Pivoting Adapter for Medical Container Loading

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Dosing machines for medications face downtime due to the need to load new medical containers between batches, and the varying shapes and sizes of containers complicate automation of the dosing process.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising an adaptor for medical containers with pivoting and clipping means, which allows quick and easy loading onto a support attached to the dosing machine, ensuring the dosing point is consistently positioned, facilitating automation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different shapes and sizes of medical containers are used, then versatility is improved, but positioning precision of the dosing point deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontainer type compatibilityVSAvoiddosing point positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the diverse medical containers and the dosing machine. The adapter standardizes the interface and positioning mechanism, allowing containers of different shapes and sizes to be accommodated while maintaining precise dosing point positioning through the adapter's unified coupling structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into three distinct components: the medical container, the adapter, and the dosing machine. This segmentation allows the adapter to serve as a universal interface that handles the variability of container types while presenting a consistent, precise interface to the dosing machine, thereby resolving the conflict between versatility and positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If manual loading of medical containers is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading speedVSAvoidloading mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The loading mechanism incorporates dynamic elements including pivoting adapters that can rotate into position and clipping means that engage through motion. These dynamic features enable rapid container exchange without requiring complex automated handling systems, achieving high loading speed with moderate device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If quick loading mechanism is implemented, then downtime is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedowntime between batchesVSAvoidpivoting and clipping mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pivoting and clipping functions are merged into a single integrated adapter assembly. The adapter simultaneously performs positioning through pivoting and securing through clipping, reducing the number of separate mechanisms required and minimizing downtime without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3245999B1Device for loading containers in dosing machines, adapter for the containers, support for the adapters and use thereof
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 KIRO GRIFOLS SL
  • EP3245999B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3245999B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3245999B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Device for loading medical containers in dosing machines, adapter for the containers, support for the adapters and use thereof. Device for loading medical containers on dosing machines, which comprises an adaptor for medical containers and a support for said adaptor, in which the support comprises attachment means to the dosing machine and in which said adaptor and said support comprise means for pivoting relative to one another and means for clipping to each other, said means being arranged in such a way that the pivoting of the adaptor and of the support by means of the pivoting means produces the clipping together of the adaptor and the support; and uses thereof and of the components thereof.