Reagent Bottle Cap With Recess For Vacuum Gripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reagent bottle closures are complex and fail to prevent contamination from dispenser contact, and existing automated handling systems are cumbersome and expensive.
Innovation Solution
A reagent bottle with a removable cap featuring a recess and lip for easy gripping, and a gripper system using magnetic or vacuum mechanisms for attaching and detaching the cap, allowing for reliable and contamination-free handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional piercable septum closures are used to prevent evaporation and contamination, then the reagent bottle remains sealed during storage, but the dispenser needle contacts the closure edge during piercing which causes contamination of both the dispenser and container contents
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is divided into two separate functional parts: a pierceable septum for sealing and a non-pierceable outer closure body that remains intact. The septum is inserted into the closure body, allowing the needle to pierce only the septum while the outer body prevents dispenser contact with contamination sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The pierceable septum acts as an intermediary element between the dispenser needle and the reagent contents. It provides a dedicated piercing interface that isolates the needle from direct contact with the outer closure and potential contamination sources, while still allowing liquid passage.
2Reliability
If complex closure structures with multiple components are used to prevent evaporation and contamination, then sealing and protection are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The closure body and septum retention mechanism are merged into a single integrated closure body structure. The retention features (such as ridges or grooves) are formed directly as part of the closure body molding, eliminating the need for separate retention components while maintaining secure septum holding.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, retains the septum through integrated features, prevents over-piercing, and blocks dispenser contact. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Extent of automation
If automated handling systems with specialized grippers are used to handle closure caps, then reliable automated operation is achieved, but the system cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The closure cap is designed with self-gripping features including external ridges, grooves, or textured surfaces that provide natural friction points for gripper engagement. The cap's geometry itself facilitates gripping without requiring additional mechanical features or specialized gripper designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap design uses uniform material properties and consistent geometric features throughout, allowing a single standardized gripper design to handle all caps reliably. This homogeneity enables automated handling without complex adaptive gripper systems.
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
Enables easy opening and closing of reagent bottles to prevent evaporation and contamination, while providing a simple and cost-effective automated handling solution for reagent bottle caps and pipette tips.
Implementation Method 1
a gripper system using magnetic or vacuum mechanisms for attaching and detaching the cap
Implementation Method 2
a gripper system using magnetic or vacuum mechanisms for attaching and detaching the cap
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The invention relates to a cap (16) for closing a reagent bottle and a gripper for handling an inner part of the closing cap (2). According to the invention, the inner part of the closing cap (2) has a recess (6) for gripping the cap (2) by applying a vacuum. The invention relates also to a system for handling closures, a method for removing a closing cap from a reagent bottle, and a related gripper.