Adaptable Three-Position Plungers for Diverse Industrial Applications
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
The invention leverages the core technology of three-position plungers to provide innovative solutions for various industries, including metal casting, thermal insulation, microfluidics, 3D printing, and fuel cells.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent disclosed a three-position plunger for drug delivery devices, but its applicability was limited to the pharmaceutical industry. The new inventive concept addresses the need for adaptable, high-precision container closure integrity solutions in diverse industrial settings, where traditional plungers fall short.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The adaptable three-position plunger assembly is designed to provide and maintain container closure integrity in an expanded state or storage mode, and reducible to a constricted state or dispensing mode. This versatility enables its application in various industries, such as controlling the flow of molten metal in casting processes, optimizing thermal insulation properties in buildings, regulating fluid flow in microfluidic systems, dispensing precise amounts of materials in 3D printing, and controlling reactant flow in fuel cells.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new inventive concept introduces a paradigm shift in the application of three-position plungers, extending their use beyond pharmaceuticals to a broad range of industries. The inventive step lies in recognizing the potential of this technology to address specific challenges in these new fields, thereby creating novel solutions with significant commercial value.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the adaptable three-position plunger assembly could include variations in material selection, surface coatings, or geometric design to optimize performance in specific industrial settings. Additionally, the concept could be adapted for use in other industries, such as aerospace, automotive, or energy storage.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The adaptable three-position plunger assembly has vast commercial potential, with applications in industries worth billions of dollars. By targeting these new markets, the inventive concept can generate significant revenue and establish a strong market presence.
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Fluid control systems, precision engineering, and mechanical design with a focus on variable-volume containment technologies, particularly in medical device and industrial fluid management applications
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A mechanical engineer with expertise in fluid control mechanisms, materials science, and interdisciplinary design adaptation, capable of translating principles across different technical domains
Obviousness Rationale
The PTD demonstrates a straightforward extension of the source patent's three-position plunger technology by applying its core functional principles to alternative industrial contexts. A PHOSITA would recognize that the fundamental mechanical design enabling variable volume control and precise fluid management is fundamentally transferable across different technical domains. The source patent's core innovation of a three-position plunger with expandable and contractible states provides a clear technological template that can be readily adapted to diverse application scenarios.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,771 |
|---|---|
| Title | Three-position plungers, film coated plungers and related syringe assemblies |
| Assignee(s) | SIO2 MEDICAL PRODUCTS, LLC |