Petri Dish Transport Packaging with Rack-Like Structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual handling of petri-dishes for microbiological air sampling poses a high risk of contamination and is not suitable for automated handling, as existing solutions are either designed for manual operation or lack reliability in automated processes, especially when handling multiple dishes.
Innovation Solution
A transport packaging system for multiple petri-dishes featuring a shell-like main body with a rack-like structure that securely holds and supports petri-dishes in a fixed position, allowing for perpendicular insertion and extraction, and a blister packaging with a gas barrier film for sterile handling, enabling full or partial automation of air sampling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling of petri-dishes is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but contamination risk increases and automation is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the handling process by introducing a transport packaging unit that holds multiple petri-dishes in a rack-like structure. This allows the packaging unit to be handled as a single entity while protecting individual dishes, enabling automated manipulation without direct contact with the dishes themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The transport packaging acts as an intermediary between the automated handling system and the petri-dishes. The packaging includes a rack-like structure with gripping surfaces that enable automated grippers to securely hold and transport multiple dishes without direct manipulation of the dishes, thereby preventing contamination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standard petri-dishes are used, then compatibility with existing media is maintained, but automated handling is difficult due to smooth cylindrical surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves the automation interface from the vertical dimension (gripping the top/bottom of individual dishes) to the horizontal dimension (gripping the lateral surfaces of dishes through the rack structure). The rack-like structure provides lateral gripping surfaces that enable automated grippers to securely hold multiple dishes without requiring vertical manipulation.
3Productivity
If multiple petri-dishes are handled together, then productivity increases, but security of transfer decreases due to increased risk of lid displacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple petri-dishes into a single transport packaging unit. The rack-like structure holds multiple dishes in a fixed arrangement, allowing them to be transferred together as one secure unit. This maintains the productivity benefit of handling multiple dishes while eliminating the individual handling risks through unified containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack-like structure is pre-configured with positioning features that secure the petri-dishes in fixed positions before handling. The lid retention features are pre-established, ensuring that lids remain secured during transport and transfer operations, preventing displacement before the handling process begins.
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates to a transport packaging (20) for a plurality of petri-dishes (P), comprising a shell-like main body (21) with a compartment (22) for holding the plurality of petri-dishes (P) in a parallel orientation, the compartment (22) being accessible from an opening (23) at one side of the main body (21), and a rack-like structure (24) formed in the compartment (22) for supporting the petri-dishes (P) in a fixed position during handling and configured to allow insertion/extraction of the petri-dishes (P) into/from the rack-like structure (24) in a direction.