Collapsible Cartridge with Segmented Support Sleeve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dispensers with plastic cartridges face challenges in handling and waste reduction, especially in small application fields like medical and dental, where changing cartridges is difficult and high hygiene standards require effective cleaning and sanitization.
Innovation Solution
A cartridge assembly with a collapsible film cartridge and a support sleeve formed of two half shells that can be connected to form a rigid sleeve, allowing for easy replacement and cleaning, reducing waste by reusing the support sleeve and facilitating insertion into a dispenser.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a collapsible film cartridge is used, then storage and transportation space is reduced, but handling difficulty increases due to the small size and risk of rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The support sleeve is divided into two half-shells that can be separated to access the cartridge. This segmentation allows easy removal and insertion of the collapsible cartridge without damaging it, while maintaining structural support when assembled. The half-shells can be detached to provide access to the cartridge chamber for cartridge replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The support sleeve acts as an intermediary protective structure between the collapsible film cartridge and the external environment. It provides mechanical support to prevent rupture during handling, while being designed to be easily assembled and disassembled for cartridge replacement. The support sleeve mediates between the fragile cartridge and the user's handling requirements.
2Ease of operation
If a rigid plastic cartridge is used, then handling is easier, but waste increases due to complete disposal after use
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridge assembly is segmented into two functional parts: a reusable rigid support sleeve and a disposable collapsible film cartridge. The support sleeve is designed to be reused multiple times, while only the film cartridge is discarded after use. This segmentation reduces waste by maintaining the rigid support structure across multiple usage cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The support sleeve is designed to be recovered and reused after the film cartridge is consumed. The half-shells can be reassembled to form the support sleeve again, allowing the rigid structural component to serve multiple purposes. Only the film cartridge portion is discarded, significantly reducing overall waste compared to complete cartridge disposal.
3Device complexity
If a single-piece support sleeve is used, then structure is simpler, but cleaning difficulty increases due to hard-to-reach areas
Solution Approach 1:
The support sleeve is segmented into two separable half-shells, which simplifies cleaning by allowing complete disassembly and access to all internal surfaces. The separation eliminates hard-to-reach areas that would exist in a single-piece design, making thorough cleaning and sanitization possible while maintaining structural integrity when assembled.
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge assembly includes a collapsible cartridge having a film cartridge wall and an outlet, the film wall bounding a chamber, the chamber extending along a longitudinal axis of the cartridge. The collapsible cartridge further includes a first end having a head part with the outlet for dispensing material being formed at the head part, a support sleeve including a rigid sleeve wall forming a receiving area to receive the collapsible cartridge. The support sleeve includes first and second ends and a support sleeve axis extending therebetween, two half shells connectable with one another to form the support sleeve and the receiving area therebetween, or, the support sleeve includes a connector to releasably fix the collapsible cartridge inside a respective receiving area of the support sleeve.