Polymer freezer storage rack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional metal storage racks for samples in freezers at very cold temperatures are not transparent, become frosted, and are unsafe to touch without heavy gloves, making sample organization and access cumbersome and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A polymer freezer storage rack made of radio frequency (RF) and visually transparent PETG material, allowing RFID scanning and safe human contact, with drawers and shelves designed for easy sample organization and access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal racks are used for storing samples in freezers, then structural strength and durability are improved, but transparency and safety for direct contact deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to polymer (specifically PETG - polyethylene terephthalate glycol), which fundamentally alters the properties of the storage rack. This material substitution provides both the required structural strength for freezer storage and the desired transparency for visibility and safety, eliminating the need for heavy gloves when handling samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining polymer materials with RFID transparency properties. The use of PETG as a base material combined with RFID-tag compatible properties creates a composite solution that simultaneously achieves mechanical strength, optical transparency, and electromagnetic wave transmission for RFID scanning.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional metal racks are used, then storage capacity is maintained, but visibility of samples and RFID scanning capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electromagnetic property parameter of the rack material to be RFID-transparent. By selecting polymer materials instead of metal, the rack allows RFID signals to pass through, enabling non-contact scanning of sample tags while maintaining full storage capacity for samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies visual transparency (optical property change) to the rack material, allowing users to visually observe samples stored within the rack without opening the freezer or removing samples. This transparency parameter enables both visual identification and RFID scanning capabilities simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If freezer door is opened frequently to access samples, then sample retrieval is possible, but energy loss and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RFID tags as information copies of the samples, storing identification data that can be read remotely through the transparent rack material. This allows the system to identify and locate samples without physical access, enabling operators to plan their freezer access more efficiently and minimize door openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent rack with RFID capability enables the storage system to provide self-identification and location information. The rack essentially 'tells' operators where samples are located through visual visibility and RFID scanning, eliminating the need for manual searching and reducing the frequency and duration of freezer door openings.
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
Facilitates efficient sample organization and access by enabling RFID scanning through the racks, reducing energy consumption and time spent in the freezer, and ensuring user safety without the need for protective gloves.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the housing or the first drawer includes a polymer material and is radio frequency transparent
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the housing or the drawer can also be visually transparent
Implementation Method 3
at least one of the housing or the drawer can include a plurality of parts, the plurality of parts being solvent bonded together
Data Source
AI summary
This document discloses a freezer storage rack for storing samples in a freezer. The freezer storage rack can include a housing and a first drawer disposed within the housing. At least one of the housing or the first drawer can include a polymer material and be radio frequency (RFID frequencies) transparent. The drawer or housing can also be visually transparent. The housing and the first drawer can both comprise polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG).