Peelable Seal Removal Using Adhesive Roller Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for accessing and resealing well plates with peelable seals are inefficient, leading to issues such as seal tearing, cross-contamination, and limited accessibility due to the manual nature of peeling or piercing, which complicates laboratory operations.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a conveyor belt and an adhesive surface with a pressure roller to gently and uniformly remove the seal from well plates, ensuring minimal disruption and maintaining contamination control by adhering the seal to a take-up reel for disposal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seal is manually peeled from the plate, then access to samples is achieved, but the seal tears into pieces and creates adhesive strings that increase cross-contamination risk
Solution Approach 1:
An adhesive-covered roller is introduced as an intermediary between the seal and the plate. The roller applies controlled adhesive force to the seal's leading edge, enabling uniform peeling without manual tearing. The adhesive layer on the roller acts as a mediator that transfers force evenly across the seal width, preventing seal fragmentation and adhesive string formation that cause cross-contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical peeling action is replaced with a controlled adhesive-based mechanism. Instead of direct manual pulling that causes tearing, the adhesive roller provides a distributed adhesive force that gently releases the seal from the plate surface, eliminating the harmful mechanical tearing effect while maintaining sample access.
2Ease of operation
If the seal is pierced to access samples, then robotically friendly access is achieved, but resealing becomes limited after multiple operations due to seal thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is completely removed and discarded after a single use, rather than being pierced and reused. The adhesive roller mechanism enables complete seal removal from the plate surface, allowing the plate to be fully accessed and then completely resealed. This eliminates the cumulative thickness problem of repeated piercing while maintaining robotic accessibility through the controlled peeling process.
3Ease of operation
If adhesive is applied to the seal for removal, then uniform peeling is achieved, but adhesive residue may remain on the plate surface
Solution Approach 1:
The adhesive is applied locally only to the leading edge of the seal where peeling initiation is needed, rather than covering the entire seal surface. This localized adhesive application provides sufficient peeling force at the critical leading edge while minimizing adhesive residue on the plate surface. The adhesive is positioned precisely where it is needed for uniform peeling initiation and propagation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient, automated, and contamination-minimized removal and reapplication of seals, improving laboratory workflow by ensuring consistent access to samples without tearing or jostling the plates, thus enhancing sample protection and handling efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive surface having a width substantially the same as or greater than the width of the seal is pressed against the upper surface of the peelable seal
Data Source
AI summary
A container or array of containers that is are sealed with a peelable seal is transported via a conveyor along a processing path toward a desealing station at which an adhesive surface having a width substantially the same as or greater than the width of the seal is pressed against the upper surface of the peelable seal. A collection rod applies a downward pressure on the adhesive surface, pressing it against the seal and keeping the container or container array in position on the conveyor as the plate moves with the conveyor. As the leading edge of the seal passes the collection rod, the adhesive surface is rolled upward, away from the plane of the seal, pulling up on the leading edge of the seal to separate it from the container or container array while the container or container array is held down by the roller. The removed seal is then discarded.