Decontaminating Access Structure for Glove Box Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glove boxes do not allow first responders to safely and quickly access or decontaminate harmful materials, especially in field situations, and air-locks used in laboratories are bulky and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A decontaminating access structure with a pressure-activated latch mechanism, rotatable hinge, and dual sealing systems that allow partial insertion of decontamination tools, ensuring containment and safety during decontamination processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional air-lock system is used for decontamination, then safety and containment are improved, but device size and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The access structure is divided into multiple sealed components including a hatch assembly with first sealing means, a displaceable cover with second sealing means, and an inner hollow frame. This segmentation allows each component to contribute to containment independently, achieving high reliability without requiring a bulky traditional air-lock system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested configuration where the displaceable cover with its sealing means is positioned within the hollow frame, and the hatch assembly is integrated into the same structure. This nesting allows multiple sealing functions to be compactly arranged, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining containment safety.
2Reliability
If a traditional air-lock system is used for decontamination, then containment safety is improved, but response time and operational speed decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-activated latch mechanism is pre-positioned and ready to engage with the hinge assembly. The sealing means are pre-installed on the hatch and cover components. This preliminary preparation allows first responders to quickly secure the containment structure without time-consuming assembly steps, reducing response time while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-activated latch mechanism automatically engages when pressure differential is applied, eliminating the need for manual operation. The system self-secures the containment structure, significantly reducing the time required to establish safe containment while maintaining high reliability.
3Reliability
If a sealed access structure is used to prevent material escape, then containment safety is improved, but ease of operation for decontamination decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge assembly is designed to be rotatable, allowing the hatch to move between open and closed positions. The displaceable cover can be moved to allow partial insertion of decontamination tools. This dynamic design maintains sealed containment when closed while enabling easy access for decontamination operations when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The displaceable cover acts as an intermediary element between the sealed interior and the exterior. It can be partially displaced to allow insertion of decontamination tools while maintaining the overall seal through the second sealing means. This intermediary mechanism simplifies operation by providing controlled access without compromising containment safety.
Data Source
AI summary
Decontaminating access structures that allow the partial insertion of decontamination tools into glove boxes and the like to easily and safely decontaminate harmful materials are provided.