Pump Cap With Corrugated Plastic Elastic Member for Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pump caps for cosmetic containers have a complex composition and are difficult to recycle due to the use of metallic components like valve and piston springs, which does not align with the growing demand for environmentally friendly recycling solutions.
Innovation Solution
A pump cap design featuring a cylinder, piston, rod, valve, and an elastic member made from plastic resin or silicone, with a corrugated tube-shaped elastic member that provides upward pressure and simplifies the composition for easier recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pump caps use metallic valve and piston springs, then reliable elastic function is achieved, but recycling difficulty increases due to material incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by making the elastic member composed of the same plastic resin as the other pump cap components. This eliminates material incompatibility and enables unified recycling processing, while still providing the necessary elastic function through the corrugated tube structure's mechanical deformation properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the metallic spring mechanical system with a plastic corrugated tube structure that achieves elastic function through geometric deformation. The corrugations allow the tube to compress and expand, providing the same elastic effect as metal springs but with compatible materials for recycling
2Reliability
If conventional pump caps include multiple metallic components, then functional reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the valve and piston spring functions into a single integrated elastic member made of plastic resin. This eliminates the need for separate metallic spring components and their associated assembly complexity, while maintaining the functional reliability of the pump cap through the unified elastic member's design
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional pump caps use integrated plastic components, then ease of recycling is improved, but elastic force provision becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible plastic corrugated tube structure that can be integrated with other plastic components. The corrugations provide flexibility and elastic deformation capability, allowing the integrated plastic component to store and release elastic force while remaining compatible with recycling processes
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 simplified design allows for easier fabrication, reduced manufacturing costs, and facilitates recycling by using materials compatible with existing recycling processes.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member that has one end contacting the shoulder and another end contacting the rod and is configured to provide an elastic force for pushing the rod upward
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the invention provides a pump cap that includes: a cylinder having an interior space into which a content may be drawn; a piston configured to move up and down within the interior space and having an inflow hole formed therein that connects to the interior space; a valve configured to move together with the upward and downward movement of the piston, while maintaining contact with an inner perimeter of the cylinder and an outer perimeter of the piston, so as to be capable of closing the inflow hole; a rod that is coupled to an upper portion of the piston, has an inside connecting with the inside of the piston, and protrudes to the outside of the cylinder; a shoulder coupled to an upper portion of the cylinder; and an elastic member that has one end contacting the shoulder and another end contacting the rod and is configured to provide an elastic force for pushing the rod upward, where the elastic member may include a deformable flexible portion.