Method of manufacture for a multiwell plate and/or filter plate

• US 6,391,241 B1
• Filed: 06/06/1997
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Corning Incorporated
• Inventors: Cote, Richard Alexander, Michaelsen, Alfred L., Mathus, Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Silbaugh, Jan H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Edmund H.
• Application Number:
  US08/870,313
• Time in Patent Office: 1,810 Days
• Field of Search: 264/153, 264/255, 264/DIG.48, 264/250, 264/274, 264/275
• US Class Current: 264/153
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5025 for parallel transport of multiple samples
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50255 Multi-well filtration
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 264/48 Processes of making filters

Abstract

The invention provides for a method for the manufacture of multiwell plates and multiwell filter plates. The plates are the result of a two part construction in which individual filter discs are securely pinned between opposing plates, one of which is insert molded against the other.

Claims

1. A method of making a filter plate comprising the steps of:

a) molding an insert having a matrix of interconnected counterbores, each counterbore having a bottom wall, an outer rim of predetermined diameter extending upwardly from said bottom wall, and an opening therethrough;

b) positioning a filter disc in each of said counterbores such that said filter disc rests upon the top surface of said bottom wall;

c) molding a well plate against said insert, said well plate having a top and bottom wall having a matrix of wells of predetermined diameter extending through said plate, each said well having open ends at each of said top and bottom wall, each said well having lower a wall, and whereby said matrix of counterbores corresponds with said matrix of wells such that each said lower wall aligns with a corresponding counterbore, whereby an outer diameter of each said lower wall is less than an inner diameter of said outer rim of each said corresponding counterbore, whereby said lower wall fits inside the rim of said corresponding counterbore thereby forming a lap joint between each said counterbore and said lower wall, and whereby said lower wall compresses said filter disc against said bottom wall of said counterbore thereby securing said filter disc in place.

2. A method of making a multiwell plate comprising the steps of:

a) providing a molded insert plate of interconnected rings, each ring having a predetermined diameter, a substantially flat portion, and an annular rim extending upwardly from said flat portion;

b) placing on said insert plate, a die having a matrix of bores, each bore having a diameter of said ring and arranged such that each bore positionally aligns with a corresponding ring from said plate of rings;

c) covering said die with a sheet of material;

d) positioning above said material, a matrix of punch units, each unit positionally aligned with a corresponding bore from said die, each unit comprising a plunger slidably mounted within a cylindrical punch, each punch having a radial cutting bottom edge extending beyond said plunger, each said unit having an outer diameter substantially identical to said diameter of said corresponding bore such that each unit is capable of fitting securely into said corresponding bore;

e) depressing said matrix of punch units through said material thereby cutting a disc from said material at each said cutting edge and such that a bottom surface of said plunger contacts said disc, said matrix of punch units extending into each said bore such that each said punch unit is at least partially contained within said corresponding bore;

f) extending each said plunger and attached disc into contact with each flat portion of said ring of said insert while each said punch remains contained within said bore;

g) depositing each said disc on said flat portion of each respective ring;

h) removing each said punch unit from each said bore; and

molding a well plate having matrix of open ended wells corresponding in size and location to said rings, against said insert such that each well fits securely within the annular rim of each corresponding ring whereby an outer diameter of each said well is less than an inner diameter of said annular rim of said corresponding ring, thereby forming a lap joint between each said well and each said rim.

3. A method of making a multiwell plate comprising the steps of:

a) molding an insert having interconnected matrix of rings, each ring having a substantially flat support surface and an outer rim of predetermined diameter;

b) punching individual discs from a sheet and pushing said discs into contact with said support surface of a corresponding ring such that said disc substantially covers the entire opening of said ring; and

c) molding a well plate against said insert, said well plate having a top and bottom wall having a matrix of wells of predetermined diameter extending through said plate, each well having open ends at each of said top and bottom wall, said matrix of rings corresponding with said matrix of wells such that each said well aligns with a corresponding ring whereby said well fits inside the rim of said ring thereby forming a lap joint between each said ring and said well, and whereby said well compresses said disk against said support surface of said ring thereby securing said disc in place.