Modular Blister Sealing Fixture with Interchangeable Inserts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional blister sealing fixtures require custom production for changes in blister shape, size, or placement, leading to high costs and long lead times due to the need for new fixtures.

Innovation Solution

A modular sealing fixture system using stock components, including a card locating apparatus with a rectangularly shaped wall and a sealing insert that can be easily positioned and secured, allowing for flexibility in accommodating different blister configurations and sizes, utilizing a sample blister card for precise placement and magnetic or adhesive attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If custom made sealing fixtures are produced for each blister configuration, then sealing precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and lead time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing fixture is divided into modular components: a base plate with positioning features, interchangeable sealing inserts, and adjustable clamping mechanisms. Each component can be independently manufactured and replaced, allowing precise sealing for different blister configurations without producing entirely new fixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base plate incorporates universal positioning features and multiple mounting locations that can accommodate various sealing inserts for different blister shapes, sizes, and placements. This multi-functional design allows a single fixture system to handle multiple product configurations, reducing the need for custom fixtures for each variant.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If custom made sealing fixtures are produced for each blister configuration, then sealing precision is improved, but lead time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing precisionVSAvoidlead time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The fixture system is pre-configured with standardized positioning features, multiple mounting locations, and an array of interchangeable sealing inserts for various blister configurations. This preliminary preparation allows operators to quickly swap inserts and reconfigure the fixture for different products without time-consuming custom fabrication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fixture incorporates adjustable and interchangeable components that can be dynamically reconfigured for different blister configurations. The ability to quickly swap sealing inserts and adjust positioning features enables rapid adaptation to changing production requirements, significantly reducing lead times compared to static custom fixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable components are used, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidfixture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each sealing insert is designed with specific local features optimized for particular blister types, while the base plate provides standardized universal interfaces. This division allows complex sealing geometries to be contained within simple, interchangeable inserts rather than requiring overall fixture complexity to increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fixture system uses simplified replicas or models of blister configurations as templates for positioning features. Rather than designing complex fixtures from scratch for each product, standardized positioning patterns are copied and adapted across different sealing inserts, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

Significantly reduces production costs and lead times by enabling the use of interchangeable sealing inserts, allowing for quick adaptation to various blister configurations and sizes without the need for new fixtures, facilitating efficient production runs.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-resistant compressible material for consistent sealing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS10202213B2Card sealing fixture and method of making same

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 ROBERTS MELANIE M

AI summary

A method of making a blister sealing fixture which includes the selection of a card locating portion which has an annular wall which defines an annular recess closed by a removable bottom wall. A sealing insert portion having a cavity to receive a blister to be sealed is positioned on the bottom wall and is adapted to be moved to all positions within the recess. A sample or test card of the configuration of a production run to be handled by the sealing fixture is selected and to this card a sample or test blister is attached. The position of the blister on the card is determined by the user and has herein has at times been referred to as a desired position or location. This resulting positioning device is then placed over the recess with the test blister engaging the recess in the sealing insert.