Unit Dose Support Card with Folded Flap for Simplified Sachet Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for managing unit dose pharmaceutical products face challenges in handling and storage due to the floppy nature of sachets, which complicates the process of introducing, sealing, and handling unit doses, and the difficulty in easily indicating product information.

Innovation Solution

A support card with a folded flap and main opening is used to enclose unit dose packs, allowing for easy removal of products without direct fastening, which simplifies handling and production, and can accommodate various pack shapes, including blister packs and sachets, using ultrasonic welding for secure fastening without added material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If unit dose products are packaged in floppy sachets and hung from pegs, then storage and management can be automated, but handling and sealing operations become complex and difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated management of unit dose productsVSAvoidhandling and sealing of sachets

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support card is divided into a main portion and a flap portion that can be separated. The pack is inserted through the opening in the main portion, and the flap is folded over to secure it. This segmentation allows easy insertion and removal of packs without complex sealing operations, while still providing secure holding for automated management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flap is extracted as a separate functional element from the main support card. The flap can be folded over the pack to secure it, and then removed or left in place depending on the application. This extraction simplifies the insertion process while maintaining secure holding capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If unit dose packs are directly fastened to support cards, then product security is improved, but handling and production complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct security on support cardVSAvoidfastening mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support card is segmented into a main portion with an opening and a separate flap. The pack passes through the opening in the main portion, and the flap is folded over to secure it. This segmentation provides secure holding through the combined structure while keeping individual components simple for easy handling and automated production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flap is designed to be dynamic - it can be folded over the pack to secure it, and can be removed or adjusted as needed. This dynamic element provides reliable security while maintaining simplicity in the overall structure and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of information

If information is printed directly on floppy sachets, then product identification is achieved, but the operation is difficult and imprecise

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct information indicationVSAvoidinformation printing operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of printing directly on the floppy sachet, the support card provides a stable, flat surface that can serve as a copy or alternative medium for information indication. The main portion of the support card can be printed with product information, barcodes, or other identification data, providing accurate and easy-to-read information without the difficulties of printing on flexible material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Ease of operation

If a rigid support structure is used for unit dose packs, then handling is simplified, but adaptability to various pack shapes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling of unit dose packsVSAvoidaccommodation of different pack shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support card with its opening and flap design serves multiple functions: it provides rigid support for easy handling, secures various types of packs through the folding flap mechanism, and can accommodate different pack shapes and sizes. The universal design allows the same support structure to handle blister packs, sachets, and other unit dose packaging formats.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution enhances the management of unit dose products by simplifying handling, reducing costs, and ensuring product integrity, while allowing for efficient automation and easy identification of products through labeling or RFID tags.

Implementation Method 1

using ultrasonic welding for secure fastening without added material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic welding: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS10899519B2Support for a product packaged in unit doses, and method for the production thereof

Publication Date: 2021.01.26 ESTE FLAVIO

AI summary

A support for a unit dose including a support card having a flap folded over and fastened to a main portion thereof. A main opening is made in the main portion, from which opening there protrudes a portion of a pack of a unit dose product. At least part of a peripheral edge of the pack is enclosed between the flap and the main portion of the support card. An opening or notch or pre-cut is made in the flap, to allow the unit dose product to be removed from its pack.