Disposable Gasket with Filter for Sterilization Container Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization packaging systems face issues with maintaining sterility due to gasket wear, improper sealing, and complex assemblies, which can lead to bacterial ingress and compromised sterility during storage and handling.
Innovation Solution
A sterilization packaging system featuring a disposable sealing assembly with a gasket and filter material, where the gasket has alternating protrusions and indentations for a continuous seal, and a visual indicator ensures proper sealing, eliminating the need for retention plates and multiple interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If a reusable gasket is integrated into the container lid, then the container can be used multiple times, but the gasket experiences wear and tear leading to decreased compressibility and sealing performance
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into separate components: a reusable container lid and a disposable gasket assembly. This segmentation allows the gasket to be replaced after each use, maintaining sealing performance while preserving container reusability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after a single use. This eliminates the wear and tear problem associated with reusable gaskets, ensuring reliable sealing performance for each sterilization cycle while the expensive container can be reused.
2Device complexity
If the gasket is integrated into the reusable lid, then the assembly is simplified, but deformations in the lid cause the gasket to move out of optimal placement creating gaps in the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The disposable gasket eliminates the problem of lid deformation affecting gasket placement. Each new gasket starts in optimal condition, and the container lid can be reused without concern for gasket misalignment due to deformations.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is designed with specific local features (protrusions and indentations) that ensure proper alignment and sealing at the critical sealing interface, compensating for any variations in lid geometry.
3Reliability
If a complex assembly with retention plates and locking mechanisms is used, then the gasket can be secured, but the assembly becomes complicated and parts are prone to damage and mismatching
Solution Approach 1:
The complex retention plates and locking mechanisms are removed entirely. The gasket is simply placed into a groove in the lid and secures itself through compression during sealing, eliminating multiple interfaces and potential failure points.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket assembly is designed to be self-retaining through its compression seal. The elastic deformation of the gasket material provides the retention force, eliminating the need for separate mechanical retention mechanisms.
4Reliability
If multiple interfaces and parts are used in the container assembly, then the container can be securely closed, but the number of potential failure points increases allowing bacterial ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket and filter are combined into a single integrated assembly that creates a continuous barrier. This merging eliminates gaps and interfaces between separate components, preventing bacterial ingress while maintaining secure closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable gasket assembly is replaced after each use, ensuring that any potential contamination or degradation does not compromise the sealing integrity in subsequent sterilization cycles.
5Device complexity
If the gasket placement is not visually indicated, then the assembly is simpler, but improper assembly can occur leading to compromised sterility
Solution Approach 1:
A visual indicator (such as a colored tab or marker) is incorporated into the gasket assembly to indicate proper placement and sealing. This allows quick visual verification of correct assembly without adding mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicator provides immediate feedback to the user about whether the gasket is properly positioned and the container is correctly assembled, preventing improper sealing that could compromise sterility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Sterilization packaging systems with features for sealing a volume against an ingress of contaminants are provided. Such features include a sealing assembly including a gasket and a sheet of filter material. The sealing assembly seals a lid to a seal rim of a base. The gasket has an upper surface, outer edge, and inner edge. The upper surface of the gasket comprises a first row of alternating protrusions and indentations and a second row of alternating protrusions and indentations that define a channel therebetween. The sheet of filter material extends from an inner edge of the gasket. The gasket completely surrounds the sheet of filter material, wherein the indentations and channel facilitate delivery of a sterilization agent through the filter material. A sterilization assembly including a lid having a plurality of protrusions in its upper surface in conjunction with a gasket having a smooth upper surface is also provided.