Body-Secured Ring Pouch for Sterile Procedure Accessibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for temporarily storing jewelry, such as leaving it in a locker or pinning it to clothing, are inadequate for healthcare professionals who need to remove jewelry for sterile procedures, as they may harbor bacteria and are not secure.

Innovation Solution

A ring storage apparatus comprising a small pouch made of fabric with a slit and a strap, which can be secured to the body using various methods like adhesive strips, hook and loop fasteners, or cohesive tape, ensuring the ring is safely stored and easily accessible.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If jewelry is removed and stored in a locker, then bacterial transmission is prevented, but accessibility and convenience are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebacterial transmissionVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sterile pouch as an intermediary container that holds the jewelry. The pouch can be stored in a sterile environment (like a locker) while allowing the healthcare professional to access it quickly by simply opening the pouch, eliminating the need to open a locker. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing both sterile storage and quick accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If jewelry is placed in a pocket or tied to clothing, then accessibility is improved, but bacterial contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidbacterial contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible sterile pouch (thin film structure) to contain the jewelry. This pouch can be carried in a pocket or attached to clothing while maintaining a sterile barrier. The flexible shell protects the jewelry from bacterial contamination in the non-sterile environment of pockets or clothing, while still allowing easy accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Ease of operation

If jewelry is pinned to badge or bra, then accessibility is maintained, but security and hygiene are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidsecurity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated pouch system: the pouch itself provides secure containment with closure mechanisms (zipper, snap, or tie), while also maintaining sterility. By merging security features and hygiene protection into one unified solution, the jewelry remains securely stored without compromising either security or hygiene, while staying easily accessible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3717372B1Ring storage apparatus
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 MENDY CHRISTINE
  • EP3717372B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3717372B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~1D
  • EP3717372B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

An apparatus for temporary storage of one or more rings or other valuable items.