Abstract:
A container for coverslips is disclosed wherein the length and/or width of the internal receptacle area is adjustable by repositioning one or more partitions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    The present application is based on and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/457,470 filed on Mar. 25, 2003. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to containers for holding a plurality of cover slips.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Coverslips are generally manufactured in standard sizes, for example, in widths of 22 mm or 24 mm, and lengths in the range of 22 mm to 60 mm, and are typically made of glass or plastic. The standard method of packaging coverslips is to place them into containers that can withstand the rigors of shipping and handling. Such containers are made to fit a particular coverslip size in order to prevent unwanted movement of coverslips within the container that could result in damage to the coverslips. Customized packaging to meet sizing needs adds to the expense of coverslip products.  
           [0004]    Further, a number of instruments exist for automatically applying coverslips of either glass or plastic to microscopes slides. Examples of automatic devices for applying coverslips are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,833,449 to Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. Pat. No. 3,930,928 to Tapert, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,972,423 to Tipton, all incorporated in entirety herein, as well as other automatic coverslipping instruments known in the art. Typically, an automatic coverslipper has a magazine or hopper-type container for holding a plurality of coverslips. Such hoppers are often durable structures made to fit one particular coverslip width, although some accommodate variation in the length of coverslips. Generally, different hoppers are used to fit each particular size of coverslips, especially when changing coverslip width, adding to the cost and inconvenience of using an automatic coverslipper. A need exists for a single container, of the disposable type or of the durable type, used for packaging, shipping, storage or with instruments, that can be adapted to hold a plurality of coverslips of any standard width and length.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    In one aspect, the invention comprises a container made of either a durable material or a material intended for disposal after limited use, and having means for adjusting the width and/or length of the interior container cavity to fit a variety of coverslip sizes. In another aspect, the invention comprises a method of adjusting the length and width of a container for holding a plurality of coverslips by strategic placement of one or more partition-like device(s) within the interior of the container.  
           [0006]    Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.  
         [0008]    In the drawings:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a coverslip container with partitions placed in position to size the receptacle for receiving 24 mm×40 mm coverslips;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 shows a top view of one embodiment of a coverslip container with partitions placements indicated by dashed lines to size the receptacle for receiving 24 mm×40 mm, 24 mm×50 mm, or 24 mm×60 mm coverslips;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of a coverslip container with partitions in position to size the receptacle for receiving 22 mm×40 mm coverslips;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 4.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 shows a top view of one embodiment of a coverslip container having had a partition placed to size the receptacle for receiving 22 mm×40 mm coverslips, as shown with dashed lines, altered by the placement of other partitions for converting the container to receive 24 mm×50 mm or 24 mm×60 mm coverslips;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of an embodiment featuring cut-out areas in the sidewalls for finger placement or for access by a robotic handler to facilitate the addition of coverslips into the receptacle area of the container;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 shows an exploded view of an embodiment wherein a single partition is used to adjust the length of the receptacle area of the container; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 shows a top view of an embodiment with an aperture in the base of the container. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0018]    Referring to embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-9, the container  10  comprises a base  12 , two opposed end walls  14  substantially perpendicular to the base  12 , and two opposed, substantially perpendicular sidewalls  16  defining a receptacle portion  11  of the container  10 . In one embodiment, the container  10  is made of an inexpensive disposable material, for example, polystyrene, polypropylene, or other suitable material. Alternatively, the container  10  is comprised of a more durable material suitable for repeated use, including, but not limited to acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), acetal, glass-filled nylon, aluminum, or the like. The container  10  is either molded, machined, or some combination, as is appropriate for the material selected. Also, the container  10  need not be fabricated of a single material; for example, the base  12 , end walls  14  and/or sidewalls  16  can be made of different materials. The base  12 , end walls  14 , and/or sidewalls  16 , if formed as separate parts, are glued, welded, force-fitted or joined by other methods to form the container  10 . Depending upon the material used, the sidewalls  16  and/or end walls  14  of the container  10  are optionally reinforced with ribbing or other structural details.  
         [0019]    Additional features can be included in the structure of the container  10  as appropriate for use in connection with a particular instrument. In one embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the sidewalls  16  are partially cut away to form openings  15  for finger placement or for access by a robotic handler to facilitate the addition of coverslips into the receptacle portion  11  of the container  10 . Also shown in FIG. 7 is an optional guide means  26  to facilitate and/or maintain placement within an automatic instrument. Referring to FIG. 9, an aperture  28  is present in the base  12  of the container  10  to permit detection by sensory means of an automatic instrument of the presence or absence of coverslips in the container  10 . Such features tend to be specific to the requirements of particular instruments are not material to the present invention.  
         [0020]    Preferably, the length of the receptacle portion  11  is adequate to contain relatively long coverslips, for example, greater than or equal to 60 mm. Likewise, the width is sufficient to contain coverslips that are at least 24 mm in width. The depth of the container  10  is variable but is envisioned as sufficient to hold a plurality of coverslips, depending upon the thickness of the coverslips, for example at least 50 or more coverslips, but the container  10  can be made to hold hundreds of coverslips, for example approximately 500 coverslips.  
         [0021]    Referring to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2, the length of the container  10  is adjusted by the placement of partitions  20 , each comprising a substantially flat plate, within the receptacle portion  11  of the container  10 . In some embodiments, slots and/or notches  22  in each of the opposing sidewalls  16  are used to facilitate placement of a partition  20 . In an alternative embodiment not shown, the partition  20  is formed or made to fit securely against substantially flat sidewalls  16  within the receptacle  11  such that the partition  20  is not jarred out of place by movement of coverslips therein. The partition  20  is made of any suitable material such as polystyrene or polypropylene and the like. Optionally, a compressible material, such as rubber or foam, is used at the ends of the partition  20  to facilitate a snug fit against the sidewalls  16 . FIG. 3 shows how partitions  20  can be used to adjust the receptacle portion  11  to fit various lengths of coverslips, for example in lengths of 40 mm, 50 mm, or 60 mm, by removal of the partition  20  from one placement cite to another; although FIG. 3 shows three partitions  20  at the variable end of the container  10 , in use, only one partition  20  need be positioned to adjust the dimensions of the receptacle  11 .  
         [0022]    In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-7, the container  10  is structured to accept two partitions  20 , with each defining opposite ends of the receptacle  11 . Alternatively, the container  10  is designed so that only one partition  20  is utilized to define the receptable portion  11 , as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In yet another embodiment, when the container  10  is made to accept two partitions  20 , end walls  14  are not necessary and can be eliminated because the sidewalls  16  and partitions  20  can define the receptacle portion  11 .  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 4 and 5 show one embodiment of a partition  20  useful for adjusting the width of the container  10  to fit coverslips with narrower widths, for example 22 mm widths. Instead of a simple flat plate, the partition  20  comprises a plate with one substantially flat side  18  while the opposite side  21  has projections  24  along or near one set of opposed peripheral edges of the partition  20  for abutting the sidewalls  16  of the container  10 . Each projection  24  is approximately 1 mm in thickness to adjust the width from 24 mm to 22 mm, but other dimensions are envisioned to fit any range of coverslip widths. The projections  24  fit in slots or notches  22  in the sidewalls  16  of the receptacle portion  11  of the container  10  or, alternatively, the projections  24  fit snugly against substantially flat sidewalls  16 . When the partition  20  is designed to fit into slots or notches  22  in the container sidewalls  16 , the projections  24  are recessed inwardly from the edges of the partition  20  to provide means for fitting into the slot or notch  22 . When the partition  20  is designed to fit against substantially flat sidewalls  16 , the projections  24  are located at the periphery of a set of opposite edges of the partition  20 . In an alternative embodiment, a single projection  24  is formed along just one edge of the partition  20 . In such an example, the single projection  24  is approximately 2 mm in thickness in order to adjust a container  10  from 24 mm to 22 mm in width. Other dimensions are envisioned to fit any size of coverslip width.  
         [0024]    In one aspect, the invention also includes a method for adjusting a coverslip container  10  to securely contain coverslips of varying lengths and/or widths by placement of one or more partitions  20  within the receptacle portion  11  of the container  10 . For example, FIG. 7 shows that a partition  20  with projections  24  placed to fit 22 mm×40 mm coverslips, as shown by dashed lines, is replaceable with a partition  20  to form a receptacle area  11  to fit 24 mm×50 mm or 24 mm×60 mm coverslips.  
         [0025]    If the container  10  is intended for shipping coverslips, the type of partition  20 , as in flat or with projections  24 , and placement of the partition(s)  20  are determined by the size of coverslips to be packaged. If the container  10  is made for more permanent use, such as for containing coverslips to be used in connection with automatic instruments, the container can be supplied with different partitions  20  to permit alteration of the receptacle portion  11  to receive a variety of coverslip sizes. For example, when switching from a 24×50 mm coverslip to a 22×40 mm coverslip, the user can remove the partition(s) 20 appropriate for holding 24×50 mm coverslips and replace with the partition(s)  20  with projections  24  appropriate for 22 mm width, positioning the partition(s)  20  in the correct position along the sidewalls  16  for 40 mm length.  
         [0026]    The invention in its broadest aspects is not limited to the specific embodiments and details described herein. As such, departures may be made from the embodiments and details described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.