Pharmaceutical Packaging with Repositionable Temporary Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pharmaceutical packaging does not effectively allow patients to safely store unused fractions of unitary pharmaceutical products, as the packaging design lacks a secure mechanism to reseal the cell after partial use, leading to potential loss of the remaining product.
Innovation Solution
A repositionable temporary obturation member is integrated into the packaging, allowing patients to temporarily seal the cell after consuming a fraction of the product by removing and repositioning the member around the orifice, forming a new temporary lid that prevents the remaining product from escaping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the covering element is made tearable or removable to allow product extraction, then ease of operation is improved, but the cell cannot be securely resealed leading to product loss
Solution Approach 1:
The closure system is segmented into two distinct parts: a permanent covering element for initial product extraction and a separate repositionable temporary obturation member for resealing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the covering element enables easy product removal while the obturation member provides secure resealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The obturation member is designed to be repositionable, transitioning between an initial position during manufacturing and a final sealed position during use. This dynamic characteristic allows the packaging to adapt from an open state (for product extraction) to a closed state (for product retention), resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If a repositionable temporary obturation member is added to allow resealing, then product retention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The obturation member serves multiple functions: it acts as a seal during manufacturing (in the initial position) and as a resealable closure after product extraction (in the final position). This multi-functionality reduces the need for entirely separate sealing mechanisms, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable product retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The obturation member acts as an intermediary element between the cell opening and the external environment. By positioning this single component in different locations, it mediates between the need for product access and the need for product protection, achieving reliable sealing without requiring complex multi-component systems.
3Reliability
If the obturation member is fully glued for secure attachment, then reliability is improved, but ease of repositioning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The obturation member exhibits non-uniform adhesive properties: it has a glued zone for secure attachment to the receiving element and a non-glued zone that allows for easy repositioning. This local differentiation in adhesive quality enables the member to be firmly fixed in its final position while still allowing controlled movement during the sealing process, resolving the contradiction between attachment reliability and repositioning ease.
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 provides a secure, simple, and convenient method for patients to store unused fractions of pharmaceutical products within the original packaging, ensuring safety and ease of use by allowing the resealing of the cell, thus preventing product loss.
Implementation Method 1
said temporary closure member has a closure portion at least partially glued
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a packaging for unit pharmaceutical products, comprising: a receiving element (3) having at least one cell (7) defining an inner space (9) configured so as to receive such a product (2) and an opening (9) to said space; an element (10) for covering said cell, fixed to said receiving element in the region of the opening and designed so as to be torn or removed in order to extract said product; and a repositionable temporary closing body (22) designed such that it occupies a determined initial position from which it can be removed and at least one temporary closing position wherein it is temporarily fixed by adhesion to said element around said opening to the space of said previously opened cell; said determined initial position being separate from said closing position and said temporary closing body having an at least partially pre-glued closing part (23)