Living Hinge Needle Assembly for Compact Medicament Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pen needle containers are large and bulky, making them inconvenient for users to carry, and lack a mechanism for easily dispensing new needles or storing used needles, which poses a need for a compact and user-friendly storage solution.
Innovation Solution
A multi-pack assembly with a row-like configuration of pen needle storage vessels connected by a solid segment, featuring individually openable and closable caps with living hinges, allowing for secure storage and dispensing of both new and used needles, and the option to separate vessels for tailored carrying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If existing pen needle containers are used to store multiple needles, then the storage capacity is sufficient, but the container becomes large and bulky making it inconvenient to carry
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into multiple individual storage vessels (first vessel, second vessel, third vessel) that can be separated from each other. Each vessel can store one or more pen needles, and the vessels can be detached to reduce the overall size of the container when fewer needles are needed, thus resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and portability.
2Ease of operation
If traditional needle containers are used, then storage is provided, but there is no mechanism for easily dispensing new needles or storing used needles
Solution Approach 1:
The container incorporates a movable plunger mechanism that can be dynamically adjusted to push needles forward for easy dispensing. The plunger can be moved manually by the user to advance the needle from the storage vessel, providing an simple yet effective mechanism for both dispensing new needles and storing used needles without requiring complex automated systems.
3Reliability
If multiple needles are stored in separate individual packages, then sterility is maintained, but the overall container size increases and becomes bulky
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple individually packaged needles are merged into a single integrated container structure with multiple storage vessels. The container maintains the sterile packaging of each individual needle while combining them into one compact unit that is much smaller and more portable than carrying separate packages, thus resolving the contradiction between sterility maintenance and portability.
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
The solution provides a compact, user-friendly storage system that allows easy access and secure storage of multiple pen needles, minimizing bulk and enabling convenient carrying while maintaining sterility and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the second cap (134) is pivotally connected to the fourth storage vessel (108) via a living hinge (114)
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-pack assembly for containing and dispensing one or more new pen needles, and receiving and containing used pen needles after use, is provided, wherein a plurality of both new and used pen needles can be contained in a series of storage vessels, each secured to an adjacent storage vessel thereby forming an easily managed multi-pack assembly shape, and providing caps for each individual pen needle storage vessel to provide a sterility barrier and which can be opened independently of one another, and which can be closed in the same manner after use to prevent unwanted interaction with the used pen needles contained therein.