Rotating Container Dispenser with Automatic Gravity-Induced Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensers lack an efficient mechanism for automatically closing after use, leading to potential spillage, exposure to humidity, and pest access, especially for food substances, and require manual handling which can be cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A self-closing dispenser design featuring a rotating container with a cover element that automatically returns to the closed state using mechanisms like gravity-induced torque, spring-induced torque, magnetic torque, or motor operation, allowing for easy access and sealing of the dispensing opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual closing mechanism is used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome handling
Solution Approach 1:
The container automatically closes itself after dispensing without requiring manual intervention. The rotation mechanism and cover element work together to self-close the container after the dispensing opening is accessed, eliminating the need for users to manually close and seal the container.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is designed with rotational freedom around a vertical axis, allowing it to dynamically transition between open and closed states. The cover element can rotate with the container and maintain sealing contact through elastic deformation, enabling dynamic adaptation during the closing process.
2Reliability
If container remains open for access, then ease of operation improves, but reliability deteriorates due to exposure to humidity and pests
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is pre-positioned to cover the dispensing opening and maintains contact through elastic pressure. Before the container is opened, the cover is already in place providing protection, and it automatically returns to this protective position after use without requiring additional sealing actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover element is made of elastic material that can deform to maintain sealing contact with the container opening. This flexibility allows the cover to adapt to the container's shape and maintain reliable sealing even during rotational movement and after repeated use.
3Reliability
If automatic closure mechanism is added, then reliability improves through consistent sealing, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container rotates around a vertical axis defined by support members, and the cover element rotates with it while maintaining sealing contact through elastic deformation. This dynamic design allows automatic closure without complex mechanical actuators, motors, or additional closing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic cover element automatically returns to its sealing position due to its elastic properties, providing self-closing functionality. The system uses the container's own rotational movement and the cover's elastic recovery to achieve consistent sealing without external control mechanisms.
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 dispenser ensures easy and single-handed operation, improved sealing to protect contents from environmental factors, and automatic closure after use, enhancing user convenience and maintaining the freshness of stored substances.
Implementation Method 1
a weight element mechanically coupled to the container at an offset from the rotation axis so as to induce the rotation of the container from the open state to the closed state by Gravity-induced torque
Implementation Method 2
a spring element mechanically coupled to the container and the base so as to induce the rotation of the container from the open state to the closed state by spring-induced torque
Implementation Method 3
an elastic band element mechanically coupled to the container and the base so as to induce the rotation of the container from the open state to the closed state by elasticity-induced torque
Implementation Method 4
a first magnet element mechanically coupled to the container; the first magnet element maintains a magnetic relation with a second magnet element mechanically coupled to the base so as to induce the rotation of the container from the open state to the closed state by magnet-induced torque
Data Source
AI summary
A dispensing device, comprising a container, one or more support members mechanically coupled to one or more of the lateral walls, a base which has one or more supporting arms and a cover element mechanically coupled to one or more of the supporting arms to remain fixed while said container rotates around said rotation axis. The container includes a storage portion defined by a circumferential wall and two or more lateral walls with a dispensing opening defined in the circumferential wall. The supporting arm(s) support rotation of the container from a closed state to an open state and vice versa. The rotation is held around a rotation axis defined by a location of the support member(s). The cover element covers the dispensing opening when the container is rotated into the closed state and does not cover the dispensing opening when the container is rotated into the open state.