Tri-Fold Recyclable Cosmetic Compact With Snap-Fit Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cosmetic compacts are not recyclable due to the permanent gluing of the mirror and pan to the inner surfaces, making them difficult to disassemble and recycle.
Innovation Solution
A tri-fold recyclable compact base with removable components, including a pan receiving portion, pan securing portion, mirror receiving portion, and hinges that allow for snap-fit connections, enabling the pan and mirror to be easily detached and recycled separately.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mirror and pan are permanently glued to the inner surfaces of the lid and base, then the compact provides stable and reliable structure, but the entire compact becomes non-recyclable and must be disposed of as trash
Solution Approach 1:
The compact is divided into separate modular components (lid, base, mirror, pan) that can be detached from each other. The mirror is secured to the lid and the pan to the base through removable snap-fit connections rather than permanent bonding, allowing components to be separated for individual recycling while maintaining structural integrity during use.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the mirror and pan are not glued to the inner surfaces, then the compact becomes recyclable, but the pan and mirror become very difficult to reliably secure in the compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the chemical bonding mechanism (glue) with a mechanical snap-fit system. The securing portions feature protrusions that engage with corresponding recesses in the receiving portions, creating a reliable mechanical connection that maintains component security during use while allowing for easy detachment and recycling.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional compacts are designed as single integrated units, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the entire compact cannot be recycled and generates excessive waste
Solution Approach 1:
The compact is designed as a segmented assembly of standardized components (lid with mirror, base with pan, securing portions) that can be manufactured separately and assembled through snap-fit connections. This modular approach maintains manufacturing efficiency while enabling selective recycling of components, significantly reducing waste volume compared to conventional single-unit compacts.
Data Source
AI summary
A tri-fold recyclable compact base including a pan receiving portion having an inner ring and an outer ring, the inner ring or the outer ring including at least one catch, and the inner ring configured to removably receive a cosmetics pan, a pan securing portion, the pan securing portion including a top flange and an inner ring extending perpendicularly from the top flange and an outer ring extending perpendicularly from the top flange, the inner ring or the outer ring including at least one circumferential ring configured to mate with the at least one catch, a first hinge rotatably connecting the pan receiving portion and the pan securing portion, a mirror receiving portion, and a second hinge rotatably connecting the mirror receiving portion and the pan securing portion.