Pharmaceutical Container Positioning Assembly for Tilt Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing container positioning systems, such as those used for pharmaceutical and cosmetic compositions, face issues with containers tilting during filling, leading to varying fill heights and damage to fill needles, especially when containers have varying diameters.

Innovation Solution

An assembly comprising a first structure and a further structure with protrusions that exert a force on containers to stabilize them, allowing for improved positioning and reduced tilt during filling, accommodating containers with non-uniform diameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If containers with varying diameters are accommodated in nests with fixed receptacle dimensions, then the maximum diameter of the container must be smaller than the diameter of the receptacle, but this leads to containers tilting in the nest

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of containers with varying diametersVSAvoidcontainer tilt

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The nest structure incorporates localized protrusions or ribs at specific positions within the receptacles. These local structural features provide targeted support to containers with varying diameters, preventing tilt while accommodating different container sizes. The protrusions are strategically positioned to contact containers at optimal points, ensuring stability without requiring uniform receptacle dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The nest design allows for adjustable or flexible positioning elements that can adapt to different container diameters. The protrusions may be positioned or sized to dynamically respond to the specific container being inserted, providing optimal support geometry for each container type while maintaining stability during the filling process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If containers are positioned to prevent tilting, then filling precision is improved, but the complexity of the positioning structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefill height consistencyVSAvoidpositioning structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of complex overall positioning mechanisms, the invention uses simple localized protrusions or ribs within the receptacles. These minimal structural additions provide the necessary guidance and support to prevent container tilt, achieving precise fill heights without significantly increasing the overall complexity of the nesting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protrusions in the nest structure automatically provide positioning and tilt prevention as containers are inserted. The geometry of the protrusions works passively with the container shape to achieve proper positioning, eliminating the need for active control mechanisms or complex adjustment systems while maintaining manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If receptacles have ribs or projections extending into the interior to reduce container diameter clearance, then container positioning is improved, but this causes damage to fill needles due to needle contact with containers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer positioning accuracyVSAvoidfill needle damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The protrusions or ribs in the nest structure serve as intermediary elements between the receptacle walls and the container. They provide the necessary positioning and tilt prevention while being positioned and sized to prevent direct contact between fill needles and container surfaces, thus eliminating needle damage while maintaining positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning protrusions are strategically located at specific heights and positions within the receptacles to provide support where needed for container stability, while leaving sufficient vertical clearance in other areas to allow fill needles to access container openings without contacting the container walls or protrusions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS20250318990A1Assembly for the positioning of pharmaceutical containers during filling of said containers

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 SCHOTT PHARMA SCHWEIZ AG

AI summary

An assembly has a first structure and a further structure. The first structure includes a first plurality of receptacles for at least partially accommodating a plurality of containers, and that have a first end and a further end. The further structure includes a further plurality of receptacles for at least partially accommodating the plurality of containers and has a first surface and a further surface, opposite the first surface. A force is exerted along a further direction on the containers when the containers are being inserted into and/or removed from the further structure along a first direction. The structures are positioned such that an average distance between the further ends of the first plurality of receptacles and the first surface of the further structure is less than 5 cm, and the first plurality of receptacles is at least partially aligned with the further plurality of receptacles.