Soft Wiper Assemblies for Even Cosmetic Formulation Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cosmetic formulations often face issues with uneven distribution and application due to inadequate wiper assemblies in packaging systems, leading to suboptimal user experience and formulation efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of wiper assemblies featuring a wiper base portion, a soft wiping portion with a specific Shore durometer, and a guide portion, which are designed to improve the distribution and quantity of the formulation on an applicator by creating micro-scale effects, ensuring even application and improved feel during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional wiper assembly is used to remove excess formulation from the applicator, then the formulation is removed from the applicator surface, but the formulation distribution remains uneven and the application quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper assembly employs a soft wiping portion with specific durometer (10 OO to 40 A) that provides locally optimized contact characteristics. This soft material creates micro-scale effects that gently redistribute formulation without causing uneven removal, thereby improving formulation distribution uniformity while maintaining ease of application
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise dimensional parameters for the wiper components, including the relationship between the lower flange portion inner diameter, soft wiping portion inner diameter, and guide portion inner diameter (all within 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm of each other). These parameter optimizations ensure proper applicator interaction and uniform formulation distribution across the applicator surface
2Ease of operation
If the soft wiping portion has very low Shore durometer for softness, then the user experience feel is improved, but the structural stability and positioning within the cavity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wiper assembly uses a soft wiping portion made from thermoplastic elastomers (such as SEBS or HYTREL®) that combine softness with structural integrity. This composite material approach allows the wiping surface to be soft (10 OO to 40 A durometer) for improved user feel while the material's inherent elasticity and strength maintain structural stability within the cavity
Solution Approach 2:
The wiper assembly is divided into distinct components: a wiper base portion with lower flange, a soft wiping portion, and a guide portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the soft wiping portion for user feel and the base/guide portions for structural stability and positioning
3Manufacturing precision
If the inner diameter of the soft wiping portion is made smaller for better applicator contact, then the formulation distribution control is improved, but the difficulty of insertion and assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent defines specific parameter ranges for the inner diameters of the lower flange portion, soft wiping portion, and guide portion, all within 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm of each other. This controlled parameter relationship ensures the soft wiping portion is sufficiently small for precise applicator contact and formulation distribution control, while remaining large enough to facilitate easy insertion and assembly without excessive difficulty
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 wiper assemblies enhance the distribution and application of cosmetic formulations, providing a better user experience through more even formulation distribution and improved feel, while being modular and adaptable to various packaging systems.
Implementation Method 1
The soft wiping portion has a Shore durometer ranging from 10 OO to 40 A, inclusive (e.g., 15 OO to 30 A)... the soft wiping portion is formed from a thermoplastic elastomer, such as styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) or thermoplastic polyester elastomers (e.g., HYTREL®)
Data Source
AI summary
Product lines, cosmetic products, packaging systems, and wiper assemblies improve the distribution, quantity, and/or location of formulation on an applicator. The wiper assemblies include a wiper base portion and a soft wiping portion. The wiper base portion has a body configured to be disposed in a mouth of a container, the body having a lower flange portion and an outer wall defining a cavity. The soft wiping portion has an annular shape and is disposed in the cavity.