Metal Cooling Applicator Tip With Friction-Fit Thermal Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cosmetic and medicinal applicator devices lack alternatives that provide thermal sensations and improved application methods for skin care products, such as aloe, lanolin, topical anesthetics, and thermal treatments, to enhance healing and therapeutic effects.
Innovation Solution
The development of applicator devices with a metal applicator tip assembly that can transfer and store thermal energy, allowing for heating or cooling sensations during product application, featuring a metal applicator with a friction fit to a main body portion and a thermoplastic polymer housing, capable of conveying cosmetic or medicinal products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal applicator is used to provide thermal sensations, then thermal therapeutic effect is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the applicator tip assembly with the housing to form an integrated unit, where the metal applicator is friction-fit into the main body portion that is coupled to the housing. This merging of components provides thermal therapeutic effects through the metal applicator while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the integrated design.
2Ease of manufacture
If a friction fit connection is used between metal applicator and main body portion, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability of connection may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses an annular groove with curved geometry in the main body portion that receives the metal applicator. The curved friction fit connection provides both ease of manufacture through simple molding and reliable connection through the geometric interlocking of the annular groove and applicator interface.
3Ease of operation
If an annular groove with friction fit is used to secure the metal applicator, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs friction fit connection that relies on controlled interference between the metal applicator outer surface and the annular groove inner surface. By optimizing the interference fit parameters, the design achieves secure attachment that is easy to operate while maintaining achievable manufacturing precision through standard molding tolerances.
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 applicator devices provide a controlled thermal sensation, enhancing user comfort and therapeutic effects by minimizing pain or discomfort through heating or cooling, while maintaining product quality and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
a metal applicator tip assembly that can transfer and store thermal energy, allowing for heating or cooling sensations during product application
Implementation Method 2
an annular protrusion extending from a face opposite the application face, the annular protrusion configured to engage the annular groove of the main body portion with a friction fit
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator device includes a housing with a reservoir and an applicator tip assembly. The applicator tip assembly includes a main body portion and a metal applicator. The main body has an upper face with an annular groove extending inward and radially between an outer wall of the main body portion and an inner wall. The inner wall defines a product delivery passageway fluidly coupled to an aperture in the metal applicator. The metal applicator is coupled to the main body portion and has an application face and an annular protrusion extending from a face opposite the application face, where the annular protrusion is configured to engage the annular groove of the main body portion with a friction fit. The metal applicator has a first outer diameter at the application face and a second, smaller outer diameter at an end opposite the application face.