Ampoule Opening Device With Hinged Positioning Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ampoule opening devices fail to consistently apply a constant rupture force, leading to irregular edges and the production of glass fragments, which can cause injuries and contamination, and often require complex user manipulation or special positioning.
Innovation Solution
A one-handed ampoule opening device with a main body and a hinged positioning and grasping element that uses elastic means to apply a consistent bending moment, ensuring a straight edge and collecting the cap in a cavity, guided by reference marks for intuitive use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual breaking force is applied directly to the ampoule, then the user can open the ampoule, but the applied force is not constant leading to irregular edges and glass fragments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device between the user and the ampoule that mediates the application of breaking force. The device includes a positioning element that contacts the ampoule at a specific point and a lever arm that the user operates, creating an intermediate mechanism that transforms manual force into controlled bending moment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of force application from direct manual force to a mechanically amplified bending moment. By using a lever arm and positioning the contact point at a specific distance from the ampoule axis, the device transforms the user's linear force into a controlled rotational bending moment that consistently breaks the ampoule at the desired location.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the ampoule is broken manually, then the opening can be achieved, but glass fragments are produced that can fall into the ampoule or injure the user
Solution Approach 1:
The device acts as an intermediary that controls the breaking process, preventing uncontrolled fragmentation. The positioned breaking point and controlled bending moment ensure that the ampoule breaks cleanly at the intended location rather than shattering into fragments.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary positioning of the ampoule and identification of the breaking point before the actual breaking action. The positioning element is pre-configured to contact the ampoule at the optimal location, and reference marks guide the user to align the ampoule correctly, ensuring the break occurs at the intended point rather than randomly.
3Measurement precision
If complex positioning is required for proper ampoule orientation, then the breaking point can be precise, but the device becomes difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual reference marks (colored dots or lines) on the device to indicate the correct positioning of the ampoule. These visual cues guide the user to align the ampoule with the breaking point, eliminating the need for complex positioning procedures while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be self-aligning through its geometric features. The positioning element and ampoule geometry are configured so that when the user places the ampoule against the reference marks, the correct orientation is automatically achieved without requiring precise manual adjustment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device ensures a constant and controlled rupture force, minimizing glass fragments and preventing user contact with sharp edges, while accommodating different ampoule sizes and capacities, and allowing for easy cleaning and disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
elastic means for damping the force exerted by the user on said positioning and grasping element of the body of the ampoule
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to an ampoule opening device (1) for the opening of glass ampoules (100) of the type used in particular in the pharmaceutical field for injection substances. The device according to this invention allows opening, by rupture of the neck of the ampoule, glass ampoules of different capacities (and therefore of sizes), by generating a non irregular rupture edge and therefore minimizing the creation of glass fragments that may fall into the substance contained within the ampoule. Moreover, the device object of this invention allows avoiding contact of the user's fingers with the neck and the cap of the ampoule, thereby preventing any risk of accidental injuries. The device object of this invention allows obtaining excellent results in terms of quality of the rupture edge of the ampoule neck and of repeating the result obtained thanks to the fact that the device allows to apply to the ampoule a constant rupture bending moment for ampoules of the same type.