Sorbent Holder with Cleansing Element for Contaminant Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air/gas sampling sorbent tubes are prone to contamination during storage and transport due to imperfect seals, leading to interference in analytical results and reduced sample integrity, especially when handling volatile organic compounds at low concentrations.

Innovation Solution

A sorbent holder system incorporating a cleansing element, such as carbon or activated charcoal, positioned within or near the closure devices or surrounding the sorbent holder to absorb or adsorb contaminants, ensuring the sorbent material remains uncontaminated during storage and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If capped air/gas sampling sorbent tubes are used for storage and transport, then the sorbent material is protected from external contamination, but imperfect seals allow air exchange and volatile organic compounds to adsorb onto the sorbent, causing contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample integrityVSAvoidcontaminant adsorption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cleansing element (activated carbon or other sorbent material) is introduced as an intermediary component between the sorbent holder and the external environment. This cleansing element acts as a protective barrier that preferentially adsorbs contaminants from air that penetrates through imperfect seals, preventing these contaminants from reaching and adsorbing onto the actual sorbent material in the sorbent holder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The cleansing element provides preliminary protection by adsorbing contaminants before they can reach the sorbent material. This preemptive action occurs during storage and transport, counteracting the harmful effect of imperfect seals before contamination can affect the sample integrity of the main sorbent holder.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Ease of operation

If the sorbent holder is left open during storage and transport, then access is easier, but the sorbent material is directly exposed to ambient air and volatile organic compounds, leading to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidcontaminant exposure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cleansing element serves as a protective intermediary that allows the sorbent holder to remain accessible while blocking harmful contaminants. It filters the air that contacts the sorbent material, enabling easier handling and access without direct exposure to ambient contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Duration of action of moving object

If the storage time for sampling tubes is extended, then more time is available for sample preparation, but the probability of contaminant adsorption increases, reducing sample quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage timeVSAvoidanalytical accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The cleansing element performs preliminary contamination removal during the entire storage period. By continuously adsorbing contaminants that penetrate through imperfect seals, it maintains sorbent cleanliness throughout extended storage times, preserving analytical accuracy even when storage duration is increased.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cleansing element provides continuous protection throughout the storage and transport period. As long as contaminants are present in the air within the closed system, the cleansing element actively adsorbs them, maintaining a clean environment for the sorbent material throughout the entire duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 cleansing element effectively reduces or eliminates contamination of the sorbent material, enhancing the accuracy of analysis by maintaining the sorbent in a contaminant-free state, thereby extending the usable life of the sampling tubes and ensuring reliable data.

Implementation Method 1

the cleansing element is capable of absorbing or adsorbing at least one contaminant during storage or transportation of the sorbent holder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

the cleansing element is capable of absorbing or adsorbing at least one contaminant during storage or transportation of the sorbent holder

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS9296540B1Sorbent holder system for storage or transport having a cleansing element

Publication Date: 2016.03.29 FIKE RANDALL STUART

AI summary

A sorbent holder system that stores or transports a sorbent holder is provided. The sorbent holder system comprises a sorbent holder that holds sorbent material which is capable of sampling air or gas. The sorbent holder system also comprises a cleansing element which is separate from the sorbent material. The cleansing element is capable of absorbing or adsorbing at least one contaminant during storage or transportation of the sorbent holder whereby contamination of the sorbent material by the at least one contaminant is reduced or eliminated. Increased accuracy of sorbent analysis due to reduction or elimination of undesired contaminants from the sorbent during storage or transport of the sorbent holder is therefore achieved.