Movable-Protrusion Nests for Pharmaceutical Container Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container nests for pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions suffer from tilting, leading to damage, uneven filling, and increased particle formation due to varying container diameters, which also cause issues during packaging and transport.

Innovation Solution

The structure incorporates receptacles with sidewalls featuring movable protrusions that extend into the interior, allowing for better container alignment and reducing tilting, while being deformable to facilitate easy insertion and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the receptacles are dimensioned to accommodate containers with varying diameters, then the adaptability is improved, but the containers tilt and contact each other causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to varying container diametersVSAvoidcontainer damage from tilting and contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing protrusions at specific locations on the receptacle sidewalls that extend into the interior space. These localized structural features create contact points that adapt to different container diameters while preventing tilting and contact between adjacent containers, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions are designed to be movable relative to the receptacle sidewalls, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position as containers are inserted or removed. This dynamic capability enables the structure to accommodate varying container diameters while maintaining proper spacing and preventing damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the containers are tightly packed to increase packaging density, then the productivity is improved, but the contact between containers increases causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepackaging densityVSAvoidcontainer damage from contact

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the interior space of each receptacle by introducing protrusions that divide the available space. This segmentation allows containers to be tightly packed while the protrusions act as spacers that prevent direct contact between adjacent containers, thus enabling high packaging density without increasing damage risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If the sidewalls have large contact surface with containers, then the stability is improved, but particle formation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer stability in receptacleVSAvoidparticle formation on container surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of having large contact surfaces along the entire sidewall, the patent uses localized protrusions that make contact with containers at specific points. This local quality approach provides sufficient stability to prevent tilting while minimizing the contact area, thereby reducing particle formation on container surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Stability of the object's composition

If the protrusions are rigid to maintain container position, then the stability is improved, but the insertion and removal becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer position stabilityVSAvoidease of insertion and removal

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions are designed with movable sections that allow them to flex or move when containers are inserted or removed, facilitating easy operation. Once the container is in place, the protrusions return to their original position to provide stability, thus resolving the contradiction between rigidity for stability and flexibility for ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This design enhances packaging density, reduces container damage, minimizes particle formation, and ensures consistent filling volumes, thereby improving handling and transport efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

at least one section of the further end of the at least one protrusion is adapted and arranged to be movable with respect to the sidewall on which said protrusion is arranged

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4635529A1Nest with movable protrusions for pharmaceutical containers

Publication Date: 2025.10.22 SCHOTT PHARMA SCHWEIZ AG

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A structure comprising a plurality of receptacles, wherein a. said receptacles are adapted and arranged for receiving a plurality of containers; b. each receptacle, of the plurality of receptacles, comprises a sidewall defining an interior of a respective receptacle, wherein i. at least one protrusion is arranged on the sidewall and extends into the interior of the respective receptacle, ii. the at least one protrusion has a first end and a further end, wherein A. the first end is arranged opposite the further end, B. the first end is attached to the sidewall; wherein at least one section of the further end of the at least one protrusion is adapted and arranged to be movable with respect to the sidewall on which said protrusion is arranged.