Screw-Coupled Sample Container for Controlled Fluid Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sample containers require complex operations for enclosing a specimen and supplying preservative solution, leading to potential omission or failure in fluid supply, uneven connection of chambers, and risk of specimen damage or contamination.
Innovation Solution
A sample container with a storage apparatus and reservoir apparatus connected by a screw pair, featuring an unsealing blade and sealing film, which allows easy enclosure of the specimen and reliable fluid supply through controlled rupture of the sealing film using a screw mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sealing mechanisms are used to enclose specimens and supply preservative solution, then the specimen can be stored without exposure to atmosphere, but the operation becomes complex and may lead to omission or failure in fluid supply
Solution Approach 1:
The screw cap automatically performs multiple functions when tightened: it seals the reservoir container, ruptures the sealing film through the unsealing blade, and supplies the preservative solution to the specimen container. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate operations to enclose the specimen and supply fluid, ensuring reliability while maintaining simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the sealing function and fluid supply function into a single integrated operation. The screw cap simultaneously seals the reservoir container and ruptures the sealing film to supply preservative solution, merging two previously separate operations into one unified action that improves both reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If complex sealing and fluid supply mechanisms are implemented, then specimen enclosure is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screw cap is designed as a multi-functional component that performs sealing, rupture, and fluid supply functions simultaneously. This universal design reduces device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single component rather than requiring separate mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the sealing film rupture function from a complex mechanical system and implements it through a simple unsealing blade integrated into the screw cap. This extraction simplifies the overall device structure while maintaining reliable fluid supply through the ruptured sealing film.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual operations are required for specimen enclosure and fluid supply, then flexibility is maintained, but the risk of operation omission or error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screw cap automatically ensures fluid supply through its integrated unsealing blade mechanism. When the user tightens the screw cap, the system self-services by automatically rupturing the sealing film and supplying the preservative solution, eliminating the risk of operation omission while maintaining flexibility in specimen handling.
4Reliability
If sealing film rupture is achieved through complex mechanisms, then fluid communication is established, but the shape and position of rupturing section cannot be uniformly controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The unsealing blade acts as an intermediary element between the screw cap and the sealing film. It provides a controlled and uniform rupture mechanism by concentrating the rupture force at a specific location, ensuring consistent shape and position of the rupturing section while reliably establishing fluid communication.
5Productivity
If aggressive sealing rupture methods are used, then fluid supply is ensured, but damage to specimen or contamination by foreign matter occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing film is designed as a disposable component that is ruptured in a controlled manner by the unsealing blade. This approach ensures rapid fluid supply while preventing specimen damage or contamination, as the ruptured sealing film is discarded and does not remain in contact with the specimen.
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
Ensures easy and stable enclosure of specimens with controlled fluid supply, preventing damage and contamination, and ensuring uniform connection of chambers for consistent fluid distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The screw pair is provided with an impeding region that suppresses progression of tightening before contact of the sealing film and the unsealing blade. The communication between the reservoir apparatus and the storage apparatus is ensured by entry of the unsealing blade of the storage apparatus to inside the reservoir apparatus by tightening beyond the impeding region of the screw pair and rupturing the sealing film.
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~4(B)
Figure 5(A)~7(B)
Figure 8(A)~11(B)
AI summary
Provided is a sample container wherein a specimen or similar can easily be enclosed in the container in a single operation without exposure to the external environment, an unsealed state is stable, and an immersion liquid can be supplied into a storage container without delay. This sample container comprises: a storage container (A) provided with a storage apparatus (1) that retains a sample; and a reservoir container (B) provided with a reservoir apparatus (3) that stores an immersion fluid (X) in which the sample is to be immersed, and a sealing film (6) that seals an opening section of the reservoir container (3). The storage container (A) comprises an inner coupling section (3) that guides the immersion fluid (X) released from the reservoir apparatus (3) to the storage apparatus (1), and an unsealing blade (5) that faces an inner edge section of the opening section of the reservoir apparatus (3). The reservoir container (B) comprises an outer coupling section (4) that couples with the inner coupling section (3) of the storage container (A) by means of a screw pair. The screw pair comprises an impeding region that suppresses the progression of tightening immediately before the sealing film (6) and the unsealing blade (5) come into contact, and a termination region that, after the sealing film (6) and the unsealing blade (5) have come into contact, stops rotation at a rotation that is less than an intermittent angle of the unsealing blade (5). Due to tightening beyond the impeding region of the screw pair, the unsealing blade (5) of the storage apparatus (1) ruptures the sealing film (6), and communication between the reservoir apparatus (3) and the storage apparatus (1) is ensured.