Lockable Cell Growth Chamber with Anti-Locking Boss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Petri dish designs often experience either too tight or too loose compression fits, leading to accidental spillage or contamination during handling due to premature or accidental locking engagement of the cover and dish.
Innovation Solution
A lockable cell growth chamber design featuring radially spaced locking members with a blocking boss that requires intentional rotational torque for locking and unlocking, preventing premature engagement and ensuring secure locking once engaged, utilizing resilient materials for yield and snap registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a compression fit is used to secure the cover to the dish, then the seal prevents accidental opening and contamination, but the fit is either too tight to allow ready disengagement or too loose leading to accidental spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a static compression fit to a dynamic system where the cover can be easily positioned and locked with intentional rotation, then easily unlocked with reverse rotation. The resilient radial tab provides dynamic engagement that maintains secure locking while allowing controlled disengagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the engagement parameter from simple radial compression to rotational engagement. The radial tab engages with the sheath through rotation, transforming the sealing mechanism from pressure-dependent to position-dependent, allowing reliable sealing without excessive tightness.
2Reliability
If a lockable mechanism with radial tabs and sheaths is used, then secure locking engagement is achieved, but premature or accidental locking may occur during handling
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking boss is positioned to preliminarily prevent engagement of the radial tab with the sheath during normal handling. Only when intentional rotational force is applied does the tab overcome the blocking boss and engage the sheath, thereby preventing accidental locking while enabling secure locking when needed.
3Ease of operation
If resilient radial tabs are used for locking, then the mechanism can be locked and unlocked, but the complexity of the locking mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct functional elements: the radial tab for engagement, the blocking boss for prevention, and the sheath for locking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply, maintaining ease of operation while managing complexity through functional decomposition.
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 design allows for rapid pre-loading and secure locking of the cover and dish, preventing accidental opening and contamination, while facilitating efficient assembly and packaging, particularly in automated processes.
Implementation Method 1
a radial tab extending outwardly from the bottom cylindrical side wall and comprising a resilient blocking boss adapted to contact the inner surface of the radial sheath so as to form a compression fit
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A lockable cell growth chamber is disclosed wherein the lid and base of the dish are provided with at least two pairs of locking and anti-locking members, the locking and anti-locking functions being activated by application of rotational torque.