Tubular Container With Engaging Teeth For Compression Device Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing injection molded tubular containers for dispensing thickened fluids face challenges in retaining external compression devices effectively along their length, leading to inefficient material dispensing due to manual compression and lack of secure engagement mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The development of tubular containers with surface variations, such as outward extending teeth, integrated into the container wall to securely engage and retain external compression devices as they advance toward the dispensing end, utilizing injection molding processes and mold structures to form these features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual compression is used to dispense material from the tubular container, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to inefficient material dispensing
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is designed to automatically advance along the tubular container through the engaging teeth structure, eliminating the need for manual repositioning. The device self-advances by engaging with the teeth as material is dispensed, converting the dispensing action itself into the propulsion mechanism for the compression device.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging teeth structure serves as an intermediary mechanism between the compression device and the tubular container. These teeth provide a mechanical interface that enables the compression device to securely engage and advance along the container without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.
2Productivity
If an external compression device is added to improve dispensing efficiency, then the productivity improves, but the device complexity increases due to the additional compression mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device is merged with the engaging teeth structure into a single integrated unit. The teeth are not separate components but are formed as part of the compression device itself, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the dual functions of compression and longitudinal retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging teeth structure performs multiple functions: it provides compression force on the tubular container, enables longitudinal advancement along the container, and secures the compression device at each position. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each function.
3Reliability
If a separate engaging member is added to retain the compression device, then the reliability of compression retention improves, but the device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The engaging teeth are merged with the compression device body, forming an integrated structure where the teeth are molded as part of the compression device rather than being separate components. This eliminates the need for additional retaining mechanisms while maintaining secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The compression device and engaging teeth are formed as a single composite structure through injection molding. The teeth and compression body are created as one unified component, ensuring structural integrity and reliable engagement without requiring assembly of multiple parts.
4Ease of operation
If the compression device is moved manually to the last location, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming manual advancement
Solution Approach 1:
The compression device automatically advances along the tubular container through engagement with the teeth structure. As material is dispensed and the container compresses, the teeth guide the compression device forward without requiring manual intervention, eliminating time loss while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engaging teeth are pre-positioned along the length of the tubular container during manufacturing. This preliminary arrangement of engagement points allows the compression device to automatically follow the predetermined path, eliminating the need for manual repositioning at each stage of the dispensing process.
Data Source
AI summary
A tubular container and container forming device and method according to the present invention provides a dispensing tubular container having a dispensing end, a sealed end, and a region along the length of the tubular container having surface variations (e.g. outward extending teeth) formed along the length of the tubular container as part of the tubular container over which a movable compression device may move, engage and be longitudinally retained as it is advanced toward the dispensing end. The teeth may have a radial and lateral wall thicknesses similar or equal to the tubular container wall thickness, to thicknesses greater than the tubular container wall thickness, and further include varying radial thickness or profile along an exterior dimension (e.g. length) of the tubular container. Also included are structures and processes to provide an injection molded polyethylene or polypropylene tubular container having longitudinal formations of desired wall thicknesses or profile.