Nested Inner Container for Dual-Ingredient Cap

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Many products, such as food, drugs, and cosmetics, lose stability and effectiveness when mixed, requiring immediate use after mixing, and there is a challenge in merchandising companion products that degrade quickly when combined, necessitating separate storage and immediate mixing before use.

Innovation Solution

A primary container cap with a removable and sealable inner container that can store liquids or powders, allowing for delayed mixing by attaching to the primary container cap, providing a secure and convenient method for dispensing ingredients at the time of use without compromising shelf life or chemical integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If ingredients are mixed immediately for use, then product effectiveness is maintained, but shelf life is reduced and immediate use is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct effectivenessVSAvoidshelf life

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The product system is divided into separate component containers (e.g., powder container and liquid container) that are kept distinct during storage. Each container maintains its own ingredient separately, allowing extended shelf life while preserving effectiveness until the moment of use when components are combined.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

One container is placed inside another container (e.g., a smaller powder container nested within a larger liquid container or vice versa). This nested arrangement allows both ingredients to be stored together in a single package for merchandising purposes while remaining physically separated to prevent premature reaction, extending shelf life without compromising effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If companion products are sold together in a single package, then merchandising is enhanced, but product stability deteriorates due to mixing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemerchandising capabilityVSAvoidproduct stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The single package contains multiple separate compartments or nested containers, each holding a different companion product ingredient. This segmentation allows the products to be marketed together as a complete solution while physically preventing contact between incompatible ingredients, maintaining stability throughout storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Companion product containers are nested one within another within the same outer package. This nested structure enables unified merchandising and branding while maintaining physical separation of ingredients, allowing the products to be sold together without compromising chemical stability until use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS7614513B2Inner container attachable to primary container cap

Publication Date: 2009.11.10 BLAST MAX

AI summary

A primary container (PC) cap or closure that includes a separate fastener for a separate inner container (IC). A liquid, powder or crystal is stored in the inner container ready for use. One purpose of the invention is to provide two separate containers mounted together with different ingredients for admixture at the time of use. This increases the shelf-life of the combined products.