Spacer Structure for Stacked Medical Tubs

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for storing and transporting medical containers, such as pre-fillable syringes, fail to prevent axial and lateral movements of stacked tubs, leading to damage of cover films and inefficient handling, requiring multiple steps to access individual tubs within a big box.

Innovation Solution

A spacer structure with a supporting frame and maintaining means is introduced to stabilize tubs stacked along a vertical axis, featuring a peripheral rib to prevent radial displacements and protrusions to engage tub corners or walls, allowing for secure stacking and collective sealing within a single bag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If tubs are stacked directly onto each other along the vertical axis, then storage space is optimized, but the cover film of the lower tub is damaged due to the weight of upper tubs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidcover film damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer structure acts as an intermediary element between the upper and lower tubs. It includes a supporting frame with first maintaining means that contact the cover film of the lower tub, distributing the load from upper tubs across a larger surface area of the cover film rather than concentrating it at single points, thereby preventing damage while enabling stable stacking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer structure is placed beforehand between stacked tubs to prevent cover film damage before the weight of upper tubs can cause harm. The maintaining means are designed to contact and protect the cover film in advance, creating a cushioning effect that distributes mechanical stress during stacking operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If cardboard is placed between tubs to protect cover films, then cover film damage is prevented, but axial and lateral movements of tubs are not prevented

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecover film protectionVSAvoidtub stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer structure is segmented into multiple functional components: a supporting frame for load distribution, first maintaining means for cover film protection, and second maintaining means for preventing radial displacements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively, providing both protection and stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer structure combines different material properties and structural elements to achieve multiple functions simultaneously. The supporting frame provides structural rigidity, while the maintaining means provide protective and stabilizing functions, creating a composite solution that addresses both cover film protection and tub stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If each tub is enclosed in an individual sealing bag, then sterility is maintained, but multiple sealing bags must be opened to access tubs, increasing handling steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility maintenanceVSAvoidhandling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer structure enables multiple tubs to be stacked and stabilized together, allowing them to be enclosed in a single collective sealing bag rather than individual bags. This merging approach maintains sterility for all tubs while reducing the number of sealing bags from multiple to one, thereby simplifying the opening and handling process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of operation

If tubs are allowed to move axially and laterally during transport, then handling flexibility is maintained, but stacking stability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling flexibilityVSAvoidstacking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The spacer structure provides dynamic stabilization by allowing tubs to be positioned and secured at optimal locations. The maintaining means are designed to prevent excessive movements while allowing controlled positioning, achieving a balance between stability and handling flexibility during transport and storage operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4019422B1A spacer structure for separating two stacked tubs configured for the storage and/or transport of a plurality of medical containers, and a packaging including said spacer structure

Publication Date: 2023.11.08 BECTON DICKINSON FRANCE SAS

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AI summary

The spacer structure (1) includes a supporting frame (2) defining a central opening (4) and configured to extend between a cover film of a first tub (100a) and a bottom (116) of a second tub (100b), first maintaining means protruding from a first side (20) of the supporting frame (2) and configured to prevent radial displacements of the first tub (100a) relative to the spacer structure (1) and the vertical axis A, and second maintaining means protruding from a second side (22) of the supporting frame (2) and configured to prevent radial displacements of the second tub (100b) relative to the spacer structure (1) and the vertical axis A.