Tamper-proof Storage Assembly with Desiccant Stopper and Breakable Membrane
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensing devices for pharmaceutical products fail to maintain a controlled humidity atmosphere and do not have a reliable first-opening indicator, making it difficult to prevent untimely release of multiple units and ensuring product integrity.
Innovation Solution
A flow-limiting dispensing device with a resealable desiccant cap and a tearable membrane acting as a first-opening indicator, which is integrated into a tubular container, ensuring controlled humidity and preventing simultaneous release of multiple units by allowing gas exchange while maintaining product integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional dispensing device with cap and container is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot maintain controlled humidity atmosphere and lacks reliable first-opening indicator
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the closure means: it serves as both the seal for maintaining controlled humidity atmosphere and as the first-opening indicator through its irreversible deformation mechanism. The closure means integrates the desiccant containment, sealing function, and tamper-evident indication in a single component, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure means is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: sealing the container to maintain controlled atmosphere, containing the desiccant, providing first-opening indication through irreversible deformation, and enabling resealing. This multi-functionality addresses the need for reliable product integrity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If breakable micro-points are used for first-opening indicator, then the indicator function is provided, but the user must exert force from bottom to top which is difficult with simple cap
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the user to pull the cap upward against the micro-points (bottom-to-top force), the invention inverts the mechanism: the cap's own closure motion (pressing downward) creates the irreversible deformation in the annular element. The first-opening indication occurs naturally during the closing action, making it easy to operate with any cap type while maintaining reliable indication.
3Productivity
If multiple units are dispensed simultaneously, then dispensing speed increases, but product pollution and degradation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing device creates a localized controlled environment at the dispensing orifice through the flow limiter structure. The conical surface and restricted opening ensure that only the specific product unit in contact with the orifice is dispensed, while maintaining a barrier that prevents bulk exposure to external pollution, thus allowing efficient single-unit dispensing without compromising productivity.
4Ease of operation
If the container is opened for dispensing, then product access is enabled, but the controlled humidity atmosphere is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the user to discard the first-opening indicator function (through irreversible deformation of the annular element) while recovering and maintaining the controlled atmosphere function through the resealable closure. The desiccant within the closure means continues to control humidity after opening, allowing product dispensing while preserving the protected environment for remaining products.
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 solution effectively maintains a controlled atmosphere within the container, prevents untimely release of multiple units, and provides a clear indication of first opening, ensuring product integrity and user assurance of packaging integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a means for closing said open end of the body of said container, which makes it possible to ensure a seal between said device and said plug, said plug-type closure means being equipped with means for controlling the atmosphere internal to said container filled with sensitive packaged products, in particular its rate of humidity
Implementation Method 2
a breakable membrane (5), that is to say tearable, attached to the periphery of said dispensing orifice
Implementation Method 3
making it possible to ensure a seal between said device and said plug
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
The assembly has a storage container (2) for storing bulk products, and a reclosable desiccant stopper (4) provided with a desiccant unit. A limiting device (3) limits distribution rate of the products, and has upper and lower surfaces (20, 21), where the device is made of thermoplastic material. The device has a breakable membrane (5) connected to a circumference of a distribution opening and provided with a tow ring (7). A passage allows gaseous exchange between the two surfaces and prevents the distribution of the products by restricted dimensions of the passage. An independent claim is also included for a method for conditioning a unitary product.