Adapter Ring and Transfer Head for Tubular Container Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing transport and manipulation systems for tubular containers are limited in securely holding samples outside of processing stations and are not universally compatible with different tubular container designs.
Innovation Solution
A transport and manipulation mount comprising an adapter ring with a central opening, a gripper, and a transfer head that can move between inoperative and operative positions, allowing secure holding and gas or fluid transfer, and is adaptable to various tubular container diameters through adjustable adapter rings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transport adapter with an insertable stopper section is used to seal a tubular container, then the container can be securely held in a processing station, but the adapter can only be used once and cannot ensure secure connection when processed outside of a processing station
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is divided into two functional segments: a reusable adapter ring that remains on the container and a disposable transfer head that is attached and removed. This segmentation allows the adapter ring to maintain secure connection capability across multiple uses while the transfer head provides single-use sealing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter ring is designed with universal compatibility to work with tubular containers of different outer diameters through adjustable sizing. The reusable adapter ring can be used multiple times across different processing stations and outside processing stations, providing versatile functionality beyond single-use applications.
2Reliability
If a transport adapter designed for specific columns is used, then secure holding in processing stations is achieved, but compatibility with different tubular container designs is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter ring is designed with adjustable sizing capabilities to accommodate tubular containers of different outer diameters. This universal design allows the same adapter ring to securely hold various container types from different manufacturers, eliminating the need for container-specific adapters.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter ring incorporates adjustable or expandable structures that can dynamically adapt to different container diameters. This dynamic capability enables the adapter to maintain secure holding across a range of container sizes while preserving reliability for each specific container type.
3Reliability
If a transfer head is designed to close the tubular container in a liquid-tight and gas-tight manner, then secure sealing is achieved, but the complexity of the transfer head increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer head is designed as a disposable component that is attached to the reusable adapter ring only when needed and then discarded after single use. This approach achieves reliable sealing performance through the transfer head's closure mechanisms while minimizing overall system complexity by avoiding the need for complex reusable sealing structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The holder (1) has an adapter ring (2) including a central opening for retaining a tubular container (4) to accommodated samples. A gripper (5) grips the ring. A transfer head (6) is movable between a resting position and an operating position and in effective connection with the container in the operating position. The head comprises a channel (14) connected with the container for gas or fluid transfer in the operating position, and a need for penetration into a closure mechanism of the container. The ring has a recess in contact with the gripper.