One-Handed Lipstick Container with Push-Button Retraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lipstick containers require both hands to operate, making it inconvenient to use or store a lipstick, especially when using a smartphone, as they necessitate rotating the case to draw out or store the lipstick.

Innovation Solution

A lipstick container design featuring a cylindrical case with a protrusion, rotatable protective tube, inner containers, a screw shaft, and a push button mechanism that allows the lipstick to be easily drawn out by rotating the case and stored by pressing the push button, utilizing elastic members to facilitate one-handed operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lipstick is stored by rotating the case in reverse direction, then the lipstick can be stored in the case, but both hands are required to operate, making it inconvenient to use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of lipstick storageVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the storage operation into two independent functions: rotation for retrieval and push-button for storage. The push button mechanism is segmented from the rotation mechanism, allowing storage to be performed independently without rotation, thus simplifying the operation to one-handed control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The push button acts as an intermediary mechanism that triggers the automatic retraction of the lipstick core. Instead of requiring direct manual rotation for storage, the button mediates the storage process by activating the elastic member to automatically push the core back, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the case is rotated with both hands to draw out or store the lipstick, then the lipstick can be used or stored, but it is inconvenient when using a smartphone or other devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of lipstick retrieval and storageVSAvoidadaptability to one-handed use

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the retrieval and storage operations into different control methods: retrieval uses rotation (can be one-handed), while storage uses a push button (easily one-handed). This segmentation allows the device to adapt to one-handed usage scenarios, particularly when the other hand is occupied with a smartphone or other device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The push button mechanism enables self-service storage operation where a single press automatically initiates the core retraction process through the elastic member, eliminating the need for complex two-handed coordination and improving adaptability to one-handed use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If a conventional lipstick structure is used, then the lipstick can be drawn out by rotating the case, but both hands are required to operate, reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of lipstick storageVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member is pre-loaded and positioned to automatically push the core back when the push button is pressed. This preliminary preparation of the elastic force allows for rapid storage operation - a single button press instantly activates the retraction, significantly increasing the speed of storage compared to manual rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual rotation-based storage mechanism with an elastic force-driven automatic retraction system. The push button triggers the elastic member to mechanically push the core back, substituting the complex two-handed rotation operation with a simple one-handed button press followed by automatic mechanical action, thereby improving both speed and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 storage and retrieval of the lipstick, improving convenience by allowing the lipstick to be drawn out through case rotation and stored via a simple button press, reducing the need for two-handed operation.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member (S) that is disposed to surround the screw shaft 9 and of which upper portion is supported on an upper portion of the inner containers 7a and 7b and of which lower portion is supported on a lower portion of the screw shaft 9 to elastically press the screw shaft 9 in a downward direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11490710B2Lipstick container

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 LEE JONG BUM

AI summary

The lipstick container includes: a case 3 that has a cylindrical shape and includes a protrusion 21 formed to protrude from the inside thereof; a protective tube 5 rotatably mounted on an upper portion of the case 3; inner containers 7a and 7b that are rotatably disposed on an inner surface of the case 3 and in which the protrusion 21 of the case 3 is coupled to grooves thereof formed in an vertical direction to rotate together when the case 3 rotates and that includes first and second containers 7a and 7b; a screw shaft 9 disposed at an inner side of the case 3 so as to be movable up and down; raising/lowering parts 11a and 11b which are screwed between the inner containers 7a and 7b and the screw shaft 9 to selectively raise or lower the screw shaft 9.