Sample Tube Sealing Apparatus Using Torque-Driven Expansion Frame

Abstract

This invention relates to a sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame. A sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame according to the present invention for this purpose comprises: a central rotating body; an expansion frame arranged to surround the outer surface of the central rotating body and spaced apart from the central rotating body while concentric with the central rotating body; a plurality of expansion guide links connecting the central rotating body and the expansion frame such that the expansion frame expands radially and is fixed by the rotational movement of the central rotating body in the locking direction; and an elastic membrane provided to surround the expansion frame and is compressed and fixed to the inner wall of the sample tube by the expansion of the expansion frame caused by the rotation of the central rotating body in the locking direction. Thus, this invention allows for the rapid sealing of sample tubes without the use of fire, thereby fundamentally eliminating the risk of fire and burns, and enables the stable transport of samples to an indoor laboratory without damaging their natural state.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This invention relates to a sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame, and more specifically, to a sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame that expands inside the sample tube using only rotational torque without using a heating process to seal the sample tube. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, ground surveys or borehole surveys are conducted to accurately determine the condition of the target ground prior to the design and construction of various buildings.

[0003] During such ground or borehole investigations, soil or rock samples are collected and subjected to laboratory soil testing to accurately analyze the composition, strength, compressibility, and permeability of the ground. In order to evaluate characteristics close to their natural state through laboratory soil testing, the samples must be stored and transported while preserving their moisture content, structure, and density from the time of collection as much as possible.

[0004] To this end, sample tubes are used in ground or borehole investigations, and brass tubes are primarily used to minimize deformation during the sample collection process and to reduce chemical reactions with the sample. These brass sample tubes have the advantage of excellent rigidity without affecting the physical properties of the sample.

[0005] Meanwhile, after the sample is collected in the sample tube, both ends of the sample tube are sealed to block contact between the sample and the outside air, and to prevent the evaporation of moisture or the inflow of external moisture.

[0006] Conventionally, a method is used to seal the end of a sample tube by heating paraffin or rosin and pouring it into the end of the sample tube.

[0007] This heat sealing method poses a risk of fire and burns during the heating process using open flames. Furthermore, the cumbersome heating, filling, and cooling processes make it difficult to immediately seal the ends of sample tubes on-site, leading to cases where sample tubes are sealed collectively after the day's work is completed. In such cases, the samples inside the tubes are exposed to outside air for extended periods, and the ingress of foreign substances poses a high risk of damaging the natural state of the samples, thereby significantly reducing the reliability of indoor test results.

[0008] Furthermore, paraffin sealing methods have limitations, such as the possibility of the seal being released if the paraffin cracks or detaches due to external impact during transportation or storage, and the difficulty of clearly visually verifying the seal status. In particular, paraffin seals are single-use and cannot be reused, resulting in inefficiency due to the generation of large amounts of waste. Moreover, if paraffin remaining on the inner walls is not completely removed when reusing the sample tube, there is a risk that the natural state of the sample may be disturbed during the collection process.

[0009] To address the problems associated with the paraffin-based sealing method described above, a structure utilizing a rubber cap to seal the end of a sample tube has been proposed. However, this rubber cap is merely a structure that simply covers the outer side of the sample tube end or is inserted into the inner side, relying on limited contact; consequently, it has limitations in achieving a uniform and reliable sealing structure. In particular, the rubber cap suffers from the problem of easily deteriorating sealing strength due to wear and reduced elasticity resulting from repeated use. Prior art literature

[0010] Published Patent No. 10-2025-0138470 (Published September 22, 2025) Published Patent No. 10-2025-0054600 (Published April 23, 2025) The problem to be solved

[0011] This invention was devised to solve the aforementioned problems, and the objective of this invention is to provide a sample tube sealing device using a rotary torque-based expansion frame that can stably seal a sample tube without using fire.

[0012] Another objective of this invention is to provide a sample tube sealing device using a rotary torque-based expansion frame that can provide stable sealing force while enabling repeated use.

[0013] Another objective of this invention is to provide a sample tube sealing device using a rotary torque-based expansion frame that ensures ease of maintenance and economic efficiency. means of solving the problem

[0014] A sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame according to the present invention, which performs the task of achieving the above-mentioned purpose and eliminating conventional problems, comprises: a sample tube sealing device (SA) inserted into and sealing a sample tube (ST) containing a natural sample, wherein the device comprises: a central rotating body (10); an expansion frame (20) in which a plurality of expansion segments (21) are arranged radially around the central rotating body (10) to surround the outer surface of the central rotating body (10), and the expansion segments (21) are each connected to the outer ends of an expansion guide link (30) so as to be spaced apart from each other with a segmented portion (22) in between; and a plurality of expansion guide links (30) connecting the central rotating body (10) and the expansion frame (20) such that the expansion frame (20) is expanded radially and fixed by a locking direction rotation (R2) operation of the central rotating body (10). and an elastic membrane (40) provided to surround the expansion frame (20) and which is compressed and fixed to the inner wall of the sample tube (ST) by the expansion of the expansion frame (20) by the locking direction rotation (R2) of the central rotating body (10);The central rotating body (10) is provided with a plurality of radially rotating limiting grooves (12), wherein the rotating limiting grooves (12) have a first rotation limiting surface (121) formed thereon that contacts one side of the expansion guide link (30) to limit the unlocking direction rotation (R1) of the central rotating body (10), and a second rotation limiting surface (122) formed thereon that contacts the other side of the expansion guide link (30) to limit the locking direction rotation (R2) of the central rotating body (10); the elastic membrane (40) surrounds the outer circumference of the expansion frame (20) and has an outer circumference portion (41) formed thereon that expands due to the expansion of the expansion frame (20) and is compressed and fixed to the inner wall of the sample tube (ST); and an inner closing portion (42) is integrally provided on one side of the outer circumference portion (41) to close the inner side of the expansion frame (20) and seal the sample inside the sample tube (ST). The outer shielding part (43) is integrally provided on the other side of the outer periphery part (41) to partially shield the outer side of the expansion frame (20), thereby preventing the expansion frame (20) from moving outward.

[0015] delete

[0016] In addition, the central rotating body (10) may have a multi-angled tool coupling part (11) in the central part.

[0017] delete

[0018] delete

[0019] Additionally, the inner closing portion (42) may be made of soft elastic rubber having a lower hardness than the elastic rubber forming the outer periphery (41).

[0020] And, it may further include a rubber cap (50) that is coupled to the end of the sample tube (ST) to additionally seal the sample tube (ST). Effects of the invention

[0021] According to the sample tube sealing device using the rotational torque-based expansion frame of this invention, the sample tube can be rapidly sealed without using fire, thereby fundamentally eliminating the risk of fire and burns, and the sample can be stably transported to an indoor test room without damaging its natural state.

[0022] In particular, since the sealing of the sample tube resulting from the expansion of the expansion frame and the compression of the elastic membrane can be achieved by the small rotation of the central rotating body, the sealing operation can be performed quickly and easily, thereby improving work efficiency and minimizing the interruption of tunneling caused by delays in the sealing operation.

[0023] Furthermore, since sealing and unlocking can be easily switched by the expansion and contraction of the expansion frame and elastic membrane, repeated use is possible, and the sealing force can be stably maintained even during repeated use.

[0024] In addition, the elastic membrane is integrally formed with an inner closing portion that covers the sample cross-section while closing the inner side of the expansion frame on one side of the outer periphery portion which is compressed and fixed to the inner wall of the sample tube, thereby effectively blocking moisture evaporation and external air inflow that may occur through the sample cross-section, which can minimize changes in the physical properties of the sample.

[0025] In addition, since the elastic membrane, which experiences wear and contamination due to repeated contact with the sample tube and sample, can be separated from the expansion frame for replacement, economic efficiency can be improved by reducing maintenance costs along with ease of maintenance. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0026] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the state in which a sealing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed in a sample tube. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sealing device according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a central rotating body according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating the structure of an expansion frame before expansion according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an extended segment according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an extension guide link according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating the structure of an expansion frame after expansion according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic membrane according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a protective cap according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a sealing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is inserted inside a sample tube. FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a sealing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is expanded inside a sample tube and the sample tube is sealed. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0027] In the following, preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail based on the drawings; however, specific descriptions of related known functions or configurations are omitted if it is determined that such descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention.

[0028] The sample tube sealing device (SA) of this invention is installed at both ends of a sample tube (ST) containing a sample collected during a ground investigation or drilling investigation process, as shown in FIG. 1, so as to be easily sealed without using fire. A sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame according to one embodiment includes a central rotating body (10), an expansion frame (20), an expansion guide link (30), and an elastic membrane (40), as shown in FIG. 2.

[0029] Meanwhile, since the vertical direction of the sample tube sealing device (SA) of this invention may vary depending on the installation location, the direction facing the inside of the sample tube (ST) is defined as the inner side and the direction facing the outside is defined as the outer side, based on the sample tube (ST).

[0030] The central rotating body (10) above is rotated by the rotation operation of a user and is made of a circular member placed in the central part of the sample tube sealing device (SA) as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a tool coupling part (11) with a polygonal shape such as a square or hexagon is provided in the central part, and a plurality of rotation limiting grooves (12) are provided radially spaced apart from the tool coupling part (11).

[0031] Meanwhile, the tool coupling part (11) may be implemented in the form of a hole penetrating the central rotating body (10) in an inner or outer direction, or in the form of a groove machined to a certain depth from the outer surface of the central rotating body (10).

[0032] Additionally, the plurality of rotation limiting grooves (12) may be formed radially on the outer and inner surfaces of the central rotating body (10), respectively, and each rotation limiting groove (12) includes a first rotation limiting surface (121) and a second rotation limiting surface (122) that contact the side portion of the expansion guide link (30). At this time, the first rotation limiting surface (121) contacts one side portion of the expansion guide link (30) in the standby state before expansion of the expansion frame (20) to limit the unlocking direction rotation (R1) of the central rotating body (10), and the second rotation limiting surface (122) contacts the other side portion of the expansion guide link (30) in the expanded state of the expansion frame (20) to limit the locking direction rotation (R2) of the central rotating body (10).

[0033] Additionally, on the inner side of each rotation limiting groove (12), a shaft hole (13) is provided so as to penetrate the central rotating body (10) in an inner or outer direction, into which a link shaft for coupling the expansion guide link (30) is installed.

[0034] The extension frame (20) is formed as an annular structure that surrounds the outer surface of the central rotating body (10) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and is concentric with the central rotating body (10) and spaced apart from the outer surface of the central rotating body (10).

[0035] This expansion frame (20) includes one or more segments (22) to enable radial expansion and contraction by receiving the movement of the expansion induction link (30) caused by the rotational movement of the central rotating body (10), and preferably, a plurality of expansion segments (21) are radially arranged to form an annular structure that surrounds the central rotating body (10) while being spaced apart from each other with the segments (22) in between.

[0036] Meanwhile, each expansion segment (21) has an arc shape so that multiple expansion segments (21) are combined to form a complete circle, and a link connecting bracket (211) is provided protrudingly on the inner surface facing the outer surface of the central rotating body (10).

[0037] The above-mentioned extension guide link (30) connects the central rotating body (10) and the extension segment (21) as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. One end is rotatably connected to the central rotating body (10) by a link shaft installed in the shaft hole (13) of the central rotating body (10), and the other end can be rotatably connected by a link shaft to a link connecting bracket (211) formed on the extension segment (21).

[0038] Meanwhile, since a plurality of extension segments (21) are arranged radially around the central rotating body (10), a plurality of extension guide links (30) are also arranged radially around the central rotating body (10) to connect the central rotating body (10) and the plurality of extension segments (21).

[0039] Meanwhile, each extension guide link (30) is integrally provided with a yoke-shaped bracket (31) (32) at each end of a cylindrical body (31), and the yoke-shaped bracket (31) at one end is inserted into a rotation limiting groove (12) provided on the inner and outer sides of the central rotating body (10) and is coupled to the central rotating body (10) by a link shaft installed in the shaft hole (13), and the yoke-shaped bracket (32) at the other end can be coupled to a link connecting bracket (211) provided on the extension segment (21) by a link shaft.

[0040] Such an extension guide link (30) connects the central rotating body (10) and the extension segment (21) to form an over-center structure. That is, the extension guide link (30) is tilted to one side to form a first angle (θ1) with a radial reference line (RL) extending from the center of the central rotating body (10) to the link connection bracket (211) of the extension segment (21) at the standby position of the extension segment (21), and is connected to the central rotating body (10) to form a second angle (θ2) by tilting to the opposite side with respect to the radial reference line (RL) at the extension position of the extension segment (21). At this time, it is preferable that the second angle (θ2) be set smaller than the first angle (θ1) so that the extension segment (21) is fixed at the extension position.

[0041] The elastic membrane (40) is provided to surround the expansion frame (20) as shown in FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 8, and expands together with the expansion of the expansion frame (20) by the locking direction rotation (R2) of the central rotating body (10), and is pressed and fixed to the inner wall of the sample tube (ST), thereby closing the inside of the expansion frame (20) and sealing the sample inside the sample tube (ST).

[0042] This elastic membrane (40) includes an outer periphery (41), an inner closing portion (42), and an outer shielding portion (43), wherein the inner closing portion (42) is integrally formed on one side of the outer periphery (41), and the outer shielding portion (43) is integrally formed on the other side of the outer periphery (41).

[0043] The outer periphery (41) is a part that is closely wrapped around the outer periphery of the expansion frame (20) and expands due to the expansion of the expansion frame (20), thereby being compressed and fixed to the inner wall of the sample tube (ST). This outer periphery (41) is made of elastic rubber so that it is compressed and stably fixed between the expansion frame (20) and the sample tube (ST).

[0044] The inner closing portion (42) is integrally provided on one side of the outer periphery portion (41) to seal the sample inside the sample tube (ST) by closing the inner side of the expansion frame (20). This inner closing portion (42) comes into close contact with the cross-section of the sample as the sealing device (SA) of the present invention is inserted into the interior of the sample tube (ST), and may be made of soft elastic rubber with a lower hardness than the elastic rubber forming the outer periphery portion (41) to stably suppress the rotation of the sealing device (SA) while in a close contact state.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the outer periphery (41) may be made of hard elastic rubber with a Shore A hardness of 70 or higher, and the inner closing part (42) may be made of soft elastic rubber with a Shore A hardness of 60 or lower. Of course, depending on the embodiment, the outer periphery (41), the inner closing part (42), and the outer shielding part (43) may all be made of the same elastic rubber.

[0046] The outer shielding portion (43) extends perimeter-wise along the outer periphery portion (41) from the other side of the outer periphery portion (41) to partially shield the outer side of the expansion frame (20) and prevent the expansion frame (20) from moving outward. This outer shielding portion (43) may be made of the same elastic rubber as the outer periphery portion (41).

[0047] Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9, a rubber cap (50) may be additionally installed at the end of the sample tube (ST) to form a double sealing structure, and the rubber cap (50) is provided with an annular insertion groove (51) on the inner surface facing the sample tube (ST) into which the end of the sample tube (ST) is inserted and coupled, and a plurality of anti-detachment pieces (52) are formed protruding from the inside of the insertion groove (51) to adhere to the surface of the sample tube (ST) to prevent the inserted sample tube (ST) from coming out.

[0048] The sample tube sealing device using the rotational torque-based expansion frame of the present invention, configured as described above, is inserted and installed at the top and bottom of the sample tube (ST), respectively, after the collection of a natural sample using the sample tube (ST) is completed, thereby sealing both ends of the sample tube (ST).

[0049] That is, the sealing device (SA) of this invention is inserted into a sample tube (ST) such that the inner closing portion (42) of the elastic membrane (40) is in close contact with the cross-section of the sample, and then, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the central rotating body (10) is operated by an operator to rotate in a small angle in the locking direction, and at this time, the plurality of expansion guide links (30) are fixed in an over-center state by moving the end connected to the central rotating body (10) so that it passes through the radial reference line (RL), and is tilted in a direction that forms a second angle (θ2) with the radial reference line (RL).

[0050] As the orientation of the multiple expansion guide links (30) is changed by the rotation of the central rotating body (10) as described above, the expansion segment (21) connected to each expansion guide link (30) is pushed out in the radial direction, so the expansion frame (20) composed of the multiple expansion segments (21) expands in a form that increases the radius, and in response, the elastic membrane (40) expands and is compressed and fixed to the inner wall of the sample tube (ST), so that the sealing device (SA) of the present invention is installed to seal the sample tube (ST).

[0051] As such, the sealing device (SA) of this invention can quickly and easily seal a sample tube (ST) on-site through simple operation without using fire.

[0052] Meanwhile, after the insertion and installation of the sealing device (SA) is completed, a rubber cap (50) may be additionally installed at the end of the sample tube (ST).

[0053] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame according to the present invention, as described above, can be implemented in other specific forms without altering the technical concept or essential features of the present invention.

[0054] Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not limiting, and the scope of the invention is defined by the claims set forth below rather than by the foregoing detailed description, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the invention. Explanation of the symbols

[0055] 10: Central rotating body 11: Tool joint 12: Rotation limiting groove 121: First rotation regulating surface 122: Second rotation control surface 20: Extension frame 21: Extended segment 22: Segment 30: Extension induction link 40: Elastic membrane 41: Outer periphery 42: Medial closure 43: Outer shielding part 50: Rubber cap SA: Sample tube sealing device ST: Sample tube

Claims

Claim 1 A sample tube sealing device (SA) that is inserted into and seals a sample tube (ST) containing a natural sample, comprising: a central rotating body (10); an expansion frame (20) in which a plurality of expansion segments (21) are arranged radially around the central rotating body (10) to surround the outer surface of the central rotating body (10), and the expansion segments (21) are each connected to the outer ends of an expansion guide link (30) so as to be spaced apart from each other with a segmented portion (22) in between; a plurality of expansion guide links (30) connecting the central rotating body (10) and the expansion frame (20) so that the expansion frame (20) expands radially and is fixed by the locking direction rotation (R2) operation of the central rotating body (10); and an elastic membrane (40) provided to surround the expansion frame (20) and is compressed and fixed to the inner wall of the sample tube (ST) by the expansion of the expansion frame (20) by the locking direction rotation (R2) of the central rotating body (10).The central rotating body (10) is provided with a plurality of radially rotating limiting grooves (12), wherein the rotating limiting grooves (12) have a first rotation limiting surface (121) formed thereon that contacts one side of the expansion guide link (30) to limit the unlocking direction rotation (R1) of the central rotating body (10), and a second rotation limiting surface (122) formed thereon that contacts the other side of the expansion guide link (30) to limit the locking direction rotation (R2) of the central rotating body (10); the elastic membrane (40) surrounds the outer circumference of the expansion frame (20), and has an outer circumference portion (41) formed thereon that expands due to the expansion of the expansion frame (20) and is compressed and fixed to the inner wall of the sample tube (ST); and an inner closing portion (42) is integrally provided on one side of the outer circumference portion (41) to close the inner side of the expansion frame (20) and seal the sample inside the sample tube (ST). A sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame, characterized in that an outer shielding part (43) is integrally provided on the other side of the outer periphery part (41) to partially shield the outer side of the expansion frame (20) so as to prevent the expansion frame (20) from deviating outward. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame, characterized in that, in claim 1, the central rotating body (10) has a multi-angle tool coupling part (11) in the central part. Claim 4 delete Claim 5 delete Claim 6 A sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame, characterized in that, in claim 1, the inner closing portion (42) is made of soft elastic rubber having a lower hardness than the elastic rubber forming the outer circumference portion (41). Claim 7 A sample tube sealing device using a rotational torque-based expansion frame, characterized in that, in claim 1, it further includes a rubber cap (50) coupled to the end of the sample tube (ST) to additionally seal the sample tube (ST).

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