Multi-monodose Vials with Articulating Joints for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-dose containers lack efficient storage and transport solutions that allow for compact storage while maintaining ease of access to pharmaceutical agents, as they often require bulky configurations and lack flexible interconnectivity between vials.
Innovation Solution
A multi-monodose container design featuring interconnected vials connected by articulating joints that allow for reversible mating of planar surfaces, enabling the container to transition between expanded and folded configurations, thereby optimizing storage space and ease of use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multi-dose containers use traditional rigid configurations, then structural stability is maintained, but storage space efficiency deteriorates due to bulky footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The container employs articulating joints that enable dynamic transformation between expanded and folded configurations. The joints allow the container to adapt its shape and volume based on operational needs, transitioning from a stable expanded state during use to a compact folded state for storage, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural stability and storage efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The container is divided into multiple vials connected by articulating joints, creating segmented modular units. This segmentation allows independent movement and folding of each vial section, enabling the overall structure to collapse into a compact form for storage while maintaining the integrity and stability of individual vials when in use.
2Adaptability or versatility
If vials are connected rigidly, then structural integrity is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to change configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The articulating joints provide dynamic connectivity between vials, replacing rigid fixed connections with movable articulated ones. This allows the container to adapt between expanded and folded configurations while the joints themselves are designed to maintain structural integrity during transitions and in both configuration states.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulating joints incorporate flexible elements that enable movement and configuration changes while maintaining sufficient structural strength. These flexible connections allow the container to bend and fold without compromising the integrity of the vials or the overall structure during use.
3Volume of moving object
If container is designed for compact storage, then storage efficiency improves, but ease of operation deteriorates due to access difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic articulating joints enable easy transformation between compact and expanded states. During storage, the container folds into a small footprint for efficient space utilization. During operation, the joints allow quick unfolding and expansion to provide easy access to vials, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact storage and ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
Multi-monodose containers are described including a row of at least two vials, a first vial connected to an adjacent second vial through an articulating joint, the articulating joint sufficiently flexible to reversibly mate a planar outer surface of the first vial with a planar outer surface of the adjacent second vial; wherein the row of the at least two vials is configured to form a first rectangular packing cross-sectional area in an expanded configuration and configured to form a second rectangular packing cross-sectional area in a folded configuration, the second rectangular packing cross-sectional area smaller than the first rectangular packing cross-sectional area.