Two-Part Capsule Pre-Closure for Powder Inhalers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing powder inhaler capsules face issues with provisional closure integrity, leading to potential contamination during production and filling, as the capsule top may fall off or open, requiring removal of contaminated capsules before filling.
Innovation Solution
The development of two-part capsules with a pre-closure and main closure mechanism, featuring a tongue-and-groove design with segmented raised sections for secure provisional and final closure, ensuring easy production, handling, and minimal structural elements on the capsule top or body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a simple two-part capsule design is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but closure integrity deteriorates leading to contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is segmented into two distinct parts: a pre-closure component integrated into the capsule top and a main closure component on the capsule body. This segmentation allows the pre-closure to provide initial sealing during production while the main closure ensures final secure sealing, thereby maintaining both ease of manufacture and closure integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The pre-closure mechanism performs preliminary sealing action during capsule assembly and production handling. This preliminary action secures the capsule top to the body before the final main closure is applied, preventing contamination during the filling process while maintaining a simple two-part overall structure.
2Reliability
If a secure pre-closure mechanism is added, then closure integrity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-closure mechanism is merged with the capsule top structure itself, integrating the closure function into an existing component rather than adding a separate element. This combining approach enhances pre-closure security while minimizing increases in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The capsule top is designed to serve multiple functions: it contains the pre-closure mechanism for preliminary sealing and also integrates with the main closure system for final sealing. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting complexity increases while improving closure reliability.
3Ease of manufacture
If the capsule top is loosely fitted for easy assembly, then ease of manufacture is improved, but pre-closure stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The capsule top and body are designed with complementary local features: a slightly enlarged opening area on the capsule body and a corresponding recess or feature on the capsule top. This local quality differentiation allows the top to be easily inserted (maintaining ease of manufacture) while creating a secure pre-closure fit (improving stability).
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to capsules for housing pharmaceutical preparations for powder inhalers with increased medicinal product safety and capsules for pharmaceutical preparations for powder inhalers with improved adaption to use in powder inhalers. The capsules consist of non-water-soluble, hydrophobic plastics, which themselves do not substantially influence the pharmaceutical quality of the contents, but improve the usability of the filled capsules in respect of their operation, the period of use and/or the geographical location of their use and are advantageous in various steps from manufacture to use.