Cover for vessels or systems for reducing the evaporation and/or the introduction of gases

• US 20040052688A1
• Filed: 09/22/2003
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Town, Michael-Harold, Adema, Enno
• Application Number:
  US10/343,631
• Publication Number:
  US 20040052688A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/99
• CPC Class Codes: A61J 1/14 Details; Accessories therefor A61J7/00 takes precedence; openers B65D, B67B7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/08 Flasks
• 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: B65D 51/1611 by means of an orifice, capillary or labyrinth passage B65D51/1616, B65D51/1622 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/24 combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/244 provided with oxygen absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2

Abstract

Cover for vessels to reduce the evaporation of a liquid from a vessel and/or the introduction of gases, especially carbon dioxide, into a liquid in a vessel, wherein the cover has at least one opening through which a pipette or the like can be inserted into the inside of the vessel and the cover also contains an active material or a material that can be activated, that releases moisture and/or absorbs gas or which is suitable for taking up a liquid that can release moisture or absorb gas. System for storing liquids comprising a vessel and a cover that is attached to the vessel. System comprising a vessel storage space on the opening of which a cover of the afore-mentioned type is mounted.

Claims

1. A cover (20, 20′

) for a vessel (10) for reducing the evaporation of a liquid from the vessel and/or the introduction of gases, especially of carbon dioxide, into a liquid (11) in the vessel, wherein the cover has at least one through opening (24) through which a pipette or another device can be inserted into the interior of the vessel from the outer space and the cover contains a material (23) which has taken up a liquid such that it releases moisture and/or absorbs gas.

2. The cover of claim 1, further comprising an attachment means (21, 21′

) for attaching the cover (20, 20′

) to the vessel (10) or to a rack (30).

3. The cover of claim 2, in which the attachment means is a thread for screwing it onto the thread of a vessel.

4. The cover of claim 1, wherein the material is an absorbent substance which is impregnated with an aqueous liquid.

5. The cover of claim 4, wherein the aqueous liquid is alkaline in order to absorb carbon dioxide as well as to release moisture.

6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the material is surrounded by a housing (22) in such a manner that an escape of moisture into the outer space or an uptake of gases from the outer space is essentially restricted to the area of the opening.

7. The cover of claim 1, wherein the ends of the at least one opening (24, 24′

, 24″

) are closed prior to using the cover.

8. The cover of claim 7, wherein the opening is closed by a pierceable material.

9. The cover of claim 1, wherein a tube is connected to the opening which protrudes into the vessel when the cover is attached to the vessel for its intended use.

10. A system for storing liquids comprising a vessel (10, 10′

, 10″

) and a cover attached to the vessel (20, 20′

) for reducing the evaporation and/or the introduction of gases, especially carbon dioxide, into a liquid in the vessel, the cover having at least one opening (24, 24′

, 24″

) through which a pipette or the like can be inserted into the vessel interior, wherein the cover contains a material (23) which has taken up a liquid such that it releases moisture and/or absorbs gas.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the vessel contains a reagent liquid.

12. The system of claim 10, which has a rack (30) for holding two or more vessels and wherein the at least one cover (20′

) has openings (24, 24′

, 24″

) which correspond to the vessel openings.

13. A system with a cover for reducing the evaporation of liquids from vessels and/or the introduction of gases, especially carbon dioxide, comprising a storage space (110) for holding at least one vessel (130) and a cover (120) with at least one opening (121), the cover containing a material (123) which has taken up a liquid such that it releases moisture and/or absorbs gas, wherein the cover is arranged on the storage space in such a manner that gas flows through the opening when gas is exchanged between the storage space and the outer space and the cover releases moisture and/or removes gases and is also arranged such that a pipette (140) or another device can be inserted through the at least one opening into the at least one vessel.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the material is impregnated with a liquid which releases moisture and/or absorbs carbon dioxide.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the material is surrounded by an insulating material in such a manner that the escape of moisture into the outer space or the uptake of gases from the outer space is essentially limited to the area of the opening.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein the storage space has a transport device (112) which can be used to position the vessels in the storage space in such a manner that a pipette or another device can be inserted through the at least one opening into a vessel positioned for this purpose.

17. The system of claim 13, which has at least one closure device which can close the opening in such a manner that no gas exchange takes place between the device and the outer space.