Refillable Container Inner-Container Restraint Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Refillable containers for liquids like cosmetics and detergents face challenges in easily removing and replacing inner containers without increasing the size of the accommodation member, leading to unnecessary space and higher manufacturing costs due to protruding features like neck portions or mouth plugs.

Innovation Solution

A refillable container design that incorporates an inner-container restraint part between the lid member and the inner container, which prevents the inner container from falling when the lid is removed and allows for easy pull-out by releasing the restraint when the container is exhausted, eliminating the need for protruding features on the inner container.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a neck portion or mouth plug is added to the inner container to enable easy removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inner container removalVSAvoidstructure of inner container

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces a lid member as an intermediary component that interacts with the inner container through a restraint mechanism. The lid member includes a restraint part that engages with the inner container to prevent it from falling when the lid is attached, and releases the restraint when the lid is removed, allowing easy removal of the inner container without adding protruding features to the container itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention divides the removal function into two independent parts: the restraint function (preventing fall) and the release function (enabling removal). The restraint part on the lid member and the corresponding engagement structure on the inner container are designed as separate functional elements that work together, allowing the inner container to have a simple structure while still achieving easy removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of stationary object

If the inner container is made to fit tightly in the accommodation member to reduce size, then the volume of the accommodation member is reduced, but the ease of operation for removal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of accommodation memberVSAvoidease of inner container removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lid member serves as a mediator that provides the restraint and release mechanism. The restraint part on the lid member engages with the inner container, allowing the inner container to fit tightly in the accommodation member while still enabling easy removal through the lid's restraint release function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If protruding features like neck portions or mouth plugs are added to enable easy handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of inner container handlingVSAvoidmanufacturing cost of inner container

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lid member acts as an intermediary that provides the handling assistance through its restraint part. The inner container itself remains simple in structure without requiring protruding features, while the lid member's restraint mechanism enables easy handling and removal operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding features to the inner container to enable easy handling, the invention inverts the approach by adding the restraint mechanism to the lid member. The lid member, rather than the container, provides the features that facilitate handling and removal operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10875695B2Refillable container

Publication Date: 2020.12.29 NIPPON PAPER IND CO LTD

AI summary

A refillable container includes: an inner container (5); an accommodation member (7) configured to accommodate the inner container; a lid member configured to close the accommodation member; a taking-out part (9) configured to take out the content contained in the inner container accommodated in the accommodation member; and an inner-container restraint part (59), which is provided between the lid member and the inner container, is configured to restrain the lid member and the inner container so as to prevent the inner container from falling from an opening portion of the lid member, when the lid member is removed from the accommodation member. Also, the inner-container restraint part is configured to release the restraint between the lid member and the inner container when the inner container in which the content has been exhausted is pulled from the opening portion of the lid member in a pull-out direction.