Straw Stopper with Color-Changing Indicator for Filling Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing straws for preserving liquid-based substances, such as animal semen, lack a simple and economical method to verify correct filling, as conventional stoppers do not change color or appearance between empty and filled states.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a gas-permeable liquid-tight stopper with an indicator component that changes color from a first hue to a second, distinct hue upon contact with the substance, utilizing a fluorophore salt like fluorescein sodium that transforms from a non-fluorescent powder to a fluorescent gel, allowing visual or automatic detection of proper filling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional stopper is used in the straw, then the stopper maintains structural integrity and liquid-tightness, but the inability to detect filling status increases the risk of mis-filled straws

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling verification reliabilityVSAvoidstopper structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper incorporates an indicator component that changes color from a first hue to a second, distinct hue upon contact with the liquid-based substance. This color change provides immediate visual feedback on filling status, enabling reliable detection of correctly filled straws without adding complex mechanical or electronic detection systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator component acts as an intermediary between the stopper and the liquid-based substance. It provides indirect visual information about the filling status through color change, allowing operators to verify filling without direct observation of the liquid-substance interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If an indicator component is added to the stopper to enable filling detection, then the detection capability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilling status detectionVSAvoidstopper manufacturing simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator component utilizes color-changing materials that can be incorporated into the stopper manufacturing process. The indicator is mixed with the stopper material or applied as a coating, allowing for relatively simple integration into existing manufacturing workflows without requiring complex assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator component is merged with the stopper structure itself, either by incorporating it into the stopper material matrix or by applying it as an integral coating. This combination eliminates the need for separate indicator devices and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If the stopper material transforms from powder to gel upon contact with liquid, then the liquid-tightness is achieved, but the visual detection of this transformation is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliquid-tightnessVSAvoidtransformation detection

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The indicator component changes color when the stopper material transforms from powder to gel upon contact with the liquid-based substance. This color change provides clear visual confirmation that the transformation has occurred and that liquid-tightness has been achieved, eliminating the difficulty of detecting the transformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The indicator component undergoes a parameter change (color) that correlates with the physical transformation of the stopper material. This parameter change makes the transformation process visible and detectable, providing feedback on the liquid-tightness achievement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables straightforward, cost-effective verification of correct filling by color change, ensuring proper dampening and fluid-tightness of the stopper, reducing the risk of mis-filled straws and ensuring effective preservation and efficient operation in high-throughput filling machines.

Implementation Method 1

said indicator component emits light of which the spectrum comprises at least one peak having a crest of predetermined wavelength when it has been in contact with said substance and does not comprise said peak in the absence of prior contact with said substance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentUS11666428B2Straw for the preservation of a predetermined dose of liquid-based substance, in particular pure or diluted animal semen; and set comprising it

Publication Date: 2023.06.06 IMV TECH

AI summary

The invention relates to a straw comprising a tube (11) and a gas-permeable and liquid-tight stopper (12), said stopper (12) being arranged in the tube (11), close to an end (16). The invention is characterised in that the stopper (12) comprises an indicator component (20) having a first pre-determined colour in the absence of previous contact with said substance (21) and a second pre-determined colour, of a different shade from that of the first colour, once it has been in contact with said substance (21). The assembly comprises the straw (10) and a device (26) for controlling the filling of the straw.