Petri Dish Holder Slide Closure Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing petri dish holders are impractical for simultaneous loading and unloading of multiple stacks, prone to instability, and require manual, monotonous, and error-prone operations, especially with increasing stack height, leading to potential dish shifting and falling.
Innovation Solution
A holder with a slide-based closure mechanism that allows simultaneous loading and unloading of multiple stacks, featuring a flat design, precise control, and integration with automated systems, along with concentric loading and unloading openings to minimize shifting, and a retractable carrier handle for enhanced flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple stacks of petri dishes are loaded simultaneously into a holder, then productivity is improved, but stability deteriorates and dishes may shift or fall
Solution Approach 1:
The holder provides preliminary stabilization by confining individual stacks within receptacles that have lateral walls and bottom walls. The stacks are pre-positioned and secured before being handled as a group, preventing shifting during simultaneous loading operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is divided into multiple independent receptacles, each capable of holding a separate stack of petri dishes. This segmentation allows multiple stacks to be loaded simultaneously into different receptacles without interfering with each other's stability, while each receptacle independently maintains its stack's position.
2Ease of operation
If manual loading and unloading of petri dishes is performed, then ease of operation is reduced, but device complexity is minimized
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed as a universal container that can be manually operated or integrated into automated systems. The simple receptacle structure with opening/closing capability serves both manual handling and automated magazine integration, eliminating the need for complex specialized mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder design allows stacks to be self-contained within receptacles, with the opening/closing mechanism serving to secure and release stacks without requiring complex active control systems. The structure itself provides the necessary function of containing and transporting stacks.
3Reliability
If catches with springs and lever arms are used to prevent vessel removal, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases and error-proneness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex catch mechanisms with springs and lever arms are completely removed from the design. Instead, simple opening/closing mechanisms or friction-based retention is used to hold stacks in place, eliminating the error-prone mechanical catching systems while maintaining adequate security for transport.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than using complex global locking mechanisms, the holder provides localized retention at the receptacle level through simple closing elements or friction fits. Each receptacle independently secures its stack without requiring elaborate interlocking mechanisms.
4Stability of the object's composition
If receptacles have openings extending over less than half the circular arc, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacles are segmented with lateral walls that create discrete loading openings. These openings are positioned to provide adequate access for loading while the walls maintain stack stability. The segmentation allows controlled access points without compromising overall structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
A holder (10) receives and stores laboratory vessels for samples, microorganisms, cell cultures or the like, with a housing (14), and at least one receptacle (20) for the laboratory vessels. The receptacle (20) extends along a loading axis (L) in the housing (14) and is configured such that the laboratory vessels can be introduced into the receptacle (20) and can be stacked on top of each other therein, wherein the receptacle (20) in the housing (14) has a loading opening (20a) to permit loading. On an underside (18) arranged remote from the loading opening (20a), the receptacle (20) has an unloading opening (20b), which can be closed by means of a closure mechanism (38) arranged in the housing (14). The closure mechanism (38) is provided with a slide (40, 42), via which the slide (40, 42) is movable to the unloading opening (20b) to permit closure and is movable from the unloading opening (20b) to an opening position to permit opening.