Tamper-Evident Cap Retention for Ophthalmic Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensing devices, particularly for medical applications, face issues with caps easily falling off and becoming contaminated, and the need for secure cap positioning during use to prevent accidental contact with the eye.
Innovation Solution
A tamper-evident unit comprising a first and second ring connected by elastic elements, which securely holds the cap in an open position on the device, preventing it from falling off and ensuring easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a small cap is used for medical liquid dispensing devices, then the device is compact and suitable for ophthalmic applications, but the cap easily falls off and can become contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: the cap body, a separate retention ring, and an elastic element. This segmentation allows the small cap to be reinforced with additional retention mechanisms without increasing its overall size, solving the contradiction between compactness and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention ring is nested around the cap body, and the elastic element is nested within the retention ring structure. This nested arrangement provides enhanced cap retention functionality within a compact space, maintaining the small size of the cap while improving its reliability to prevent falling off.
2Ease of operation
If the cap is made loose for easy removal, then the device is easy to operate, but the cap may accidentally contact the eye or fall off
Solution Approach 1:
The cap assembly transitions from a static connection to a dynamic controlled connection. The elastic element provides a flexible retention force that allows intentional removal while preventing accidental detachment. The system adapts its retention strength based on the applied force, enabling easy intentional operation while preventing harmful accidental contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention force parameter is dynamically adjusted through the elastic element's mechanical properties. The elastic element provides sufficient retention force under normal handling conditions to prevent accidental eye contact, but yields easily when intentional removal force is applied, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and safety.
3Reliability
If a tamper-evident unit is added to secure the cap, then cap retention and contamination prevention are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tamper-evident functionality and cap retention functionality are merged into a single integrated assembly. The retention ring serves dual purposes: it provides mechanical retention for the cap and simultaneously acts as the tamper-evident structure. This merging reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate retention and tamper-evident mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides retention force to hold the cap, acts as a tamper-evident indicator when broken, and enables easy intentional removal. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining improved reliability.
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 tamper-evident unit effectively secures the cap in place, preventing contamination and ensuring easy handling, making it suitable for pharmaceutical primary packaging and safe application of liquids to the eye.
Implementation Method 1
at least one elastic element for connecting the first ring to the second ring, and wherein the first ring is pulled onto a lateral surface of the vessel and/or onto a lateral surface of the dispending dropper by the elastic element
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a liquid, preferably an aqueous solution, comprising a vessel (1) for containing the liquid, a dispensing dropper (2), a cap (3) and a tamper-evident unit (4), characterized in that the tamper-evident unit (4) comprises a first ring (5) being connected to the cap (3), a second ring (6) being connected to the vessel (1) and at least one elastic element (7, 8) for connecting the first ring (5) to the second ring (6), and wherein the first ring (5) is pulled onto a lateral surface of the vessel (1) and/or onto a lateral surface of the dispending dropper (2) by the elastic element (7, 8) when the cap (3) is in a tilted open position such that the liquid can be dispensed.