Free-Flow Powder Container With Apertured Retainer Plate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional loose cosmetic powder containers lack precise control over the amount of powder dispensed, often resulting in waste and mess due to spilling and imprecise application, especially when using a cap to apply powder to a brush or puff.
Innovation Solution
A container design with a retainer plate having apertures that allows free flow of loose powder between a reservoir and an application tray while closed, featuring powder retention features to control the amount applied, reducing spillage and enabling precise application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional loose powder containers use a cap with perforations to contain and dispense powder, then the powder can be contained and applied, but the amount of powder dispensed cannot be controlled precisely, resulting in waste and mess
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into distinct functional zones: a powder reservoir for storage, an application tray for dispensing, and a retainer plate with controlled apertures separating these zones. This segmentation allows powder to be contained in the reservoir while only a controlled amount flows to the application tray through the limited apertures, enabling precise portion control and preventing waste
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer plate with its limited apertures pre-controls the amount of powder that can access the application tray before the user even opens the cap. By restricting powder flow to only what can pass through the apertures, the system preliminarily portions the powder, ensuring that excess powder remains in the reservoir and cannot be wasted or create mess
2Ease of operation
If the container allows free flow of powder between reservoir and application area, then powder application is smooth and continuous, but powder may spill out during handling or transportation
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer plate creates a physical barrier with limited apertures between the powder reservoir and application tray. This segmentation allows powder to flow freely within each zone (smooth application in the tray, storage in the reservoir) while preventing uncontrolled flow between zones that would cause spilling during handling
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer plate acts as an intermediary element between the powder reservoir and application tray. It mediates the powder flow by providing a controlled interface through its apertures, allowing smooth transfer when needed while blocking excessive flow that would cause spilling during transportation
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a cap is used to seal the powder container, then powder spilling is prevented, but the amount of powder that can be applied to the brush or puff is imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is segmented into a sealed reservoir (prevented from spilling by the cap and retainer plate) and a separate application tray (where precise powder amount is controlled by the retainer plate apertures). This segmentation allows the cap to fulfill its spill-prevention function while the retainer plate apertures control the precise powder amount available in the application tray
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer plate serves as an intermediary between the sealed reservoir and the open application area. It maintains the spill-prevention benefit of sealing while introducing precise powder amount control through its limited apertures, allowing only a controlled quantity to access the application tray
4Ease of operation
If excess powder is allowed in the application tray for easy access, then powder availability is improved, but the unused powder must be poured back causing split or waste
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer plate with its limited apertures segments the container into a large reservoir and a smaller application tray with controlled capacity. This segmentation naturally limits the amount of powder that can accumulate in the tray, ensuring that only the needed amount is accessible while excess powder remains in the reservoir, eliminating the need to pour back and preventing waste
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 design ensures precise and repeatable powder application by controlling the amount transferred to an applicator, minimizing spillage and waste, providing a more enjoyable user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of apertures of the retainer plate enable loose powder to flow between the powder reservoir the upper plenum of the container while the container remains closed by the lid
Data Source
AI summary
A cosmetic powder container is disclosed herein. The cosmetic powder container has a lid and a receptacle configured to be closed by the lid. The receptacle has a receptacle body. The receptacle body has a bottom and a sidewall partially bounding a powder reservoir. The receptacle body has opening separated from the bottom by the sidewall. A retainer plate is disposed between the powder reservoir and the lid. The retainer plate has a plurality of apertures formed through a top surface of the retainer plate. The plurality of apertures define an open area of the top surface. An upper plenum defined between the lid and the retainer plate is fluidly coupled to the powder reservoir through the plurality of apertures formed in the retainer plate when the receptacle is closed by the lid.