaining reliable operation and ease of assembly and disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

a transmission shaft having a helical groove extending around a container axis and extending upward from a bottom wall of the operating portion, a sleeve disposed inside the operating portion to surround an outside of the transmission shaft and provided to be rotatable in a circumferential direction around the container axis with respect to the transmission shaft

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelical groove mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a rib, which is provided to be vertically movable within the vertical groove and restricts rotation of the inner tray with respect to the sleeve by coming into contact with an inner surface of the vertical groove in the circumferential direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction contact: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4674311A1Dispensing container
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 YOSHINO KOGYOSHO CO LTD
  • EP4674311A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4674311A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4674311A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A dispensing container (1) of the present invention includes an operating portion (10) having a bottomed cylindrical shape, a transmission shaft (23) having a helical groove (26a) extending around a container axis (O) and extending upward from a bottom wall of the operating portion (10), a sleeve (11) disposed inside the operating portion (10) to surround an outside of the transmission shaft (23) and provided to be rotatable in a circumferential direction around the container axis (O) with respect to the transmission shaft (23), and an inner tray (12) provided inside the sleeve (11) to be vertically movable with respect to the sleeve (11) in accordance with rotation of the sleeve (10) with respect to the transmission shaft (23), in which the inner tray (12) includes an inner tray main body (51) which holds a content, and a cylinder (52, 53) extending downward from the inner tray main body (51), and the cylinder (52, 53) is integrally formed with the inner tray main body (51).