Protective Casing with Sliding Cosmetic Dispensing Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protective devices for electronic devices, such as mobile phones, that incorporate a dispensing assembly for cosmetic products are difficult to use due to the need to press a small actuation button while maintaining the device, making it hard to actuate the product distribution precisely.

Innovation Solution

A protective device design where the dispensing bottle actuation is facilitated by moving the container relative to the casing, eliminating the need to directly press a button, allowing for easier and more precise product distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional button-actuated dispensing mechanism is integrated into the protective case, then the device can dispense cosmetic products, but the operation becomes complex and difficult to perform precisely while holding the device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of product dispensingVSAvoidcomplexity of dispensing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having the user press a button to actuate the pump, the invention inverts the actuation mechanism: the container is made movable relative to the casing, and moving the container itself actuates the pump. This reversal transforms a difficult button-pressing operation into a simple sliding motion of the container, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining dispensing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the actuation function from a separate button component and integrates it directly into the container-casing relative movement mechanism. By removing the need for a distinct actuating element and making the container's movement itself the actuation method, the design simplifies the overall mechanism while preserving the dispensing function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the container is made movable relative to the casing to simplify actuation, then ease of operation improves, but reliability decreases due to potential accidental actuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of product dispensingVSAvoidprevent accidental actuation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention implements a locking mechanism that must be actively disengaged before the container can move relative to the casing. This preliminary action (unlocking) ensures that the container remains securely fixed during normal device handling, preventing accidental actuation, while allowing intentional dispensing when the user deliberately performs the unlocking motion followed by the sliding motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Enables effortless product distribution by allowing the user to hold the device and container with one hand, moving either to actuate the dispensing, improving usability and aesthetic appeal while preventing accidental actuation.

Implementation Method 1

The dispensing assembly includes a pump for drawing the product. The pump is arranged on the container.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

The dispensing assembly includes a product spray nozzle. The product spray nozzle is arranged on the casing.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpray: Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3488597B1Protective device for electronic apparatus, particularly for a mobile telephone, provided with a product dispensing assembly
Publication Date: 2021.12.01 ALBEA LE TREPORT
  • EP3488597B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3488597B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3488597B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

The invention relates to a protective device for electronic apparatus, particularly a mobile telephone, comprising a protective casing (2), said casing (2) being capable of being attached to the electronic apparatus, the device (1) comprising an assembly for dispensing a product, particularly a cosmetic product, the dispensing assembly being provided with a receptacle (3) for said product and means for activating the dispensing of said product, the dispensing assembly being mounted on the casing (2) such that the receptacle (3) can move relative to the casing (2), the movement of the receptacle (3) relative to the casing (2) activating the dispensing of the product.