Easy strip access primary container and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof

• US 8,158,078 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2011
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Chan, Frank A., Wiegel, Chris
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakelaris, Sally
• Application Number:
  US13/278,896
• Publication Number:
  US 20120037521A1
• Time in Patent Office: 179 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 422/401
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/48778 Containers specially adapted therefor, e.g. for dry storage
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a test strip container which provides easy access to test strips. The test strip container includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a nested configuration. The nested configuration of the test strip container provides easy access to test strips by arranging the test strips so that they extend radially outward from the retaining member. The radial arrangement of the test strips operates to separate the test strips so that test strip users may easily select a single test strip from a plurality of test strips. Alternatively, the test strip container includes a lower housing, an upper housing, and a retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a longitudinal configuration.

Claims

1. A test strip container for providing ease of access to test strips comprising:

a lower housing having an outer and an inner surface which define a cavity for containing the test strips, the lower housing comprising an aperture defined by the lower housing through which the plurality of test strips may extend;

an upper housing having surfaces which abut with the surfaces of the lower housing for enclosing the cavity;

a retaining member connected to the lower housing within the cavity and configured to releasably retain the test strips in a nested configuration wherein such of the test strips extends radially outward from the retaining member, said retaining member comprising a radial paddle structure having a plurality of members which extend radially outward from the center axle, wherein the spaces between the plurality of members form a plurality of compartments such that the test strips may be placed within the plurality of compartments; and

a center axle which is substantially normal to the lower housing and which extends through the retaining member in the lower housing, wherein rotation of the center axle may result in rotation of the retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a nested configuration, such that the test strips may be rotated and accessed through the aperture, wherein the test strip container has an open configuration and a closed configuration, in which;

the open configuration comprises the upper housing being separated from the lower housing wherein such of the test strips in the nested configuration are accessible in the cavity of the lower housing, and

the closed configuration comprises the surfaces of the upper housing and the lower housing abutting to conceal the test strips within the test strip container.

2. The test strip container of claim 1, wherein the lower housing is substantially circular and the upper housing is substantially semi-circular such that it coordinates with the lower housing to form a substantially circular test strip container.

3. The test strip container of claim 2, wherein access through the aperture defined by the lower housing to the test strips may be improved by angling the aperture defined by the lower housing such that the test strips may extend through a larger area.

4. The test strip container of claim 3, wherein the rotation of the center axle is restricted to one direction by the addition of a unidirectional advancement mechanism.

5. The test strip container of claim 3, wherein the plurality of compartments may be sealed by adding a sealing material to the inner surface of the lower housing which the plurality of members contact.

6. The test strip container of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of compartments may be sealed by over molding TPE.

7. The test strip container of claim 3, wherein the test strips may be retained within the radial paddle structure by the addition of a leaf spring to each of the plurality of compartments.

8. A method of providing easy access to test strips which comprises utilizing the test strip container of claim 1.

9. A test strip container for providing ease of access to test strips comprising:

a lower housing having an outer and an inner surface which define a cavity for containing the test strips, the lower housing comprising an aperture defined by the lower housing through which the plurality of test strips may extend;

an upper housing having surfaces which abut with the surfaces of the lower housing for enclosing the cavity;

a retaining member connected to the lower housing within the cavity and configured to releasably retain the test strips in a nested configuration wherein such of the test strips extends radially outward from the retaining member, said retaining member comprising a test strip carrier structure comprising a disc and a center axle; and

a center axle which is substantially normal to the lower housing and which extends through the retaining member in the lower housing, wherein rotation of the center axle may result in rotation of the retaining member configured to releasably retain the test strips in a nested configuration, such that the test strips may be rotated and accessed through the aperture, wherein the test strip container has an open configuration and a closed configuration, in which;

the open configuration comprises the upper housing being separated from the lower housing wherein such of the test strips in the nested configuration are accessible in the cavity of the lower housing, and

the closed configuration comprises the surfaces of the upper housing and the lower housing abutting to conceal the test strips within the test strip container.

10. The test strip container of claim 9, wherein the disc is substantially planar and has a diameter smaller than the length of the test strips, and is arranged within the cavity of the lower housing such that the disc is substantially parallel to the inner surface of the lower housing wherein the test strips may be adhered.

11. The test strip container of claim 9, wherein a multiplicity of test strip carrier structures may be stacked within the cavity in the lower housing.

12. The test strip container of claim 9, wherein the test strips are adhered to the disc with a light adhesive.

13. The test strip container of claim 9, wherein the test strips are adhered to the disc with a clip.

14. A method of providing easy access to test strips which comprises utilizing the test strip container of claim 9.