Patent ID: 7867444
Filing Date: 2011-01-11
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. A sample tube holder comprising, a) a housing having a predetermined number of sample tube openings for receiving sample tubes, said housing including a plurality of adjacent section members including a pair of end section members, and at least one middle section member, assembled together in side-by-side arrangement such that each of said section members is movable toward and away from an adjacent section member, b) biasing means provided between the end section members and the at least one middle section member to maintain the end section members and the at least one middle section member in a side-by-side spaced relationship, said biasing means having a normally expanded condition to define a normally expanded condition of the housing, said housing having a compressed condition when opposing forces applied to the end section members overcome and compress the biasing means a predetermined amount and reduce the side-by-side spaced relationship between each of the section members the predetermined amount, and c) connecting means on each of the section members, the connecting means adapted for engagement with each other and for engagement of each of the section members together in a compressible and expandable accordion-like arrangement when the biasing means is (1) urged from the normally expanded condition to the compressed condition or (2) allowed to expand from the compressed condition to the normally expanded condition, respectively, wherein the at least one middle section member and the end section members each have opposite outside wall portions, and the connecting means are provided on the opposite outside wall portions of the at least one middle section member and the end section members, and the connecting means include (1) at least one clasp portion extending from each of the opposite outside wall portions of each of the section members, and (2) at least one corresponding recess in each of the opposite outside wall portions of each of the section members, such that the clasp portions engage the recesses of respective adjacent section members.