Contact Lens Blister Package With Segmented Easy-Open Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional blister packages for contact lenses are difficult to open, lack robustness during handling, and have a significant environmental impact due to plastic usage.
Innovation Solution
A blister package assembly with elongate bridges between adjacent base members, formed by a sealing head with raised regions, providing additional rigidity without increasing plastic material, and a seal member that facilitates easy opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seal member is made robust to withstand manufacturing and handling, then reliability is improved, but the force required to open increases making it difficult to open
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is divided into multiple seal regions (first seal regions around each cavity and second seal regions connecting adjacent first seal regions). This segmentation allows the seal to have different mechanical properties in different areas: the first seal regions provide robust sealing around cavities while the second seal regions create controlled weakness zones that facilitate easy opening between adjacent blister packages.
2Loss of substance
If plastic material is reduced to minimize environmental impact, then environmental friendliness is improved, but structural integrity and robustness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is divided into multiple seal regions (first seal regions around each cavity and second seal regions connecting adjacent first seal regions). This segmentation allows the seal to have different mechanical properties in different areas: the first seal regions provide robust sealing around cavities while the second seal regions create controlled weakness zones that facilitate easy opening between adjacent blister packages.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seal member are designed with different properties: the first seal regions have sufficient width and strength to provide robust sealing and maintain structural integrity, while the second seal regions are designed with specific dimensional relationships (length at least one-third of minimum width) to create controlled flexibility and ease of opening. This local differentiation optimizes both strength and environmental friendliness.
3Reliability
If the seal is made continuous and robust to ensure secure containment, then reliability is improved, but ease of opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is divided into multiple seal regions (first seal regions around each cavity and second seal regions connecting adjacent first seal regions). This segmentation allows the seal to have different mechanical properties in different areas: the first seal regions provide robust sealing around cavities while the second seal regions create controlled weakness zones that facilitate easy opening between adjacent blister packages.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assembly offers improved ease of use and handling while reducing the force required to open, while minimizing plastic usage and maintaining structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
heating of the raised region melts the base member to form the seal
Implementation Method 2
heating of the raised region melts the base member to form the seal
Data Source
AI summary
A blister package assembly 1 is disclosed. A seal member 10 affixed to the planar surface region 6 of each base member 4 to form a seal 12 and thereby contain a contact lens and a packaging solution in the cavity 8 of the base member 4. The seal 12 comprises a first seal region 14 extending around the perimeter of the cavity 8 of each base member 4; and one or more second seal region(s) 16, wherein each second seal region 16 connects the first seal regions 14 of a pair of adjacent base members 4. The length of the second seal region 16 is at least a third of the minimum width of the second seal region 16. A method of manufacturing such a blister package, and a sealing head for use in such a method is also disclosed.