Disposable Fluid Reservoir Sealed Edge Opening Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disposable hair removal devices that dispense fluid are complex to manufacture and inconvenient to use, especially when used outside a bathroom environment or without access to water, as they require manual dexterity and can lead to fluid spillage and contamination.

Innovation Solution

A disposable hair removal device with a flexible reservoir that has a sealed edge with a releasable opening means, such as a tab or string, allowing fluid dispensing without manual dexterity, enabling easy access and use for all body areas without the need for separate fluid containers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a disposable hair removal device with fluid dispensing is designed, then the need for separate fluid containers is eliminated, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid dispensing capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is integrated directly into the disposable hair removal device head, merging the fluid container and razor cartridge into a single unit. This eliminates the need for separate fluid containers while maintaining simplicity through direct integration rather than complex assembly mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The entire device including the reservoir is designed as a disposable unit that is discarded after use. This avoids the complexity of reusable components that require cleaning, maintenance, and reassembly, while enabling integrated fluid dispensing functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of operation

If manual pressure application is required to open the reservoir, then fluid dispensing is enabled, but user convenience decreases and manual dexterity is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of fluid dispensingVSAvoidactivation mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir incorporates a self-opening mechanism where the act of attaching the device to the handle automatically breaks the seal and initiates fluid dispensing. The flexible reservoir material and seal geometry are designed to rupture under the normal mechanical stresses of attachment, eliminating the need for separate user activation actions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The reservoir seal is pre-positioned and pre-loaded during manufacturing such that the sealing membrane is already under tension and ready to rupture. The attachment process itself provides the preliminary mechanical action needed to break the seal, converting the attachment motion into automatic fluid release without requiring additional user steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the reservoir is sealed prior to use, then fluid contamination is prevented, but the device requires activation which increases operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid containmentVSAvoidactivation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir seal automatically opens through the mechanical action of device attachment, eliminating the need for separate user activation steps. The seal rupture is triggered by the normal forces applied during handle attachment, making the activation process as simple as the device assembly itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of manufacture

If the device is designed for disposable use, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but fluid dispensing functionality becomes more complex to integrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfluid dispensing integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reservoir is molded as an integral part of the disposable device head using injection molding or similar processes. This merging of components into a single molded piece eliminates assembly complexity while maintaining disposable status, as the entire unit including fluid container can be manufactured in one process step

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reservoir is constructed from flexible materials that allow for integrated sealing and dispensing mechanisms. The flexibility of the material enables the reservoir to be seamlessly integrated into the rigid device structure while maintaining fluid containment and automatic opening capabilities through material deformation during attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentEP2962955B1A disposable fluid dispensing reservoir

Publication Date: 2019.10.16 THE GILLETTE CO

Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a reservoir (10) for containing a liquid preferably for use with a hair removal and fluid application device (1). The reservoir (10) comprises at least one liquid compartment, and has at least one sealed edge (15) having two surfaces and at least one opening means (11), wherein said opening means (11) is releasably attached in-between said two surfaces of said sealed edge (15) and extends outwardly there from. Upon detachment of the opening means (11) from said reservoir (10) an opening (16) is formed in said sealed edge (15) to allow the fluid to be dispensed therefrom.