Sunscreen Stick Applicator with Inclined Faces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid sunscreen sticks are limited in their ability to apply sunscreen to both broad and small, targeted areas of the body due to their single-dimensional and uniform shape, lacking versatility in application.
Innovation Solution
A personal care product with an applicator featuring a support surface that advances relative to the body, allowing for a layer of solid personal care product with differently dimensioned and angularly disposed portions, including inclined faces that define an included angle less than 180 degrees, enabling progressive advancement and varied application surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single-dimensional and uniform shape is used for sunscreen sticks, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the applicability to different body areas (broad and small targeted areas) is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sunscreen stick is divided into multiple application surfaces with different dimensions and angles. The support surface includes a first application surface with a first included angle and a second application surface with a second included angle, allowing different portions of the stick to be used for different body areas (broad areas vs. small targeted areas).
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the sunscreen stick are designed with different geometric properties (different included angles and surface dimensions). The first application surface has different characteristics than the second application surface, optimizing each surface for specific application needs while maintaining a single integrated structure.
2Ease of operation
If an outwardly arched profile is used for cosmetic containers, then comfort during application and support to prevent crumbling are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator features a rotatable member that enables dynamic adjustment of the support surface angle relative to the body. This allows the application surface to be positioned at different angles during use, providing adaptability for different application scenarios while maintaining a relatively simple container structure.
3Productivity
If a flat, planar exposed surface is used for sunscreen sticks, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the ability to provide both broad coverage and precise application is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from a single flat planar surface to multiple surfaces with different spatial orientations and dimensions. By creating application surfaces with different included angles and surface areas, the stick can address both broad coverage needs (larger surface area) and precise application needs (specific angular orientation) within a single product design.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect of the subject invention, a personal care product is provided herein including an applicator having a body, with a dispensing opening, and a support surface, within the body, which is advanceable towards the dispensing opening. A layer of solid personal care is disposed on the support surface which defines an exposed face bounded by spaced-apart first and second edges extending between first and second ends. The exposed face also defines a first inclined face extending from the first end to a first location between the first and second ends, and a second inclined surface, extending from the second end to a second location between the first and second ends. The first and second inclined faces define an included angle which is less than 180 degrees. Advantageously, with the subject invention, differently dimensioned and angularly disposed surfaces may be defined suitable for applying the personal care to different portions of the body.