Shielded Medicament Package Orthogonal Access Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current child-resistant medication packages are often difficult for adults to open and may not prevent children from accessing the medication using destructive methods, such as biting, and they typically lose their aesthetic appeal after multiple uses, while also being costly to manufacture.
Innovation Solution
A shielded medication package design featuring a blister portion sandwiched between a backing substrate and a blister shield, requiring orthogonal pressure for access, which prevents side access and maintains visual appeal, using a unique arrangement of base and blister layers, a blister shield, and a dispensing substrate to align and shield the blister portion from lateral forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional child-resistant packaging is used, then child access is prevented, but adult ease of opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is divided into distinct functional layers: a flexible outer layer for adult manipulation, a rigid intermediate layer for structural protection, and an inner blister layer for medicament containment. Each layer serves specific purposes that collectively resolve the contradiction between child resistance and adult ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
The package combines multiple materials with different properties: flexible plastic for the outer layer (easy to manipulate), rigid plastic for the intermediate layer (resistant to biting), and foil for the blister (protective barrier). This composite structure provides both adult accessibility and child resistance.
2Illumination intensity
If transparent top layers are used for visibility, then medicament visibility is improved, but aesthetic appearance after multiple uses deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the packaging have different optical properties: the outer flexible layer can be transparent or translucent for visibility, while the rigid intermediate layer provides structural integrity and maintains appearance. The local quality of each layer addresses specific requirements without compromising overall aesthetics.
3Strength
If rigid protective barriers are used for child resistance, then child biting resistance is improved, but manufacturing complexity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid protective function is segmented into a dedicated intermediate layer rather than attempting to make the entire package rigid. This allows the rigid layer to be optimized for biting resistance while the outer and inner layers handle other functions, simplifying manufacturing compared to a fully rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid intermediate layer serves multiple functions: providing biting resistance, maintaining package structure, and facilitating the sealing of the inner blister. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby simplifying manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
A shielded medication package including a blister portion and a blister shield attached to a backing substrate. Accessing a medicament is easy for an adult to accomplish, yet the package resists children biting and picking at the blister portion. The blister portion contains a base layer and a blister layer. The blister layer includes an article receiving blister designed for holding the medicament. A blister shield overlays the blister portion. The blister shield includes a blister well that cooperates with the article receiving blister. The blister shield protects the article receiving blister from substantially lateral forces. To eject the medicament, application of a substantially orthogonal force to the article receiving blister is required.