Marble-Sealed Container With Twistable Cap and Plunger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marble-sealed bottles, such as Codd bottles, are difficult to open for individuals with limited strength or dexterity and cannot be re-closed after opening, and the marble can obstruct pouring.
Innovation Solution
A marble-sealed container design featuring a twistable outer cap that releases the marble from flexible flanges using a plunger mechanism, allowing easy opening and re-closing, combined with a dissolvable marble and a mobile application for enhanced consumer engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a marble is held against a flexible seal in the bottle neck, then the bottle can be sealed, but the bottle becomes difficult to open requiring substantial pressure and a sturdy surface
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the cap into two separate parts: a fixed cap that remains on the bottle and a removable cap that can be easily taken off. The marble is retained by the fixed cap's flexible flanges, while the removable cap provides the opening function without requiring forceful removal of the entire sealing mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The plunger acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the user's opening action and the marble retention mechanism. When the removable cap is removed, the plunger is pushed by carbonation pressure to release the marble from the flexible flanges, allowing easy opening without directly manipulating the marble itself.
2Reliability
If the marble is positioned in the container neck to block the opening, then the bottle can be sealed, but the marble obstructs pouring after opening
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger is pre-positioned to automatically release the marble from the flexible flanges when the removable cap is removed. This preliminary action ensures the marble is freed before pouring begins, preventing obstruction without requiring manual intervention during the pouring process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static marble retention arrangement to a dynamic one where the plunger can move to release the marble. The flexible flanges allow the marble to be held securely during sealing, then released when needed for pouring, adapting to different operational states.
3Reliability
If a conventional Codd bottle design is used, then the bottle can be sealed with a marble, but the bottle cannot be re-closed after opening
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the cap into fixed and removable portions, the invention enables the fixed cap with marble retention to remain on the bottle for re-closing, while the removable cap provides controlled access. This segmentation allows the sealing function to be maintained after opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The marble is temporarily discarded from the sealing position during opening (pushed into the bottle by the plunger), then recovered and returned to the sealing position when the removable cap is replaced, enabling re-closing functionality.
4Reliability
If substantial pressure is required to remove the marble by force, then the marble can be securely held, but the bottle becomes difficult to open for people with limited strength
Solution Approach 1:
The plunger serves as an intermediary that translates the simple action of removing the removable cap into the complex action of releasing the marble from the flexible flanges. Users with limited strength only need to remove the lightweight removable cap, not directly manipulate the marble against the sealed flanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The carbonation pressure inside the bottle is utilized to push the plunger forward and release the marble from the flexible flanges when the removable cap is removed. This pneumatic assistance reduces the manual force required for opening, making it accessible to people with limited 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
Enables easy opening and re-closing of the bottle without requiring a sturdy surface, prevents marble obstruction during pouring, and enhances user interaction through a dissolvable marble and mobile application features.
Implementation Method 1
wherein the marble is held in place by flexible flanges
Implementation Method 2
wherein upon twisting the twistably removable cap the plunger depresses into the neck container releasing the marble from the flexible flanges
Implementation Method 3
incorporating consumer engagement with the product by making the marble fully or partially dissolvable in the liquid contained in the bottle
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to a marble-sealed bottle that preserves the marble features yet allows for easy opening, re-closing, and unobstructed pouring of the content stored in the bottle. In addition, the disclosure provides a mobile application that improves consumer engagement with the product and facilitates collection of certain information about the product users and individuals connected to them via social networks or similar software applications.