Storage Container Retaining Means for Dust Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug storage and dispensing stations contaminate the blister machine with dust due to the design of the retaining section, which is guided through a slot in the housing, allowing dust to escape and potentially contaminating the machine.

Innovation Solution

A storage container with a housing that encloses a receiving space for medicine portions, featuring a retaining means completely within the housing, eliminating the need for an external slot, and allowing for height-adjustable fixation of the retaining section to prevent dust escape and accommodate various medicament portion sizes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the retaining section is guided through a slot in the housing from the outside, then the retaining means can be easily installed and adjusted, but dust can escape through the slot and contaminate the blister machine

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation and adjustment of retaining meansVSAvoidDust contamination of blister machine
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining means is nested completely inside the housing of the storage container, with the retaining section positioned within the receiving space and the fastening section secured inside the housing. This nested configuration eliminates the need for external slots or openings, thereby preventing dust escape while maintaining full functionality of the retaining mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining means is designed as a universal component that can be installed and adjusted at different positions within the housing using the fastening receptacle system. The height-adjustable fastening allows the same retaining means to accommodate various channel configurations and medicament portion sizes, providing multi-functionality without requiring external access slots.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple housings or retaining sections are used to accommodate different channel configurations, then various medicament portion sizes can be handled, but the device complexity and inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccommodation of various medicament portion sizesVSAvoidNumber of housings and retaining sections required
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining means incorporates a height-adjustable fastening mechanism that allows dynamic repositioning of the retaining section within the housing. By adjusting the fastening position in the fastening receptacle, the same retaining means can adapt to different channel heights and configurations, enabling versatility without requiring multiple fixed components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining means is designed as a universal component with a fastening section that can be positioned at multiple heights within the housing. This single multi-functional component can accommodate various channel configurations and medicament portion sizes, replacing the need for multiple specialized housings or retaining sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3156338B1Storage container for a storage and dispensing station for medicaments
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 BECTON DICKINSON ROWA GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3156338B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1d
  • EP3156338B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2c
  • EP3156338B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a storage container for a storage and dispensing station for pharmaceuticals. Storage containers according to the prior art comprise a slot through which a retention section of a retention element is guided. The slot must be adapted to the dimensions of the pharmaceuticals, and dust can also escape through it.A storage container according to the invention comprises a housing (10) enclosing a receiving space (2) with a circular cylindrical section (11) and a bottom surface (20) with a dispensing opening (21), a singulation device (30) arranged in the circular cylindrical section (11) of the housing (10) with at least one channel (31), and a retention means (40) arranged completely within the housing (10, 11) enclosing the receiving space (2) with a fastening section (41) and a retention section (42), wherein the retention section (42) is held above the dispensing opening (21) and wherein the fastening section (41) cooperates with at least one fastening receptacle (15a, 15b) within the housing (10) to secure the retention means (40) in the housing (10, 11).