Sample tube assemblies and methods of constructing such sample tube assemblies

• US 20050191216A1
• Filed: 02/01/2005
• Published: 09/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Advanced Biotechnologies Ltd. (Perspecta, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Biotechnologies Ltd. (Perspecta, Inc.)
• Inventors: Day, Paul Francis
• Application Number:
  US11/048,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20050191216A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/400
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5453 for test tubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/13 Tracers or tags

Abstract

A sample tube assembly incorporating a fluid-tight label chamber, said label chamber being fused to or forming part of the body of the sample tube. The invention also includes a sample tube assembly wherein the tube assembly comprises:- (i) a tube portion, the bottom of which is adapted to accept an end cap; and (ii) an end cap adapted to be joined to the bottom of the tube portion; and (iii) a label chamber provided in use by a space between the bottom or outer surface of the bottom of the tube portion and the inner surface of the end cap; and wherein the end cap is fused, welded or otherwise joined to the bottom of the tube portion to provide a fluid tight-seal.

Claims

1-24. -24. (canceled)

25. A method of constructing a sample tube assembly, comprising:

(i) forming a tube portion having a bottom;

(ii) forming an end cap;

(iii) placing a label between the bottom of the tube portion and the end cap, the label having an optically readable code; and

(iv) connecting the end cap with the bottom of the tube portion to form the sample tube assembly and to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the tube portion and the end cap such that the label is encapsulated in a chamber defined between the end cap and the bottom of the tube portion.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein connecting the end cap with the bottom of the tube portion further comprises:

fusing the end cap with the bottom of the tube portion using ultrasonic welding.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the end cap includes a transparent region, and placing the label between the bottom of the tube portion and the end cap further comprises:

orienting the label such that the optically readable code is readable through the transparent region.

30. The method of claim 25 wherein connecting the end cap with the bottom of the tube portion further comprises:

fusing the end cap with the bottom of the tube portion using heat.

31. The method of claim 25 wherein connecting the end cap with the bottom of the tube portion further comprises:

permanently connecting the end cap with the bottom of the tube portion so that the sample tube assembly has an integral construction.

27. A method of constructing a sample tube assembly, comprising the steps of:

(i) encapsulating a label having an optically readable code in a substantially fluid-tight label chamber; and

(ii) attaching the label chamber to a tube portion to form the sample tube assembly.

32. The method of claim 27 wherein attaching the label chamber to the tube portion further comprises:

permanently attaching the label chamber to the tube portion so that the sample tube assembly has an integral construction.

28. A method of constructing a sample tube assembly including a label with an optically readable code, comprising:

(i) forming a tube from an inner tube portion component and an outer tube portion component, said inner and outer tube components being adapted to nest one within another;

(ii) arranging the inner and outer tube portion components in a nested relationship with the label therebetween; and

(iii) joining the inner and outer tube portion components to form a substantially fluid-tight label chamber confining the label between the inner and outer tube components.

33. A device for holding a sample, comprising:

a body having a first wall defining a cavity, an opening in said first wall through which the sample can be inserted into said cavity, and a second wall connected to said first wall to define therewith a substantially fluid-tight chamber; and

a label including an optically readable code, said label being positioned in said chamber.

34. The device of claim 33 wherein said second wall has a permanent connection with said first wall.

35. The device of claim 34 wherein said chamber is sealed fluid-tight by the permanent connection between said first and second walls.

36. The device of claim 33 wherein said second wall includes a region sufficiently transparent for optically reading said optically readable code.

37. The device of claim 33 wherein said second wall includes a base located proximate to said first wall and a sidewall extending peripherally about said base, said sidewall connecting said base with said first wall to define said chamber.

38. The device of claim 37 wherein said sidewall is integrally connected with said second wall to define a unitary construction.

39. The device of claim 37 wherein said base includes a region sufficiently transparent to facilitate reading said optically readable code optically through said transparent region.

40. The device of claim 33 wherein said second wall includes a temporary opening through which said label can be inserted into said chamber before said second wall is connected to said first wall, said temporary opening being surrounded by a rim that has a substantially fluid-tight seal with at least a portion of said first wall after said label is inserted into said chamber.

41. The device of claim 33 wherein said body is made from polypropylene.

42. The device of claim 33 wherein said first wall is a tube portion and said second wall is an end cap connected with said tube portion.

43. The device of claim 42 wherein said tube portion has a bottom and said end cap is connected with said bottom of said tube portion to bound said chamber.

44. The device of claim 33 wherein said second wall defines the boundaries of said chamber.