Container Inner Ribs for Rapid Tablet Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing containers and planetary mixing systems are inefficient for dissolving and homogeneously distributing tablets or capsules in liquids like water or syrup, requiring lengthy mixing times and being unsuitable for specific applications. Additionally, their manufacturing process is complex and costly.
Innovation Solution
A container with inner ribs on its walls, bottom, and top portions is designed to accelerate the mixing process. The inner ribs exert centrifugal force and perform a grinding action on tablets or capsules, ensuring quick and homogeneous dissolution within the liquid. This container can be manufactured using a cost-effective blow molding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional mixing containers with plain inner walls are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the mixing time is long and homogeneity is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The inner wall surface is segmented into multiple rib structures that divide the mixing space into multiple zones. These ribs create turbulent flow patterns and enhance material circulation, significantly improving mixing homogeneity and reducing mixing time compared to plain walls.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structures on the inner wall feature curved surfaces that guide material flow in circular patterns during planetary mixing. The curved geometry enhances centrifugal forces and promotes uniform distribution of tablets or capsules throughout the liquid medium.
2Productivity
If traditional mixing containers with plain inner walls are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but the mixing efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The container's inner wall is divided into multiple rib segments that can be integrated into a single molded piece. This segmentation approach enhances mixing efficiency by creating multiple flow paths while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through one-step blow molding processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The rib structures serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enhance mixing efficiency, facilitate material circulation, and can be designed to accommodate different tablet sizes and liquid volumes, making the container universally applicable for various pharmaceutical mixing tasks.
3Loss of time
If manual dissolving and distributing process using mortar and pestle is used, then no special equipment is needed, but the process time is up to 30 minutes
Solution Approach 1:
The curved rib surfaces on the container walls work in conjunction with the planetary mixing motion to create efficient circular flow patterns. This curvature design accelerates the dissolution and distribution process by continuously circulating material through high-shear zones, reducing mixing time from 30 minutes to under 1 minute.
Solution Approach 2:
The planetary mixing action combined with the rib structures generates mechanical vibrations and turbulent flow that accelerate the breakdown and dissolution of tablets or capsules, achieving rapid homogenization without requiring manual crushing operations.
4Manufacturing precision
If containers without inner ribs are used, then the manufacturing process is simple, but tablets or capsules cannot be effectively ground and comminuted
Solution Approach 1:
The rib structures segment the inner wall surface into multiple contact zones that simultaneously engage with tablets or capsules during mixing. This segmentation provides distributed grinding and comminuting action across multiple points, effectively reducing solid materials without complicating the manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved surfaces of the ribs provide optimal contact geometry for grinding and comminuting tablets or capsules. The spherical or curved geometry concentrates mechanical force at contact points while maintaining smooth flow paths, achieving effective size reduction integrated into the mixing process.
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 container significantly reduces the time required for dissolving and distributing tablets or capsules, achieving homogeneity in less than a minute compared to traditional methods. It also simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs, making it suitable for pharmaceutical applications and capable of mixing hazardous substances safely.
Implementation Method 1
the inner ribs of the wall portion accelerate and improve the mixing process... When the container is subjected to mixing movement, in particular to revolution and rotational movements, for example in planetary mixing systems, a centrifugal force and forces in the directions of the respective revolution and rotation movements are exerted on the material to be mixed
Implementation Method 2
the inner ribs of the wall portion also perform a grinding/comminuting action on solid materials contained in the material to be mixed, in particular to tablets or capsules contained in a liquid such as water or syrup, such that these tablets or capsules can be grinded and comminuted and thus dissolved quickly and homogeneously within the liquid
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A container (2) for dissolving and/or homogeneously distributing tablets or capsules in a liquid such as water or syrup, according to the present invention, comprises a bottom portion (12), a wall portion (14), and a top portion (18). The bottom portion (12), the wall portion (14), and the top portion (18) enclose an inner space of the container (2). The wall portion (14) comprises inner ribs (24).