Container system for liquid consumable materials with exchangeable replacement containers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container systems for cosmetic items are not environmentally friendly, as they are often made of plastic or glass and do not allow for the efficient use of stand-up pouches for storage and dosage, which are the most ecologically sensible solutions.

Innovation Solution

A container system with interchangeable, recyclable or material-saving replacement containers made from renewable materials, such as cardboard, that can be connected to a dosing pump, allowing for the use of stand-up pouches as refill containers, which are inserted into a main container and fixed using cylindrical or molded elements to prevent damage during screwing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional plastic or glass containers are used for cosmetic products, then the containers provide durable storage and dosing functionality, but they generate significant plastic waste and are not environmentally friendly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplastic wasteVSAvoidstorage functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The container system is divided into two separate components: a reusable main container with dosing pump (made of durable plastic or glass) and a disposable replacement container (made of recyclable materials like cardboard or paper). This segmentation allows the durable dosing functionality to be separated from the consumable packaging, reducing plastic waste while maintaining reliable storage and dosing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the material parameter of the replacement container from conventional plastic to environmentally friendly materials such as cardboard, paper, or other recyclable substances. This parameter change reduces harmful environmental factors while the main container maintains its durable storage functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Weight of moving object

If stand-up pouches are used as replacement containers, then material savings and weight optimization are achieved, but the connection to the dosing pump becomes complex and requires additional fixing mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer weightVSAvoidconnection mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A spout is introduced as an intermediary component that connects the stand-up pouch to the dosing pump. The spout provides a rigid connection interface that simplifies the coupling mechanism, allowing the flexible pouch to be easily connected to the pump without requiring complex fixing mechanisms. The spout acts as a mediator between the flexible pouch and the rigid pump assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The stand-up pouch is inserted into the main container, and the spout extends through the container wall to connect with the dosing pump. This nested arrangement allows the lightweight pouch to be housed within the reusable container while maintaining a simple connection interface through the spout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If replacement containers are made from recyclable materials like cardboard, then environmental friendliness is improved, but the containers may be more susceptible to damage during handling and screwing operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental impactVSAvoidcontainer durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The system separates the structural/durable functions (main container and dosing pump made of robust materials) from the consumable function (replacement container made of recyclable materials). This segmentation allows the recyclable replacement container to be protected by the durable main container during handling and operation, reducing damage risk while maintaining environmental benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spout and main container structure serve as protective intermediaries that shield the recyclable replacement container from mechanical damage during handling and screwing operations. The robust main container provides external protection while the spout protects the connection interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4072388B1Container system for liquid consumable materials with exchangeable replacement containers
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 SEVEN DAYS COSMETIC GMBH
  • EP4072388B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4072388B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4072388B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a container system for receiving and dispensing liquid consumable articles, such as for example cosmetic articles. According to the invention, the container system consists of a main container which can be connected to a pumping device for dispensing the consumable article and can be joined together with replacement containers consisting of material-saving, weight-optimizing and/or fully recyclable materials, in particular renewable raw materials. Based on the prior art, the aim of the invention is to create a container system with exchangeable containers which enables the liquid consumable articles to be stored and dispensed in an environmentally friendly manner and allows the stand-up pouches that are used as replacement containers to be connected in a problem-free manner as much as possible between the stand-up pouch and the pump device. This aim is solved in that the container system consists of a main container into which stand-up pouches used as replacement containers are fixed during their insertion in such a way that they can no longer be rotated about their longitudinal axis and this fixation is maintained during the connection and release between the dosing pump and the stand-up pouches.