Integrated Sample Container for Dietary Fiber Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining dietary fiber content in food samples face challenges with material loss during transfer between containers, necessitating a more efficient and accurate method to minimize fiber loss and ensure precise weighing.
Innovation Solution
A sample container with an integral stirrer and a porous filter at one end, allowing for enzymatic digestion and filtration within a single container, along with a system for controlling pressure gradients to enhance filtration, which includes a lid for external actuation and optional magnetic stir-bars for agitation, facilitating complete recovery and weighing of dietary fiber fractions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If multiple containers are used for enzymatic digestion and filtration steps, then the dietary fiber can be processed through different stages, but material loss occurs during transfer between containers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional containers (enzymatic digestion chamber, filtration chamber, precipitation chamber) into a single integrated sample container. The container includes an integral stirrer that can perform stirring during enzymatic digestion, filtration through a porous filter at the bottom, and precipitation of soluble fiber fractions, eliminating the need to transfer material between multiple containers and thus preventing dietary fiber loss.
2Loss of substance
If transfer steps are eliminated to reduce fiber loss, then material recovery is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The sample container is divided into functionally distinct zones: an upper chamber for enzymatic digestion with an integral stirrer, a porous filter at the bottom for separation, and a lower chamber for collecting filtrate and performing precipitation. Each zone performs a specific function, allowing multiple processing steps to occur in sequence within a single container without requiring complex inter-container mechanisms.
3Measurement precision
If filtration is enhanced to improve separation efficiency, then dietary fiber recovery is improved, but filtration speed may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies pressure differential to enhance filtration through the porous filter. By creating a pressure difference across the filter medium, the filtration process is accelerated while maintaining effective separation. This allows the system to achieve both high separation precision for dietary fiber recovery and improved filtration speed, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and productivity.
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 solution minimizes material loss by allowing all recovered fiber to be retained within the container for weighing, providing accurate dietary fiber content determination with reduced transfer errors and enhanced filtration efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a porous filter at a second end through which liquid from the chamber may be passed
Implementation Method 2
an integral stirrer located within the chamber
Implementation Method 3
a system for controlling pressure gradients to enhance filtration
Data Source
AI summary
A sample container for use in determining a dietary fiber content of a food sample may include a chamber having a first end, an opposing second end, and a side-wall connecting the first end to the second end. The side-wall may include a rigid, non-porous material. The sample container may include a porous filter located at the second end of the chamber. The sample container may include an integral stirrer located within the chamber.