Disposable Sampling Container Eliminates Cleaning Bottlenecks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic liquid sampling systems require complex and costly cleaning processes for reusable containers, leading to high water and chemical consumption, environmental impact, and sampling rate limitations due to the need for precise cleaning and handling of glass bottles.

Innovation Solution

A single-use, bio-degradable sampling container system that eliminates the need for cleaning, reduces environmental impact, and maximizes sampling rate by using disposable containers made of recyclable materials, with a sampling system that includes a retrieving, filling, storing, and disposal module for efficient liquid sample handling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reusable glass bottles are used for storing liquid samples, then the sampling system can store multiple samples, but the bottles require complex cleaning processes that consume water and chemicals, increase costs, and limit sampling rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavoid cross-contamination between samplesVSAvoidsampling rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs disposable sampling containers instead of reusable glass bottles. Each container is used for a single sample, then discarded, eliminating the need for cleaning processes. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining sample integrity (avoiding cross-contamination) while dramatically increasing sampling rate, as containers can be quickly replaced without cleaning delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If reusable glass bottles are used, then samples can be stored, but sophisticated cleaning equipment with nozzles and brushes is required, increasing system complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavoid cross-contaminationVSAvoidcleaning equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By using disposable containers, the patent eliminates the entire cleaning equipment subsystem (nozzles, brushes, chemical reservoirs, water sources). This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability through single-use containers while dramatically reducing device complexity and eliminating associated costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If reusable glass bottles are used, then samples can be stored, but significant amounts of clean water and chemical cleaning substances are consumed, negatively impacting eco-balance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavoid cross-contaminationVSAvoidcleaning water and chemicals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses disposable containers that require no cleaning, thereby eliminating consumption of clean water and chemical substances. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining sample integrity while completely eliminating substance loss associated with cleaning processes, significantly improving the eco-balance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If reusable glass bottles are used, then samples can be stored, but the bottles must be handled with care to avoid breaking, increasing operational complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavoid cross-contaminationVSAvoidhandling and storage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By using disposable containers made from durable materials like polypropylene or polyethylene, the patent eliminates the fragility issue of glass bottles. These containers can be handled and stored without special care to prevent breaking, while still maintaining sample integrity through their sealed design. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability while significantly improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

5Reliability

If cleaning processes are implemented for reusable bottles, then cross-contamination is avoided, but the sampling process must be stopped during discarding or sample removal, limiting sampling rate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavoid cross-contaminationVSAvoidsampling interruptions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses disposable containers that are discarded after single use, eliminating the need to stop the sampling process for cleaning or careful handling. Containers can be rapidly replaced without interrupting the sampling workflow, resolving the contradiction by maintaining reliability while eliminating time losses and maximizing sampling rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11926457B2Sampling container, sampling system and sampling method for processing a liquid sample

Publication Date: 2024.03.12 ENDRESS HAUSER CONDUCTA GMBH CO KG

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a sampling system for processing a liquid sample, including a retrieving module configured to be fluidically connected to a liquid-source and configured to retrieve a liquid sample from the liquid-source, a filling module configured to fill the retrieved liquid sample into a sampling container, a storing module configured to store the sampling container filled with the liquid sample, and a disposal module configured to discard the liquid sample.