Roll-on Applicator Rotary Shutter Sealing Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roll-on applicators for perfumes and cosmetics do not provide a perfect airtight seal, leading to product preservation issues and potential loss through evaporation.
Innovation Solution
A bottle design featuring a ball applicator with a rotary shutter that covers the applicator in a closed position, using an elastic means to move the ball between retracted and deployed positions, ensuring a secure seal without the need for bulky caps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cap is tightly connected to the bottle to ensure a seal, then sealing performance is improved, but the ball tip becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the sealing function from the application function by introducing a separate rotary shutter mechanism that can independently cover the dispensing orifice, allowing the ball tip to remain compact while achieving reliable sealing through the shutter's closure action
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function is extracted from the cap structure and assigned to a dedicated rotary shutter component that rotates to cover or expose the dispensing orifice, separating the sealing mechanism from the ball applicator structure and enabling a compact ball tip design
2Reliability
If a cap is connected by screwing to ensure a seal, then sealing performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces static screw connections with a dynamic rotary shutter mechanism that rotates into place to seal the dispensing orifice, reducing structural complexity while maintaining reliable sealing through the rotational motion and engagement features
3Device complexity
If a cap is connected by clipping to reduce complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but the sealing reliability becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary shutter mechanism uses rotational motion with spring-loaded engagement to achieve reliable sealing without complex clipping structures, combining simplicity with effective sealing through the dynamic closure action and elastic retention
4Ease of operation
If the ball is held freely rotating in the ball holder, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates due to clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the ball rotation function from the sealing function by introducing a rotary shutter that can independently cover the dispensing orifice, allowing the ball to rotate freely in the holder while the shutter provides the necessary seal when closed
Solution Approach 2:
The rotary shutter acts as an intermediary component between the ball holder and the external environment, providing the sealing function that the ball holder cannot achieve on its own while leaving the ball free to rotate for easy operation
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 design achieves a compact, leak-proof roll-on applicator when closed, while allowing easy product application when open, with improved sealing and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic means is interposed between the applicator body and the ball holder... the ball can translate together with the ball holder along the main axis to adopt a retracted position in the dispensing head when the roll-on applicator is capped by the rotary shutter in the closed position of the bottle, said elastic means being compressed, and to adopt a deployed position outside the dispensing head under the effect of a relaxation of the elastic means
Implementation Method 2
The rotary shutter is movable in rotation relative to the rest of the bottle along an axis of rotation crossing said main axis perpendicularly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a bottle comprising a reservoir (1) for a liquid or semi-fluid product and a dispensing head (2) projecting from the reservoir along a main axis (A). The dispensing head (2) comprises a roll-on applicator (5) comprising a ball holder in which a ball (12) is caged and from which a cap of the ball emerges. The bottle comprises a rotary stopper (6) suitable for covering the roll-on applicator (5) in a closed position of the bottle, and for being released from the roll-on applicator (5) for distributing product in an open position of the bottle. The ball holder is mounted translatably along the main axis (A), the roll-on applicator (5) comprising an elastic means inserted between an applicator body and the ball holder. The ball moves in translation jointly with the ball holder to take a retracted position when the roll-on applicator (5) is covered by the rotary stopper (6) and a deployed position when the rotary stopper (6) is released from the roll-on applicator (5).