PCR Lid with Spring Elements Prevents Adhesion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing covering devices for reaction vessels, such as PCR plates, tend to adhere to the vessels due to negative pressure, causing issues in automated analysis methods as they can interrupt processes and lead to sample contamination when removed.
Innovation Solution
A covering device with a substantially planar main body and spring elements that maintain a gap from the reaction vessel in its relaxed state, allowing easy attachment and detachment by deforming under pressure to seal the vessel and then relaxing to lift off, preventing adhesion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a curved carrier plate with soft sealing mat is used to tightly seal reaction vessel depressions, then sealing reliability is improved, but the covering device adheres to the reaction vessel due to negative pressure, causing operational interruptions and sample contamination risks
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a curved carrier plate that conforms to the reaction vessel depressions (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using a substantially planar main body that does not conform to the depressions. This inversion prevents adhesion while still achieving sealing through the sealing means positioned at the periphery, thereby resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and ease of removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sealing function from the main body structure. The substantially planar main body provides structural support while the sealing means (sealing ribs or sealing lips) positioned at the periphery provide the sealing function. This segmentation allows the main body to be easily removed without adhesion while the sealing means maintains reliable sealing during the reaction process.
2Ease of operation
If spring elements are added to support the covering device and maintain a gap from the reaction vessel, then ease of removal is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses spring elements that can be integrated into the covering device structure to provide flexible support. These spring elements maintain the gap between the substantially planar main body and the reaction vessel surface while allowing the device to be easily removed. The spring elements provide the necessary mechanical flexibility without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
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
Ensures complete removal of the cover from the reaction vessel without sticking, preventing sample contamination and facilitating automated processes by maintaining a secure seal during analysis.
Implementation Method 1
at least one spring element arranged on the main body or on the sealing means, which is designed such that in its relaxed state it supports the covering device on a surface of a reaction vessel to be covered that faces the covering device
Implementation Method 2
If pressure is exerted on the main body from the outside thereof, the covering device can be pressed against the surface of the reaction vessel while deforming and prestressing the spring element, in order to tightly close the recesses thereof
Data Source
Figure 1~1BBII
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3IV
AI summary
The invention relates to a covering device (10), in particular a lid, for covering reaction vessels (50), in particular PCR plates, microtiter plates, and the like, comprising: a substantially flat main body (14) having an inside (34) and an outside (12), at least one planar sealing element (36) arranged on the main body (14) and connected to the main body, wherein the at least one sealing element (36) is arranged on the inside (34) of the main body (14), an edge segment (16), which runs along the periphery of the main body and extends from the outside (12) in the direction of the inside (34) and beyond the inside, and at least one spring element (22, 24) arranged on the main body (14) or on the sealing element (36), which at least one spring element is designed in such a way that the at least one spring element supports the covering device (10) on a surface (54) of a reaction vessel (50) to be covered facing the covering device (10) in the relaxed state of the at least one spring element and that an intermediate space (56) is formed between the sealing element (36) and the surface (54) of the reaction vessel (50).