Storage container for analytical devices

• US 6,497,845 B1
• Filed: 04/23/1999
• Issued: 12/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics GmbH (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Sacherer, Klaus-Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Warden, Jill
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bex, Kathryn
• Application Number:
  US09/298,689
• Time in Patent Office: 1,341 Days
• Field of Search: 422/58, 422/61, 422/93, 422/102, 422/82.05, 422/104, 436/43, 436/46, 436/48, 436/164, 221/79, 221/88, 221/25, 221/87, 206/569
• US Class Current: 422/561
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48778 Containers specially adapted therefor, e.g. for dry storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A storage container for holding analytical devices, the storage container being made of a rigid material and containing separate chambers in each of which at most one analytical device can be accommodated, wherein the chambers are in a regular geometric arrangement in relation to one another and each of the chambers has at least two opposite openings each sealed by a foil, wherein at least one of the chambers comprises a means for fixing the position of an analytical device in the chamber. In addition the invention concerns a system for storing analytical devices containing a storage container according to the invention and two or more analytical devices.

Claims

1. A storage container for holding analytical devices, the storage container comprising:

a body having an upper side and an under side, the body being formed to include at least one chamber extending between the upper side and the under side, the chamber being defined by a chamber wall extending between a first removal opening at the upper side and a second opening at the under side, the chamber wall narrowing in the region of the chamber which is opposite to the removal opening partially constricting the chamber and including elevations extending into the chamber for engagement with the analytical device,

a first foil extending across the upper side, the first foil being formed to seal the first removal opening, and

a second foil extending across the under side, the second foil being formed to seal the second opening.

2. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the body is further formed to include at least one desiccant chamber spaced-apart from the at least one chamber.

3. The storage container of claim 1 wherein each of the chambers contains a guide groove extending from the opening at the underside.

4. A storage container for holding analytical devices, the storage container comprising:

a body having an upper side and an under side, the body being formed to include at least one upper elevation extending from the upper side and at least one chamber extending between the upper side and the under side, the chamber being defined by a chamber wall extending between a first opening at the upper side and a second opening at the under side, the chamber wall narrowing in the region of the chamber which is opposite to the first opening partially constricting the chamber and including elevations extending into the chamber for engagement with the analytical device,

a first foil extending across the upper side, the first foil being formed to seal the first opening, and

a second foil extending across the under side, the second foil being formed to seal the second opening.

5. The storage container of claim 4 wherein the chambers are arranged radially around the elevation.

6. The storage container of claim 4 wherein the upper side is conically beveled.

7. The storage container of claim 4 wherein at least one lower elevation extends from the under side.