Shaving Brush Applicator with Sliding Feed Tube and Valve Engagement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applicators do not efficiently attach a shaving brush to a shaving cream can, making it difficult to dispense shaving cream or gel directly to the brush in an easy and efficient manner.
Innovation Solution
An applicator design featuring an upper cap with a feed tube that engages a valve on a container, allowing for longitudinal movement to dispense contents through a feed tube to a shaving brush, with locking mechanisms and gripping features for secure attachment and easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the upper cap is made movable longitudinally relative to the lower cap to engage and disengage the feed tube with the valve, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for locking and slot mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The upper cap is designed to be movable longitudinally relative to the lower cap, transitioning between locked and unlocked positions. This dynamic capability allows the feed tube to engage and disengage from the valve easily, improving operation convenience while the locking mechanism maintains structural integrity when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The slot and pin mechanism acts as an intermediary system that mediates between the movable upper cap and the stationary lower cap. The slot guides the pin's movement, enabling smooth transitions between engaged and disengaged states while preventing excessive lateral motion, thus balancing ease of operation with controlled complexity.
2Reliability
If the locking mechanism with pins and slots is implemented to secure the upper cap to the lower cap, then the reliability of attachment is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism is segmented into discrete functional elements: pins extending from the lower cap, slots formed in the upper cap, and locking tabs. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall reliable attachment, making the complex mechanism more manageable and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the longitudinal movement of the upper cap. As the upper cap moves into the locked position, the pins automatically engage with the slots without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems, achieving reliable attachment through the inherent motion of the dispensing operation.
3Productivity
If the feed tube is designed to push the valve to an engaged position for dispensing contents, then the productivity of shaving cream dispensing is improved, but the force required increases which may lead to excessive pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The feed tube is designed to push the valve only to the extent necessary to achieve the engaged position and initiate dispensing. The longitudinal movement of the upper cap provides controlled force that is sufficient to engage the valve without applying excessive pressure that could cause rapid or uncontrolled content expulsion, balancing productivity with safe operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator having an upper cap with a base having a first tubular member and a feed tube, a free end of which extends from the base, and an opposite end adapted to engage a container valve such as an aerosol can. The applicator includes a lower cap having a second tubular member adapted to be removably attached to the container. The upper cap is attached to the lower cap such that the first tubular member is slidably inserted into the second tubular member. The upper cap is movable relative to the lower cap from a first position, in which the feed tube free end is disengaged with the valve, and a second position, in which the opposite end of the feed tube is engaged with the container valve and pushes it to an engaged position such that container contents are released through the feed tube.