Refillable Dispensing Container with Helical Cutter Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing containers with cutting functions are preassembled and lack a refill option for the solid material storage part.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing container design that includes a storage part with a helical tube and a rotating lid, where the storage part can be used as a refill, featuring a movable plate that raises within the container to facilitate the cutting and dispensing of solid materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the dispensing container is preassembled with the storage part and cutter mechanism, then the cutting function is ensured, but the storage part cannot be replaced as a refill
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing container is divided into separate functional modules: the storage part (container body) and the lid unit with cutter mechanism. The lid unit includes the rotating lid, cutter, and helical tube assembly, while the storage part can be independently removed and replaced as a refill, allowing the cutting functionality to be preserved while enabling refillability.
Solution Approach 2:
The helical tube acts as an intermediary component that connects the rotating lid to the movable plate. When the lid rotates, the helical tube converts the rotational motion into linear motion of the movable plate, which presses the solid material against the cutter. This intermediary mechanism allows the cutter to remain integrated with the lid while the storage part remains separable for refilling.
2Loss of substance
If the storage part is made separable for refill replacement, then plastic waste is reduced, but the cutting mechanism may become misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The storage part is pre-assembled with the movable plate and helical tube in a factory-set configuration that ensures proper alignment with the cutter mechanism when the lid unit is attached. This preliminary assembly guarantees that when users replace the storage part refill, the components are already positioned correctly to maintain cutting alignment without requiring user adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The container body and lid unit are designed with matching engagement features (such as ridges and grooves, or threaded connections) that create a standardized interface. This equipotential design ensures that any storage part refill will align perfectly with the cutter mechanism when properly installed, maintaining manufacturing precision across multiple refills.
3Ease of operation
If the movable plate raises with rotation of the lid, then solid material is fed to the cutter, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The movable plate is designed to dynamically change position during operation: it starts in a lowered position and automatically raises as the lid rotates. The helical tube's threaded engagement with the movable plate converts the continuous rotation of the lid into controlled linear movement of the plate, creating an automatic material feeding system that adapts to the rotation cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism operates in periodic cycles: as the lid rotates, the helical tube progressively raises the movable plate in a periodic manner, feeding material to the cutter at regular intervals. This periodic action ensures continuous material supply to the cutter throughout the rotation, creating an efficient automatic feeding system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the storage part to function as a refill, allowing for continuous use and reducing plastic waste by enabling the replacement of empty storage parts with new refills, thus maintaining the functionality of the dispensing container.
Implementation Method 1
The helical tube has a helical groove on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and is configured to be attached to a bottom surface of the storage part
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A dispensing container with a cutter, in which a storage part can be used as a refill. A dispensing container 100 with a cutter 54 includes a storage part 1, a helical tube 2, a rotating lid 5, and a movable plate 3. The storage part 1 has a tubular shape with an opening at a top and is configured to contain a solid material. The helical tube 2 has a helical groove on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and is configured to be attached to a bottom surface of the storage part. The rotating lid 5 is disposed to be horizontally rotatable and includes a top plate 51 and a peripheral wall 52 that is a side surface. The top plate 51 is provided with the cutter 54 on an underside thereof and has an outlet 53. The cutter 54 is configured to cut the solid material into a thin piece, and the outlet 53 is configured to discharge the cut thin piece of the solid material. The movable plate 3 has a hole into which the helical tube is fitted, and is configured to be raised within the storage part in conjunction with rotation of the rotating lid. The top plate 51 of the rotating lid has a fitting projection 55 that extends downward to be inserted into an upper end of the helical tube 2 so as to cause the helical tube 2 to rotate together with the rotating lid.