Pharmaceutical Patch Manufacturing Roller Hold-Down Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Pharmaceutical patches often stick to the scrap web during manufacturing, leading to loss of product and potential leakage due to cold flow of adhesive materials, causing adherence issues during storage and removal from packaging.

Innovation Solution

A device equipped with a roller featuring hold-down devices to separate patches from the scrap web, preventing sticking and ensuring proper removal, while optionally applying pressure to create recessed areas for easier handling and reduced adhesive leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If patches are punched from a continuous sheet and the scrap web is pulled off, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but patches stick to the scrap web causing product loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidproduct loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies a release agent to the scrap web before the punching and separation process. This preliminary action prevents the adhesive on the patches from bonding to the scrap web during the pulling-off process, thereby eliminating product loss while maintaining manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The release agent acts as an intermediary substance between the patch adhesive and the scrap web. It creates a non-sticking interface that allows the scrap web to be pulled off cleanly without removing the patches, resolving the contradiction between efficient manufacturing and product retention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If adhesive materials are used in patches, then ease of application is improved, but cold flow causes patches to stick to packaging during storage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of applicationVSAvoidstorage stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts or removes the harmful effect of cold flow by applying a release agent to the outer surface of the patch. This release agent counteracts the adhesive's tendency to flow and stick during storage, while the patch retains its full adhesive properties for application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The release agent serves as a protective intermediary layer on the patch surface during storage. It prevents direct contact between the adhesive and packaging materials, eliminating sticking issues while allowing easy removal of the release agent during application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If pressure is applied by hold-down devices to prevent sticking, then product loss is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct lossVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a disposable or easily replenishable release agent instead of complex mechanical hold-down devices. This chemical solution is simpler and more cost-effective than developing and maintaining mechanical pressure-application systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the proposed mechanical hold-down pressure system with a chemical solution (release agent). This substitution eliminates the need for complex mechanical pressure-control mechanisms while achieving the same goal of preventing patch-sticking to the scrap web

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

The device effectively prevents patches from adhering to the scrap web, minimizing product loss and enhancing storage stability by maintaining patch integrity and facilitating easier application and removal from packaging.

Implementation Method 1

a roller at which the scrap web is pulled off, characterized in that the roller is equipped with one or more hold-down devices to hold down the patches that are being separated from the scrap web by pulling off the scrap web

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3164251B1Device for the manufacture of pharmaceutical patches
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 LUYE PHARMA AG
  • EP3164251B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3164251B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3164251B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for the manufacture of pharmaceutical patches, a method for the manufacture of pharmaceutical patches, and a package comprising a pharmaceutical patch obtainable by said method.