Oversized Actuator Assembly for Pressurized Plastic Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressurized plastic vessels lack the structural strength to securely attach and maintain large or oversized actuators, leading to uncomfortable, inconvenient, and difficult-to-clean dispensing systems for products like hair sprays and lotions, as standard-sized neck portions and valve cups are cost-prohibitive to modify.
Innovation Solution
An oversized actuator assembly with a unitary molded plastic actuator body and a separately manufactured adaptor, which can be permanently joined via friction fit or adhesive, allowing secure attachment to standard-sized valve cups without requiring special internal geometry in the plastic vessel, enabling larger actuating surfaces and flip-open undercaps for upright orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cross-sectional area of the actuator is increased to improve ergonomics and usability, then the actuator becomes larger and more comfortable to use, but the plastic vessel body lacks the structural strength to securely hold the oversized actuator
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the attachment system into two segments: the standard plastic vessel body and a separate reinforcement component (collar or shoulder structure). This allows the vessel to maintain its standard blow-molded construction while adding a dedicated structural element to support the oversized actuator, resolving the contradiction between actuator size and vessel strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary reinforcement component (collar or enhanced shoulder structure) between the vessel body and the actuator. This intermediary element provides the necessary structural support for oversized actuators without requiring modification of the standard plastic vessel body, enabling larger actuators while maintaining vessel integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the neck portion cross-sectional area is increased to accommodate larger actuators, then larger actuators can be attached, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the actuator support function from the vessel neck structure by adding a distinct reinforcement component. This allows the vessel to retain its standard blow-molded neck geometry while the added collar or shoulder structure provides the necessary support for larger actuators, avoiding the need to manufacture custom large-neck vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement component (collar or enhanced shoulder) serves multiple functions: it strengthens the vessel to support oversized actuators, maintains compatibility with standard blow-molded vessels, and enables the use of common, cost-effective neck portions. This multi-functional element allows standard vessels to accommodate various actuator sizes without requiring custom manufacturing.
3Ease of manufacture
If a standard-sized valve cup is used to reduce costs, then manufacturing expenses are reduced, but oversized actuators cannot be securely attached
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a reinforcement component (collar or shoulder structure) as an intermediary element between the standard valve cup and the oversized actuator. This intermediary provides the additional structural support needed to securely attach large actuators to standard-sized valve cups, resolving the contradiction between using cost-effective standard components and ensuring secure actuator attachment.
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 secure, stable, and easy-to-clean dispensing system for pressurized plastic vessels, allowing larger actuators to fit standard-sized neck portions without additional manufacturing costs or complexity, enhancing user experience and product accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
The adaptor is not necessarily formed from molded plastic material; it may be formed, for example, from metal or ceramic materials, as well as plastic, or some combination of one or more of these materials. In this embodiment, the actuator body piece and the adaptor piece are typically independently manufactured and then permanently joined together by means of a friction fit, an adhesive or other type of mechanical or chemical seal or joint
Implementation Method 2
The actuator body piece and the adaptor piece are typically independently manufactured and then permanently joined together by means of a friction fit, an adhesive or other type of mechanical or chemical seal or joint
Data Source
AI summary
An oversized actuator and actuator assembly for a plastic vessel (or container) configured to hold a product under pressure, such as, for example, a lotion, cream, spray, ointment, gel or foam. The oversized actuator and actuator assembly are configured to be attached to what is considered to be a common, standard-sized valve cup (typically about 1.0 to 1.5 inches across) fastened to a common or standard-sized neck portion for a plastic vessel. Therefore, the actuator and actuator assembly of the present invention does not require that the shoulder of the plastic vessel to which they are attached have specialized geometry molded into the shoulder or body portions of the plastic vessel in order to hold the actuator or actuator assembly in place on the plastic vessel.