Refillable Collared Container Sealing for Retinol Formulas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for oxygen- and moisture-sensitive cosmetic compositions, such as retinol, fail to adequately protect the contents from air exposure, leading to reduced shelf life due to insufficient sealing and direct connections between dispensers and inner containers.
Innovation Solution
A collared container design with multiple seals and barriers, including a double-container structure with snap-fit or lockable threaded connections, forming airtight seals to isolate the cosmetic substance from external air, and a vent positioned at the bottom to minimize air diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a direct connection between dispenser and inner container is used, then device complexity is reduced, but sealing reliability deteriorates allowing gas flow into the container
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into separate functional components: an outer container providing structural support and sealing, an inner container holding the cosmetic substance, and a dispenser mechanism. These segments are connected through intermediate sealing structures (collars with seal elements) rather than direct connections, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving sealing reliability through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
Collars with integrated seal elements (such as O-rings or labyrinth seals) serve as intermediary components between the dispenser and inner container. These intermediaries create reliable seals that prevent gas flow while allowing the dispenser mechanism to be separate from the inner container, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and sealing effectiveness
2Reliability
If multiple seals are implemented to prevent gas flow, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are merged into integrated collar components. The collars combine structural connection functions with sealing functions through integrated seal elements, creating air-tight seals without requiring separate sealing components. This merging approach improves reliability while avoiding excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing structure uses composite designs combining different materials with complementary properties - rigid materials for structural integrity and flexible seal elements (such as elastomers) for sealing functionality. This composite approach creates effective air-tight seals while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
3Ease of manufacture
If snap-fit connections are used for assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but sealing reliability may deteriorate compared to threaded connections
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is segmented into modular collar components that can be independently manufactured and then assembled through snap-fit connections. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual parts while the modular assembly provides reliable sealing through multiple seal elements engaged at the connection interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
Flexible seal elements (such as elastomeric O-rings or labyrinth seal structures) are incorporated at the snap-fit connection interfaces. These flexible sealing elements compensate for minor dimensional variations and create reliable seals in snap-fit connections, eliminating the need for complex threaded fastening mechanisms while maintaining sealing reliability
Data Source
AI summary
Rechargeable and non-rechargeable collared containers for airtight packaging of oxygen and/or moisture sensitive liquid formulas, such as retinol and retinol-containing compositions, for preservation of these substances. Collared containers include inner container collars that are able to be coupled with inner containers that store cosmetic substances therein. The inner container collars are securable to outer containers, and dispenser collars are securable to the outer containers for airtight storage and delivery of cosmetic substances within and from the inner containers and prevention of exposure of the cosmetic substances to air outside the outer containers. Airless pump dispensers can be used for creation of vacuums and maintenance of air-tight seals, and inner containers can be flexible pouches, flexible blow mold bottles, or rigid containers containing pistons.