Reagent Mixing Container Piercing Seal Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mixing containers for reagents are difficult to use, especially when wearing gloves, as they require rotating a screw structure or breaking a container bottom, which can lead to scattered liquids and infection risks, particularly when handling samples with bacteria or viruses.
Innovation Solution
A mixing container design featuring a first container with reagent storage chambers and a second container that connects via protruding portions to break the seal, allowing easy mixing by fitting the containers together, with optional features like a through hole for sample supply and a nozzle for dripping mixed reagents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a screw structure is used to connect containers, then the connection is secure, but it becomes difficult to rotate when wearing gloves
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is segmented into multiple independent protruding portions that can be easily pierced through the sealing member, eliminating the need for rotational motion while maintaining secure connection between containers
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring rotation to open or connect, the design inverts the approach by using protruding portions that automatically pierce the sealing member upon connection, making the operation simpler and glove-friendly
2Ease of operation
If the bottom of the container is broken to mix reagents, then mixing is achieved, but liquid scatters and creates infection risk
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful sealing member is extracted and positioned at the connection interface between containers. When containers are connected, the protruding portions pierce the sealing member, allowing controlled reagent flow without breaking the container bottom, thus preventing liquid scattering and infection risk
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element that is pierced by protruding portions to enable controlled reagent transfer from the first container to the second container, avoiding direct contact with potentially infectious samples
3Reliability
If a sealing member is used to prevent degradation, then reagent stability is improved, but the seal must be broken for mixing
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function and the connection function are merged into a single sealing member that is integrated at the container connection interface. The same protruding portions that connect the containers also pierce the sealing member, eliminating the need for separate seal-breaking mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The connection action itself performs the seal-breaking function. When the first container is connected to the second container, the protruding portions automatically pierce the sealing member, allowing reagents to flow without requiring additional manual intervention
Data Source
AI summary
A mixing container includes a first container that stores two or more reagents and a second container for mixing two or more reagents. The first container includes reagent storage chambers that are respectively provided for the two or more reagents and have openings formed at portions thereof, and a sealing member that seals the respective openings of the reagent storage chambers. The second container includes an opening portion formed such that the first container can be connected thereto, and protruding portions disposed so as to pierce the sealing member when the first container is connected to the opening portion.