Flexible-Pouch Reagent Container With Self-Sealing Sampling Passage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reagent storage containers fail to maintain a controlled atmosphere during sampling, leading to contamination and pressure drops, and require complex mechanical controls for sealing.

Innovation Solution

A container with a deformable partition and seal in the sampling passage that ensures sealing before, during, and after sampling, using a deformable partition and seal to prevent fluid exchange and maintain pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pre-pierced or pre-slit membrane is used in rigid containers, then the pipette can be inserted, but air can flow from one side of the membrane to the other during sampling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepipette insertionVSAvoidsealing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible membrane that can deform elastically under the action of a sampling device. The membrane includes a closure portion that can be pushed through by the sampling device while maintaining sealing capability. This flexible film approach allows the membrane to adapt to the sampling device insertion while preventing air leakage, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Stress or pressure

If the container is vented to replace reagent volume with air, then pressure is maintained, but the air quality is uncontrolled and particles can disrupt reagent operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure maintenanceVSAvoidair contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible membrane system provides self-regulating pressure management. As reagent is sampled and volume decreases, the membrane deforms to allow pressure equalization without requiring external venting. The membrane's elastic properties automatically balance pressure differences, maintaining pressure stability while preventing uncontrolled air intake and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If a movable stopper mounted on a hinge is used, then opening and closing is possible, but mechanical controls are introduced and sealing is not guaranteed during sampling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopening and closing capabilityVSAvoidmechanical controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex mechanical control system (hinge-mounted stopper) and replaces it with a simple flexible membrane that responds passively to sampling device insertion. The membrane's elasticity provides the necessary opening/closing functionality without requiring mechanical actuators, hinges, or complex controls, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If a pierceable film is used, then hermetic sealing is achieved before first sampling, but the piercing is not reversible and sealing is not guaranteed for subsequent samplings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehermetic sealing before samplingVSAvoidreusable sealing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic flexible membrane that can reversibly deform. Unlike pierceable films that are destroyed upon first penetration, this membrane can be pushed through by a sampling device and then returns to its original sealed configuration. The elastic properties enable multiple sampling cycles with consistent sealing performance, providing both hermetic sealing before sampling and reusable sealing for subsequent operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The container maintains a controlled atmosphere, prevents contamination, and maintains pressure without mechanical complexity, ensuring accurate and stable reagent storage and sampling.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable partition which closes off the passage when said partition is not mechanically stressed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

said seal being adapted to ensure a sealing with the outer walls of the sampling device when said device is introduced into the passage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12427524B2Reagent storage container comprising a sampling passage with improved sealing

Publication Date: 2025.09.30 ERBA DIAGNOSTICS LTD

AI summary

The present invention relates to a container for storing a reagent, the container comprising: a storage space for reagent (R) comprising a flexible pouch; a passage having a first end (4) that opens onto the outside of the container and a second end that opens into the storage space, the passage being designed to allow a sampling device (20) to access the storage space; a deformable partition (7) that closes off the passage when said partition is not mechanically loaded and which can be loaded by the sampling device to a position in which the passage is open; a seal (6) that is positioned in the passage and comprises an elastically deformable rim (64) defining an orifice (61) that is designed to receive part of the sampling device (20), said rim (64) being designed to establish a seal together with the outer walls of the sampling device when said device is introduced into the passage.