Blister Pack Lateral Profiles for Accurate Inhaler Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blister packs for inhalers face challenges in accurate positioning and deformation issues, particularly at the end of the dosing cycle, due to their deformable nature, leading to potential inaccuracies and increased manufacturing complexity and cost when using holes or perforations for sprocket wheel engagement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating alternating lateral profiles with projections and depressions on the blister support, allowing for accurate displacement without significant deformation, and simplifying the manufacturing process by reducing the width of the blister pack and inhaler.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If lateral holes or perforations are made in the blister pack for sprocket wheel engagement, then the blister pack can be displaced accurately on each actuation, but the width of the blister pack must be increased and the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral edge of the blister pack is segmented into alternating rigid and flexible segments through the profiled structure. The rigid segments provide engagement points for accurate positioning, while the flexible segments allow deformation during displacement. This segmentation enables precise positioning without requiring lateral holes or perforations, thus avoiding increased width and manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The blister pack transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic structure with alternating rigid and flexible segments. During displacement, the flexible segments deform dynamically to accommodate the displacement force, while the rigid segments maintain engagement with the drive means for accurate positioning. This dynamic behavior enables accurate positioning without permanent structural modifications like holes.
2Speed
If a substantial force is applied to displace the deformable tape, then the blister pack can be advanced, but the tape deforms with increasing advance force leading to positioning inaccuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The tape is segmented into rigid and flexible portions along its length. The rigid segments maintain structural integrity and engagement points during high-speed displacement, while the flexible segments absorb deformation forces. This segmentation allows the tape to be advanced at higher speeds without compromising positioning accuracy, as the rigid segments ensure precise engagement with the drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the tape have different mechanical properties: rigid segments provide structural stability and precise engagement, while flexible segments provide deformability to accommodate displacement forces. This local differentiation of mechanical properties allows the tape to withstand substantial displacement forces without losing positioning accuracy, enabling faster advancement.
3Ease of operation
If the blister pack width is increased to accommodate lateral holes, then sprocket wheels can penetrate for displacement, but the inhaler becomes bulkier and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The displacement mechanism utilizes the dynamic deformation of the flexible segments rather than requiring static lateral holes. The flexible segments deform during displacement to accommodate the sprocket wheel engagement, eliminating the need for increased width. This dynamic approach maintains a compact inhaler design while enabling effective displacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible segments of the blister pack act as flexible films that deform during displacement. These flexible portions allow the drive means to engage and advance the blister pack without requiring rigid lateral structures or holes. This use of flexible material enables compact design while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A blister pack for an inhaler, the blister pack comprising a blister support (10) with a plurality of blisters (11), each blister (11) being hermetically sealed by a closure layer (20), the blister support (10) being in the form of an elongate strip, the blisters (11) being disposed one after the other along said blister support strip, said blister support (10) including two lateral profiles (15), one on either longitudinal side of said blister support (10), said lateral profiles being formed by alternating depressions (18) and projections (16), each projection including an abutment surface (17) for displacing said blister pack in accurate manner each time said inhaler is actuated, each abutment surface (17) being connected to the adjacent abutment surface (17) via a slide surface (19) formed by each depression.