Disposable Polymer Filtering Kit with Reusable Glass Adapter
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vacuum filtration kits in chemistry laboratories are prone to contamination and require time-consuming cleaning, with glassware components being susceptible to breakage and costly to replace, making them inefficient in a laboratory setting.
Innovation Solution
A disposable polymer-structured filtering kit comprising a disposable polymer funnel with a fritted filter disc and a reusable glass adapter, where the funnel and disc are designed for easy disposal, eliminating the need for cleaning and reducing the risk of contamination, while the adapter remains uncontaminated and reusable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If glassware components are used in vacuum filtration kits, then the filtration function is achieved, but the components are susceptible to breakage and shattering during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is divided into disposable components (funnel, filter disc) and reusable components (adapter, receptacle). The disposable parts are segmented to be replaced rather than cleaned, eliminating breakage risk during cleaning while maintaining filtration function.
Solution Approach 2:
The funnel and filter disc are designed as disposable polymer components that are replaced after single use. This eliminates the need to clean glassware, removing the breakage hazard entirely while maintaining the necessary filtration functionality.
2Reliability
If glass filter funnel with fritted glass filter disc is used, then filtration function is provided, but the components are expensive to replace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive hand-made glass filter funnels and fritted discs with inexpensive disposable polymer components. These polymer parts are manufactured cost-effectively and can be easily replaced, eliminating the high replacement cost associated with glassware.
Solution Approach 2:
The material composition is changed from glass to polymer for the disposable components. This material substitution maintains the filtration function while dramatically reducing manufacturing cost and replacement expense, as polymer parts are cheaper to produce at scale than hand-made glassware.
3Reliability
If traditional vacuum filtration kits are used, then filtration is achieved, but the cleaning process is time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By making the funnel and filter disc disposable, the system eliminates the time-consuming cleaning process entirely. Users simply discard the contaminated polymer components and attach fresh ones, saving the time that would otherwise be spent cleaning glassware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a discard-and-recover model where used disposable components are thrown away and replaced with new ones, rather than cleaning and reusing the same components. This approach recovers user time while the manufacturing process absorbs the cost of continuous replacement.
4Device complexity
If vacuum take-off port is integrated into adapter or receptacle, then filtration process is simplified, but contaminants may enter the adapter during cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The funnel and filter disc are designed as disposable components that extend into the adapter, creating a physical barrier that prevents contaminants from reaching the adapter's vacuum port. This eliminates the contamination risk while maintaining a simple integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The disposable funnel acts as an intermediary barrier between the filtrate and the adapter. It prevents direct contact between contaminants and the adapter's vacuum port, thereby protecting the adapter from contamination while allowing the simplified integrated structure to function.
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 kit provides a cost-effective and time-efficient solution for small-scale vacuum filtration by eliminating the need for cleaning and reducing the risk of breakage, allowing for continuous use of the adapter while the funnel and disc are easily replaced, thus enhancing laboratory efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer fritted filter disc is positioned in the funnel, providing filtering for liquids passing therethrough
Implementation Method 2
Negative pressure from the vacuum is applied to the vacuum take-off port. The pressure differential caused by the vacuum causes the fluid to pass through the filter and into the receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
The disposable polymer-structured filtering kit includes a disposable, polymer-structured filtering funnel with a stem having a distal tip. A flow discharge end is formed at the distal tip. Preferably, a polymer fritted filter disc is positioned in the funnel, providing filtering for liquids passing therethrough. The kit preferably also includes a glass vacuum take-off adapter having a port for connecting to a vacuum source for providing negative pressure. The adapter securely and snuggly receives the funnel and maintains position of the distal tip thereof with the flow discharge end below the port, thus preventing contaminants from entering the adapter. A reusable, glass round bottle flask or a disposable vial receives the adapter and the stem of the funnel. The funnel and fritted disc are formed from disposable materials, thus removing the necessity of cleaning them following use. The adapter is reusable, since no contaminants come in contact therewith during filtering.