Abstract:
A container and a container engaging member. The container engaging member may include a sample holder or reservoir, a filtration element and collar. In the assembled condition, the sample holder or reservoir is upstream of the filtration element, the container is downstream of the filtration element, and the sample holder or reservoir is attached to the container. The container engagement member is engageable and disengageable from the bottle or container in a quick attach, quick release manner, such as with only a 90 degree, ¼ turn. A tactile and/or audible indication that the engagement is complete is provided.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/968,532 filed Mar. 21, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The embodiments disclosed herein generally relate a container and a container engaging member, and in certain embodiments, relate to vacuum filter devices and particularly to such devices for filtering liquids from one container through a membrane and depositing the filtrate directly into another container. 
         [0003]    Numerous laboratory devices have been developed to carry out filtration, in order to concentrate, separate and/or purify laboratory samples. Researchers routinely need to concentrate their sample prior to other investigative research. Devices for filtering biological solutions generally involve three primary components, i.e. a membrane filter interposed between two vessels, a feed container located upstream of the membrane for holding the sample solution to be filtered and a filtrate container located downstream of the membrane filter for collecting the filtered sample solution. Typically a vacuum is drawn downstream of the membrane to increase the rate of filtration by creating a pressure differential across the filter. 
         [0004]    Several device designs have been made for filtering a feed liquid into a filtrate container. These are typically used to clarify and sterilize biological solutions, such as fetal calf serum, tissue culture media and the like. In certain conventional devices, the user transfers the feed liquid from a storage vessel to the filter device. Vacuum filtration systems such as the STERICUP® system commercially available from EMD Millipore is ideally suited for sterile filtration of cell culture media, buffers and reagents. This device can handle a maximum unfiltered volume of 1 liter based on the size of the feeding funnel. Large volumes can be processed continuously, as determined by the volume of the feed and filtrate storage vessels. 
         [0005]    The arrangement of the components for vacuum filtration can take various forms; however, especially in laboratory settings, ease of use, reduced storage requirements and minimal disposable hardware are important concerns as IS avoiding spillage of the biological solution. In certain other applications, preserving the sterility of the solution being filtered is also important. 
         [0006]    Various single use, disposable, sterile filtration devices including a funnel and lid attached to a filtration collar, with an attached container, are commercially available. Most of these devices can process volumes ranging from 150 ml to 1000 ml, and offer a filtration top that includes a funnel and lid attached to a filtration collar assembly that one can assemble onto a pre-existing bottle or container. The assembly comes bagged with packaged bottle caps, and are sterilized such as by gamma sterilization. Conventional devices require 1-2 turns to disengage the bottle or container from the filter after filtration is complete. Since the bottle or container is filled with media, this manipulation can lead to possible dripping, spilling, etc., as well as contamination of the sample. This is especially true when operating in a laminar flow cell culture hood, where the sash is open 10-18″ and manipulation is especially difficult. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The problems of the prior art have been overcome by the embodiments disclosed herein, which provide a device particularly useful for large volume filtration of sample, although the applications are not limited to filtration. In certain embodiments, the device provides rapid high-quality separations or purifications of samples in a convenient and reliable manner, which simplifies the engagement and disengagement of the various device components. In certain embodiments, assurance is provided that the device is closed, and feedback is provided to the user that the container engaging member is completely engaged. In certain embodiments, the device includes a container and a container engaging member. In certain embodiments, the container engaging member includes a collar, and may include a sample holder or reservoir or funnel and a filtration element, such as a membrane. In the assembled condition, the sample holder or reservoir is upstream of the filtration element, the container is downstream of the filtration element, and the sample holder or reservoir is attached to the container. In certain embodiments, the container is filtrate bottle. Upon subjecting the sample in the sample holder to a driving force such as vacuum, the sample flows from the reservoir, through the filtration element, and into the container. In certain embodiments, the container engaging member includes container cap. In certain embodiments, the container engagement member is engageable and disengageable from the bottle or container in a quick attach, quick release manner, such as with only a 90 degree, ½ turn. Since only a 90 degree ¼ turn is required to engage or disengage the components, the user&#39;s hands/fingers do not have to leave the device to engage or disengage the components. In certain embodiments, a tactile indication that the engagement is complete is provided. In certain embodiments, an audible indication that the engagement is complete is provided. In certain embodiments, the container engagement member is a container cap that is similarly engageable and disengageable from the container, with similar audible and tactile indications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the neck portion of the container of  FIG. 1  in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective bottom view of a container engaging member in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of a neck portion of a container in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view of tabs on the outer surface of the neck of a container in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective bottom view of a container engaging member with a portion shown in detail, in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a container with a portion shown in detail, in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5A  is a partial enlarged perspective view of a container engaged with a container engaging member in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of an engaging member shown engaged with and sealed to a container in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective bottom view of a container engaging member in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective bottom view of a container engaging member in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of another engaging member engaged with and sealed to a container in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a partial enlarged perspective bottom view of a container engaging member in accordance with certain embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a partial enlarged perspective view of a container engaged with a container engaging member in accordance with certain embodiments; and 
           [0022]      FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C are views illustrating a snap lock feature in accordance with certain embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0023]    Turning first to  FIG. 1 , in accordance with certain embodiments there is shown a container or housing  10  having an open top  11  as shown. In the embodiment shown, the container  10  is a generally cylindrical one-piece housing that can hold relatively large volumes of sample, such as about 500 milliliters, although the volume capacity is not particularly limited. In certain embodiments, the container  10  is made of a plastic such as polystyrene, polycarbonate, a member of the PET family (e.g., PETG, PETE), and a polyolefin, particularly polypropylene, but may also be made from any other suitable material not deleterious to the operation (keeping in mind cost and vacuum strength). 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  shows the details of certain embodiments of the neck  13  of the container  10 . In certain embodiments, the neck  13  is generally cylindrical and extends from the body  12  of the container  10 . The neck  13  is open at  11 , allowing access to the interior of the container  10 . The outer surface of the neck  13  includes a plurality of spaced tabs  14 , individually labeled as tabs  14   a,    14   b,    14   c,    14   d  (four shown) that extend radially outwardly from the outer surface of the neck  13 . In certain embodiments, there are six spaced tabs, positioned in three stacked pairs, each stacked pair being spaced from another stacked pair. In certain embodiments, the spacing between stacked pairs of tabs is determined to achieve a balance between moldability and function (stability and avoidance of cross-threading). Each stacked pair includes an upper tab (e.g.,  14   a ) and a lower tab (e.g.,  14   b ), the lower tab parallel to, aligned with, and positioned just below the upper tab. In certain embodiments, each of the tabs extends radially outwardly from the neck  13  to the same extent, and are similarly shaped. In certain embodiments, the opposite ends of each tap taper inwardly towards each other. In certain embodiments, the tabs in two stacked pairs of tabs are shorter in length than the tabs in the third stacked pair, to ensure orientation  15  in one direction and that the container and engaging member line up. In certain embodiments, the tabs of the two stacked pairs that are shorter in length than the tabs of the third are of equal length. As seen in  FIG. 3C , in certain embodiments each tab includes a downwardly sloping ramp portion  24  that transitions to a vertical portion  25 , and has a flat bottom portion  26 . The tabs are discontinuous with respect to each other. In certain embodiments, each stacked pair is positioned a different distance below the open end of the neck  13 . In other words, were each of the lower tabs connected, the resulting hypothetical annular ring would be angled with respect to the open end of the neck  13 . Similarly, were each of the upper tabs connected, the resulting hypothetical annular ring would be angled with respect to the open end of the neck  13 . In certain embodiments, the angle of the two hypothetical rings with respect to the open end of the neck  13  would be the same. 
         [0025]    The pitch of the tabs  14  is configured so that the tabs are capable of engaging and disengaging with a suitable engaging member with a 90 degree ¼ turn, and are also capable of engaging with a conventional engaging member (e.g., a standard buttress thread with a pitch of 0.1667 inches) with a full 360 degree or more turn. Pitch is defined as the z-axis (depth) of movement corresponding to a full, 360° turn. The thread start (starting with the depth of the first thread) and thread lead (angle where the first thread starts) are configured to ensure that the stop is engaged after the click is engaged and after the engaging member seal  48  is fully engaged. More specifically, in certain embodiments as shown in  FIG. 5B , a seal  48  such as a foam gasket is positioned to be compressed by the collar  40  as it is rotated relative to the body  12  onto the container, contacting the flat surface of the free end of the neck  13 . Similarly, as shown in FIG.  7 A, in certain embodiments cap  60  includes a seal  48 ′ is comprised of a protruding ring feature that engages with the inside wall of the bottle neck  13  to form a seal when compressed. 
         [0026]    The neck  13  also includes a circumferential flange  30  extending radially outwardly. In certain embodiments, the flange extends radially outwardly a distance further than the tabs  14 . In certain embodiments, the flange  30  is spaced from the bottom f the neck  13 ; that is, it is positioned just above the region where the neck  13  transitions to the body  12  of the container  10 . In certain embodiments, the flange  30  includes two spaced tabs  31   a,    31   b,  preferably spaced 180° from each other. Each tab includes a radially extending top portion  32  that extends upwardly from the flange  30  and radially outwardly from the neck  13  coextensively with the flange  30  extends. Each tab also includes a radially extending bottom portion  33  that extends radially outwardly from the edge of the flange  30  and terminates in a free end  34 . In cooperation with certain elements on the collar  40  as discussed below, the tabs  31   a,    31   b  serve to create a snap fit engagement between the collar  40  and the container  10 , or a cap  60  and the container  10 . 
         [0027]    Turning now to  FIGS. 3A and 4 , collar  40  is shown. In certain embodiments, collar  40  is configured to engage the neck  13  of container  10 . In certain embodiments, the collar  40  is generally cylindrical, and includes a top portion  39  ( FIG. 5A ) that has a plurality of spaced radial ribs  44  or the like that support a filter element such as glass fibers or a membrane (not shown) (e.g., DUFAPOFE® 0.45 μm membrane). In certain embodiments, the collar  40  also supports a sample reservoir (not shown) that is in fluid communication with the container  10  via the membrane through a plurality of apertures in the collar  40 . The collar can be placed in communication with a driving force such as vacuum via inlet pipe  38 . 
         [0028]    Within collar  40  there is an inner cylindrical member  41  extending axially from the underside of the top portion of the collar  40 . In certain embodiments, the cylindrical member  41  is centrally located in the collar  40  and is a neck engaging member. In certain embodiments, the inner wall  42  of the cylindrical member  41  includes a plurality of spaced threads or helical sweeps  45 , extending radially inwardly from the inner wall  42  and configured to receive respective tabs  14  on the neck  13  of the container  10 . In certain embodiments, the threads  45  are discontinuous with respect to each other. In certain embodiments, there are nine spaced threads  45 , positioned in three axially stacked groups, each stacked group being equally spaced from another stacked group. Each stacked group includes a first thread (e.g., thread  45   a ), a second intermediate thread (e.g., thread  45   b ), and a third thread (e.g., thread  45   c ), the second and third threads being parallel to, aligned with, and positioned just below (when the collar  40  is in the upright position) the first thread  45   a.  In certain embodiments, the cylindrical member  41  also includes one full thread  45 ′ that spans the entire inner circumference of the cylindrical member  41  near the bottom thereof. In certain embodiments, each of the threads  45  extends radially outwardly from the wall  42  to the same extent, and the threads are similarly shaped. In certain embodiments, two stacked groups of threads are shorter in length than the threads of the third stacked group, to ensure orientation is in one direction and that the container and engaging member line up. In certain embodiments, the threads of the two stacked groups that are shorter in length than the threads of the third are of equal length. In certain embodiments, the opposite ends of each thread taper inwardly towards each other. In certain embodiments, each thread  45  includes an upwardly sloping ramp portion  46  that transitions to a vertical portion  47 . The upwardly sloping ramp portion of a thread contacts the downwardly sloping ramp portion  24  of a corresponding tab  14  when the collar  40  is engaged on the neck  13 . 
         [0029]    The enlarged detail of  FIG. 4  illustrates the snap engagement feature  50  of certain embodiments. The snap engagement feature  50  cooperates with the tabs  31   a,    31   b  to create a snap fit engagement between the collar  40  and the container  10 . In certain embodiments, the snap engagement feature  50  is formed on the free end  49  of the cylindrical member  41 , and includes a raised snap bead  51 , a notch  52 , and a raised stop member  53 . In certain embodiments, there are two such snap engagement features  50 , spaced apart 180°, each capable of cooperating with a respective one of the tabs  31   a,    31   b  of the container  10 . As the collar  40  is rotated with respect to the container  10 , the tab  31   a  travels along the free end  49  of the collar  40  until it is raised axially by raised snap bead  51 . Further relative rotation in the same direction causes the to  31   a  to ride over the snap bead  51  (creating feedback to the user) and drop into notch  52 . Still further relative rotation causes the tab  31   a  to abut against side wall  54  of raised stop member  53 , creating a backstop. The abutment of the tab  31   a  against the side wall  54  causes an audible “click” sound feedback to the user, warning the user to cease the rotation, thereby preventing over-torquing. The tab will remain in the notch  52  until sufficient force is exerted so that the tab  31   a  can overcome the height of the snap bead  51 . In certain embodiments, such sufficient force is defined as force that can easily and comfortably overcome the height of the snap bead by the 5th percentile adult female to the 95th percentile adult male as verified through usability studies. The tab  31   a  thus sits in the region of notch  52  when the collar  40  is in the closed position on the container  10 , and the raised snap bead  51  is raised a sufficient amount to hinder premature or unwanted loosening of the tab  31   a  from the region of the notch  52 . Tab  31   b  cooperates with the other snap engagement feature in a similar way. 
         [0030]    In certain embodiments, the cylindrical member  41  includes one or more (two shown) rotational limiting members such as tabs  55   a,    55   b  that extend axially from the cylindrical member  41  as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 4 . The rotational limiting members  55   a,    55   b  are positioned in the thread relief region  57  of the cylindrical member  41 . The rotational limiting members  55   a,    55   b  interact with the bottom portion  33  of tabs  31   a,    31   b  on the container  10  and stop the relative rotation of the collar  40  and container  10  when disengaging the collar  40  from the container  10 . This provides feedback to the user when the tabs  14   a,    14   b,    14   c  and  14   d  on the neck  13  are located in the thread relief region  57  of the cylindrical member  41 , are no longer engaged with the threads  45   a,    45   b  and  45   c,  blind thus the collar  40  can be raised axially away from the container  10  and removed therefrom. Were this feature absent, the threads  45  could re-engage with the tabs  14  if the relative rotation of the collar  40  and container  10  exceeds 90°. In certain embodiments, the rotational limiting member(s)  55  also serve to assist in the proper positioning of the container engaging member with respect to the container to engage the components. For example, as these components are brought together, the rotational limiting member(s) can be positioned in a region between the spaced, discontinuous tabs  14  of said neck (such a region being called out by marking  9  ( FIG. 5 ) formed on the container body). The container is then moved axially with respect to the container engaging member, followed by rotating the container with respect to the neck engaging member 90° to engage the tabs of the container with the threads of the neck engaging member. 
         [0031]    In certain embodiments, there are three spaced thread relief regions  57  and three spaced groups of threads  45 . This allows the container  10  to drop in up to the single full thread  45 ′ on the bottom of the collar  40 . Relative rotation of the container  10  and collar  40  will further engage all of the threads. 
         [0032]    In certain embodiments, it is advantageous to have a cap for the container  10 . Users often store media in the container  10  for weeks at a time, and access the container  10  regularly to feed cells. Accordingly, the cap/container interface is often the primary interface of the device, and should be ergonomically designed. Turning now to  FIG. 6 , cap  60  is shown. In certain embodiments, the cap  60  includes a generally cylindrical body  62  and annular bell shaped bottom region  63  that angles out radially from the body  62 . In certain embodiments, the cap  60  includes a plurality of spaced fins  61  that extend radially outwardly from the body  62  and associated radiuses that in conjunction with annular ring  64 , allow ergonometric gripping of the cap for assembling and disassembling of the cap  60  on the neck  13  of the container with one hand, e.g., a single thumb, especially while wearing gloves. For example, the user&#39;s fingers conveniently fit in the regions between the fins  61 , facilitating the relative rotation of the cap  60  with respect to the container  10 . The fins  61  also allow the cap  60  to rest on its side to reduce the chance of contamination. 
         [0033]    In certain embodiments, the interior of the body  62  of cap  60  includes a single continuous helical thread  66 . The thread  66  allows for free-spin operation; applying a slight rotation force to the cap  60  relative to the container  10  is sufficient to rotate the cap  60  relative to the container  10  enough to disengage the cap  60  from the container  10 . 
         [0034]    In certain embodiments, the cap  60  includes a snap engagement feature  50 ′. The snap engagement feature  50 ′ cooperates with the tabs  31   a,    31   b  of the container  10  to create a snap fit engagement between the cap  60  and the container  10 . In certain embodiments, the snap engagement feature  50 ′ is formed on the surface of the cylindrical body  62  where it transitions to the bell shaped bottom region  63 , and includes a raised snap bead  51 ′, a notch  52 ′, and a raised stop member  53 ′. In certain embodiments, there are two such snap engagement features  50 ′, spaced apart 180°, each capable of cooperating with a respective one of the tabs  31   a,    31   b  of the container  10 . As the cap  60  is rotated with respect to the container  10 , the tab  31   a  approaches the snap fit engagement feature  50 ′ until it is raised axially by raised snap bead  51 ′. Further relative rotation in the same direction causes the tab  31   a  to drop into notch  52 ′. Still further relative rotation causes the tab  31   a  to about against side wall  54 ′ of raised stop member  53 ′, creating a backstop. The abutment of the tab  31   a  against the side wall  54 ′ causes an audible “click” sound as well as tactile feedback to the user, warning the user to cease the rotation, thereby preventing over-torquing. The tab  31   a  sits in the region of notch  52 ′ when the cap  60  is in the closed position on the container  10 , and the raised snap bead  51 ′ is raised a sufficient amount to hinder premature or unwanted loosening of the tab  31   a  from the region of the notch  52 ′. Tab  31   b  cooperates with the other snap engagement feature in a similar way. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 8-10  illustrate another embodiment of the cap engagement with a container  10 . In accordance with this embodiment, a snap lock feature is provided that flexes radially outwardly when it engages the lock features in the container  10 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , a cantilever snap lock member  51 ″ is positioned radially outwardly from raised stop member  53 ″, and offset therefrom circumferentially (e.g., offset by the thickness of the tab  31   a ). In certain embodiments, the cantilever snap lock member  51 ″ is formed in a recess  510  in the bell shaped bottom region  63  of the cap  60 , and protrudes axially therefrom. The edges of the snap lock member  51 ″ are chamfered as can be seen in  FIG. 8 , and the snap lock member  51 ″ is capable of flexing radially outwardly when its radially inward surface engages the radially outward surface of tab  31   a  on the container  10 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . In certain embodiments, there are two such snap lock members, spaced apart 180°, each capable of cooperating with a respective one of the tabs  31   a,    31   b  of the container  10 . 
         [0036]    As the cap  60  is rotated relative to the container  10 , the tab  31   a  (and more specifically, the radially extending bottom portion  33  of the tab  31   a ) rides over the chamfered edge forcing the snap lock member  51 ″ radially outward. As shown in  FIG. 10A , initial contact between the tab  31   a  and the snap lock member  51 ″ is made (e.g., at about 11°).  FIG. 10B  shows that continued relative rotation of the cap  60  and container  10  causes the snap lock member  51 ″ to deflect radially outward.  FIG. 10C  shows that upon further relative rotation, the tab  31   a  no longer contacts the snap lock member  51 ″, and the latter returns to its original position. In the position shown in  FIG. 10C , the tab  31   a  (and more specifically, the radially extending top portion  32  of tab  31   a ) abuts against side wall  54 ″ of raised stop member  53 ″, creating a backstop. This abutment of the tab  31   a  and raised stop member  53 ″ causes an audible “click” sound as well as tactile feedback to the user, warning the user to cease the rotation, thereby preventing over-torquing.