Elastomer Septum Liquid Container with Predetermined Breaking Point
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid containers, such as glass ampoules, face issues with volatile constituents escaping and material constituents dissolving into the liquid, posing toxicological concerns and requiring significant examination efforts, especially for medicines.
Innovation Solution
A container with a hollow body and an elastomer septum, featuring a predetermined breaking point that can be pierced by a hollow needle, where the septum is fixedly connected to the hollow body, providing a stable seal and allowing safe liquid withdrawal without direct contact with the septum during storage, using materials like silicone, isobutyl rubber, or neoprene for the septum and plastics or glass for the inner wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a glass ampoule is used for containing liquid medicine, then the liquid can be securely contained, but volatile constituents can escape and glass splinters may cause injury during withdrawal
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two functional parts: a glass ampoule body for secure containment and an elastomeric cap for safe withdrawal. The elastomeric cap segments the opening function, allowing controlled breaking at a predetermined point while preventing glass splinter formation during needle insertion.
Solution Approach 2:
An elastomeric cap serves as an intermediary between the glass ampoule and the injection syringe. This intermediary component provides a safe withdrawal surface that prevents direct contact with glass splinters while maintaining sealing reliability through its elastic properties.
2Ease of operation
If an elastomeric cover is used on a glass ampoule, then safe withdrawal is enabled, but volatile constituents can escape through the sealing surface
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric cap is designed to be removed or broken away after serving its protective function during withdrawal. The predetermined breaking point allows the cap to be easily separated from the glass ampoule, eliminating the sealing surface that could allow volatile constituent escape while maintaining withdrawal safety during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric cap is designed as a disposable component that is discarded after single use. This short-living component provides temporary protection during withdrawal but is then removed to eliminate any potential source of contamination or volatile escape, with the glass ampoule body remaining for continued storage.
3Ease of operation
If a predetermined breaking point is provided in the glass ampoule bottom, then easy opening is achieved, but glass splinters are generated during breaking
Solution Approach 1:
The opening function is segmented between the glass ampoule body and the elastomeric cap. The predetermined breaking point is located in the elastomeric cap rather than the glass body, so breaking occurs in the flexible material which absorbs the stress and prevents glass splinter formation while maintaining easy opening through the predetermined weak point.
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
This configuration ensures secure sealing, prevents material constituents from dissolving into the liquid, and enables safe, injury-free liquid withdrawal, reducing the need for additional sealants and examination efforts.
Implementation Method 1
When piercing the elastomer septum, the material thereof is laterally displaced resulting in good sealing at the circumference of the hollow needle
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid container with a predetermined break point (4), which is covered by an elastomer septum (3). The container forms a hollow body (10) made of a single material that is compatible with critical liquids such as medicines. The elastomer septum (3) and the predetermined break point (4) can be pierced by a hollow needle (51) in order to withdraw liquid from the container.