Pharmaceutical Packaging Cells with Integrated Load Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing packaging structures for pharmaceutical containers reduce production capacity and lengthen processing times due to the need to extract and convey containers for weighing, especially when all containers must be weighed, rather than just random samples.
Innovation Solution
A packaging structure with a support surface featuring cells designed to stably support containers both on the bottom wall and handling device, allowing for flexible rotation and accommodation of containers of varying heights, enabling efficient automated manipulation and weighing without complete extraction from the support surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If containers are extracted from the support surface for weighing, then weighing can be performed, but production capacity is reduced and processing time is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing function is merged with the support surface by integrating load cells directly into the bottom wall of each cell. This allows containers to be weighed while remaining in their positions on the support surface, eliminating the need for extraction and conveyance to remote weighing stations, thereby maintaining production capacity while achieving accurate weighing of all containers
Solution Approach 2:
Load cells are introduced as intermediary sensing elements between the container bases and the support surface structure. These load cells enable precise measurement of container weights while the container remains in place on the support surface, resolving the contradiction between accurate measurement and production efficiency
2Measurement precision
If containers are conveyed to remote load cells for weighing, then weighing can be performed, but processing time is excessively lengthened
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing capability is preliminarily integrated into the support surface structure itself through load cells embedded in the bottom wall. This preliminary integration eliminates the need for subsequent conveyance to remote weighing stations, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining weighing accuracy for all containers
Solution Approach 2:
Load cells serve as intermediary sensing elements that enable immediate weighing of containers at their original positions on the support surface, eliminating time-consuming conveyance operations while ensuring accurate measurement
3Reliability
If all containers are weighed, then dosage verification is ensured, but production capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The weighing function is merged into the support surface structure with load cells positioned to measure the weight of each container as it sits in the cell. This integration allows all containers to be weighed without extraction or conveyance, ensuring complete dosage verification while maintaining high production capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The support surface structure itself provides the weighing function through integrated load cells, eliminating the need for separate weighing operations. Each container automatically triggers weight measurement when placed in its cell, ensuring all containers are verified for dosage while maintaining continuous production flow
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The packaging structure for containers for pharmaceutical use comprises a support surface (2) for the containers (3), a tray (4) configured to support the support surface (2) inside it, and demarcation elements (6) which extend on the support surface (2) and delimit with the support surface (2) a plurality of cells (5), in each of which a container may be positioned (3), each cell (5) having a bottom wall (9) for supporting the container (3) and side walls (10) for containing the lateral movement of the container (3), said bottom wall (9) of the cell (5) having along its entire perimeter solid portions (11) for the container (3) to rest on, alternating with empty portions (12) enabling the passage of a device (13) for handling the container (3).