Enteral Nutrient Container Base With Movable Suspension Hinge

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enteral nutrient solution containers face issues with unstable suspension devices that can unintentionally tear, compromising stability and ease of use, often requiring complex designs and more material, which complicates manufacturing and increases costs.

Innovation Solution

A container design featuring a suspension element with a hinge mechanism that allows for two positions, enabling secure attachment to a hook or stable standing, with a movable hinge assembly that reduces material usage and simplifies manufacturing, and a detachable connection for enhanced stability and ease of use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a wide suspension device extends across almost the entire base of the bottle, then force transmission between the suspension device and the bottle is improved, but the suspension device becomes vulnerable to unintentional tearing and compromises the bottle's stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce transmission capabilityVSAvoidresistance to unintentional tearing
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension device is divided into multiple separate suspension points instead of a single wide structure. Each suspension point is independently anchored to the base, distributing the load and eliminating leverage points that could cause tearing. The bottle can be hung from multiple hooks simultaneously, with each hook engaging a separate suspension point.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension points are strategically positioned at specific locations on the base where they can effectively transmit force. The anchoring structures at these local points are designed to be robust and resistant to tearing, while the rest of the base maintains its original stable design for standing on surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If a wide suspension device extends across almost the entire base of the bottle, then the suspension device can be attached to suspension devices, but the bottle's stability when placed on a table is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidstanding stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension functionality is segmented into discrete suspension points that do not interfere with the base's standing surface. The base maintains its full footprint for stable placement on tables, while the suspension points are positioned along the base perimeter or edges, allowing the bottle to be either stood or hung without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The suspension device incorporates a movable or flexible connection between the suspension points and the bottle body, allowing the suspension points to engage with hooks when needed while maintaining the base's stable configuration for standing. The suspension elements can be positioned or activated dynamically based on the intended use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If a complex base design with a large indentation is used to create a suspension mechanism, then the suspension function is achieved, but material thickness and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesuspension functionVSAvoidbase design complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The suspension function is achieved through multiple simple suspension points distributed on the base rather than a single complex indentation mechanism. Each suspension point is a simple anchored feature that can be easily molded or formed, avoiding the need for large indentations or complex base restructuring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base design serves multiple functions: it provides a stable standing surface, incorporates simple suspension points for hanging, and maintains structural integrity. The same base design can be used for bottles of different sizes by adjusting the number and position of suspension points without requiring complex indentation features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4276029B1Container for receiving an enteral nutrient solution
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 FRESENIUS KABI DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP4276029B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4276029B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4276029B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

The invention relates to a container (1) for receiving an enteral nutrient solution, with an opening (2) through which an enteral nutrient solution can be introduced into or out of the container (1); a base (3) opposite the opening (2) in a longitudinal direction of the container (L1) and which serves to stand the container (1) upright on a surface; a suspension element (4) arranged on the base (3), which can be in a first position in which it extends substantially along the base (3) or in a second position in which it projects at an angle from the plane defined by the base (3); and a hinge device (8) which connects the suspension element (4) to the base (3) at a first end (7) of the suspension element and which is provided and configured so that the suspension element (4) can be moved from the first position to the second position.The invention is characterized in that a receiving area (13) for the suspension element (4) is formed in the base (3), in which the suspension element (4) is detachably fixed in the first position by means of a connecting device (10, 22), wherein the suspension element (4) is not rigidly fixed in the first position but is movably fixed within the first position.