Reusable Pusher for Squeezable Container Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deformable material dispensing containers, such as squeezable tubes, face issues with material redistribution and difficulty in dispensing the remaining contents due to their resilient nature, requiring complex squeezing actions and often leaving material trapped at the conically shaped end, limiting flexibility in package sizes and reusability.
Innovation Solution
A reusable external compression device with a ratchet and pawl mechanism is introduced, removably attached to the container, which compresses the housing to ensure consistent dispensing and prevent displacement, allowing for easy removal and reattachment to different containers, enhancing reusability and recycling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a squeezable tube with resilient housing material is used, then the tube can be deformed to dispense material, but the housing returns to its original configuration, delaying or interfering with subsequent dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by introducing a movable pusher element that actively moves forward to push material toward the dispensing opening. Unlike the passive resilient tube that springs back, the pusher dynamically maintains forward pressure through its movable configuration, ensuring consistent material flow without interruption from tube rebound.
2Productivity
If finger pressure is applied to squeeze the tube, then material can be dispensed, but some material is displaced in the opposite direction, requiring more complex squeezing actions
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher acts as an intermediary element between the user's squeezing force and the material. Instead of directly applying complex finger pressure to overcome material displacement, the user simply compresses the tube while the pusher mediates by pushing material forward in the correct direction, simplifying the user's action while maintaining dispensing efficiency.
3Productivity
If the tube is deformed to dispense material, then material flows out, but pockets of product scatter throughout the tube interior, preventing full dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The pusher performs preliminary action by continuously pushing material toward the dispensing opening throughout the squeezing process. This preliminary forward pressure prevents material from scattering into pockets within the tube, ensuring that all material is progressively moved toward the opening for complete dispensing without leaving trapped portions.
4Ease of operation
If a disposable compression device is used with each tube, then each tube can be emptied efficiently, but the device cannot be reused, increasing waste
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is designed with universal applicability, allowing the same reusable pusher to be used with multiple different tubes. The device maintains its compression and pushing functions across different uses, eliminating the need for disposable versions and reducing environmental waste while preserving tube emptying effectiveness.
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
The solution provides reliable, economic, and functional container compression, ensuring efficient dispensing of contents and environmental benefits by allowing for the reuse and recycling of the compression device, overcoming the limitations of disposable structures.
Implementation Method 1
owing to the often resilient housing material and/or geometrical configuration, the housing tends to return to the original configuration or volume
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable compression device, or contents ‘pusher’, introduced on and removably retained by the container housing, received at a position distal from a housing opening for releasing the content, and retained in position by engaging a grooved strip integrated with or otherwise retained on and movable along the housing surface to progressively compress the housing, providing a reliable, economic and functional container outer compression member retention apparatus and method. After the container is empty, the reusable pusher will be removed from the container and then will be inserted in another integrated container or separately disposed. The embodiment according to the present invention provides economic and environmental advantages compared to disposable structures that cannot be separated.