System and method for handling containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing dip tube exchange process in bulk container handling poses a risk of cross-contamination due to the reuse of tooling across different substances, particularly in clean room environments where precise handling is critical.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing electronic product ID tags and an electronic control unit to manage access to tool kits and container handling stations, ensuring that only matching tool kits and containers with specific IDs can access the processing zone, thereby preventing cross-contamination by locking out incorrect tool kits and ensuring correct usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the same tooling is reused to manipulate containers with different substances, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments tooling into dedicated sets for each substance type, with each tool kit assigned to specific container types. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination while maintaining operational efficiency through electronic management of the segmented tooling resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic control unit provides feedback by verifying container IDs against assigned tool kits before allowing access. This feedback mechanism ensures that only compatible tooling is used with specific containers, preventing cross-contamination while guiding operators through the correct tool selection process.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If electronic access control systems are implemented to prevent cross-contamination, then cross-contamination risk is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit serves multiple functions: it stores container ID information, verifies tool kit compatibility, controls compartment locks, and provides user interface guidance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated systems for each control task, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation where the electronic control unit automatically manages tool kit assignment and compartment locking based on container ID recognition. This automation reduces the need for complex manual intervention and oversight mechanisms, keeping the system relatively simple despite the added electronic control layers.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If dedicated tool kits are assigned to specific container types, then cross-contamination is prevented, but loss of time occurs during tool kit selection and access management
Solution Approach 1:
Tool kits are pre-assigned to specific container types and stored in electronically locked compartments corresponding to their designated container IDs. This preliminary organization eliminates the need for manual tool kit selection and compatibility verification during operation, reducing time loss while maintaining contamination prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of selecting and verifying tool kits is replaced with an electronic control system that automatically manages access based on container ID recognition. This substitution eliminates time-consuming manual steps while maintaining the dedicated tool assignment protocol for contamination prevention.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple compartments are kept locked to ensure tool kit specificity, then cross-contamination prevention is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic control unit provides real-time feedback to operators regarding which compartments should be accessed based on the scanned container ID. This feedback guidance simplifies the operator's decision-making process, making the operation easier despite the presence of multiple locked compartments, while ensuring cross-contamination prevention through enforced tool kit specificity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system (1) for handling containers (7) having electronic product ID tags (15), the system comprises a storage cabinet (5) with lockable compartments (51) for storing tool kits (53) for handling the containers; each tool kit has an electronic ID tag associated with a predetermined compartment (51) in the storage cabinet and with a predetermined product ID tag of a container; access to each compartment is allowed or blocked by a respective electronically controlled lock; an electronic control unit (21); an electronic ID reader device (25) in communication with the electronic control unit, operable to read electronic ID tags of the components of the system and communicate same to the electronic control unit; the electronic control unit is operable to actuate the electronic lock of a predetermined compartment in the storage cabinet to allow access to said compartment upon matching the electronic product ID tag of a container with the associated electronic ID tag of the tool kit stored in the predetermined compartment, whilst keeping the remaining compartments locked.