Decapper Apparatus with Movable Head Assembly for Tubular Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decapper machines are limited in their ability to safely remove both screw and pressure caps from tubular specimen containers without damaging them, and they often require containers to be removed from their carriers, which can disrupt specimen identification processes, especially when dealing with containers of varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
A decapper apparatus with a fixed frame and a movable head assembly that includes grasping means to hold containers in place and a cap receiving cavity with sharpened needles for catching and removing caps, allowing for self-adaptation to different container sizes and maintaining the container's position on its carrier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional decapper machines are used to remove caps, then cap removal function is achieved, but the container must be removed from its carrier which disrupts specimen identification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the container holding function and cap removal function into a single integrated system. The grasping means holds the container in place while the head assembly removes the cap, eliminating the need to separate these operations and thus preventing specimen identification disruption
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus performs multiple functions simultaneously: it holds the container, positions the cap in the receiving cavity, and removes the cap all without moving the container from its carrier. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the system adaptable to the requirement of maintaining specimen identification
2Productivity
If decapper machines are designed for specific cap types, then cap removal efficiency is improved, but adaptability to different container sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The head assembly is designed with movable components including the cap receiving cavity that can adjust its position and the sharpened means that can move in multiple directions. This dynamic design allows the apparatus to adapt to different container sizes while maintaining efficient cap removal through controlled movement sequences
Solution Approach 2:
The apparatus changes its operational parameters (position of head assembly, orientation of sharpened means, depth of insertion) based on the detected container size. This allows the same apparatus to efficiently handle various container dimensions by adjusting its operational parameters rather than requiring different machines
3Speed
If pressure caps are used for quick access, then access speed is improved, but cap damage during removal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical lever-based cap removal with a controlled puncturing mechanism using sharpened means. This substitution allows for precise control of the removal force, enabling quick access while minimizing cap damage by applying force only where needed and only to the extent required
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for removing caps from tubular containers, including a fixed frame provided with a grasping unit for holding a container in a fixed vertical position and a head assembly which is movable above containers of variable height along the vertical axis thereof. The head assembly has a cap receiving cavity with an upper abutment surface for matching the upper surface of the cap of containers of variable size and is provided with a plurality of movable sharpened elements for catching the cap of the container when received in said cavity. There are provided a first driving unit for moving the sharpened elements towards the cap of the container to catch it and a second driving unit for moving the sharpened elements in at least one further direction to remove the cap from the container.