Refillable Compact Case Segmentation for Waste Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional disposable makeup compacts generate significant waste and are not eco-friendly, as they are often made from non-renewable materials and cannot be refilled, leading to environmental concerns and increased costs for consumers.

Innovation Solution

A refillable compact design featuring a durable exterior case with a replaceable, lightweight interior tray made from biodegradable materials, allowing for easy refilling and reduced plastic usage, incorporating a hinged mirror and secure closure mechanisms to prevent formulation damage during use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If disposable compacts are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but waste generation increases and environmental sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidwaste generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The compact is divided into two segments: a durable exterior case that is reused and a disposable interior tray that contains the formulation. This segmentation allows the expensive, waste-generating components to be separated from the reusable housing, enabling consumers to keep the case and only replace the tray when the product is exhausted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design implements discarding and recovering by allowing consumers to discard only the interior tray after formulation exhaustion while recovering and reusing the exterior case. This reduces waste compared to disposing of the entire compact and maintains sustainability benefits.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Duration of action of stationary object

If refillable compacts with durable materials are used, then product lifespan is extended and sustainability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct lifespanVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interior tray is designed as a cheap, disposable component that can be easily replaced. By making the tray inexpensive and single-use, the overall system becomes more sustainable while the durable exterior case amortizes its higher manufacturing cost over multiple refills.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the tray is securely held in the case, then formulation stability is improved, but shock absorption capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation stabilityVSAvoidshock absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The design incorporates a gap between the tray and the bottom frame that provides shock absorption capability. This gap acts as a cushion that absorbs impacts and shocks before they can damage the formulation, while the tray remains securely held in place during normal use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS11751661B2Refillable compact case

Publication Date: 2023.09.12 LOREAL SA

AI summary

A compact case and a method of making the compact case. The method includes the step of supporting a formulation tray having a depression formed from up an upright wall surrounding a bottom of the tray, and a flange extending outward from the exterior of the wall between a first frame that presses on top of the flange and a second frame that supports the bottom of the flange, wherein a gap separates the bottom of the formulation tray from the top of second frame.