Closure Reservoirs for Fluid Container Evaporation Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In chemical and biomedical research, fluid containers face challenges with evaporation losses due to less than perfect seals, which hinder automated opening and closing processes, and existing solutions fail to balance sealing tightness with automation compatibility.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates closure reservoirs with openings that either open into the container's interior or exterior at the contact zone, using surface forces to retain fluid and replenish solvent, facilitating a sacrificial solvent to reduce evaporation from the primary fluid reservoirs, and employing labyrinth seals and compliant materials for improved sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If tight sealing is achieved to prevent evaporation loss and contamination, then storage reliability is improved, but automated opening and closing becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage reliabilityVSAvoidautomated opening and closing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is divided into separate functional components: a rigid closure body providing structural support, a compliant sealing member providing the seal, and a spring/clamp structure providing sealing force. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the sealing member can be soft and compliant for easy sealing while the closure body remains rigid for automated handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member is made of compliant material (such as silicone rubber) that changes its physical properties under compression. When the spring/clamp applies force, the sealing member deforms to conform to the contact zone, creating a tight seal. When force is released, it returns to its original shape, allowing easy opening and closing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If adhesive is used for closure to achieve tight sealing, then sealing reliability is improved, but contamination and nonuniformity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidcontamination and nonuniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical bonding (adhesive) with mechanical bonding (spring/clamp structure). The spring applies continuous mechanical force to compress the sealing member against the contact zone, creating a reliable seal without any adhesive residue or contamination. This mechanical system can be easily opened and closed by automated equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The closure system combines multiple materials with complementary properties: a rigid closure body material (such as polypropylene) for structural integrity, a compliant sealing member material (such as silicone rubber) for sealing, and a spring material for applying sealing force. This composite approach achieves tight sealing without adhesives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If lid weight is increased to provide sealing force, then sealing reliability is improved, but automation compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidautomation compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring/clamp structure is pre-loaded during manufacturing to provide the necessary sealing force. When the closure is placed on the container, the spring automatically engages and applies compression force to the sealing member, creating a tight seal without requiring heavy weight. This pre-loaded mechanical system is lightweight and compatible with automated handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 effectively reduces solvent evaporation from primary fluid reservoirs by maintaining a partial pressure equilibrium and allows for automated handling while ensuring tight sealing, thereby preserving the integrity of fluids during storage and handling.

Implementation Method 1

maintaining a partial pressure equilibrium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVapor pressure equilibrium: Vapour Pressure

Implementation Method 2

using surface forces to retain fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension: Surface Tension

Implementation Method 3

employing labyrinth seals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS7854343B2Fluid containers with reservoirs in their closures and methods of use

Publication Date: 2010.12.21 LABCYTE INC

AI summary

Fluid containers are disclosed which have fluid reservoirs in their closures. These reservoirs are advantageous to hold sacrificial fluid which lessens the loss of the fluid of interest to the outside through evaporation. The reservoirs may have openings to the inside or outside of the container, or to both. Reservoirs with openings to the outside serve to reduce evaporative loss by raising the partial pressure of fluid in the vicinity of the contact between the closure and the remainder of the container. The reservoirs may be refillable without opening the container. In one embodiment a fluid reservoir allows the zone of contact between the closure and the remainder of the container to be immersed in fluid, so that gases seeking to escape the interior of the container must pass through fluid.