INTERLOCKING CAP AND RECEPTACLE WITH DETENT FEATURE AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING INTERLOCKED CAP AND RECEPTACLE

• US 20140260118A1
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Gen-Probe Incorporated (Hologic Incorporated)
• Inventors: KNIGHT, Byron J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,248,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 53/492
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/02 Adapting objects or devices to another
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/026 Fluid interfacing between devices or objects, e.g. connectors, inlet details
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0668 Trapping microscopic beads
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/0689 Sealing
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/141 Preventing contamination, tampering
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/142 Preventing evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/16 Reagents, handling or storing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/042 Caps; Plugs
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/044 pierceable, e.g. films, membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/046 Function or devices integrated in the closure
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/047 Additional chamber, reservoir
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/048 enabling gas exchange, e.g. vents
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0609 Holders integrated in container to position an object
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0829 Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0832 cylindrical, tube shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0838 Capillaries
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0851 Bottom walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/0858 Side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/12 Specific details about materials
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2400/0406 : capillary forces
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/502 : with fluid transport, e.g. in multi-compartment structures centrifugal-type cuvettes G01N21/07; analysis by separation into components G01N30/00; automatic analysers G01N35/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/5082 : Test tubes per se
• 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 3/5085 : for multiple samples, e.g. microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50853 : with covers or lids
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/50855 : using modular assemblies of strips or of individual wells
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/523 : with means for closing or opening
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 3/527 : for a plurality of reagents
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 69/00 : Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/0207 : characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/34 : Trays or like shallow containers B65D81/3813 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 1/36 : with moulded compartments or partitions
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 17/50 : Non-integral frangible members applied to, or inserted in, preformed openings, e.g. tearable strips or plastic plugs B65D53/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2539/003 : provided with sealing flanges or ribs
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/0017 : Injection-molded plastic closures for "Champagne"- or "Sekt"-type bottles
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 39/0029 : Plastic closures other than those covered by groups B65D39/0011 - B65D39/0023
• CPC Class Codes: C12Q 1/686 : Polymerase chain reaction [PCR]
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00287 : movable lid/cover for sample or reaction tubes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 30/6091 : Cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/0099 : comprising robots or similar manipulators robots per se B25J
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/026 : having blocks or racks of reaction cells or cuvettes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/10 : Devices for transferring samples or any liquids to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices G01N35/0099 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1002 : Reagent dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1079 : with means for piercing stoppers or septums
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/11 : Automated chemical analysis

Abstract

System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.

Claims

1. A cap securable to a receptacle and comprising:

a lower portion configured to be inserted into a receptacle opening;

an upper portion having an opening formed therein, the opening being configured to receive a portion of an automated transfer mechanism;

a plurality of locking arms extending toward the lower portion of the cap and configured for securely engaging a portion of a receptacle to secure the cap to the receptacle when the lower portion is inserted into the receptacle opening; and

a plurality of longitudinally-extending linear ribs disposed on an inner surface of the opening; and

a detent formed in at least one of the linear ribs and configured for engaging a portion of the automated receptacle transfer mechanism.

2. The cap of claim 1, wherein said detent comprises a concave recess formed in a portion of the linear rib.

3. The cap of claim 1, wherein said detent comprises an opening formed through a wall of the upper portion of the cap through a portion of the linear rib.

4. The cap of claim 3, wherein each rib has associated therewith an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, and wherein the opening is formed through the enlarged portion of the linear rib.

5. The cap of claim 3, comprising two openings formed at diametrically opposed locations.

6. The cap of claim 1, wherein each rib has associated therewith at least one of:

an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, wherein the detent comprises a concave recess formed in the enlarged portion, and

a recess disposed on an outer surface of the upper portion, wherein the recess corresponds in length with the rib and is disposed on the outer surface opposite the rib.

7. The cap of claim 1, wherein the lower portion has an outer surface defining one or more annular ribs configured to provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface and an inner surface of a receptacle opening.

8. The cap of claim 1, wherein a proximal end of each rib is beveled.

9. The cap of claim 1, wherein each rib includes an enlarged portion having a greater radius than the remainder of the rib.

10. The cap of claim 1, wherein the opening formed in the upper portion defines an upper, generally cylindrical portion and a lower, inwardly tapered portion.

11. The cap of claim 1 wherein each rib comprises an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, and wherein the enlarged portion of each rib traverses a transition between the cylindrical portion of the opening and the inwardly tapered portion of the opening.

12. The cap of claim 1, wherein each rib has associated therewith a recess disposed on an outer surface of the upper portion, wherein the recess corresponds in length with the rib and is disposed on the outer surface opposite the rib, and wherein the ribs and associated recesses are configured to flex radially outwardly to accommodate the shape of a receptacle transport mechanism inserted into the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap.

13. The cap of claim 1, wherein each of the linear ribs includes an inwardly tapered portion proximate the distal end thereof.

14. The cap of claim 1, further comprising the, an opening formed in the lower portion and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion from the opening formed in the lower portion.

15. The cap of claim 14, wherein the bottom wall includes score lines formed therein and configured to facilitate piercing the bottom wall by an object inserted into the opening formed in the upper portion.

16. The cap of claim 1, wherein the locking arms comprise a snap fit attachment configured for securely engaging a lip surrounding an opening of a receptacle.

17. The cap of claim 1, wherein each of the locking arms extends axially from an annular flange extending radially with respect to a centerline of the cap and defining a gap between an outer surface of the lower portion and an inner surface of each locking arm, wherein the gap receives a lip surrounding a receptacle opening when the lower portion is inserted into the receptacle opening and the locking arms securely engage the lip surrounding the receptacle opening.

18. The cap of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the cap is comprised of an opaque material.

19. The cap of claim 18, wherein the opaque material comprises a material having low to no autofluorescence or light transmissity.

20. The cap of claim 1, wherein the cap is an injection molded, unitary plastic structure.

21. A combination of a receptacle and the cap of claim 1 carried within wells of a tray, wherein the receptacle is configured to be engaged by the cap and comprises:

a generally cylindrical portion with an opening formed therein and configured to receive the lower portion of the cap so as to provide a sealing engagement between an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface of the opening formed in the cylindrical portion and of the receptacle;

a radially-projecting lip circumscribing the opening, the lip being configured for inter-locking engagement with the locking arms of the cap.

22. The combination of claim 21, wherein the receptacle further comprises a conical portion depending from the cylindrical portion, wherein the opening continues into the conical portion.

23. The combination of claim 22, wherein the receptacle further comprises a radially-extending annular ring.

24. The combination of claim 21, wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves formed in an inner surface of the opening.

25. The combination of claim 21, wherein the cap and the receptacle each comprise a injection molded, unitary plastic structure.

26. An apparatus for separating a cap from a receptacle with which the cap is interlockingly engaged, the receptacle including an opening with a laterally-projecting lip at least partially surrounding the opening and a laterally-extending flange disposed at a spaced-apart position with respect to the lip, and the cap including one or more locking arms interlockingly engaged with the lip of the receptacle to secure the cap to the receptacle, said apparatus comprising:

a top wall;

a cap removal station comprising;

an opening formed through said top wall;

a raised collar surrounding said opening and projecting with respect to said top wall from a base of the collar to a tip of the collar, wherein said raised collar has an outer surface that is angled way from said opening from the tip of said raised collar to the base of said raised collar; and

two or more resilient tabs at least partially surrounding said opening and projecting with respect to a side of said top wall opposite said raised collar, wherein said resilient tabs are angled inwardly so that a distance between distal ends of the resilient tabs is less than the width of said opening.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus comprises a tray and further includes a base extending about a perimeter of said top wall in supporting cooperation with said top wall.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, comprising four resilient tabs disposed at equiangularly-spaced positions around said opening.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said opening is circular in shape.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said opening is circular in shape and said raised collar is circular in shape and circumscribes the opening.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said raised collar circumscribes the opening.

32. The apparatus of claim 26, comprising a plurality of cap removal stations.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the cap removal stations are arranged in aligned rows and columns.

34. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the apparatus comprises an integrally molded plastic piece.

35. A method for separating a cap from a receptacle with which the cap is interlockingly engaged, the receptacle including an opening with a laterally-projecting lip at least partially surrounding the opening and a laterally-extending flange disposed at a spaced-apart position with respect to the lip, and the cap including one or more locking arms interlockingly engaged with the lip of the receptacle to secure the cap to the receptacle, said method comprising:

(a) moving the interlocked cap and receptacle in a first direction and moving the receptacle into an opening of a cap removal station so that the laterally-extending flange of the receptacle contacts two or more resilient tabs at least partially surrounding the opening and angled inwardly so that a distance between distal ends of the resilient tabs is less than the width of the opening;

(b) continuing to move the receptacle through the opening, thereby causing the laterally-extending flange of the receptacle to deflect the resilient tabs outwardly;

(c) during step (b), contacting the locking arms of the cap with a tip of a raised collar surrounding the opening, wherein the raised collar has an outer surface that is angled way from opening from the tip of the raised collar to a base of the collar, and continuing to move the locking arms along the angled outer surface of the raised collar, thereby pushing the locking arms outwardly and out of locking engagement with the lip of the receptacle;

(d) continuing step (c) until the locking arms are pushed out of engagement with the lip by the angled outer surface of the raised collar and the lip contacts the tip of the raised collar, wherein lip of the receptacle is spaced apart from the laterally-extending flange of the receptacle by a distance generally corresponding to the distance between the tip of the raised collar and distal ends of the resilient tabs, so that when the lip of the receptacle contacts the tip of the raised collar, the laterally-extending flange clears the distal ends of the resilient tabs, the resilient tabs move back toward undeflected positions thereof, and the receptacle is then secured within the cap removal station with the resilient tabs and the raised collar of the cap removal station disposed between the lip and the laterally extending flange of the receptacle; and

(e) with the locking arms no longer engaged with the lip of the receptacle and the receptacle secured within the cap removal station, moving the cap in a second direction opposite the first direction to separate the cap from the receptacle.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the cap removal station comprises four resilient tabs disposed at equiangularly spaced positions around the opening.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the opening is circular in shape.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the opening is circular in shape and the raised collar is circular in shape and circumscribes the opening.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the raised collar circumscribes the opening.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the cap is moved in the first and second directions by an automated receptacle transport mechanism engaged with the cap.