Sectional Dispensing Container With Detachable Base And Tamper Evident Closure

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plastic containers for healthcare lotions and creams often leave a significant amount of product unused due to their design, leading to waste, as they do not allow consumers to access remaining liquids after the primary dispensing mechanism fails.

Innovation Solution

A sectional hollow body container with a detachable base and lid cover, utilizing a tamper evident closure system that allows separation into individual sections, enabling access to remaining liquids and allowing for re-filling and re-use, with the option for dual dispensing by converting the upper section into a separate unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If a single-unit container with pump assembly is used, then the container provides secure dispensing function, but a large amount of liquid remains in the container after the pump assembly is exhausted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid wasteVSAvoidaccess to remaining liquid

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two separate sections: an upper section containing the pump assembly and a lower base section containing the remaining liquid. This segmentation allows the user to separate the sections and access the liquid in the base section after the pump assembly is exhausted, thereby reducing liquid waste while maintaining the dispensing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the container is made detachable into sections, then access to remaining liquids is enabled, but the container structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to remaining liquidVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into two separate sections: an upper section containing the pump assembly and a lower base section containing the remaining liquid. This segmentation allows the user to separate the sections and access the liquid in the base section after the pump assembly is exhausted, thereby reducing liquid waste while maintaining the dispensing function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lid cover is designed to fit over the base section in a nested configuration, providing protection for the remaining liquid while maintaining a compact structure. This nesting approach minimizes the overall footprint and structural complexity while enabling the protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If a lid cover is added to protect remaining liquids, then the container provides additional protection function, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid protectionVSAvoidcontainer components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lid cover is designed to fit over the base section in a nested configuration, providing protection for the remaining liquid while maintaining a compact structure. This nesting approach minimizes the overall footprint and structural complexity while enabling the protective function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid cover serves multiple functions: it protects the remaining liquid from contamination, provides a secure closure when the container is stored, and can be used as a separate component for transferring liquid to other containers. This multi-functionality justifies the additional component while providing value beyond simple protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8857636B2Sectional container with a detachable base and lid cover

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 SULLIVAN JOHN LEWIS

AI summary

A sectional liquid dispensing container for lotions, creams, cleansers, etc. that includes a finger actuated pump assembly and an extending dip tube. The container has three individual sections; the upper section of container contains a tamper evident closure member at its lower most edge. The lower section (base) contains a closure member incorporated onto its top edge and designed to snap fit into upper section. A lid cover snaps onto the bottom surface of the lower section using a tamper evident closure member design. The usage of perimeter closure members provide for easy removal of locking tear-off bands that allows for separation of each section and provides access to remaining container contents. The container provides for dual dispensing (two individual products) from one container when the upper section has been modified into a separate enclosure. Two finger actuated pump assemblies may be used for dispensing various compatible products.