Pre-dosed Applicator Packaging with Absorbent Pad Dosing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pre-dosed applicators face challenges with shelf-life and longevity due to liquid material dissipation, and there is a need for a solution that does not require reactivation and offers long shelf-life.
Innovation Solution
A packaging system where pre-dosed applicators are held upright with an absorbent end contacting an absorbent pad in a container, allowing for concurrent dosing and packaging, controlling material saturation, and using an absorbent pad to absorb a predetermined quantity of material for efficient manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid material is pre-dosed on applicators, then single-use convenience is improved, but shelf-life is reduced due to liquid dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of the material from liquid to gel form. The gel state maintains the material's therapeutic properties while preventing dissipation and evaporation, thereby extending shelf-life while preserving single-use convenience. The gel formulation allows the material to remain stable on the applicator without requiring reactivation.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If dried material is used on applicators, then shelf-life is improved, but reactivation is required before use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs gel formulation that maintains the material in a semi-solid state rather than completely dried. This gel state preserves shelf-life by preventing liquid dissipation while eliminating the need for reactivation before use, as the material remains ready-to-apply throughout its shelf-life.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bulk material is applied from bottle or jar, then flexibility is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-doses the applicator with the gel material during manufacturing, sealing the material on the applicator in a controlled environment. This preliminary dosing eliminates the need to dip the applicator into bulk material, thereby preventing contamination while maintaining application flexibility through the pre-loaded gel formulation.
4Manufacturing precision
If pre-dosing and packaging are performed separately, then process control is improved, but production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the pre-dosing and packaging operations into a single concurrent process. The gel material is applied to the applicator and sealed within the packaging container simultaneously during manufacturing, maintaining precise dosing control while significantly reducing production time compared to separate operations.
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
This method significantly reduces production time, lowers costs, and ensures a safe, reliable, and controllable process for producing pre-dosed applicators with extended shelf-life by absorbing and releasing the material as needed, minimizing handling risks with volatile or poisonous substances.
Implementation Method 1
an absorbent pad (20) is placed adjacent to the bottom (14) of the container (12). A liquid material (30) is placed on the absorbent pad (20)
Implementation Method 2
the absorbent ends (24) of the applicators (22) are placed in contact with the absorbent pad (20) containing the liquid material (30), wherein the liquid material (30) is absorbed by the absorbent ends (24) of the applicators (22)
Data Source
AI summary
A container holding pre-dosed applicators for applying a material. The container holds the pre-dosed applicators upright with the absorbent end of the pre-dosed applicator contacting an absorbent pad on the bottom of the container containing a solution with a desired material to be applied. The absorbent pad holds a predetermined quantity of material for dosing the applicators. The packaging and dosing of the applicators can be performed concurrently facilitating manufacturing and making packaging more efficient and cost effective.