Refillable Container Suction Tube Nesting for Hygiene

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing refillable containers face issues with hygiene and damage to the suction tube due to protrusion during refilling, leading to contamination and potential injury, as well as inefficiencies in liquid extraction and container replacement.

Innovation Solution

A refillable container design featuring a plastic outer container, a paper inner container with a sealed suction port, and a dispense pump with a suction tube of appropriate length and collar shape that remains within the cover, preventing protrusion and ensuring easy refilling and replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the suction tube is made longer to reach the bottom of the inner container, then liquid extraction efficiency is improved, but the suction tube protrudes from the cover and contacts external surfaces causing hygiene issues and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid extraction efficiencyVSAvoidsuction tube hygiene and integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction tube is nested within the cover structure, with its distal end positioned inside the cover body rather than protruding outward. This nesting arrangement allows the suction tube to maintain adequate length for reaching the inner container bottom while being protected from external contamination and damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary protective structure between the suction tube and the external environment. By positioning the suction tube distal end within the cover and using the cover as a protective barrier, the system prevents direct contact between the suction tube and external surfaces, thereby maintaining hygiene and preventing damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the suction tube distal end is cut into a pointed shape to facilitate insertion into the suction port, then insertion ease is improved, but the pointed end may damage the user's hand when protruding from the cover

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion easeVSAvoiduser injury risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pointed distal end of the suction tube is nested within the cover structure, preventing it from protruding outward and contacting the user's hand. This nesting maintains the pointed shape for easy insertion while eliminating the injury risk associated with exposed sharp edges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The potentially harmful pointed distal end is converted from a hazard into a benefit by containing it within the cover. The pointed shape retains its insertion advantage while the cover structure transforms the potential harm into a protected, non-exposed feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If the suction tube protrudes from the cover to facilitate removal with the inner container, then container replacement ease is improved, but the protruding tube contacts external surfaces causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer replacement easeVSAvoidsuction tube hygiene

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suction tube is designed to be pulled out together with the inner container through the cover opening without needing to protrude externally. The tube works with the container removal process itself, being drawn out through the existing opening rather than requiring external exposure for grip or leverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The cover opening serves multiple functions: it allows the suction tube to be pulled out during container replacement and also prevents external contamination by limiting exposure. This multi-functional use of the opening eliminates the need for the tube to protrude beyond the cover for removal purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3388359B1Refillable container

Publication Date: 2020.04.22 NIPPON PAPER IND CO LTD

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AI summary

To provide a refillable container that enables refilling work of a liquid content to be easily and safely performed through replacement of an inner container, provided is a refillable container (1), including: an outer container (5), which has an opening (2) formed on top thereof, and is made of plastic; a cover (4), which is configured to close the opening (2) of the outer container (5); an inner container, which is made of paper, configured to store a liquid content therein, and accommodated in the outer container (3) so as to be replaceable when the liquid content is used up; and a dispense pump (6), which is provided on the cover and configured to pump up the liquid content in the inner container (5) accommodated in the outer container (3), and dispense the liquid content to an outside of the refillable container under a state in which the suction tube (16) is stuck into the suction port of the inner container accommodated in the outer container (3), the suction tube of the dispense pump (6) being inserted into the inner container (5) when the opening (2) of the outer container (3) is closed by the cover (4), wherein the cover (4) includes a tubular wall portion (13) to be fitted to an outer periphery of the outer container (3), and wherein the suction tube (16) of the dispense pump (6) has such a length that a distal end of the suction tube (16) is positioned within an open end (13a) of the tubular wall portion (13).