Elastomeric Living Hinge Actuator for Reusable Pump Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pump mechanisms for personal care containers are not reusable and require multiple parts for manufacturing, limiting their adaptability and efficiency in dispensing flowable compositions.
Innovation Solution
A molded actuator with a living hinge formed from elastomeric material, allowing the button portion to be securely attached to a container and actuate a pump mechanism, enabling reversible attachment and efficient dispensing of flowable contents without the need for additional parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional pump mechanisms are used for personal care containers, then the pump can dispense flowable composition, but the pump assembly cannot be reused and requires multiple parts for manufacturing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator body and actuator arm into a single unitary structure formed from one piece of elastomeric material. The living hinge integrates the hinge function directly into the actuator body without requiring separate hinge components. This merging of parts reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining reusability, as the entire pump assembly can be detached and reused with different containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump assembly is designed with a standardized collar portion that can be universally attached to different container types. The actuator mechanism provides multi-functionality by serving as both the actuating mechanism and the structural connector between the button and collar. This universal design enables the same pump assembly to be reused across multiple containers, improving adaptability without requiring container-specific components.
2Ease of operation
If a living hinge is formed from elastomeric material, then the actuator provides resilient counterforce and smooth operation, but the material must be sufficiently pliable which may reduce structural strength
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric material exhibits different mechanical properties at different locations within the actuator structure. The living hinge region is designed with optimized thickness and geometry to provide maximum flexibility and resilient counterforce where needed. Meanwhile, other portions of the actuator maintain sufficient thickness and structural configuration to provide the necessary strength for actuation and connection. This local optimization of material properties resolves the contradiction between pliability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the viscoelastic properties of the elastomeric material, which allow the material to exhibit different mechanical responses based on the rate and magnitude of applied forces. During normal operation, the material provides smooth resilient counterforce. During attachment or potential impact events, the material's structural integrity is maintained through its inherent elastic recovery properties. The geometric parameters of the living hinge (thickness, length, curvature) are specifically designed to tune the balance between flexibility and strength.
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 elastomeric living hinge actuator reduces manufacturing complexity, allows for reusable pump assemblies, and provides a resilient counterforce for user-friendly operation, enabling efficient dispensing of various flowable products across multiple containers.
Implementation Method 1
an elastomeric sleeve connecting the button portion to the collar portion so as to form a living hinge between the button and collar... sufficiently pliable to allow movement of the button portion relative to the collar in a resilient manner
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates generally to a device for actuating a pump mechanism capable of expelling a flowable composition from a container reservoir. In particular, the actuation capability is derived from a living hinge which is constituted by an elastomeric region of the actuator. More specifically, the invention relates to a molded actuator having a button portion for pressing, a collar portion for securing to a container, and a living hinge portion formed of a material that is sufficiently pliable to allow movement of the button portion relative to the collar in a resilient manner.