Pipette Tip Container with Standardized Cover Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipette-tip-accommodating containers require more material and are difficult to handle manually due to additional support elements, making them costly and inefficient for both automated and manual sample processing.
Innovation Solution
A pipette-tip-accommodating container design with a standardized cover that serves as an adapter and positioning device, allowing for simple, material-saving production and easy handling, featuring a single-walled receiving cradle that can be aligned and stacked efficiently, reducing material usage and production time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional support elements are added to the receiving cradle, then the standardized standing area is achieved, but the material requirement increases and handling becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a closure for the receiving cradle, provides the standardized standing area through its outer peripheral region, and serves as a positioning device with positioning elements. This eliminates the need for separate support elements in the receiving cradle, reducing material usage while achieving standardization.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is extracted from the receiving cradle and transferred to the cover. The cover now carries the positioning and support responsibilities, allowing the receiving cradle to be simplified to a single-walled structure without additional support elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional support elements are added to the receiving cradle, then the standardized standing area is achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cover integrates multiple functions including closure, standardization interface, and positioning. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional support elements that would complicate manual handling, making the receiving cradle easier to grasp and manipulate while still achieving the standardized standing area.
3Quantity of substance
If a single-walled receiving cradle is used, then material usage is reduced, but the structural stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cover provides structural support and positioning functions that compensate for the simplified single-walled structure of the receiving cradle. The positioning elements on the cover ensure proper alignment and stability during automated sample processing, maintaining structural adequacy while reducing material usage.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cover serves as an adapter element, then adaptability for automated processing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover merges the closure function with the adapter and positioning functions. By integrating these functions into a single component rather than using separate parts, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining adaptability for automated sample processing.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a pipette-tip-accommodating container (1), including a receiving cradle (3) and a cover (4) which covers a receiving opening (12) of the receiving cradle (3) in its closed position. The cover (4) comprises a standardized footprint and is realized as an adapter element for the receiving cradle (3). A positioning device (25) with multiple positioning elements (26) is provided on the cover (4). The receiving cradle (3) is supported on the cover (4) by way of its base (7), wherein the receiving cradle (3) is aligned relatively with reference to the footprint defined by the cover (4), positioned in a positioning position for automated sample processing by means of the positioning elements (26). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for providing such a pipette-tip-accommodating container (1).