Pharmaceutical Packaging Insulation Gap and Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pharmaceutical products in secondary packaging cannot be assured to have been stored and transported within specified temperature ranges, and there is no reliable method to detect if the packaging has been opened or if the product is counterfeit.
Innovation Solution
The packaging includes a primary packaging surrounded by an insulation shell with latent heat storage material, held at a distance from the secondary packaging to form an insulation gap, which maintains temperature stability and includes a temperature sensor to monitor compliance with temperature ranges and detect unauthorized openings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pharmaceutical products are placed in secondary packaging without integrated temperature monitoring, then packaging simplicity is maintained, but temperature compliance cannot be verified and product authenticity cannot be confirmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines temperature monitoring, authentication, and insulation functions into the secondary packaging structure itself. The insulation shell with latent heat storage material is integrated around the primary packaging, while the insulation gap houses both the temperature sensor and authentication code, eliminating the need for separate external monitoring devices and freight packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary packaging serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides thermal insulation through the latent heat storage material, monitors temperature via the integrated sensor, enables authentication through the code visible in the insulation gap, and protects the primary packaging. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the packaging itself reliable without adding external complexity.
2Temperature
If transport or freight packaging is used for temperature control, then temperature stability during transport is improved, but the ability to verify temperature compliance at the secondary packaging level is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The insulation gap acts as an intermediary space that houses the temperature sensor between the insulated primary packaging and the outer secondary packaging. This mediator enables temperature monitoring at the secondary packaging level without compromising the thermal insulation performance, allowing verification of temperature compliance while maintaining temperature stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the primary packaging is surrounded by the insulation shell containing latent heat storage material, which is then surrounded by the secondary packaging with the insulation gap. The temperature sensor is nested within the insulation gap, creating concentric layers that simultaneously provide insulation and monitoring capabilities.
3Volume of stationary object
If the insulation shell is placed directly against the secondary packaging, then space utilization is maximized, but thermal insulation performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the insulation function from direct contact with the secondary packaging by creating an insulation gap. The insulation shell is positioned away from the secondary packaging walls, and this extracted space is filled with insulating material or air, thereby improving thermal insulation performance while the overall packaging dimensions remain optimized.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation gap serves as an intermediary layer between the insulation shell and the secondary packaging walls. This mediator space, filled with insulating material or air, enhances thermal insulation by reducing heat transfer pathways, while the overall packaging volume is maintained through optimized positioning of the insulation shell.
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 solution ensures that pharmaceutical products remain within specified temperature ranges throughout storage and transport, and provides a means to verify the authenticity and integrity of the packaging, thereby ensuring product safety and efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
an insulation shell (2) having a latent heat storage material
Implementation Method 2
temperature control modules made of a phase change material
Implementation Method 3
the insulation shell is held in the secondary packaging at a distance from the secondary packaging on all sides to form an insulation gap
Data Source
AI summary
In a packaging for pharmaceutical products, comprising a primary packaging for receiving a dose or several doses of a pharmaceutical product, and a secondary packaging designed as a cardboard box, in which the primary packaging is received, the primary packaging is arranged in an insulation shell having a latent heat storage material and the insulation shell is held in the secondary packaging at a distance on all sides to form an insulation gap.