Media Tray Cover Support for Single-Handed Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional petri dishes and covers require the use of two hands to move samples in or out, making it inconvenient and difficult to manipulate samples while providing protection from contaminants.
Innovation Solution
A media tray system with a cover support structure that allows the cover to be positioned in an access condition, enabling single-handed manipulation of samples using a transfer tool while maintaining protection from contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional petri dishes and covers are used, then samples are protected from contaminants, but two hands are required to manipulate samples making it inconvenient and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A cover support structure acts as an intermediary element between the cover and the user's hand. This support structure holds the cover in a stable access position, allowing the user to manipulate samples with one hand while the cover remains supported and positioned for access. The intermediary structure eliminates the need for the user to simultaneously hold both the cover and manipulation tool.
2Ease of operation
If the cover is fully opened for sample access, then manipulation is easier, but protection from contaminants is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cover support structure enables partial opening of the cover - just enough to provide access for sample manipulation tools while maintaining coverage over most of the tray. This partial action approach allows sufficient access for operations while minimizing the exposed area and reducing contamination risk compared to fully opening the cover.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static closed cover position to a dynamically supported open position. The cover support structure allows the cover to be held in an intermediate dynamic state that balances access requirements with protection needs, rather than being fully open or fully closed.
Data Source
AI summary
A media tray system may include a tray having a base wall and a perimeter wall extending upwardly from the base wall and having an upper edge. The system may also include a cover having a top wall and a side wall extending downwardly from the top wall to extend about the perimeter wall of the tray when the cover is in a closed condition with respect to the tray, with the side wall having a lower edge. The system may further include a cover support structure located at the first end of the tray and the first end of the first end of the cover. The cover support structure may be configured to support the cover in an access condition permitting access to the tray interior of the tray through a gap formed between an upper edge of the tray and the lower edge of the cover.