Pharmaceutical Container Assembly With Protrusions for Reduced Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container structures for pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions allow for varying diameters, leading to tilting, damage, and increased particle count due to gaps and contact between containers and receptacle sidewalls, especially when packaging density is high.

Innovation Solution

The structure incorporates protrusions and protuberances on receptacle sidewalls to create gaps and reduce contact, minimizing damage and particle accumulation during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If containers with varying diameters are received in nests with fixed receptacle dimensions, then the nest can accommodate different container types, but the containers tilt and contact neighbouring containers causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate containers with varying diametersVSAvoidcontainer damage due to tilting and contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The receptacle sidewall is designed with a protrusion that creates a localized gap between the container and sidewall. This local modification allows the receptacle to adapt to containers of varying diameters without requiring the entire receptacle geometry to change, thereby accommodating different container types while preventing tilting and contact damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion on the receptacle sidewall acts as an intermediary element between the container and the receptacle wall. It creates a controlled gap that prevents direct contact between the container and the sidewall, thereby eliminating the harmful rubbing and contact damage while still providing structural support

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If packaging density is increased to maximize transport efficiency, then more containers are transported per nest, but contact between neighbouring containers increases significantly causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging density of containers in nestVSAvoidcontainer damage due to contact between neighbouring containers

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion on each receptacle sidewall creates a physical barrier and controlled gap that prevents direct contact between neighbouring containers. This intermediary structure allows high packaging density while eliminating the harmful interactions between adjacent containers during transport

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If containers are received in receptacles with tight fits to minimize gaps, then container stability is improved, but rubbing and contact damage occurs during insertion and transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer stability in receptacleVSAvoidrubbing damage and particle generation during contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusion creates a controlled gap that acts as a buffer between the container and receptacle sidewall. This prevents direct rubbing contact while maintaining container stability through the structured geometry of the protrusion, thereby eliminating particle generation from friction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusion is designed in advance to create a protective gap that cushions the container from contact with the receptacle sidewall during insertion and transport, preventing rubbing damage before it can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4635528A1Assembly for pharmaceutical containers for reducing contact between containers and sidewalls of assembly

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SCHOTT PHARMA SCHWEIZ AG

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AI summary

A structure comprising a plurality of receptacles, wherein a. said receptacles are adapted and arranged for receiving a plurality of containers; b. each receptacle, of the plurality of receptacles, comprises a sidewall defining an interior of a respective receptacle, wherein the sidewall comprises at least one protrusion extending into the interior of the respective receptacle; wherein the at least one protrusion extends a first distance into the interior of the respective receptacle, wherein the first distance is in the range from > 0 to 1.5 mm.