Sample Storage Tube With Hinged Push Stopper Lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro tubes with push stopper lids lack a suitable surface area for writing two-dimensional codes, making information management challenging, especially when miniaturized, and existing materials like polypropylene do not allow for laser-based encoding due to their rigidity and design features.
Innovation Solution
A sample storage tube design featuring a push stopper lid connected to the tube body via a hinge, where the lid and tube body are formed in one piece with an opaque information writable area on the upper lid and bottom tube body, allowing for continuous encoding from the lid to the tube body, enhancing structural strength and airtightness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the micro tube is miniaturized to save space in storage racks, then more micro tubes can be stored, but the surface area available for writing two-dimensional codes becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The code writing area is extended from the traditional single-surface approach to multiple surfaces (upper lid and bottom tube body), effectively utilizing three-dimensional space for information encoding. This allows sufficient code area even when the micro tube diameter is reduced for miniaturization.
2Strength
If polypropylene material is used for the micro tube, then chemical resistance and rigidity are improved, but laser-based encoding becomes difficult due to material properties
Solution Approach 1:
The micro tube is designed with different material properties in different regions: the upper lid and bottom tube body use opaque materials (such as polyethylene or polypropylene) that are suitable for laser-based two-dimensional code writing, while the side surface uses transparent or translucent material for sample observation. This local differentiation allows both laser encoding and visual inspection functions to coexist.
Solution Approach 2:
The micro tube employs composite material construction with opaque and transparent/translucent portions, combining the advantages of different materials. The opaque portions provide suitable surfaces for laser encoding, while the transparent portions enable sample visibility, resolving the conflict between material rigidity and encoding capability.
3Ease of operation
If a separate lid is used for the micro tube, then assembly and disassembly are simple, but structural strength and airtightness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lid and tube body are integrated into a single molded piece structure, eliminating the separate assembly interface. This merging of components enhances structural strength and ensures airtightness by removing potential leakage points at the lid-tube junction, while still allowing for operational access through the push-stopper mechanism.
4Ease of manufacture
If the micro tube design follows conventional separate lid types, then manufacturing is simple, but information management becomes challenging due to lack of encoding surface
Solution Approach 1:
Two-dimensional codes are pre-written on the opaque portions of the micro tube during the molding process using laser-based encoding. This preliminary encoding of information enables automated identification and tracking of samples, transforming the micro tube from a simple container to an information-carrying device that facilitates sample management.
Data Source
AI summary
[Problem to be solved] To provide a sample storage tube wherein a lid is a push stopper lid type securing the area for writing two-dimensional code.[Solution] A sample storage tube 100 comprise a tube body 120 for storing a sample; a push stopper lid body 110 for capping the upper opening 121 of the tube body 120; and a hinge body 130 for connecting the tube body 120 and the push stopper lid body 110. The push stopper lid body 110 and the tube body 120 and the hinge body 130 are molded in one piece, wherein a part of them is formed by the light transmissive material and the other part of them is formed by the opaque material in which the information code can be written. The information writable areas are installed at least on the upper surface of the push stopper lid body 110 and the bottom surface 123 of the tube body 120. The information code can be written on both the upper surface of the push stopper lid body 110 and the bottom surface 123 of the tube body 120. The opaque material extends continuously from the upper surface of the push stopper lid body 110 to hinge body 130 and the side surface of the tube body 120 up to the bottom surface 123 of the tube body 120 as one piece.