Plastic body configured for engagement with an automated receptacle transport mechanism

• US 10,159,981 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2016
• Issued: 12/25/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Knight, Byron J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hyun, Paul S
• Application Number:
  US14/992,663
• Publication Number:
  US 20160114318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,079 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/02 Adapting objects or devices to another
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0668 Trapping microscopic beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/142 Preventing evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/047 Additional chamber, reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/048 enabling gas exchange, e.g. vents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0609 Holders integrated in container to position an object
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0851 Bottom walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0858 Side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/12 Specific details about materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 : capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 : with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 : Test tubes per se
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50825 : Closing or opening means, corks, bungs closures for containers B65D; means for removing stoppers B67B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5085 : for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 : with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50855 : using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/523 : with means for closing or opening
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/527 : for a plurality of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 69/00 : Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/0207 : characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/34 : Trays or like shallow containers B65D81/3813 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/36 : with moulded compartments or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 17/50 : Non-integral frangible members applied to, or inserted in, preformed openings, e.g. tearable strips or plastic plugs B65D53/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2539/003 : provided with sealing flanges or ribs
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/0017 : Injection-molded plastic closures for "Champagne"- or "Sekt"-type bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/0029 : Plastic closures other than those covered by groups B65D39/0011 - B65D39/0023
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/686 : Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00287 : movable lid/cover for sample or reaction tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6091 : Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 : comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/026 : having blocks or racks of reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 : Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 : Reagent dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 : with means for piercing stoppers or septums
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis

Abstract

A plastic body including a generally cylindrical upper portion having an open end configured for engagement with an automated pipettor. The plastic body further includes a plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the open end of the upper portion and a plurality of concave recesses disposed on an outer surface of the upper portion. Each of the recesses is disposed directly opposite an associated one of the ribs, and each of the recesses extends along at least part of the length of the associated rib.

Claims

1. A plastic body comprising:

a generally cylindrical upper portion having an open end configured for engagement with an automated pipettor;

a plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the open end of the upper portion; and

a plurality of concave recesses disposed on an outer surface of the upper portion, each of the recesses being disposed directly opposite an associated one of the ribs, and each of the recesses extending along at least part of the length of the associated one of the ribs,

wherein the recesses are configured to flex or expand radially outwardly relative to an axial center of the upper portion when a force is applied to the ribs.

2. The plastic body of claim 1, wherein the ribs are spaced equidistantly apart.

3. The plastic body of claim 1, wherein at least one of the ribs comprises an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof.

4. The plastic body of claim 3, wherein the enlarged portion comprises a detent for engaging the automated pipettor in an interference fit.

5. The plastic body of claim 1, wherein each of the ribs comprises an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof.

6. The plastic body of claim 5, wherein the enlarged portion comprises a detent for engaging the automated pipettor in an interference fit.

7. The plastic body of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of each of the ribs is beveled.

8. The plastic body of claim 1, wherein each of the recesses extends along the entire length of the associated one of the ribs.

9. The plastic body of claim 1, wherein the open end of the upper portion is configured for frictional engagement with the automated pipettor.

10. The plastic body of claim 1, further comprising a tapered lower portion.

11. The plastic body of claim 10, wherein the tapered lower portion is closed-ended.

12. The plastic body of claim 1, wherein the plastic body is a unitary structure.

13. The plastic body of claim 1, wherein at least one of the ribs comprises a detent configured for engaging the automated pipettor in an interference fit.

14. The plastic body of claim 13, wherein each of the ribs comprises a detent configured for engaging the automated pipettor.

15. The plastic body of claim 13, wherein a proximal end of each of the ribs is beveled.

16. The plastic body of claim 13, wherein each of the recesses extends along the entire length of the associated one of the ribs.

17. The plastic body of claim 13, further comprising a tapered lower portion.

18. The plastic body of claim 17, wherein the tapered lower portion is closed-ended.

19. The plastic body of claim 13, wherein the plastic body is a unitary structure.