Reverse-Threaded Closure for Clinical Analyzer Reagent Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reagent container closure designs in clinical analyzers fail to maintain internal pressure, leading to reagent degradation and require complex, costly, and space-consuming capping and uncapping processes, with passive seals being inadequate and active seals necessitating extra user steps and complex devices.

Innovation Solution

A container closure system with reverse threads and a rotatable spindle apparatus that allows for reliable, high-cycle sealing without user intervention, using a closure with internal left-hand threads and an external spindle with coarse threads for easy removal and installation, and a clutch for controlled rotational force, ensuring minimal manufacturing cost increase.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If passive seals such as duck bill seals are used, then the closure design is simple, but the internal pressure cannot be maintained leading to reagent degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclosure design complexityVSAvoidpressure maintenance capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies reverse threading where the closure threads on the container and the spindle threads on the closure are opposite-handed. This inversion allows the spindle to unscrew the closure by rotating in the conventional direction, eliminating the need for complex uncapping mechanisms while maintaining reliable sealing that can withstand internal pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If conventional screw caps are used, then the sealing is adequate for pressure, but the capping and uncapping devices become complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidcapping and uncapping device complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closure is designed with self-aligning features and the spindle is configured to automatically engage and disengage from the closure threads. The reverse-threaded design allows the spindle to unscrew the closure by simply rotating in the conventional direction, making the system self-servicing without requiring complex control mechanisms or multiple components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If sliding closures are used, then the sealing is active and pressure can be maintained, but the device occupies valuable space and requires extra user steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure containmentVSAvoiduser intervention requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex sliding mechanism and multiple user steps from the closure system. By using a simple reverse-threaded screw closure that can be opened by a single rotational motion of the spindle, the design eliminates the need for sliding actions and multiple operational steps while maintaining effective pressure containment through the threaded sealing interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If closures are removed initially and stored under controlled humidity, then evaporation is inhibited, but several reagents degraded rapidly due to inadequate pressure resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaporation preventionVSAvoidpressure withstanding capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a curved or tapered thread profile in the reverse-threaded design, which allows the spindle to engage smoothly with the closure threads while maintaining consistent sealing contact. This curved geometry distributes the sealing force evenly around the thread interface, ensuring both effective pressure containment and reliable sealing without requiring complex additional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 system provides reliable, high-cycle sealing with minimal user intervention, maintaining reagent integrity and reducing manufacturing costs, while allowing for efficient access to reagents and easy installation without extra user actions, thus addressing the limitations of existing designs.

Implementation Method 1

a threaded rotatable spindle adapted for threading into a closure having a threaded depression and for applying a rotational force to remove the closure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThreading: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a clutch having an element adapted to engage the closure and apply a rotational to the closure

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS7846395B2Container closure and device to install and remove closure

Publication Date: 2010.12.07 ORTHO CLINICAL DIAGNOSTICS INC

AI summary

A closure for a container includes: (a) an inner cylindrical wall having first and second ends and defining a space; (b) an outer cylindrical wall opposite the inner cylindrical wall and having the first and second ends to form an outer surface of the closure; (c) a first end wall extending across said first end, wherein the first end wall comprises a recess extending a least partially into the space, and a first set of threads disposed on the recess. An apparatus usable on a diagnostic analyzer container and includes: a threaded rotatable spindle adapted for threading into a closure having a threaded depression and for applying a rotational force to remove the closure; and a clutch having an element adapted to engage the closure and apply a rotational to the closure.