Pipette Tip Sealing Collar Reduces Insertion Force

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipette tips are difficult to manufacture due to complex multi-component molds, and they require significant force to insert into receptacles of laboratory automation devices, which can lead to misalignment and increased wear.

Innovation Solution

A pipette tip design featuring a one-piece, rotationally symmetric tubular body with a sealing collar that surrounds the head, allowing for a flexible and larger sealing area that reduces insertion force and improves alignment, and can be manufactured using a simpler two-part injection mold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealing lips are used to tighten against receptacles, then sealing is achieved, but the insertion force becomes too large

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoidinsertion force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is segmented from the tightening function. The sealing collar provides sealing through friction against the receptacle wall, while the head provides positioning and insertion guidance. This segmentation allows sealing to be achieved without requiring excessive insertion force from the sealing lips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing collar is designed as a flexible element that can deform during insertion and then elastic rebound to create sealing pressure. This flexible collar replaces rigid sealing lips, reducing the force required for insertion while maintaining reliable sealing through elastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If multi-component forms with additional pieces for every lip are used, then sealing functionality is achieved, but the injection molding process becomes complicated and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionalityVSAvoidinjection molding process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing collar, head, and tubular body are merged into a single integrated component manufactured in one injection molding process. This eliminates the need for separate sealing lips and multi-component assembly, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining sealing functionality through the integrated collar design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing collar serves multiple functions: it provides sealing against the receptacle wall, guides insertion, and enables elastic deformation for force reduction. This multi-functional design replaces multiple separate components, simplifying both manufacturing and assembly while achieving reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sealing lips turn or flip around during insertion, then sealing is achieved, but the alignment precision between pipette tip and receptacle decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovesealingVSAvoidalignment precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The conical surface on the head performs preliminary alignment action during insertion, guiding the pipette tip into correct positioning before the sealing collar engages. This preliminary alignment prevents misalignment issues that would occur if sealing lips had to turn or flip during insertion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having sealing lips actively turn or flip to achieve sealing, the design inverts the approach by having the sealing collar passively engage through elastic deformation while the conical surface actively provides alignment. This inversion of the sealing mechanism eliminates the alignment problems caused by rotating sealing lips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 design simplifies the manufacturing process, reduces the force required for insertion, and enhances the precision of alignment between the pipette tip and the receptacle, leading to improved performance and reduced wear.

Implementation Method 1

The sealing collar may have a thickness such that it is flexible and can be bent towards the middle axis when the head is inserted into a receptacle of the laboratory automation device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4541463A1Pipette tip with outside sealing collar

Publication Date: 2025.04.23 TECAN TRADING AG

Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b

AI summary

A pipette tip (10) comprises an elongated tubular body (12) with a head (14) for mounting the pipette tip (10) into a receptacle (52) of a pipetting device; wherein the tubular body (12) comprises an orifice (20) opposite to the head (14), whereby orifice (20) is connected via the tubular body (12) with an opening (16) in the head (14); wherein the head (14) comprises a sealing collar (24) surrounding the head (14); and wherein the sealing collar (24) is connected to the head (14) opposite to the orifice (20) and runs along the head (14) in direction to the orifice (20).