Turn-secure rack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard SBS format test tube racks are not equally suitable for automated capping and de-capping, particularly for smooth, brittle, or conically tapered test tubes, as they lack sufficient friction to counteract torsional forces during the process.
Innovation Solution
A turn-secure test tube rack with a top tier and a bottom tier, where the bottom tier is made of high friction material such as natural rubber, EPDM rubber, or silicone, providing an array of rack wells with a well bottom that exceeds the test tube diameter, ensuring sufficient friction to prevent co-rotation during capping and de-capping operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If standard SBS format rack apertures are used with smooth test tubes, then test tubes can be easily inserted and removed, but the test tubes co-rotate with the screw cap during automated capping and de-capping operations
Solution Approach 1:
The rack bottom surface is treated with high friction material specifically at the contact points with test tubes, while the aperture edges remain smooth for easy insertion. This localized application of friction material provides the necessary grip to prevent co-rotation during capping operations while maintaining ease of insertion and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction coefficient of the rack bottom surface is changed by applying high friction material (such as rubber or textured coating) to increase the friction force between the rack and test tube. This parameter change ensures that the static friction force exceeds the torsional force during automated capping, preventing test tube rotation.
2Reliability
If high friction material is applied to the rack bottom surface, then test tubes are prevented from co-rotating during automated capping, but the friction force must be carefully controlled to allow easy insertion and removal
Solution Approach 1:
High friction material is applied specifically to the bottom surface of the rack where contact with test tubes occurs, while aperture edges and other insertion paths remain smooth. This localized treatment provides sufficient friction to prevent co-rotation during capping operations while maintaining ease of insertion and removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The friction force is applied partially only during the capping operation when the rack exerts downward pressure on the test tubes. During insertion and removal, the friction force is minimized by smooth aperture edges, allowing easy operation. The friction material provides excessive friction only when needed during automated capping.
3Productivity
If multiple test tubes require simultaneous processing, then productivity increases, but manual or single-unit capping devices are too slow and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The rack design with standardized SBS format apertures and uniform high friction bottom surface allows a single automated capping device to process multiple different test tube types simultaneously. The universal compatibility enables one device to handle various tube sizes and configurations without manual intervention, dramatically increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The high friction rack bottom surface automatically prevents test tube co-rotation during automated capping operations, eliminating the need for additional manual stabilization or complex positioning mechanisms. The rack itself provides the necessary friction control, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple tubes without time loss for individual adjustment.
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 high friction material ensures that test tubes remain stationary during automated capping and de-capping, preventing co-rotation and enabling efficient processing of various test tube types, including flat bottomed glass vials, in both individual and simultaneous operations.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one capping and de-capping gripper has a throughgoing passage extending through the at least one capping and de-capping gripper and the capping and de-capping socket unit attached thereto, an ejector pin moveably arranged within the through going passage; and wherein the ejector pin is configured to perform a translational movement relative to the at least one capping and de-capping gripper and capping and de-capping socket unit attached to the gripper thereby effecting a release of a cap retained within the capping and de-capping socket unit
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a SBS-standard test tube rack which is suitable for use in automated capping and de-capping of flat bottomed test tubes, in particular of flat bottomed glass vials, both for individual test tube capping and de-capping as well as simultaneous capping and de-capping of all test tubes in the aforementioned SBS- standard test tube rack.