Sample Storage Tube Integral Molded Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sample storage tubes require additional manufacturing steps and increased costs due to the need for independent seal objects to ensure airtightness, which complicates the assembly process and can lead to ventilation issues affecting sample preservation.

Innovation Solution

The sample storage tube integrates a second molded portion with seal function around the edge of the tube body opening through integral molding, eliminating the need for independent seal objects and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an independent seal object is used to ensure airtightness between the tube body and lid, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal object is integrated into the lid structure as a unified component rather than being a separate element. The lid includes an integrated seal object that protrudes inward to contact the tube body opening edge, eliminating the need for additional independent seal objects and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid serves multiple functions: it closes the tube body opening and simultaneously provides sealing through its integrated seal object. This multi-functional design combines the closure and sealing functions into a single component, reducing device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If an independent seal object is embedded in the lid inner surface, then the airtightness is improved, but the manufacturing steps and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveairtightnessVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The seal object is pre-integrated into the lid structure during mold preparation, so that the sealing function is already built-in before assembly. This eliminates the need for separate embedding steps during manufacturing, improving production efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The lid and seal object are manufactured as a single integrated component using mold integration technology, combining two manufacturing operations into one process step, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If only the lid contacts the tube body opening without a seal object, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but ventilation occurs through manufacturing errors affecting sample preservation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsample preservation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The seal object is strategically positioned at the critical sealing location where the lid contacts the tube body opening. This localized sealing feature addresses manufacturing errors only at the necessary point without complicating the entire structure, maintaining both manufacturing simplicity and sample preservation reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3144068B1Sample housing/storage container
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 KOBE BIO ROBOTIX
  • EP3144068B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3144068B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3144068B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

[Problem to be solved] A sample storage tube having the seal function to the tube body is provided by integral molding and the airtightness is secured in the sample storage tube. [Solution] The sample storage tube 100 comprise a first molded portion 210 and a second molded portion 220 by the integral molding. The first molded portion 210 is molded as the base figure of the tube body. The second molded portion 220 includes at least the opening edge portion which contacts the lid 300 and closes the opening. The first molded portion 210 is molded by the first material such as polypropylene, the second molded portion 220 is molded by the second material such as TPE which is suitable for the seal object to secure the airtightness between the opening and the lid 300. This second molded portion providing the seal function is molded onto the opening edge of the tube body by the integral molding. The second molded portion 220 can be molded as a consecutive object from the bottom portion to the opening edge of the tube body.