Penetrable cap

• US 8,685,347 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2011
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kacian, Daniel L., Kennedy, Mark R., Carter, Nick M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wallenhorst, Maureen
• Application Number:
  US13/297,136
• Publication Number:
  US 20130160574A1
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 422/500, 422/501, 422/512, 422/513, 422/527, 422/534, 422/535, 422/547, 422/549, 422/550, 422/558, 422/568, 422/570, 436/174, 436/177, 436/180, 435/6.1, 215247-250, 215/258, 215/232, 738/647.4
• US Class Current: 422/570
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/047 Additional chamber, reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0681 Filter
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/069 Absorbents; Gels to retain a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0887 Laminated structure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50825 Closing or opening means, corks, bungs closures for containers B65D; means for removing stoppers B67B7/02
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/565 Seals in general F16L
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 41/0414 formed by a plug, collar, flange, rib or the like contacting the internal surface of a container neck
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/002 Closures to be pierced by an extracting-device for the contents and fixed on the container by separate retaining means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/1616 by means of a filter
• CPC Class Codes: B65G 2203/044 Optical
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/67784 using air tracks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25375 Liberation or purification of sample or separation of material from a sample [e.g., filtering, centrifuging, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/2575 Volumetric liquid transfer

Abstract

A cap having a core structure dimensioned to receive a pipette therethrough. The cap includes two axially aligned frangible seals that are affixed to the core structure in a spaced-apart relationship. The frangible seals include a foil layer and are constructed so that air passageways are formed between the frangible seals and a pipette tip when the pipette tip penetrates the frangible seals. The cap optionally includes a filter interposed between the first and second frangible seals.

Claims

1. A penetrable cap comprising:

a generally cylindrical core structure configured to be screwed onto an open-ended vessel, the core structure being a molded plastic formed to have an opening extending therethrough; and

first and second frangible seals affixed to the core structure, the second seal being axially aligned with and positioned below the first seal,

wherein the second seal comprises a foil and is constructed and arranged to provide a barrier to the passage of a fluid through the opening formed in the core structure,

wherein the cap is capable of being penetrated by a plastic pipette tip, and

wherein the seals are constructed and arranged so that air passageways are formed when the seals are pierced by a plastic pipette tip, thereby permitting air to be vented through the cap.

2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the core structure comprises an inwardly extending ledge, and wherein the second seal is affixed to a surface of the ledge.

3. The cap of claim 2, wherein the ledge comprises a depending skirt.

4. The cap of claim 3, wherein the second seal is affixed to a bottom surface of the skirt.

5. The cap of claim 2, wherein the first seal is affixed to a top surface of the core structure.

6. The cap of claim 1, wherein each of the seals is welded to the core structure or affixed to the core structure with an adhesive.

7. The cap of claim 1, wherein the foil is an aluminum foil.

8. The cap of claim 1, wherein the second seal further comprises a heat seal layer and a brittle layer.

9. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first seal comprises a plastic film.

10. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first seal comprises a foil.

11. The cap of claim of claim 10, wherein the foil of each of the seals is an aluminum foil.

12. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first seal comprises one or more series of perforations that facilitate penetration of the first seal by a plastic pipette tip.

13. The cap of claim 1, wherein the first seal comprises score lines.

14. The cap of claim 1, further comprising a filter interposed between the seals.

15. The cap of claim 14, wherein the filter is comprised of a resilient material.

16. The cap of claim 14, wherein the filter is gas permeable.

17. The cap of claim 16, wherein the filter is constructed and arranged to trap an aerosol and/or bubbles.

18. The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap does not include a filter interposed between the seals.

19. The cap of claim 1, wherein the seals tear when pierced by a plastic pipette tip.

20. A collection device comprising the cap of claim 1 screwed onto an open end of a fluid-holding vessel, thereby providing a substantially leak-proof seal between the cap and the vessel.

21. A method for removing a fluid substance from the collection device of claim 20, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) piercing the seals with a plastic pipette tip, thereby forming air passageways that aid in venting air from the collection device;

(b) drawing a fluid substance contained in the vessel into the pipette tip; and

(c) removing the pipette tip from the collection device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the core structure comprises an inwardly extending ledge, and wherein the second seal is affixed to a surface of the ledge.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the ledge comprises a depending skirt.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the second seal is affixed to a bottom surface of the skirt.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the first seal is affixed to a top surface of the core structure.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein each of the seals is welded to the core structure or affixed to the core structure with an adhesive.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the foil is an aluminum foil.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the second seal further comprises a heat seal layer and a brittle layer.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the first seal comprises a plastic film.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the first seal comprises a foil.

31. The method of claim of claim 30, wherein the foil of each of the seals is an aluminum foil.

32. The method of claim 21, wherein the first seal comprises one or more series of perforations that facilitate penetration of the first seal by the pipette tip.

33. The method of claim 21, wherein the first seal comprises score lines.

34. The method of claim 21, further comprising a filter interposed between the seals.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the filter is comprised of a resilient material.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the filter is gas permeable.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the filter is constructed and arranged to trap an aerosol and/or bubbles.

38. The method of claim 21, wherein the cap does not include a filter interposed between the seals.

39. The method of claim 21, wherein the seals are torn in step (a).

40. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of amplifying a target nucleic acid sequence present in the fluid substance removed from the collection device in step (c).