Frangible Connector Vial Group for Space and Contamination Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for storing and transporting pharmaceutical vials are inefficient in terms of space and cost, particularly for vaccines that require specific temperature ranges, leading to increased storage and transport costs and potential for cross-contamination.

Innovation Solution

Affixed groups of pharmaceutical vials with frangible connectors, where each vial is shaped and positioned to minimize volume and connected with reversible mating surfaces and frangible connectors, allowing for efficient packing and easy tracking of doses, while minimizing cross-contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If pharmaceutical vials are stored and transported in traditional separate packaging, then each vial can be individually accessed, but storage and transport costs increase and space efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage space efficiencyVSAvoidcross-contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The packaging system is segmented into multiple individual vial compartments within a single group structure, allowing each vial to be separately accessed while maintaining efficient group packaging. The frangible connectors enable individual vials to be separated from the group when needed, providing both space efficiency and individual access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple individual vials are combined into a single affixed group structure with shared packaging elements, reducing overall packaging material and improving space efficiency during storage and transport. The vials remain physically connected through frangible connectors, maintaining integrity while optimizing space utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Productivity

If pharmaceutical vials are arranged to minimize group volume, then packing efficiency improves, but access and separation of individual vials becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepacking efficiencyVSAvoidvial separation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The frangible connectors provide a dynamic connection system that transitions from a connected state during storage to a separable state during access. The connectors are designed to be intact during transport for space efficiency but can be easily broken when individual vial access is required, adapting to different operational needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical strength parameter of the connection between vials is changed by using frangible connectors that are strong enough to maintain group integrity during storage but weak enough to be easily broken for separation. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve both compact packing and easy access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If traditional packaging methods are used, then individual vial protection is maintained, but storage and transport costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevial protectionVSAvoidstorage and transport costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple vials share common packaging structures and protective elements within the affixed group, reducing the total amount of packaging material needed compared to individual separate packaging. This merging approach maintains protection for each vial while reducing overall material usage and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The group packaging structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides individual vial protection, enables efficient space utilization during storage and transport, and allows for easy identification and access of specific vials. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate packaging components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11969393B2Affixed groups of pharmaceutical vials including frangible connectors

Publication Date: 2024.04.30 GLOBAL HEALTH LABS INC

AI summary

In some embodiments, an affixed group of pharmaceutical vials with frangible connectors includes: a plurality of pharmaceutical vials arranged as a group of pharmaceutical vials, each of the plurality of pharmaceutical vials shaped and positioned to minimize a total volume of the group of pharmaceutical vials, each of the pharmaceutical vials including at least one external side with a surface configured to reversibly mate with a corresponding external side and a surface of an adjacent pharmaceutical vial; and a plurality of frangible connectors, wherein at least one frangible connector is affixed to the surface of at least two of the plurality of pharmaceutical vials within the group of pharmaceutical vials, and at least one frangible connector is affixed to each of the plurality of pharmaceutical vials.