Nested Rupturable Container Assembly for Flowable Substance Mixing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container assemblies for dispensing mixed flowable substances face limitations due to material incompatibility and compatibility issues, where the container materials may not suitably interact with the substances they hold, hindering effective mixing and dispensing.

Innovation Solution

A container assembly comprising a first container with a rupturable weld seam and a second container with a fusion-molded seam, where the second container is positioned within the first, allowing for controlled mixing and dispensing of substances upon rupture of the seams, with optional features like a glass ampoule surrounded by non-absorbent netting for added protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate containers are used to store different flowable substances, then material compatibility issues arise, but mixing and dispensing functionality is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial compatibilityVSAvoidmixing and dispensing functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The container assembly is divided into separate containers (first container and second container) that can be selectively opened independently. Each container maintains material compatibility with its stored substance while the segmented structure enables controlled mixing and dispensing functionality when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second container is positioned within the first container, creating a nested structure. This nesting allows both containers to coexist in a compact assembly while maintaining their individual material compatibility characteristics and enabling sequential access for mixing and dispensing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If container seams are made rupturable for dispensing, then dispensing control is improved, but container integrity and protection are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedispensing controlVSAvoidcontainer integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The weld seam is designed with non-uniform thickness, creating a localized thin section that serves as a controlled rupture point. This local quality change allows the seam to rupture easily at the thin section for dispensing control while the rest of the container maintains full structural integrity and protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The weld seam is pre-formed with a thin section during manufacturing, preparing a specific weak point before use. This preliminary action ensures that when dispensing is needed, the seam will rupture at the predetermined location with controlled force, providing ease of operation without compromising overall container strength during storage and transport.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2955130B1Container assembly capable of separately storing two flowable substances

Publication Date: 2017.09.27 JAMES ALEXANDER CORP

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AI summary

A container assembly (10, 210) has a first container (12, 212) that operably houses a second container (14, 214). The first container is configured to hold a first flowable substance, and the second container is configured to hold a second flowable substance. The second container (14, 214) is rupturable, preferably by manipulation through the first container, wherein the second flowable substance can mix with the first flowable substance to form a mixture. The first container (12, 212) is also rupturable to dispense the mixture therefrom.