Test Strip Dispensing Device with Rotating Aperture Seal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing containers for test strips are complex, costly, and fail to maintain a consistent moisture-free environment, leading to contamination and degradation of test strips, with difficulties in reloading and desiccant replacement.
Innovation Solution
A simple, inexpensive, reusable container with a transparent design featuring a partially rotatable spring-loaded cap and internal planar capture element, allowing for single-strip dispensing while maintaining humidity control and enabling easy desiccant replacement and visual confirmation of strip removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If manual finger insertion method is used to extract test strips, then the device complexity is reduced, but the test strips are touched and contaminated by skin oils
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the dispensing mechanism with cap and aperture system) between the user's finger and the test strips. This intermediary allows strip extraction without direct finger contact, preventing skin oil contamination while maintaining simplicity. The cap acts as a barrier that the user manipulates rather than inserting fingers into the vial.
2Device complexity
If tilting or shaking the vial to slide out test strips is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but several test strips are touched and possibly contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The cap serves as an intermediary that controls strip dispensing. Instead of tilting or shaking the entire vial, the user rotates the cap to align apertures, which mechanically controls the dispensing action. This prevents multiple strips from being exposed and contaminated during the dispensing process.
3Ease of operation
If the cap and base are separated frequently to dispense test strips, then the ease of operation is improved, but moisture and airborne contaminants contact the test strips
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into multiple components: cap aperture, base aperture, and sealing surfaces. By segmenting the sealing function across multiple interfaces rather than requiring complete cap removal, the system maintains moisture protection while allowing controlled dispensing. The apertures can be aligned for dispensing without breaking the overall seal integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The apertures act as intermediaries that allow controlled interaction between the sealed environment and external access. Small apertures in both cap and base create a controlled opening mechanism that permits strip dispensing while minimizing exposure to moisture and contaminants compared to full cap removal.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If complex test strip dispensers are created to prevent contamination, then the protection of test strips is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into the cap component: sealing function, dispensing control function, and moisture protection function. The cap integrates the aperture system and sealing surfaces, combining what could be separate complex mechanisms into a single molded component. This reduces part count and assembly complexity while maintaining protection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals the vial opening, controls strip dispensing through aperture alignment, protects against moisture ingress, and provides a user interface for operation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each function, reducing overall device complexity and manufacturing cost.
5Ease of operation
If the vial remains open during strip removal, then the ease of operation is improved, but airborne contaminants and moist air infiltrate the vial
Solution Approach 1:
The opening system is segmented into small apertures rather than a large open mouth. The cap aperture and base aperture create controlled, minimal openings that allow strip passage while minimizing the surface area exposed to airborne contaminants and moisture during the dispensing operation.
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 effectively prevents contamination and degradation by ensuring single-strip dispensing, maintaining humidity, and allowing easy reloading and desiccant replacement, while being cost-effective and user-friendly.
Implementation Method 1
maintaining humidity control
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3A
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A container device for storing, singulating and dispensing rigid and semi-rigid strips such as diagnostic test strips. A plurality of strips is contained and protected within a transparent container having an internal capture element for capturing and positioning a single strip adjacent a narrow normally-closed dispensing aperture. The aperture is exposed by rotating a spring-loaded container top cap to an open position. A detachable container base cap contains a desiccant and is replaceable. An optional stand stores the device in an upright position, and incorporates a tool to facilitate removal of the base cap for replenishing the container's contents or replacing the desiccant. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag can be incorporated for electronic inventory control. The device can also be used as an integrated test strip container/ single strip dispensing means for an automated analyte meter module.