Medicament Container Dual-Layer Injection Molding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medicament containers for injectable and inhalable medications lack effective protection against environmental influences and stability, particularly for sensitive compounds like proteins and vaccines, and often require complex assembly methods.

Innovation Solution

A medicament container with a soft, flexible inner layer and a rigid outer layer produced as a one-piece part through two-component injection molding or coextrusion, providing protection and stability, and optionally coated with silicone to prevent interaction with organic solvents, with an interface for needle or pump connection and a rigid support to prevent sagging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a flexible container wall is used for medicament storage, then the container can be collapsed for complete discharge of medicament, but the container lacks protection against unintentional piercing and ambient influences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplete discharge of medicamentVSAvoidunintentional piercing and ambient influences
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The container wall is constructed as a composite structure with an inner flexible layer (e.g., thermoplastic elastomer or polyolefin) and an outer rigid layer (e.g., polypropylene or polystyrene). This composite design combines the flexibility needed for complete medicament discharge with the rigidity required to protect against piercing and environmental damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The inner layer of the container wall is designed as a flexible shell that can be collapsed during medicament administration. This flexible inner layer allows the container to be compressed for complete discharge while the outer rigid layer provides protective reinforcement against mechanical damage and ambient influences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a rigid container structure is used for protection, then the container resists piercing and ambient influences, but the container cannot be collapsed for complete medicament discharge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against piercing and ambient influencesVSAvoidcomplete discharge of medicament
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dual-layer composite structure allows the outer rigid layer to provide protective reinforcement against mechanical damage and environmental factors, while the inner flexible layer maintains the ability to collapse for complete medicament discharge. The layers are bonded together to function as an integrated protective yet collapsible structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple separate components are assembled for container construction, then protection and flexibility can be achieved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against ambient influencesVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The container wall is manufactured as a one-piece molded part where the inner flexible layer and outer rigid layer are integrally formed and bonded together during the molding process. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining the protective and flexible properties of the composite structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The one-piece molded composite structure combines multiple materials (flexible inner layer and rigid outer layer) into a single integrated component. This approach achieves the benefits of material diversity for protection and flexibility without requiring complex multi-step assembly processes, as both layers are formed and bonded in one manufacturing operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2453953B1Medicament container with a flexible inner layer and a rigid outer layer
Publication Date: 2018.04.25 SANOFI AVENTIS DEUT GMBH
  • EP2453953B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a medicament container (1), comprising a cavity (2) at least partially defined by a container wall (3) comprising a soft, flexible inner layer consisting of a soft material and a rigid outer layer consisting of a rigid material, wherein the layers are arranged as a one-piece part by two component injection moulding.