Disposable Seed Testing Kit with Anaerobic Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seed testing methods, such as accelerated aging and saturated cold germination tests, face challenges including high costs, labor-intensive processes, microbial cross-contamination, and variability due to non-standard components, which affect reliability and repeatability.
Innovation Solution
The development of disposable seed testing kits with single-walled components and a unitary body design, using formable sheet materials like PVC, that reduce manufacturing costs, minimize steps, and eliminate the need for sterilization, while providing standardized stress-inducing conditions through controlled moisture and anaerobic environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If disposable single-walled components are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and sterilization is eliminated, but structural strength and reusability are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies disposable single-walled components made from formable sheet materials that are designed for single-use in seed testing. These components eliminate the need for sterilization between uses and reduce manufacturing costs compared to reusable multi-component systems, while maintaining sufficient structural strength for their intended temporary application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thin-walled single-walled components formed from formable sheet materials that provide adequate structural containment for seed testing while being cost-effective and disposable. The thin-walled design reduces material usage and manufacturing complexity while maintaining functional integrity during the testing process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used, then assembly flexibility is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate components into integrated single-walled units that combine functions previously requiring multiple parts. This integration reduces the total number of components, simplifies assembly procedures, and decreases device complexity while maintaining the necessary adaptability for different seed testing configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs universal single-walled components that can serve multiple functions within the seed testing system. These multi-functional components replace specialized separate parts, reducing overall device complexity while preserving the flexibility needed for various testing scenarios through standardized interfaces and configurations.
3Quantity of substance
If non-disposable components are used, then cost is reduced, but microbial cross-contamination and sterilization requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements disposable single-walled components that are discarded after single use, completely eliminating microbial cross-contamination risks between test samples. Although each individual component is inexpensive, the elimination of sterilization processes and contamination-related failures provides overall cost effectiveness while ensuring test integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the contamination risk from the system by removing components after single use rather than attempting to sterilize and reuse them. This extraction of the potentially contaminated element (the testing component) after one use prevents cross-contamination while the low cost of disposable materials maintains economic feasibility.
4Measurement precision
If complex multi-step procedures are used, then test accuracy is improved, but labor intensity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary preparation of standardized single-walled components that are pre-configured with appropriate geometries, volumes, and structural features needed for accurate seed testing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex assembly steps during actual testing, maintaining test accuracy while significantly reducing labor intensity and time requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent standardizes key parameters of the single-walled components (dimensions, wall thickness, volume capacities) to optimize the balance between test accuracy and procedural simplicity. By carefully selecting and controlling these parameters during component design, the system achieves reliable test results with minimized processing steps and reduced testing time.
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 results in more efficient, reliable, and repeatable seed testing processes with reduced labor and time, offering improved reproducibility and correlation with standard tests, and eliminating microbial cross-contamination risks.
Implementation Method 1
The container base has a liquid seal formed by an aqueous solution or other liquid that flows into a liquid seal trough
Implementation Method 2
The kit also includes an oxygen scavenger held by a mounting plate for an oxygen scavenger holder that is snapped into the lid
Data Source
AI summary
To provide an accelerated aging seed testing kit system, a single sheet of plastic or other suitable formable sheet material is pressed into the shape of a compartment base having recesses for mounting a seed holder. A seed holder that includes a seed support and a seed support holder is formed. The seed support holder is formed of a single sheet of plastic having radially extending tabs that fit into the recesses of the container to support the seed support above the rest of the test kit. A lid is formed out of one piece of plastic having a bendable tab to serve as a port and the openings and connecting points of the lid and seed holder are positioned so they can only fit together in one orientation having the port above a bypass channel.