Modular Cosmetic Bottle Adapter for Interchangeable Closures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The production of snap closures for cosmetic bottles is complex and expensive, limiting the ability to offer affordable, customer-specific designs due to the need for large quantities and restricting design variations beyond color changes.
Innovation Solution
A modular cosmetic bottle system featuring an adapter with two different connection types, allowing for interchangeable snap and screw connections between the bottle, adapter, and cap element, reducing the number of required components and enabling various design combinations with a single bottle design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a snap closure with folding hinge is used, then the closure function is achieved, but the production complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is divided into separate components: the cap element and the adapter. The adapter remains on the bottle while the cap element can be independently manufactured and attached, simplifying production of each individual component while maintaining the complete closure function.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter serves multiple functions: it provides the closure connection to the bottle, enables interchangeable cap elements, and allows for different connection types (screw or snap). This single component performs what previously required complex integrated molding of the entire closure assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If snap closures are produced in large quantities, then cost is reduced, but design variety is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the closure into adapter and cap element components, each can be produced independently in standardized forms. The bottleneck adapter can be produced in large quantities at low cost, while cap elements can be varied in design, material, and connection type without requiring new bottleneck tooling.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal adapter design with standardized connection to the bottle allows any cap element to be paired with any bottle. This enables customers to choose from multiple cap element designs (different materials, colors, shapes, connection types) while the core adapter remains a standardized, cost-effectively produced component.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple closure element designs are offered, then customer-specific designs are enabled, but the number of components and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter and cap element are designed to work together as an integrated closure system. The adapter provides the standardized interface to the bottle while the cap element provides the customizable design elements. This merging allows design variety without requiring multiple complete closure assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal adapter design serves as a platform that can accommodate various cap element types (screw caps, snap closures, spray caps, pump dispensers). This single adapter design enables multiple closure configurations without increasing the number of unique adapter components.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
In order to increase the possible number of combinations, in particular in the case of cosmetics bottles (2), the invention provides an adaptor (6) which has a first connection, in particular a snap-fit closure (10) for positioning on the bottle (2), and a second connection, which is different from the first, is in particular a screw closure (12) and on which a cap element (8) can be positioned.