Automated Petri Dish Handling for Continuous Air Sampling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual process of taking air samples in a closed low dust and/or low germ space is labor-intensive, disrupts production, and poses a risk of contamination and environmental disturbance, requiring frequent access to the production space.

Innovation Solution

A device and method using a support structure with a tube and clamps to automate the placement, opening, and closing of Petri dishes for air sampling, allowing sequential sampling without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual placement and removal of Petri dishes is performed, then air sampling can be conducted, but labor intensity increases and production is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction continuityVSAvoidmanual operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device enables self-service operation where the automated Petri dish handling system performs sampling operations without requiring manual intervention to place or remove dishes, thereby maintaining production continuity while reducing labor intensity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations of placing and removing Petri dishes are replaced by an automated mechanical handling system with clamps and positioning mechanisms, eliminating production interruptions and reducing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If frequent access to production space is required for sampling, then air quality monitoring is maintained, but contamination risk and environmental disturbance increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveair quality monitoring reliabilityVSAvoidcontamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Petri dishes are pre-loaded into the device before entering the production space, and the device is designed to perform sampling operations without requiring manual access to the space, thereby maintaining monitoring reliability while minimizing contamination risk

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated device acts as an intermediary between the sampling function and the production space, enabling air quality monitoring without requiring manual intervention that would introduce contamination risk or environmental disturbance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If manual handling of Petri dishes is used, then sampling procedure is simple, but space requirement and environmental impact increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesampling device complexityVSAvoidspace occupation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions including Petri dish holding, clamping, positioning, and sampling are merged into a single compact device structure, reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs multiple functions (supporting Petri dishes, clamping lids, positioning for sampling) within a single unit, eliminating the need for separate manual handling tools and reducing total space occupation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4640815A1Device and method for taking air samples

Publication Date: 2025.10.29 FOSFOR MEDICAL BV

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E~1F

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for taking air samples using a Petri dish (3). The device comprises a support structure (1), - a tube (2) connected to the support structure in which when in use a stack of the Petri dishes is applied, - a bottom clamp (7) is connected to the support structure translationally in a height direction and rotatably around a shaft that extends in the height direction, for clamping a selected Petri dish and for moving a selected Petri dish between at least a pickup position and a put back position, - a lid clamp (11) connected to the support structure, for clamping the lid of the selected Petri dish, and a push element (4) connected to the support structure translationally in a height direction for moving the stack upward and for moving a replaced Petri dish into the tube.