Weekly Medicament Dispenser Uniform Curvature Lids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing weekly medication dispensers have confusing designs and arrangements of compartments and lids with alternating opening directions, leading to unreliable handling and a double-walled structure that complicates use.

Innovation Solution

A weekly dispenser with 7 identical compartments, each closed by a separate cover with uniform curvature, featuring an outwardly curved removal side and dimensionally stable, elastic lids with specific hinge and locking mechanisms that ensure easy and intentional opening, preventing unintentional opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If compartments and lids have alternating opening directions, then the structure can be compact, but the design becomes confusing and handling becomes unreliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispenser compactnessVSAvoidhandling reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

All lids are designed with the same opening direction (uniform curvature) rather than alternating directions, creating consistency in the local quality of the lid-opening mechanism across all compartments. This uniformity eliminates confusion while maintaining compact structure through the standardized design approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If lids are made elastic with uniform curvature, then opening is easier and more intentional, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelid opening easeVSAvoidcurvature precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The lid curvature radius R' is specifically designed to be slightly smaller than the partition curvature radius R, creating a precise parameter relationship that enables intentional opening. This parameter optimization allows the lid to be easily removed when pressed while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through standardized dimensional relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If the lower part has an outwardly curved wall on the removal side, then tablet removal is easier, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetablet removal easeVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outward curvature is applied only to the specific wall on the tablet removal side, creating a localized quality enhancement that facilitates easy tablet extraction. This targeted modification avoids complicating the entire structure while solving the specific problem of tablet removal difficulty.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2180868B1Weekly dispenser for medicaments
Publication Date: 2011.01.26 BUCHNER KARL HEINZ
  • EP2180868B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2180868B1 patent drawingFigure 2.1~2.3
  • EP2180868B1 patent drawingFigure 3.1~3.3

AI summary

Disclosed is a storage device for medicaments, comprising a rectangular bottom part with 7 compartments (1) that are separated by partitions (2) and each have an independent pivotable lid (3) such that each compartment (1) can be individually accessed. Seven compartments (1) have a same-sized rectangular horizontal section within the bottom part (4) of the weekly dispenser, while at least one longitudinal side (4.2) of the bottom part (4), more specifically the access side, has a convex wall (4.3), and the top edge (2.3) of all partitions (2) has a uniform curvature having a radius R in the longitudinal direction thereof. The 7 dimensionally stable and elastic lids (3) have an adapted curvature R' that matches said uniform curvature of the top edge (2.3) of the partitions (2). The closing parts (6) start detaching from one another when pressure is applied to the central or rear region of an arched elastic lid (3).