Test Strip Container Discharge Mechanism for Humidity Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing test strip containers allow outside air to enter during discharge, leading to deterioration of test strips due to humidity, and providing a reagent for detecting intermediate deterioration increases cost without effectively preventing degradation.
Innovation Solution
A test strip container design with a door member that can open and close to isolate the interior from the exterior, combined with a discharge opening that can be controlled to prevent air ingress, and incorporates a drying agent to maintain humidity control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a door member is provided to open and close at the side surface of the accommodating member for discharging test strips, then test strips can be discharged from the container, but outside air can enter the accommodating member through the opening, causing test strip deterioration due to humidity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a nested door structure with an inner door member (40) and an outer door member (28). The inner door is disposed inside the outer door, creating a layered sealing system. When both doors are closed, they form overlapping seals that prevent outside air from reaching the accommodating member interior, thus resolving the contradiction between discharge capability and humidity protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a drying agent (50) as an intermediary substance placed in the space between the inner and outer door members. This drying agent absorbs any moisture that might penetrate the door seals, providing an additional protective barrier that prevents humidity from reaching the test strips while allowing the door mechanism to remain functional.
2Reliability
If a reagent portion for sensing intermediate deterioration is provided on the test strip, then deterioration can be detected, but the cost of the test strip increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary protective actions by providing a door mechanism with seals and a drying agent before any deterioration can occur. This preventive approach maintains test strip integrity throughout storage and discharge, eliminating the need for costly deterioration detection reagents while ensuring reliable test strip performance.
3Productivity
If the discharge opening is opened during test strip discharge, then test strips can be discharged to the exterior, but outside air flows into the container interior, causing test strip deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The nested door configuration allows the outer door to remain open for discharge while the inner door stays closed, creating a controlled opening pathway. This enables test strips to be discharged through the outer door opening without exposing the accommodating member interior to outside air, thus maintaining productivity while preventing harmful air ingress.
Data Source
AI summary
A test strip container includes: an accommodating member in which a test strip is accommodated; a moving member moving the test strip therein; a door member opening and closing at a side surface of the accommodating member to discharge the test strip out of the accommodating member, and cutting the interior and the exterior of the accommodating member off from each other when closed; a door accommodating portion covering the door member, in which the door member can open and close; and a discharge opening cutting the interior and an exterior of the door accommodating portion off from each other when closed, and is provided at the door accommodating portion so as to open and close to discharge the test strip to the exterior of the door accommodating portion, the discharge opening being able to open when the accommodating member is closed by the door member.