Patent ID: 6517782
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A receptacle apparatus for use in performing chemical or biological assays comprising:(a) a plurality of receptacles for containing one or more substances, said receptacles being operatively coupled to each other and capable of interacting with a substance transfer device constructed and arranged to dispense substances into or withdraw substances from said receptacles; (b) one or more contact-limiting elements, each said contact-limiting element being associated with one or more of said receptacles, wherein said contact-limiting elements are constructed and arranged to be operatively engaged by the substance transfer device to limit contact between the substance transfer device; and substances dispensed into or withdrawn from one or more of said receptacles by the substance transfer device; and (c) one or more contact-limiting element holding structures, each said contact-limiting element holding structure being associated with one of said receptacles and attached to an outer surface thereof, wherein each said contact-limiting element holding structure is associated with one of said contact-limiting elements, and wherein each said contact-limiting element holding structure is constructed and arranged to: (i) receive and removably hold said associated contact-limiting element in an operative orientation in proximity to said one or more associated receptacles, to permit said contact-limiting element to be operatively engaged by the substance transfer device, and (ii) allow said associated contact-limiting element to be removed from said associated contact-limiting element holding structure when said associated contact-limiting element is operatively engaged by the substance transfer device; and (d) a receptacle apparatus manipulating structure coupled to said receptacles, said receptacle apparatus manipulating structure being constructed and arranged to be engaged by a receptacle apparatus manipulating device to manipulate said receptacle apparatus.