Dispenser-to-Container Adapter with Variable-Thickness Sealing Lamellas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adapters for connecting dispensers to containers require high insertion forces, are prone to self-ejection, and may not ensure complete and leak-proof sealing, especially when used with lyophilized pharmaceutical substances.
Innovation Solution
The adapter features varying thicknesses of root ends on its sealing lamellas, ensuring a gradual reduction in insertion force from the first to the last lamella, allowing for secure and complete insertion into the container neck, with a design that adapts to non-uniform passage diameters and includes a flange and gasket for additional sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If adapters are equipped with radially extending sealing lamellas that are bent against insertion direction and elastically forced against the interior wall of the neck, then tightness is improved, but insertion force requirement increases and complete insertion cannot be guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lamellas are designed with non-uniform thickness distribution, where the thickness varies along the insertion direction. Specifically, the lamella has a first thickness at its proximal end and a second thickness at its distal end, with the first thickness being greater than the second thickness. This local variation in thickness allows different regions of the lamella to provide different sealing pressures, ensuring complete insertion while maintaining reliable tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the sealing lamella changes along its length in the insertion direction. The lamella transitions from a thicker proximal region to a thinner distal region, creating a gradual parameter change that reduces the insertion force requirement progressively while maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the insertion process.
2Ease of operation
If push-in adapters are used to connect dispenser to container, then ease of operation is improved, but self-ejection occurs and re-insertion is required
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter design incorporates a flange portion that extends beyond the cylindrical body portion at the distal end. This flange performs a preliminary sealing action by abutting against the container neck, preventing the adapter from self-ejecting during subsequent use. The sealing lamellas are pre-positioned to engage with the container neck interior wall, creating a stable connection that maintains reliability without requiring re-insertion.
3Ease of manufacture
If sealing lamellas are made with uniform thickness, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but insertion force varies and complete insertion cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lamella employs non-uniform thickness distribution with the proximal end having a greater thickness than the distal end. This local quality variation ensures that the insertion force is gradually reduced along the insertion path, allowing the adapter to be completely inserted into the container neck while maintaining sealing precision throughout the process.
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 adapter provides a convenient, secure, and leak-proof connection, preventing self-ejection and ensuring complete insertion with minimal user effort, maintaining tightness and preventing contact with the dispenser end during use.
Implementation Method 1
When being pushed-in the container the lamellas are bent against a direction of insertion and elastically forced against the interior wall of the neck of the container
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter (1) for connecting a dispenser to a container having a neck with an interior passage comprises a body portion (2) with a container end (27) and a dispenser end (23, 25) opposite to the container end (27). The body portion (2) has a longitudinal axis (21) centrally extending between the dispenser end (23, 25) and the container end (27), and an essentially cylindrical outer surface (22). The body portion (2) comprises sealing lamellas (24) outwardly extending from the outer surface (22). The sealing lamellas (24) of the body portion (2) are spaced from each other along the longitudinal axis (21). Each of the sealing lamellas (24) of the body portion (2) has a root end adjoining the outer surface (22) of the body portion (2). The root ends of at least two neighboring sealing lamellas (24) have different thicknesses.