Capillary Column Holder with Spring Chuck and Protective Cap

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is no satisfactory way to safely hold, store, and dispense individual capillary columns without using forceps, which exposes the fragile tips to damage and airborne dust, affecting ESI performance.

Innovation Solution

A mechanical pencil or thin rod-holding device with a springably opened chuck is used to securely hold and dispense capillary columns, featuring a protective cap to safeguard the tip, allowing for easy insertion, retention, and retrieval without manual forceps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If capillary columns are stored in specialized shipping boxes, then the tips are protected from damage during transport, but the columns cannot be easily dispensed and stored in the laboratory without forceps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetip protectionVSAvoiddispensing convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The holder allows the column to be dispensed itself by pressing a button that releases the chuck grip, eliminating the need for forceps. The column can be manually extracted or fall out by gravity when the chuck is opened, making the dispensing process self-service oriented

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The holder serves multiple functions: it protects the tip during storage, provides a secure grip for handling without forceps, enables easy dispensing through button activation, and can store multiple columns. This multi-functional design resolves the contradiction between protection and convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If capillary columns are taped to workbench shelves or stored in test tubes, then they are easily accessible, but the tips are exposed to damage and airborne dust

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidtip exposure to damage and dust

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective cap made of flexible material covers the tip of the column when stored in the holder, protecting it from damage and dust while allowing easy access to the column body. The cap can be quickly removed when the column needs to be used

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cap is nested over the column tip, and the entire holder with the capped column can be nested within a storage rack. This nested structure provides protection at multiple levels while maintaining accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of operation

If capillary columns are handled with forceps, then precise control is achieved, but the risk of tip damage increases due to potential loss of contact and snapping back

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling controlVSAvoidtip integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder acts as an intermediary device between the user and the column. Instead of directly gripping the column with forceps, the user interacts with the holder's button mechanism, which then releases the column. This intermediary approach eliminates the risk of direct contact damage while maintaining control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If capillary columns are stored with tips extending upward in test tubes, then they are easily retrieved, but they are exposed to airborne dust and potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretrieval easeVSAvoiddust contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A protective cap covers the tip of the column when stored in the holder, preventing dust contamination while allowing the column to be easily retrieved by removing the cap. The cap acts as a barrier against airborne particles

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 provides a safe and practical method for handling capillary columns, reducing the risk of damage and contamination, while enabling easy access and storage, thereby improving ESI efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a springably opened chuck that holds the column

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

can fall out by gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS8197694B1Safe transportation and storage for capillary columns

Publication Date: 2012.06.12 JIN CHAODONG

AI summary

A holder for capillary columns (130) is realized by a mechanical holding device, also called a lead holder, which can be a mechanical pencil. The user holds the holding device in one hand and presses on an actuator (100) at the top of the holder, springably urging a plurality of jaws (115) to open. The user then slidably inserts the capillary column into the holder a desired distance and releases the actuator, causing the jaws to close around the capillary column and hold it in position within the holder. Next, a cap (140, 140′) is optionally slidably urged over the end of the holder in order to protect the exposed tip (135) of the capillary column. Removal of the capillary column is accomplished by reversing the above procedure to release the capillary column, allowing the column to be withdrawn.