Measuring Cap with Movable Roof for Sterile Capsule Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current single-dose bottles with measuring caps suffer from contamination issues as external walls come into contact with the dispensed substance, either directly or indirectly, when breaking the capsule, compromising hygiene.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing cap design where the lateral walls are configured to bend laterally upon compression, without penetrating the cap, and are dome-shaped with openings to facilitate easy capsule breaking, ensuring no external walls enter the cap, thus minimizing contamination and maintaining sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the lateral walls of the cap penetrate through the capsule during manual action, then the capsule is broken and substance is dispensed, but the outer walls contaminate the substance directly
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is divided into a fixed lower portion and a movable upper portion that can be separated. The movable upper portion breaks the capsule while the fixed lower portion remains outside the cap, preventing contamination of the substance.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable upper portion is extracted or removed from the cap after breaking the capsule, so that only the sterile lower portion remains in contact with the substance, eliminating the contamination source.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lateral walls compress the capsule from outside without penetrating, then the capsule breaks indirectly, but contamination still occurs through indirect contact
Solution Approach 1:
The cap structure is segmented into fixed and movable portions that work together. The movable portion applies compression force to break the capsule, then separates to prevent any form of contamination including indirect contact.
3Strength
If the cap structure remains rigid during compression, then structural strength is maintained, but more force is required to break the capsule
Solution Approach 1:
The cap transitions from a rigid static structure to a dynamic system where the upper portion can move. This allows the cap to maintain overall structural integrity while enabling controlled compression with reduced force through mechanical advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression force is applied through a movable upper portion that moves vertically, converting lateral compression into vertical motion. This dimensional change allows force application from a different direction, reducing the effort needed while maintaining cap 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 solution provides a hygienic and efficient dispensing mechanism that prevents external contamination, maintaining the sterility of the capsule and substance, while requiring less force for capsule actuation and allowing for easier access to the capsule's contents.
Implementation Method 1
an upper roof portion for the upper containment of the capsule (13) movable by the manual action of a user between: a raised resting position, in which it is in contact without compression against the capsule (13), and a lowered operating position in which it compresses the capsule (13) in a collapsed configuration
Data Source
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AI summary
Single-dose bottle (10) for a fluid and a measuring cap (12) for introducing a different soluble substance in said bottle (11), said substance being stored in a sterile manner in a breakable capsule (13) housed inside said measuring cap (12) at the mouthpiece portion (14) of said bottle (11); said measuring cap (12) comprising a lower sleeve portion (15) for coupling with the neck (20) of said bottle (11) and an upper portion (16) extending above said mouthpiece (14) of said container (11) and configured to make a seat (17) for housing said capsule (13), said upper portion (16) in turn comprising lateral walls (18) for the at least partial lateral containment of said capsule (13) and an upper roof portion (19) for the upper containment of said capsule (13), said upper roof portion (19) being movable by manual action of a user between a raised resting position, wherein it is in contact without compression against said capsule (13), and a lowered operating position wherein it compresses said capsule (13) in a collapsed configuration.