Object Support Retainer for Automated Dyeing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing object support retainers face challenges in preventing capillary currents during automated dyeing processes, which can lead to uncontrolled reagent flow and interference with incubation times, especially when using buffer solutions, and often require complex configurations or laborious manual application of hydrophobic boundary lines.
Innovation Solution
An object support retainer with a bearing surface featuring a longitudinal web and a transverse web, where the object support rests centrally on the longitudinal web, providing a smooth or slip-resistant surface to prevent capillary flow through adhesive forces, ensuring stable retention and full accessibility for reagents while preventing reagent overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the object support is held with adhesive strips, then the object support is retained during use, but the adhesive strips have to be regularly renewed and interactions between the adhesive and reagents cannot be ruled out
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable adhesive strips that are replaced regularly rather than attempting to create a permanent, reusable adhesive system. This acknowledges the limitations of adhesive materials interacting with reagents and provides a practical solution by making the adhesive component replaceable rather than requiring complex protective mechanisms.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If metal blocks with grooves are used to prevent capillary adhesion, then capillary effects are prevented, but the configuration becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the capillary prevention function from the support structure itself and implements it through separate hydrophobic boundary lines applied only in the specific regions where capillary action would occur. This separates the primary support function from the capillary prevention function, allowing each to be optimized independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies hydrophobic boundary lines only in specific local regions (at the edges of the object support where capillary action would occur) rather than making the entire support structure complex. This localized application of hydrophobic properties prevents capillary effects without requiring overall structural complexity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If hydrophobic boundary lines are applied manually, then capillary flow is interrupted, but the application is laborious and not reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates hydrophobic boundary lines as pre-applied features on the object support or retainer structure, rather than requiring manual application during the staining process. This preliminary preparation ensures consistent capillary flow interruption without adding operational complexity or variability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the object support rests on the edge with contact to the insert, then the support is stable, but capillary currents are generated through wetting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains edge contact for stability but applies hydrophobic boundary lines only at specific locations where the edge contacts the insert. This localized hydrophobic treatment prevents capillary current generation at the contact points while preserving the stability provided by edge support.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic boundary lines act as an intermediary layer between the object support edge and the insert surface. This intermediary prevents direct capillary interaction while allowing the mechanical contact necessary for stable positioning to be maintained.
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 solution effectively stabilizes the object support, preventing capillary currents and ensuring the intended incubation time for high-quality dyes, while maintaining accessibility for automated data acquisition and allowing for targeted movement to enhance reagent mixing and reaction efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the object support is retained during use by adhesive forces between overflowing treating agent and the underside of both the object support and the smooth surface
Implementation Method 2
an unfavourably configured object support retainer can bring about capillary currents through the wetting with, for example, buffer
Data Source
AI summary
An object support retainer, which allows object supports to be supported stably for automated dyeing processes and at the same time the uncontrolled drainage of reagent by means of capillary currents to be prevented. The device has at least one bearing surface (3) including a longitudinal web (4) and a transverse web (5), b) the underside (9) of the object support (2) comes to lie substantially centered on the longitudinal web (4), and c) the bearing surface (3) has a smooth surface (29) so that the object support (3) is retained by adhesive forces between overflowing treating agent and the underside (9) of both the object support (3) and the smooth surface (29).