Multi-Prong Tube Cap Handling Tool for Simultaneous Uncapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for uncapping and recapping multiple biochemical reaction tubes are inefficient, leading to spillage, contamination, and test failures due to manual handling, which is tedious and prone to errors, especially when dealing with full or partially full tubes.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a body and spaced-apart projections that can engage with the caps of multiple tubes, allowing for simultaneous uncapping and recapping, with the option to temporarily hold the caps off a surface to prevent contamination, enabling the operator to use both hands for other tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual uncapping and recapping is performed one cap at a time, then spillage is minimized, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple uncapping operations into a single tool that can remove multiple caps simultaneously. The tool features multiple prying elements arranged to engage with multiple caps at once, allowing the operator to uncaps several tubes in one motion rather than one at a time, thus reducing total time while maintaining spillage prevention through controlled lifting action
Solution Approach 2:
The tool is segmented into multiple independent prying elements, each capable of engaging a separate cap. This segmentation allows the tool to handle multiple caps simultaneously while maintaining individual control over each cap's removal, preventing spillage while improving efficiency
2Productivity
If multiple caps are removed in rapid succession, then productivity is improved, but contents may be released from the tubes
Solution Approach 1:
The tool performs preliminary engagement with multiple caps simultaneously, positioning all prying elements to contact their respective caps before any lifting force is applied. This preliminary positioning ensures that all caps are secured to the tool before removal begins, preventing accidental release of tube contents while maintaining high productivity
3Ease of operation
If caps are placed on a surface for temporary holding, then hands are freed for other tasks, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool serves as an intermediary device between the caps and the work surface. Instead of placing caps directly on the surface, the tool holds the caps in suspended position using its prying elements, acting as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the caps and potentially contaminating surfaces while still allowing hands-free operation
4Ease of operation
If closely packed tubes are recapped manually, then individual control is maintained, but proper recapping of all tubes becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The recapping function merges multiple individual recapping operations into a single tool action. The tool's multiple prying elements are positioned to engage with multiple caps simultaneously, allowing the operator to recap several closely packed tubes in one motion while maintaining individual control over each cap's placement, ensuring all tubes are properly sealed
Data Source
Figure 1A~2A
Figure 2B~3
Figure 4A
AI summary
A tool (100) is provided for use in uncapping a plurality of linearly-oriented, spaced-apart tubes; the tubes capped with a unitary closure device comprising a plurality of spaced-apart, linearly-oriented alternating caps and openings, each cap having a cap upper surface and being connected to at least one adjacent cap by at least two connecting structures, each of the at least two connecting structures having a connecting structure upper surface and a connecting structure lower surface, the at least two connecting structures and two adjacent caps forming a boundary of an opening. The tool comprises a body (30) having first portion (42) for engagement by a user and a second portion comprising a base (52) and a plurality of spaced-apart projections (60) extending therefrom. Each projection is configured for releasably engaging one of the openings in the unitary closure device. Optionally, the first portion is configured in a non- coplanar relationship with respect to the second portion. Methods of use are also provided.