Sample Container Handling System with Lifting Projections
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Solution Overview
Problem
The close arrangement of sample containers in existing handling systems poses a safety risk due to the potential for undesirable contact and spillage of hazardous chemicals, leading to inadequate safety standards during handling.
Innovation Solution
A sample container handling system with a receptacle and support element that allows for the lifting of containers via projections, creating space for safe removal without direct contact, enabling easy handling and increased throughput while maintaining safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sample containers are arranged closely together in the holder, then the number of containers that can be held and handled is increased, but safety during handling deteriorates due to risk of unwanted contact and spillage
Solution Approach 1:
The support element with projections acts as an intermediary mechanism between the operator and the sample containers. The projections automatically engage with the containers through the through-openings to provide lifting force, eliminating the need for direct manual contact with the containers themselves. This mediator approach enables safe handling of hazardous samples while maintaining close arrangement for high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The sample containers are designed with through-openings that enable them to be self-lifted by the support element's projections. When the support element is inserted, the projections automatically engage with the containers through the openings and lift them without requiring external manipulation. This self-service mechanism ensures consistent, safe lifting of all containers regardless of their content hazards
2Area of stationary object
If sample containers are arranged closely together, then space utilization is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in accessing and removing individual containers
Solution Approach 1:
The support element performs a preliminary lifting action on the sample containers before removal is attempted. By inserting the support element with its projections through the through-openings, the containers are automatically raised to a position where they protrude from the holder, creating immediate access space. This preliminary lifting action eliminates the need to manually maneuver between tightly packed containers
Solution Approach 2:
The support element introduces a vertical dimension to the removal process. Instead of attempting to access containers horizontally through narrow gaps between them, the projections lift containers upward through the through-openings, creating vertical clearance that enables easy grasping and removal. This dimensional shift transforms a horizontally constrained problem into a vertically solved one
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a sample container handling system (1) comprising a sample container holder (2) and a support element (20). The sample container holder (2) in turn comprises: holding structures (4, 5), each designed to hold a respective sample container (3) and arranged around a rotational axis (6), and a base (7) with a support area (8) for supporting the sample containers (3) held by the holding structures (4, 5), wherein the base (7) further comprises a side (10) facing away from the support area (8) and at least one through-opening (11) extending from this side (10) to the support area (8).The support element (20) can be connected to the base (7) of the sample container receptacle (2) in such a way as to receive the sample container, wherein the support element (20) has at least one projection (25, 26, 27) which, when the support element (20) receives the sample container receptacle (2), extends through the at least one through-opening (11) and projects from the support area (8) for lifting one or more sample containers (3). The invention further relates to a system comprising the sample container handling system (1) and a pressure vessel with a reaction chamber into which the sample container receptacle (2) can be received or is received.