Movable Bag Support for Sample Blending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blending devices for preparing samples introduce contaminants during the handling and blending process, are inefficient with small sample sizes, and have limitations in thorough mixing and cleaning due to the design of reciprocating paddles and bag support mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A blending device with a bag manipulation system that holds the sample bag in an open position for efficient material addition, uses a sealing mechanism to prevent contamination, and adjusts the bag support to ensure thorough mixing by raising the bag off the support during blending, allowing for improved mixing and reduced waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the door is closed to seal the bag, then contamination is prevented, but the device is limited to homogenising samples within sample bags that extend from the bag support a sufficient distance to enable sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The bag support is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to be positioned at different locations within the blending space. This enables the system to accommodate sample bags of various sizes by dynamically adjusting the support position, while still allowing the door to close and seal the bag effectively for contamination prevention.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the bottom of the bag rests against the bag support, then the bag is stable, but thorough mixing cannot occur
Solution Approach 1:
The bag support is designed to be movable, allowing it to raise the bag off the support during blending operations. This dynamic positioning enables thorough mixing by preventing the bag bottom from resting against the support, while still providing stable support when needed for bag placement and sealing.
3Loss of substance
If a small sample is used occupying only a small portion of the bottom of the bag, then material waste is reduced, but the same sized sample bag must be used resulting in mere wetting of the interior
Solution Approach 1:
The movable bag support allows the bag to be raised off the support during blending, creating better contact between the sample and diluent throughout the bag interior. This improves mixing efficiency for small samples, ensuring thorough wetting and homogenization rather than mere surface wetting, while still using appropriately sized bags to minimize material waste.
4Productivity
If reciprocating paddles are used for blending, then blending action is achieved, but thorough cleaning of the blending space is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The paddles are designed to be removable from the blending device. This allows them to be easily extracted for thorough cleaning, eliminating the cleaning accessibility problems associated with fixed reciprocating paddles while maintaining effective blending action during operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
A blending device (2) for blending a sample held in a sealable open mouthed sample bag comprises a bag receiving portion (6). The blending device (2) also includes a kneading arrangement (20) for acting on a wall of a sample bag (8) disposed in the bag receiving portion (6) so as to blend a sample contained in the bag (8). A bag manipulation arrangement (13) or a bag support (28) may also be provided.