Pharmaceutical Container Support Device with Segmented Rest Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support devices for pharmaceutical containers in processing lines, as per the ISO 21881:2019 standard, may compromise the stable positioning of containers if one of the centring ribs is damaged or incorrectly sized, leading to potential displacement during handling operations.
Innovation Solution
The support device features a plate with housing seats having a base with at least three equally spaced rest elements and a side wall with centring ribs, where each rest element has a pair of centring ribs arranged above it, ensuring stable positioning even if one centring rib is damaged or incorrectly sized, and providing enhanced structural stiffness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple centring ribs are provided in each housing seat to ensure stable positioning, then the positioning stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base is segmented into multiple rest elements (at least three) that are equally spaced, with centring ribs arranged above each rest element. This segmentation allows the positioning function to be distributed across multiple independent elements, improving reliability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular repetition
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates redundant centring ribs above each rest element, so that if one centring rib is damaged or incorrectly sized, the other centring ribs can compensate and maintain stable positioning. This beforehand cushioning against potential failures improves reliability without requiring overly complex monitoring or adjustment mechanisms
2Manufacturing precision
If centring ribs are equally spaced to provide uniform support, then the positioning accuracy is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing seat is divided into discrete rest elements with centring ribs positioned above each one, equally spaced around the circumference. This segmented approach allows for standardized manufacturing of individual elements that can be replicated, improving positioning accuracy while facilitating easier manufacturing through modular production
Solution Approach 2:
The design specifies at least three rest elements with centring ribs arranged above each one, creating a geometric configuration that provides inherent centring capability. By changing the parameter of having multiple equally spaced elements rather than a continuous structure, the patent achieves both positioning accuracy and manufacturing ease through standardization
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a support device (10) for supporting a plurality of containers for pharmaceutical use to be handled in a processing line. The support device (10) comprises a plate (20) having a plurality of housing seats (30) configured to house said containers, each housing seat (30) comprising a support base (32a) configured to support said containers and a side wall (34) extended from said base (32a) along a longitudinal direction (Y). The base (32) comprises at least three rest elements (32a) projecting inwardly in said housing seat (30) and equally spaced from each other. The side wall (34) comprises a plurality of centring ribs (38) extended along said longitudinal direction (Y) and projecting inwardly in the housing seat (30). A pair of centring ribs (38) is arranged above a respective rest element (32a).