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Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) 299

Example 9.5* To seal ampoules containing medicine, flames from burners
are applied to the neck of the ampoules to melt the glass. However, the
flame may overheat the medicine in the ampoules, causing the medicine to
decompose:

Burner
Flame (1)
Ampoule
1

2
Ampoule (2)
Holder

Step 1: Capture the functions involved in the conflict and establish the func-
tional model for the conflict. Ampoules need to be sealed, but the drug
should be kept intact. The flame will melt the glass and seal the ampoule,
but it also overheats the drug. The functional model is the following:

Heat Heat
Flame Ampoule Drug

Step 2: Identify the contradiction. Clearly, a useful action, “heat and seal
ampoule,” and a harmful action, “heat and decompose the drug” coexist on
the ampoule. Therefore, the physical contradiction is
■ Ampoules need to be hot so they can be melted and sealed.
■ Ampoules cannot be hot, or the drug would be decomposed.
Step 3: Identify the zones of conflict.
■ Location property. By examining the requirements to adequately seal the
ampoule, it is very easy to find that the heat should only be applied to the
tip of the ampoule. The bottom of the ampoule should never be heated in
order to prevent drug decomposition.
■ Time property. In the current ampoule sealing process, the useful function,
“heat and seal ampoule,” and the harmful function “heat and decompose
the drug” will happen simultaneously.

*The figures in Examples 9.5, 9.10, 9.15–9.17, 9.19–9.22, 9.24–9.29, and 9.44 are reprinted
with permission from Invention Machine Corporation, www.invention-machine.com.