Comb Tool with Sliding Ejection for Contamination-Safe Tube Stopper Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for handling stoppers in tubes with chemical or biological solutions are complex, expensive, and pose contamination risks during cap separation, requiring both hands and incomplete cap removal.
Innovation Solution
A comb-like tool with projecting teeth and a sliding drawer system allows safe, one-handed operation to grip and separate stoppers from tubes, featuring a pivoting mechanism and a drawer with elastically biased fingers for secure cap ejection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a comb tool with projecting fingers is used to grip and separate stoppers, then the separation process becomes simpler and faster, but the risk of contamination to the operator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary ejection plate that acts as a mediator between the operator and the stoppers. The plate is positioned between the operator's hand and the stoppers, allowing the operator to eject stoppers by pressing the plate rather than directly handling the stoppers with fingers. This intermediary structure maintains efficient separation while reducing contamination risk to the operator.
2Reliability
If a motorized rotational drive system with multiple pins is used, then the plugging and unplugging operation becomes more reliable, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tool into distinct functional segments: a comb portion with fingers for gripping stoppers, a body structure for support, and a separate ejection plate mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design simple and avoiding the need for complex motorized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The comb fingers are designed to automatically engage with the stoppers through their own elastic deformation and positioning, without requiring external motorized actuation. The elastic fingers naturally conform to and grip the stoppers, providing reliable operation through passive mechanical design rather than active motorized control.
3Reliability
If a sliding drawer system with elastically biased fingers is used, then the stopper ejection becomes more complete and safe, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically responsive elastic fingers that can deform and adapt to the stoppers during engagement and ejection. These elastic elements provide automatic adjustment and cushioning during operation, ensuring complete and safe ejection while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing through the use of elastic materials and basic mechanical structures.
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
The tool ensures safe, efficient, and complete separation of stoppers from tubes without contamination risk, simplifying the process and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a drawer (13) elastically returned and guided in sliding relative to the body (7) in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the teeth (4), the drawer (13) being provided with fingers (12) whose translational support ensures the sliding of the fingers (12) in the direction of the pointed distal parts (4p) to eject the plugs (2) from the teeth (4)
Data Source
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Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The subject of the invention relates to a tool for manipulating a plurality of plugs, taking the form of a comb (1) comprising: - a body (7) provided with a row of teeth (4) having pointed distal portions (4p) spaced apart in a linear direction in order to engage with the cavities of the plugs; - a system for separating the plugs from the teeth (4) that comprises a slide returned elastically and guided to slide with respect to the body (7) in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the teeth, the slide being provided with the fingers of the comb, which are movable by sliding between the teeth (4), and a control (11a) which is accessible from a first portion (1a) of the comb and which, when pressed to move translationally, causes the fingers of the comb to slide in the direction of the pointed distal portions (4p) in order to eject the plugs from the teeth (4).