Test-Strip Storage Vial With Push-Button Ejection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional test-strip storage vials are inconvenient to access and prone to contamination due to the need for frequent opening and closing, which exposes the strips to moisture, leading to inefficiencies and inaccurate results, especially in single-handed operations like blood glucose testing.
Innovation Solution
A test-strip storage vial design featuring a vertically movable button pole connected to a horizontally moving baffle through a flexible part, allowing for automated ejection of test strips without manual handling, reducing exposure to moisture and contamination risks, and enabling single-handed operation.
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 test strips can be stored in a simple and inexpensive container, but the repeated opening and closing of the bottle cap causes inconvenience and reduces testing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transforms the static screw-cap closure into a dynamic push-button ejection system. The button pole can be pressed to activate the ejection mechanism, and the baffle moves horizontally to push test strips out automatically. This dynamic mechanism eliminates the need for repeated opening and closing operations, allowing users to access test strips by simply pressing the button pole.
Solution Approach 2:
The ejection mechanism is designed to be self-operating through elastic potential energy storage. When the button pole is pressed, it compresses the elastic part (spring or wire rope), storing energy. Upon release, the elastic part automatically pushes the baffle to eject the test strip without requiring additional manual intervention, making the system self-service oriented.
2Ease of operation
If the bottle cap is opened frequently to access test strips, then the test strips can be accessed, but the test strips are exposed to moisture in the surrounding environment causing them to fail and become contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the test strip ejection function from the cap-opening action. Instead of opening the cap to access test strips, the button pole activation extracts and ejects the test strip through the flexible part and baffle mechanism while the cap remains closed. This separation of functions eliminates exposure to moisture and contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The baffle acts as an intermediary element between the button pole and the test strips. When the button pole is pressed, the baffle is pushed horizontally through the flexible part to contact and eject the test strips. This intermediary mechanism allows test strip access without opening the cap, preventing contamination from moisture and environmental factors.
3Device complexity
If the test strip storage vial is designed with a simple screw cap, then the device complexity is low, but the single-handed operation required for blood glucose testing becomes very inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a dynamic push-button ejection mechanism that can be operated with a single hand. The button pole, flexible part, and baffle work together to create a mechanical system that responds to simple pressing motion, which is easily performable with one hand during blood glucose testing, unlike the two-handed screw-cap operation.
4Productivity
If the button pole is pressed to eject test strips, then the test strips can be pushed out horizontally through the baffle, but the button pole and baffle need to be recovered to their original positions
Solution Approach 1:
The recovery mechanism is designed to be self-operating through elastic potential energy storage. When the button pole is pressed, it compresses the elastic part (spring or wire rope), storing energy. Upon release, the elastic part automatically pushes the baffle to eject the test strip without requiring additional manual intervention, making the system self-service oriented.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic part (spring or wire rope) serves as a recovery mechanism that automatically returns the baffle and button pole to their original positions after ejection. This recovery function ensures the mechanism is ready for the next operation, maintaining productivity without adding complex manual recovery steps.
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 design enhances the efficiency of test strip access, prevents contamination, and prolongs the effectiveness of the test strips by automating the ejection process, allowing batch refills without frequent opening, thus improving convenience and accuracy in single-handed use.
Implementation Method 1
The baffle is connected to the vial body through an elastic part. The baffle can be recovered to the original position by the elastic part so as to recover the button pole to the original position through the flexible part when the button pole is not affected by the external force.
Implementation Method 2
The elastic part is in detail a spring.
Implementation Method 3
The button pole is connected to the baffle through a flexible part and the baffle is connected to the vial body through an elastic part. The button pole moves vertically under the action of the external force so as to push out the test strips from the vial body horizontally through the horizontal movement of the baffle driven by the flexible part.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a test-strip storage vial, comprising a vial body, a test-strip storing chamber, a button pole, and a baffle; wherein the test strip storing chamber is disposed inside the vial body; wherein the button pole is provided at the side of the vial body and capable of moving vertically; wherein the baffle is provided at one end of the storing chamber and capable of moving horizontally, wherein a top-lifted unit is provided at another end of the storing chamber; wherein the top-lifted is capable of vertically supporting test strips disposed in the storing chamber and enables the test strips to move towards the baffle; wherein the button pole is connected to the baffle through a flexible part; wherein the baffle is connected to the vial body through an elastic part; wherein the test strip is ejected by the horizontal movement of the baffle.