Bare-Hand Access Port for Controlled Atmosphere Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing controlled atmosphere apparatus user access ports, such as long gloves and arm tubes, restrict operator movement and sensitivity, risk atmosphere contamination, and are often neglected due to time-consuming evacuation procedures, leading to operator discomfort and potential avoidance of using these systems.
Innovation Solution
A user access port design featuring a porthole with a dual sealing assembly, comprising a first sealing means and a second sealing means, where the second sealing means includes a sealed access member and a closure member biased towards a closed position to maintain a fluid-tight seal even when the operator's hand is extended, allowing for 'bare-hand' access without evacuating the port.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If long gloves or arm tubes are used for user access, then the operator can manipulate specimens without direct exposure to the chamber atmosphere, but air becomes trapped within the glove/arm tube restricting operator movement and reducing touch sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent sealing members (first sealing member at the porthole, second sealing member at the arm tube opening) rather than relying on a single long glove seal. This segmentation allows each sealing point to function independently, maintaining atmosphere containment while enabling better operator movement through the arm tube design.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm tube acts as an intermediary structure between the operator's arm and the chamber interior. It provides a sealed passage that allows arm movement while maintaining atmosphere containment, serving as a mediator that resolves the conflict between sealed access and operator mobility.
2Reliability
If long gloves or arm tubes are used, then specimen manipulation is possible, but operators experience discomfort including clammy hands and feelings of being uncontrollably attached to the apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the operator's hand from the sealed environment by using an arm tube with an open cuff that allows the hand to extend through to the chamber interior. This eliminates the need for the hand to be enclosed in a long glove, removing the source of discomfort while maintaining atmosphere containment through the dual sealing system.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of enclosing the operator's hand in a sealed glove (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by providing an open cuff that allows the hand to extend through, with sealing achieved at the arm tube opening rather than along the entire length of the glove.
3Ease of operation
If arm tubes with open cuffs are used to allow bare-hand access, then operator movement and touch sensitivity improve, but air may ingress into the chamber and gas may leak from the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The arm tube is pre-configured with the open cuff and sealing members in place before the operator needs to access the chamber. The first sealing member is already sealed to the porthole, and the second sealing member is positioned at the arm tube opening, so that when the operator extends their arm, the sealing barrier is already established and ready to prevent air ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The dual sealing system provides a backup sealing mechanism. If one sealing member fails or is compromised, the other sealing member continues to maintain the atmosphere barrier, providing a cushion of protection against atmosphere contamination before actual ingress occurs.
4Reliability
If conventional evacuation procedures are performed on gloves or arm tubes before use, then air is removed from the glove/arm tube, but the process is time consuming and complex leading to operators ignoring it
Solution Approach 1:
The arm tube with open cuff and dual sealing members is designed to be self-sealing and does not require external evacuation equipment or complex procedures. The sealed construction of the arm tube and the positioning of the sealing members automatically maintain atmosphere containment without requiring the operator to perform time-consuming evacuation steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The arm tube with its sealing members can be designed as a disposable or easily replaceable component. Rather than investing time in evacuating and maintaining complex glove systems, the invention allows for simple replacement of the arm tube assembly if needed, eliminating the time cost of evacuation procedures.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a user access port for a controlled atmosphere apparatus comprising a porthole extending through a wall; a sealing assembly comprising a first sealing means and a second sealing means for maintaining a sealing barrier across the porthole, whereby the first sealing means comprises a first closure member that is adapted to at least substantially seal the porthole when arranged in a closed position and allow user access to the porthole when arranged in an open position; the second sealing means is mounted so as to extend at least substantially across the porthole and comprises a sealed access member and a second closure member, whereby the sealed access member comprises a user access aperture having a peripheral edge adapted to form a sealing contact with an arm of a user when an operator extends his arm through the user access aperture and whereby the second closure member is adapted to at least substantially seal the user access aperture when arranged in a closed position and at least substantially open the user access aperture when arranged in an open position. The invention further relates to a controlled atmosphere apparatus comprising one or more user access ports, a sealing assembly for a user access port and a method of replacing a sealing means of a user access port.