Electrophoresis gel container assemblies

• US 5,443,704 A
• Filed: 12/31/1991
• Issued: 08/22/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: FMC Corporation
• Original Assignee: FMC Corporation
• Inventors: Kirkpatrick, Francis H., Watt, William, Daum, Henry A. III, Willis, T. Chad, Johnson, Pegram A., Kaura, Satyin
• Primary Examiner(s): Niebling, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): STARSIAK, JOHN S
• Application Number:
  US07/816,448
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 204/182.8, 204/299 R, 204/180.1, 204/301
• US Class Current: 204/620
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/44704 Details; Accessories

Abstract

This invention provides electrophoresis gel container assemblies comprising at least a container element, a cover element, and means for releasably sealing the cover element to the container element; methods for fabricating and for using the container assemblies; and kits comprising the container assemblies with or without precast electrophoresis gels therein in combination with at least one electrophoresis auxiliary item.

Claims

1. A container assembly for an electrophoresis gel, characterized in that it comprises:

a) a container adapted to receive an electrophoresis gel, comprising

a generally planar bottom,

at least one continuous side wall projecting upward from said bottom to a top;

a flange projecting distally from the top of said side wall;

b) a cover, adapted to contact said flange around its entire periphery;

c) means for releasably sealing said cover to said flange,

d) and wherein more than one gel has been deposited within said container.

2. The container assembly of claim 1 wherein said more than one gel has been preformed.

3. The container assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein the plane of said flange is generally parallel with said bottom.

4. The container assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein said container is rectangular.

5. The container assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein the materials of said container assembly are selected to provide a low water vapor permeability.

6. The container assembly of claim 5 wherein said permeability is such that less that 10% of a volume of water sealed in said container assembly will permeate through said container assembly during storage for one year at temperatures in the range of 4°

C. to 30°

C.

7. The container assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein one or more pairs of recesses are formed in a side wall, adapted to hold one or more electrophoresis combs.

8. The container assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein said bottom comprises a depression of an appropriate size and shape to accomodate an electrophoresis gel.

9. The container assembly of claim 1 or 2 wherein said more than one gel comprises a protective I layer on top of said gal.

10. A kit for electrophoresis, comprising a gel suitable for electrophoresis packaged in a container, said container having a flange and a cover sealed to said flange in a peelably releasable fashion;

wherein said gel is formed outside of said container, and more than one said gel is deposited in said container before said cover is sealed to said container.

11. A method for packaging an electrophoresis gel comprising the steps of:

preforming said gel outside of a container;

depositing more than one said preformed gel in a container having a flange; and

sealing said container with a cover releasably sealed to said flange.