Alternating Strip Pouch for Pill Visibility and Label Readability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pouches for medicament prescriptions face challenges in readability of information and visibility of contents for inspection purposes.

Innovation Solution

A sheet material with alternating transparent and non-transparent strips is used to manufacture pouches, where the non-transparent side provides a clear background for pill visibility and optimal information visibility, while the transparent side allows pills to be seen through.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the pouch is made with fully transparent material, then pill visibility is improved, but information readability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepill visibilityVSAvoidinformation readability

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The pouch is constructed with alternating transparent and non-transparent strips in the transverse direction. The transparent strips (5-15 mm wide) allow pill visibility while the non-transparent strips (2-10 mm wide) provide a background for readable information. This local differentiation of optical properties resolves the contradiction between pill visibility and information readability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If the non-transparent portion extends beyond 10 mm from the fold, then information readability is improved, but pill visibility from the transparent side deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation readabilityVSAvoidpill visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The width of the non-transparent portion is precisely controlled to be 10 mm or less from the fold line. This parameter optimization ensures that the non-transparent portion does not extend far enough to block the view of pills through the transparent side, while still providing sufficient area for readable information placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If the transparent strips are made narrower, then information placement area is improved, but pill visibility through transparent strips deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation placement areaVSAvoidpill visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent strips are optimized to be 5-15 mm in width, providing sufficient area for information placement while maintaining adequate width for pill visibility. The non-transparent strips are kept to 2-10 mm to maximize information area without compromising overall pill visibility through the transparent portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250033852A1Sheet for use in pill packages, and pouch formed from a sheet

Publication Date: 2025.01.30 VMI HOLLAND BV

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a sheet, a pouch containing pills made of a sheet material and a web of multiple of said pouches. The disclosure also relates to a method for manufacturing said web which makes use of said sheet. The pouches allow for optimal visibility of information printed on the pouches as well as optimal visibility of the pills for inspection purposes.