Refillable Container Inner Cover Segmentation for Sealing Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing refillable container systems, the inner cover comes into contact with the content during use, leading to soiling and contamination with old, possibly spoiled remnants, which reduces the quality of the refilled content.

Innovation Solution

The system includes replacing both the inner container and inner cover during refilling, with the new inner cover providing the sealing contact with the environment, thus preventing wear and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the container system is made refillable with a reusable outer container and cover, then environmental friendliness and cost efficiency are improved, but the inner cover becomes contaminated with old content remnants and loses sealing properties due to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverefillabilityVSAvoidsealing properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is divided into three separable components: an outer container, an inner container, and an inner cover. The inner container and inner cover form a replaceable sealing unit that can be independently exchanged without affecting the outer container. This segmentation allows the sealing components to be replaced periodically while maintaining the reusable outer container structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner container is inserted into the outer container, and the inner cover seals the inner container. This nested arrangement allows the smaller sealing components to be contained within the larger reusable structure, enabling easy replacement of the inner sealing unit while preserving the outer container for repeated use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Device complexity

If the inner cover remains in the outer container for multiple refilling cycles, then device complexity is reduced, but the inner side of the cover becomes soiled with old content rests causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The inner container and inner cover are designed as inexpensive, replaceable components that can be discarded after a limited number of uses or when contaminated. This allows the system to maintain low complexity by using simple, easily replaceable sealing units rather than designing complex cleaning or maintenance mechanisms for permanent components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables easy removal and replacement of the inner container and inner cover as a unit. When the inner cover becomes contaminated or worn, the entire inner sealing unit can be quickly removed and replaced with a fresh one, minimizing contamination risks without requiring complex cleaning procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of manufacture

If the closure between inner container and inner cover is reused multiple times, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but wear deteriorates the sealing properties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsealing properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inner container and inner cover are manufactured as low-cost components intended for limited use cycles. Their simple construction and use of inexpensive materials allow them to be economically replaced periodically, ensuring reliable sealing without the need for expensive, durable materials or complex maintenance procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS8870011B2Refillable container system and method for assembly

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 DB DESIGN

AI summary

A refillable container system includes an outer container configured to receive an inner container from a first side, the inner container configured to be inserted into the outer container, and an outer cover configured to receive an inner cover from a first side for avoiding deterioration of the sealing properties caused by wear of a closure, soiling of the cover, and contaminating of a refilled content.