Work mat for supporting laboratory vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laboratory work mats fail to securely and efficiently support vessels containing fluid, often leading to instability and contamination during procedures like agitation or transportation, as they rely on clamps or mechanical devices that can cause vessel displacement and contamination risks.
Innovation Solution
A flexible work mat with a planar panel featuring a base and a vessel support portion, where the base adheres firmly to a surface and the vessel support portion is removable without detaching the base, utilizing a resiliently deformable polymer like polyurethane elastomer with tacky surfaces to enhance adhesion and prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If clamps or mechanical devices are used to secure vessels, then vessels can be held in a fixed position, but vessel displacement and contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical clamps and devices with an adhesive-based work mat system. The mat uses adhesive forces to secure vessels to the platform, eliminating the need for mechanical clamps that can cause displacement and contamination. The adhesive surface provides secure holding without mechanical contact points that could destabilize vessels.
Solution Approach 2:
The work mat utilizes changes in adhesive properties (tackiness, adhesion strength) to control vessel securing. By adjusting the adhesive parameters of the mat surface, vessels can be firmly held during procedures while allowing for controlled removal when needed, providing stability without the rigid constraints of mechanical clamps.
2Reliability
If a uniform adhesive surface is used across the entire mat, then the mat adheres firmly to the surface, but vessel removal becomes difficult without detaching the base
Solution Approach 1:
The work mat features zones with different adhesive properties: a base portion with strong adhesion for firm attachment to the platform, and a vessel support portion with reduced adhesion for easy vessel removal. This local differentiation of adhesive quality allows the mat to remain securely attached while enabling straightforward vessel detachment without moving the entire mat.
Solution Approach 2:
The mat is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a base area for secure platform attachment and a vessel support area for controlled vessel adhesion. This segmentation allows independent optimization of adhesive strength in each zone, ensuring stable mat positioning while facilitating easy vessel removal from the support portion.
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 mat provides secure and efficient support for laboratory vessels, reducing the risk of contamination and vessel displacement, allowing for easy attachment and detachment without destabilizing adjacent vessels, thus enhancing laboratory and manufacturing processes.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the base and the vessel support portion are configured to allow releasably adhering the panel to another object. The base is configured to adhere to another object more firmly than the vessel support portion
Implementation Method 2
The panel may be formed from a resiliently deformable polymer. The panel may be formed from a polyurethane elastomer. Each of the base and the vessel support portion may be configured to be tacky.
Data Source
AI summary
Work mat 10 for supporting laboratory vessels 12. The work mat 10 includes a flexible planar panel 14 having opposed sides 16, 18, where one side 16 defines a base 20, and the other side 18 defines a vessel support portion 22. Each of the base 20 and the vessel support portion 22 are configured to allow releasably adhering the panel 14 to another object. The base 20 is configured to adhere to another object more firmly than the vessel support portion 22. In use, the base 20 is adherable to a surface 24 (FIG. 7) and the vessel support portion 22 is adherable and removable from a laboratory vessel 12 without detaching the base 20 from the surface 24