Rigid Container with Hydrochromic Indicator for Automated Accessioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual retrieval of sample vials from layered packaging is slow, time-consuming, and expensive due to the difficulty of robotic systems in opening and manipulating bags and boxes, making automated accessioning of biological samples challenging in ecommerce shipping.
Innovation Solution
A rigid container design with a cap and base that removably couple to form a watertight seal, featuring a hydrochromic indicator for leak detection and a gripper-compatible external key for automated extraction, allowing robotic systems to access and extract sample vials without additional packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If layered packaging (bags and boxes) is used to protect sample vials during shipping, then sample integrity is improved, but automated extraction becomes difficult and manual handling is required
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging system is segmented into distinct functional layers: an outer rigid container providing structural protection, an inner sealed bag providing leak prevention, and a sample vial containing the actual sample. Each layer can be independently manipulated by robotic systems, with the outer container being easily opened and the inner bag being accessed without compromising sample integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealed inner bag acts as an intermediary between the outer container and the sample vial. It provides a barrier that maintains sample integrity while being designed with features (such as rupture discs or breakable seals) that allow automated systems to access the vial without direct contact with the sample, thus resolving the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
2Reliability
If multiple layered containers are used to prevent sample leakage, then sample safety is improved, but processing time increases due to manual unlayering
Solution Approach 1:
The container system is pre-configured with features that facilitate automated unlayering: the outer container has a removable lid or breakable seal, the inner bag has a rupture disc or breakable closure, and the sample vial has a pre-punctured cap or breakable seal. These preliminary preparations allow robotic systems to quickly access and process samples without time-consuming manual unlayering, while still maintaining sample safety through the layered structure.
3Reliability
If additional packaging layers are added to protect samples during shipping, then sample protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The packaging is segmented into standardized, modular components (outer container, inner bag, sample vial) that can be independently manufactured, quality-tested, and assembled. This segmentation reduces overall complexity by allowing each component to be optimized separately and simplifies automated handling, as robotic systems can interact with each standardized interface independently.
4Ease of operation
If manual retrieval of sample vials is used from layered packaging, then handling flexibility is maintained, but processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The inner sealed bag serves as an intermediary that maintains handling flexibility while enabling automated extraction. It can be manipulated by robotic systems through its outer surface (using grippers to grasp and position the bag) without requiring manual opening, while still providing the flexibility needed for different sample types and container configurations.
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 efficient, automated accessioning of sample vials, reducing manual handling costs and increasing processing speed while ensuring sample integrity through watertight sealing and leak detection.
Implementation Method 1
a hydrochromic indicator disposed inside of the internal volume, where the hydrochromic indicator has a first state in which the hydrochromic indicator is a first color, and where the hydrochromic indicator has a second state in which the hydrochromic indicator is a second color, where exposing the hydrochromic indicator to liquid, substance, or other solution causes the hydrochromic indicator to change from the first state to the second state
Data Source
AI summary
An accessioning system is configured to retrieve sample vials from a container. An assembly system is configured to assemble a container containing a sample vial. The container includes a base and a cap, where the cap may have a larger longitudinal length than the base. The longitudinal length of the cap may form a majority of an overall length of the container. The container may include a watertight seal. The container may also include a hydrochromic indicator configured to indicate the present or past presence of a liquid, solution, or other substance inside an internal volume of the container.