Filler Adaptor Assembly with Iris Members for Bottle Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for placing and retaining bottles in vaporizers during anesthetic agent filling require multiple steps, including rotation of the filler and bottle, and often necessitate manual holding of the bottle, which can be inefficient and prone to temperature-related pressure issues.

Innovation Solution

A filler adaptor assembly with a base, outer ring, and iris members that allows for simple straight-in bottle insertion and automatic securing through a rotatable outer ring and pivotable iris members, eliminating the need for manual rotation and holding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional filling methods are used requiring rotation of filler and bottle, then bottle can be filled with anesthetic agent, but operational complexity increases and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling speedVSAvoidoperational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the bottle and filler as in conventional methods, the patent inverts the approach by using a stationary bottle insertion combined with a rotatable outer ring that actuates the iris members. This reversal of the operational sequence simplifies the user action to a single straight-in insertion motion while the mechanism internally handles the securing through iris member closure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically closing the iris members around the bottle after insertion. The outer ring rotation automatically actuates the iris members to move from open to closed position, securing the bottle without requiring manual holding or additional user intervention during the securing phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of manufacture

If bottle is held by hand during filling, then filling can be performed, but operator safety decreases due to temperature-related pressure issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling capabilityVSAvoidoperator safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filler adaptor assembly performs self-service by automatically securing the bottle through iris member closure after insertion. This eliminates the need for manual holding of the bottle during filling, thereby removing the safety risk associated with temperature-induced pressure changes that could affect manually-held bottles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The iris members act as an intermediary mechanism between the bottle and the filler assembly. Instead of direct manual contact, the iris members provide a mechanical interface that secures the bottle, transferring the securing function from human hand to a controlled mechanical system that is not susceptible to temperature-related pressure issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If multiple steps are required for bottle placement, then bottle can be secured, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebottle retentionVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple operations into a single integrated mechanism. The outer ring rotation simultaneously actuates multiple iris members to close around the bottle, combining the securing action of multiple components into one unified motion. This reduces the operational steps from multiple discrete actions to a single rotation operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The iris members are pre-positioned in the open state within the filler adaptor assembly, ready to close upon bottle insertion. The mechanism is prepared in advance with the outer ring and iris members configured to automatically secure the bottle once inserted, eliminating the need for sequential adjustment steps during the actual securing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of operation

If rotation of filler and bottle is required, then bottle insertion can be achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion capabilityVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by making the outer ring rotatable rather than requiring rotation of the bottle and filler. This inversion simplifies the user interaction to a single component rotation while the internal mechanism handles the complexity of actuating multiple iris members through this single rotational input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10912914B2Systems and methods for bottle retention

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 GE PRECISION HEALTHCARE LLC

AI summary

A filler adaptor assembly includes a base, an outer ring, and iris members. The base has a central opening. The outer ring is disposed circumferentially about the base and is rotatable relative to the base. The iris members are pivotably coupled to the base. The iris members cooperate to define an iris opening and are movable to vary the iris opening. The iris members are coupled to the outer ring, and move between an open position and a closed position when the outer ring is rotated relative to the base.