Test-Strip Storage Vial With Dynamic Cap and Ejection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional test-strip storage vials with screw-cap plastic bottles are inconvenient to access and prone to contamination by moisture and impurities, especially when used with one hand, leading to inefficient testing and inaccurate results.
Innovation Solution
A test-strip storage vial design featuring a push button and top-lifted unit that allows for horizontal removal of test strips without direct hand contact, incorporating a spring mechanism and protruding parts for enhanced friction and automation, along with a drying agent to prevent moisture exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional screw-cap plastic bottle is used for storing test strips, then the storage structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the accessibility of test strips is inconvenient and requires two-handed operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed to rotate dynamically between a closed position (sealing the vial) and an open position (allowing access to test strips). This rotational movement enables automatic opening when the vial is tilted, eliminating the need for manual unscrewing and improving accessibility while maintaining a simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap incorporates a self-opening mechanism where tilting the vial automatically opens the cap through gravitational force and mechanical linkage. This self-service feature allows users to access test strips with one hand, especially beneficial when the other hand is occupied with blood collection procedures.
2Productivity
If the bottle cap is opened and closed repeatedly for accessing test strips, then the testing process can continue, but the efficiency of the testing process is reduced and contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic cap design allows the vial to remain in an accessible state during testing by automatically opening when tilted and automatically closing when returned to upright position. This eliminates the repeated manual opening and closing operations, significantly improving testing efficiency and reducing time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap remains open during the entire testing procedure, allowing continuous access to test strips without interruption. The automatic closing function ensures the vial is sealed immediately after use, maintaining protection against contamination while enabling uninterrupted testing workflow.
3Ease of operation
If the bottle cap is opened frequently to access test strips, then the test strips can be retrieved, but the test strips are exposed to moisture causing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The cap automatically closes when the vial is returned to its upright position after tilting, minimizing the time the test strips are exposed to moisture in the air. This dynamic sealing action protects test strips from moisture contamination while maintaining easy accessibility during the brief period when the vial is tilted for retrieval.
Solution Approach 2:
The cap closing action occurs rapidly as the vial is returned to upright position, quickly transitioning from an open to closed state. This rapid sealing minimizes the exposure time of test strips to harmful moisture, protecting them from degradation while maintaining operational convenience.
4Ease of operation
If test strips are accessed with hands, then the test strips can be removed from the bottle, but the test strips may be contaminated by sweat or impurities on user's hand
Solution Approach 1:
A test strip ejection mechanism serves as an intermediary between the storage vial and the user's hand. This mechanism ejects the test strip onto a clean surface or directly into the user's palm without requiring direct hand contact with the test strip inside the vial, preventing contamination by sweat or impurities and ensuring accurate test results.
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
Facilitates convenient, single-handed access to test strips while minimizing contamination and exposure to moisture, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of testing procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a push button spring used for providing horizontal tensile force is disposed between the upper cover and the push button
Implementation Method 2
the top-lifted unit further comprises a top-lifted block and a plurality of top-lifted springs; wherein the top-lifted springs are disposed between the top-lifted block and the vial body
Implementation Method 3
the upper surface of the push button further comprises a plurality of protruding parts
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a test-strip storage vial, comprising a vial body, a storing chamber for storing test strips, a push button, and a top-lifted unit; wherein the push button is located at one end of the storing chamber; wherein a top-lifted unit is located at another end of the storing chamber; wherein the push button slides horizontal to remove test strips the storing chamber; wherein the top-lifted unit supports the test strips and lifts the test strips in a vertical direction; wherein the vial body further comprising an upper cover and lower vial body, wherein the lower vial body is detachably connected to the upper cover; wherein the push button is glidingly connected with the upper cover, wherein the top-lifted unit is located in the lower vial body; wherein a push button spring provides horizontal tensile force is disposed between the upper cover and the push button.