Anti-static Shield for Medical Container Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The movement of medical containers during shipping can generate static charges within their packaging, leading to contamination risks and automated filling process disruptions due to particle attraction and protective sheet sticking issues.
Innovation Solution
A package with a housing, nesting tray, and protective slip sheet that includes a static shield to dissipate static charges, preventing contamination and ensuring smooth automated filling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If medical containers are shipped in sealed tubs, then the containers are protected and can be transported efficiently, but static charge builds up during shipping which attracts particles and causes contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A static shield made of conductive material is introduced as an intermediary component between the medical containers and the tub environment. The shield acts as a mediator that captures and dissipates static charges, preventing them from attracting particles to the containers. The shield is positioned to face the containers and includes grounding elements that safely discharge accumulated static electricity.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical properties of the tub environment are changed by introducing conductive elements. The static shield and grounding system alter the electrical conductivity parameters of the packaging environment, transforming it from a static-prone environment to one that actively dissipates charges, thereby preventing particle attraction.
2Reliability
If a protective slip sheet is placed over the containers, then the containers are protected from particles and radiation, but the sheet sticks to the containers due to static charge during automated removal
Solution Approach 1:
The static shield serves as an intermediary that intercepts static charges before they can transfer to the protective slip sheet or containers. By positioning the conductive shield between the tub environment and the containers/slip sheet assembly, it prevents static buildup on the sheet surface, eliminating the sticking problem during automated removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful static charge is extracted from the system by the conductive static shield, which captures and grounds the charges away from the protective slip sheet and containers. This extraction prevents the electrostatic adhesion that would otherwise cause the sheet to stick during removal.
3Reliability
If the tub is sealed for shipping, then the containers remain sterile and secure, but static charge accumulates within the closed space during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The static shield acts as an intermediary charge management system within the sealed tub environment. It provides a controlled path for static charge dissipation while maintaining the sealed sterile environment, allowing the tub to remain closed for sterility while actively managing internal static charges through grounding elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The static shield with grounding elements provides self-service static charge management within the sealed tub. The conductive material and grounding system automatically dissipate static charges as they build up during shipping, without requiring external intervention, thereby maintaining a safe electrostatic environment throughout transport.
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
The static shield effectively reduces static electricity buildup, minimizing contamination risks and preventing automated system malfunctions by ensuring the protective sheet is correctly located during removal, thus maintaining the sterility of medical containers.
Implementation Method 1
A static shield for dissipating static charge within the housing is also provided
Data Source
AI summary
A package for storing a plurality of medical containers includes a housing having a closed base end and an open upper end. A nesting tray is at least partially supported by the housing, and has a plurality of apertures for receiving, and supporting, the medical containers. A protective slip sheet is provided within the housing. A static shield for dissipating static charge within the housing is also provided. The package also includes a housing cover.