Quick-Attach Vacuum Filtration Container with Snap-Fit Seal

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vacuum filtration devices face challenges in efficiently handling large volumes, ease of use, minimizing spillage, and maintaining sterility, especially in laboratory settings where quick and secure engagement/disengagement of components is crucial.

Innovation Solution

A container and container engaging member system with a quick attach, quick release mechanism that requires only a 90-degree ¼ turn for engagement/disengagement, providing tactile and audible feedback for complete engagement, and a snap fit design to ensure secure sealing and prevent contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional vacuum filtration devices use multi-turn engagement mechanisms, then secure sealing is achieved, but operation time increases and ease of use deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement mechanism is segmented into discrete rotational positions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°) with corresponding engagement states. The container engaging member includes discrete engagement features (teeth, ramps, or cam surfaces) that engage with corresponding features on the container at specific rotational positions, allowing rapid transition between disengaged, partially engaged, and fully engaged states without requiring continuous multi-turn rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement mechanism uses dynamic elements such as spring-loaded latches, cam-actuated locks, or over-center mechanisms that automatically lock into place upon reaching the engaged position. These dynamic features provide automatic engagement confirmation and secure locking with minimal user input, reducing both engagement time and operational complexity while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If conventional devices require multiple turns for engagement, then secure sealing is achieved, but user manipulation complexity increases leading to spillage and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement mechanism incorporates tactile feedback features such as audible clicks, tactile detents, or visual indicators that confirm to the user when the container engaging member has reached the fully engaged position. This feedback eliminates the need for multiple turns by providing clear engagement confirmation after a single rotational movement, reducing manipulation complexity and the risk of spillage or contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The design includes preliminary alignment features such as guide rails, alignment pins, or tapered entry surfaces that automatically position the container and engaging member in the correct orientation before engagement occurs. This preliminary action ensures proper sealing geometry is achieved automatically, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment during the engagement process and reducing user error.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If quick release mechanisms are used, then operation speed increases, but sealing reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing interface utilizes curved or spherical contact surfaces that distribute sealing forces evenly across the mating surfaces. The container engaging member and container feature complementary curved sealing surfaces that maintain consistent contact pressure during both engagement and operation, ensuring reliable sealing even with quick-release mechanisms that minimize engagement time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement and sealing functions are merged into a single integrated action. The container engaging member simultaneously achieves mechanical connection and sealing through a unified engagement motion, eliminating the need for separate engagement and sealing steps. This integration maintains connection security while enabling rapid operation and quick release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 rapid, high-quality filtration of large volumes with reduced risk of spillage and contamination, ensuring easy and reliable operation, even in laminar flow cell culture hoods.

Implementation Method 1

a filtration element such as a membrane

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

Vacuum filtration systems... a vacuum is drawn downstream of the membrane to increase the rate of filtration by creating a pressure differential across the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11104491B2Container and container engaging member suitable for vacuum assisted filtration

Publication Date: 2021.08.31

AI summary

A container and a container engaging member. The container engaging member may include a sample holder or reservoir, a filtration element and collar. In the assembled condition, the sample holder or reservoir is upstream of the filtration element, the container is downstream of the filtration element, and the sample holder or reservoir is attached to the container. The container engagement member is engageable and disengageable from the bottle or container in a quick attach, quick release manner, such as with only a 90 degree, ¼ turn. A tactile and/or audible indication that the engagement is complete is provided.