Liquid Makeup Refill With Absorbent Complex And External Storage Volume

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid makeup refills face challenges in maximizing storage volume while allowing easy delivery and being inexpensive and compact for transport, particularly for very fluid products, as they either compromise on storage due to absorbent materials or incur high costs with complex systems like pistons and pumps.

Innovation Solution

A refill design featuring a tank with an absorbent complex for product retention and delivery, accompanied by additional volumes outside the tank for increased capacity, allowing fluid communication and refilling by gravity or capillarity, which maintains product retention and delivery efficiency without the need for pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an absorbent complex (sponge) is included in the refill to retain and dispense liquid makeup, then product retention and easy dispensing are improved, but the storage capacity of the refill is reduced because the sponge takes up space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct dispensingVSAvoidstorage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The refill is divided into two functional zones: a first volume containing the absorbent complex for dispensing, and a second volume without the absorbent complex for bulk storage. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally while maximizing overall storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extends the storage space into a second volume that is spatially separated from the dispensing zone. This dimensional extension allows additional product storage without interfering with the absorbent complex's dispensing function in the first volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the refill volume is increased to provide more product storage, then storage capacity is improved, but the portability and compactness of the makeup case are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct storage volumeVSAvoidcase size
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The case is designed to nest multiple refills within its internal volume. This nesting arrangement allows the case to hold more product (multiple refills) while maintaining a compact external size, improving portability without sacrificing storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If an airless pump system with piston or flexible pouch is used to dispense very fluid liquid makeup, then product retention and dispensing capability are improved, but the device becomes expensive and bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct containmentVSAvoidpump system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex pump mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler system. Instead of using a piston or flexible pouch with pump, the patent employs an absorbent complex that passively retains and releases product through capillary action and pressure, eliminating the need for mechanical pumping components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent complex automatically retains and dispenses product without requiring external pump mechanisms. The system serves itself by using the inherent properties of the absorbent material to control product flow, eliminating complex mechanical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides enhanced storage volume for liquid makeup, ensuring easy delivery and transportability while maintaining product retention and delivery efficiency, suitable for very fluid products at a lower cost compared to traditional systems.

Implementation Method 1

The refill (2) includes an absorbent complex (7) within the tub (6)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The product is dispensed by saturating an applicator, such as a powder puff or the user's finger, by squeezing the sponge, which releases the product from its compartments

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 3

The additional volume (13) is in fluid communication with the interior of the tub, allowing the liquid makeup to refill the tub by gravity or capillarity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3716813B1Refill for liquid makeup case and assembly comprising a case and such a refill
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 CHANEL PARFUMS BEAUTE SAS
  • EP3716813B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3716813B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3716813B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention concerns a refill (2) intended to be inserted into a makeup case (1). The refill (2) comprises a vessel containing a liquid makeup, the vessel comprising a tank (6) comprising an open top face forming an opening for dispensing the makeup. The tank (6) is delimited by a side wall (18) in line with the opening and a bottom (22) of the tank. The refill (2) comprises an absorbent complex (7) in the tank (6). The vessel further comprises at least one additional volume (13) outside the tank (6), in fluid communication with the inside of said tank (6). This helps optimise the volume available for containing a liquid make-up, while allowing the latter to be effectively retained in the refill. The invention also concerns an assembly comprising a case (1) and such a refill (2).