Pneumatic Mail Capsule Foam Insert for Biological Container Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current interfacing systems for transporting biological product containers between a pneumatic mail system and a laboratory automation system are inefficient due to the use of heavy, large carriers that reduce container capacity, require manual orientation, and do not prioritize urgent specimens, leading to increased costs and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
An interfacing apparatus that uses cylindrical capsules with foam elements to securely hold and transport multiple biological product containers, allowing for automatic orientation and prioritization of urgent specimens, while eliminating the need for heavy carriers and enabling faster transport through pneumatic tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If heavy carriers with predetermined holes are used to hold biological product containers, then the containers can be transported through the pneumatic mail system, but the container capacity is reduced and the transport weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the heavy carrier component from the system entirely. Instead of using carriers with predetermined holes, the invention uses foam elements directly molded into the capsule to hold the biological product containers. This extraction of the carrier eliminates its weight and volume constraints, allowing maximum container capacity without the burden of heavy protective housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam elements are designed with specific local properties - they are molded with cavities that perfectly match the shape and size of the biological product containers. This localized adaptation of the foam structure provides secure holding and sealing exactly where needed, rather than using a rigid carrier structure that must accommodate all possible container configurations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If carriers with polygonal shape are used, then the carriers can be structurally stable, but orientation devices are required to properly orient the carrier for capsule insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts a cylindrical capsule shape with circular cross-section, replacing the polygonal carrier form. The circular geometry inherently provides rotational symmetry, eliminating the need for complex orientation devices. The capsule can be inserted into the pneumatic mail system in any rotational position and will function correctly, as the foam elements and container holders are radially symmetric.
3Reliability
If carriers are used to hold biological product containers, then the containers can be transported, but the sealing during transport is not perfect due to distance between containers and carrier walls
Solution Approach 1:
The foam elements are asymmetrically molded to fit the specific contours of the biological product containers. Rather than using symmetric carrier walls with fixed holes, the foam is shaped to conform exactly to each container's geometry, eliminating gaps and ensuring perfect sealing contact between the holding structure and the containers.
4Extent of automation
If separate gripping devices are used for carriers and capsules, then the loading and unloading can be automated, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the carrier and capsule into a single integrated structure. The foam elements are molded directly into the capsule body, eliminating the separate carrier component. This consolidation means only one gripping device is needed to handle the entire assembly, rather than requiring separate devices for carriers and capsules, thereby reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining full automation capability.
5Stability of the object's composition
If the capsule must maintain specific orientation during transport, then the containers can be properly positioned, but the pneumatic mail system efficiency is reduced due to orientation constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical capsule with circular cross-section provides rotational symmetry that allows the capsule to be transported in the pneumatic mail system without requiring specific orientation. The foam elements and container holders are radially symmetric, so the capsule can arrive at the destination in any rotational position and the containers will remain properly positioned and secured.
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 apparatus increases container capacity, ensures perfect sealing, prioritizes urgent specimens, and reduces transport weight, resulting in faster and more efficient loading operations with lower manufacturing costs and reduced risk of contamination.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanism for delivering biological product containers, possibility inserted one by one or in groups in plastic casings and enclosed in larger containers, or capsules, generally of cylindrical shape, which travel supported by compressed air in a tube network
Implementation Method 2
The biological product containers 3 travel inside a capsule 5, which has an opening outer casing 6 and an inner chamber 7, preferably cylindrical, and which contains foam elements 8a and 8b
Data Source
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AI summary
An interface apparatus (1) between a pneumatic mail system (2) and a feeding system of biological products to a laboratory automation system (4) is described, the apparatus comprising a capsule (5) suitable for being conveyed in a pneumatic mail system (2) which accommodates therein one or more biological material containers (3), said capsule (5) opening and connecting to a device (11) for transferring said biological material containers (3) contained in said capsule (5) into at least one recruiting device (18a, 18b) of said biological product containers (3), said at least one recruiting device (18a, 18b) being used to load said containers of biological products (3) into a positioning device (21) interfaced with a gripping device (22) of said biological product container (3) for transferring said biological product container (3) on an automatic conveyor (23) belonging to a laboratory automation system (4). Said capsule (5) has an inner chamber (7) containing foam elements (8a, 8b) adapted to withhold said biological product containers (3) present in said capsule.