Automated In-Place Vial Weighing With Singulation Posts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems for weighing containers in laboratories require moving individual containers to a separate weighing device, increasing cycle time and risking damage or misplacement during handling.
Innovation Solution
A container weighing apparatus that allows for in-place weighing by using a singulation post to elevate individual containers vertically while remaining in their receptacles, minimizing movement and contact with the receptacle surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If containers are moved to a separate weighing device, then weighing can be performed, but cycle time increases and risk of damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the weighing function with the container holder by integrating a load cell directly into the holder structure. This allows containers to be weighed while remaining in their holders, eliminating the need to move containers to a separate weighing device and thus reducing cycle time while maintaining weighing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a singulation post as an intermediary mechanism that temporarily supports individual containers during weighing. The singulation post allows the container to be isolated from the holder for accurate weighing while minimizing movement, acting as a mediator between the holder and the weighing function.
2Measurement precision
If containers are moved to a separate weighing device, then weighing can be performed, but risk of damage and misplacement increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the weighing function into the holder structure, containers remain in their designated locations during weighing, eliminating the risks associated with moving containers to separate devices. This integration ensures containers are not dropped, broken, or misplaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The singulation post serves as a controlled intermediary that temporarily supports containers during weighing while maintaining security. It allows precise weighing without the need to remove containers from their holders, thereby preventing damage and misplacement.
3Measurement precision
If containers are individually moved to weighing device, then weighing can be performed, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of weighing capability into the holder structure allows multiple containers to be weighed simultaneously or in sequence without removing them from their holders. This eliminates the time-consuming process of individually moving containers to a separate weighing device, significantly improving operation speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The singulation post acts as an efficient intermediary that enables rapid weighing of individual containers within the holder array. It allows the weighing function to be performed in-place without the time loss associated with moving containers, thereby increasing productivity.
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
Reduces the risk of container damage and misplacement, while significantly decreasing operation time by allowing weighing without removing containers from their holders.
Implementation Method 1
The load cell is coupled to the singulation post. The load cell is configured to measure a weight of the single one of the containers displaced by the singulation post while the vertical element contacts the container.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for weighing containers comprises a stage configured to support a receptacle for securing one or more containers and a singulation post comprising a vertical element positioned below the stage. The singulation post is aligned with and configured to displace a single one of the containers within the receptacle in an upward vertical direction as the stage is translated in a downward vertical direction towards the singulation post. The singulation post is coupled to a load cell configured to measure a weight of the single displaced container while the vertical element of the singulation post contacts the container. The apparatus further comprises a controller for actuating the stage in the vertical directions and for recording a weight of the container measured by the load cell.