Flexible Container Sampler With Protective Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing samplers for bulk materials are prone to damage due to their sharp design and exposed sampling elements, which can lead to contamination and unusability during the sampling process.
Innovation Solution
A sampler with a protective element that covers the sampling element's end portion, allowing it to be adjusted or detached for piercing the container surface, and a flexible film forming the sample receiving space that is sealed to prevent contamination and damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the sampling element is made sharp and exposed to facilitate piercing the container surface, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to risk of unwanted damage to the container surface and/or sampler before intended sampling
Solution Approach 1:
A protective element is placed on the sampling element before use to prevent unwanted damage. The protective element is removed or moved only when ready to pierce the container, ensuring the sharp sampling element is exposed only at the moment of intended sampling. This preliminary protection resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability during handling while enabling ease of operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective element acts as an intermediary between the sharp sampling element and the container surface. It prevents direct contact between the sampling element and container surface during handling and transport, eliminating the risk of unwanted damage while allowing the sampling element to perform its piercing function when the protective element is removed or repositioned.
2Productivity
If the sampling element is completely exposed to enable sample collection, then the productivity is improved, but the object-affected harmful factors worsen due to potential contamination and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The protective element is in place before sampling begins, preventing contamination during handling and transport. It is removed or repositioned only when the sampler is positioned for sampling, ensuring the sampling element is exposed to the product only at the intended moment. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining productivity while minimizing contamination risk through timely exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective element serves as an intermediary barrier that prevents contamination during non-sampling phases. When the protective element is removed or moved, the sampling element is exposed to collect the sample efficiently. This intermediary protection resolves the contradiction between productivity and contamination prevention.
3Reliability
If a protective element is added to cover the sampling element, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sampler is divided into distinct segments: the sampling element, the protective element, and the mechanism to move or remove the protective element. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, resolving the contradiction by adding protection through a modular structure rather than integrating complexity into the sampling element itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective element is designed to be movable or removable rather than fixed, allowing it to transition between covering and exposed states. This dynamic design provides protection when needed while maintaining simplicity during sampling operations, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity through conditional protection.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
The invention relates to a sampler for taking a sample of a product from a flexible container, comprising: a mounting section which is intended to be attached to an outer surface of the container and defines a passage, and a sample receiving chamber which, at least after the mounting section is attached to the container, is closed to an external environment and in which a sampling element is received, wherein the sampler is designed such that, after the mounting section is attached to the container, the sampling element can be guided through the passage so that it penetrates the outer surface of the container to take the sample.