Variable Section Orifice Screen for Cosmetic Shading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic product packaging and application devices lack the ability to create new makeup effects, such as shading, due to uniform product distribution, which limits the variation in application surface loading.

Innovation Solution

A device with a screen containing dispensing orifices of varying sections, where at least three orifices have sections that decrease in size with distance from the center, allowing for progressive variation in product dispensing from more loaded to less loaded regions, enabling non-uniform application surface loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If uniform orifices are used in the screen, then the device structure is simple, but the application surface loading is uniform and cannot create shading effects

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemakeup effect variationVSAvoidorifice configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The screen features orifices with different sections distributed across its surface, where central orifices have larger sections and peripheral orifices have smaller sections. This local variation in orifice size creates different product dispensing rates at different locations, enabling shading effects and enhanced makeup application versatility without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The screen is divided into multiple dispensing zones with orifices of varying sections. The orifices are segmented into different size categories (larger central orifices, smaller peripheral orifices) that can be independently optimized for different makeup effects, allowing the single screen component to perform multiple functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If larger orifices are used at the center, then more product is dispensed at the center creating shading effects, but the orifice section must vary precisely with distance from center

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct dispensing variationVSAvoidorifice section gradient
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The orifice section parameter is systematically varied across the screen surface, with the section size being a function of the distance from the center. This parameter change creates a gradient distribution where central orifices have larger sections and peripheral orifices have smaller sections, enabling controlled variation in product dispensing quantity to achieve shading effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the screen is made movable to follow product level decrease, then product dispensing is maintained throughout container emptying, but the sealing means must press against the container housing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing durationVSAvoidsealing mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing means is designed to automatically press against the container housing when the screen moves downward to follow the decreasing product level. This self-actuating mechanism maintains sealing without requiring external actuators or complex control systems, allowing the screen to continue dispensing product throughout the entire container emptying process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3190922B1Device comprising a screen with orifices of variable section
Publication Date: 2021.10.27 LOREAL SA
  • EP3190922B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3190922B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8G

AI summary

Packaging and application device (1), comprising: a container (10) containing a product (P) to be applied, - a screen (30) through which the product contained in the container ( 10) exits, the screen (30) having dispensing orifices (35) with different sections, with at least three orifices (35) of which the section varies in a strictly decreasing manner with distance (d) from the centre of the screen.