Drainable Ostomy Pouch Closure Using Single-Piece Trimmed Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drainable ostomy pouches with multiple closure members require complex assembly processes to attach closure members within tight tolerances for a liquid-tight seal, leading to manufacturing challenges and potential leakage issues.

Innovation Solution

A method of making drainable ostomy pouches using a single-piece closure device that is attached to the pouch outlet and trimmed to form separate closure members, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing the need for precise placement of individual closure members.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple closure members are attached to the pouch outlet within tight tolerances to ensure a liquid-tight seal, then the reliability of the seal is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid-tight sealVSAvoidclosure member assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple closure members into a single integrated closure member that performs the sealing function of multiple separate members. This single closure member includes multiple sealing surfaces and engagement features that correspond to the functions of multiple separate closure members, thereby simplifying the device structure while maintaining the liquid-tight seal reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single closure member is designed with segmented sealing surfaces and engagement zones that correspond to multiple separate closure members. The closure member includes multiple sealing edges and engagement features distributed along the pouch outlet, allowing it to perform the functions of multiple separate members through a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple closure members are precisely placed and attached to the pouch outlet, then the manufacturing precision of the seal is improved, but the manufacturing process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure member placementVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple closure members into a single integrated component that is attached to the pouch outlet as one unit. This eliminates the need for multiple separate attachment operations and precise alignment of multiple components, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high sealing precision through the unified design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single closure member is pre-formed with all necessary sealing surfaces and engagement features integrated into its structure before attachment to the pouch outlet. This preliminary integration of multiple closure member functions into a single component eliminates the need for subsequent precise placement and adjustment operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If tight tolerances are maintained for closure member gaps to ensure liquid-tight seal, then the reliability is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidgap tolerance control

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the concept of gaps between multiple closure members by using a single integrated closure member. The sealing surfaces are continuously formed without interruptions or gaps, thereby eliminating the need to control gap tolerances while maintaining seal integrity through the unified sealing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single closure member includes multiple sealing zones and engagement features that are segmented in function but continuous in structure. The sealing surfaces are divided into multiple zones corresponding to different engagement features, but these zones are continuously formed without gaps, eliminating tolerance control requirements for gaps between separate members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12290467B2Drainable ostomy pouch including closure members and method of making the same

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 HOLLISTER INCORPORAED

AI summary

A method of making drainable ostomy pouch outlet includes the steps of attaching a single-piece closure device on a downwardly extending outlet portion of the pouch and trimming side peripheries of the single-piece closure device to provide at least two separate closure members. The single-piece closure device may include at least one transversely-extending cut-line and/or at least one cut-out portions, which may be arranged to form at least two separate closure members on the outlet portion after the step of trimming.