Cavity sealing system for a centrifuge rotor

Abstract: A centrifuge rotor includes a structural member (24) having a plurality of receptacles (52) therein. When the cover is attached to the body of the rotor (10) the receptacles (52) communicate with a respective one of the cavities (20) disposed in the body of the rotor.

Description: The present invention relates to a centrifuge rotor having tube receiving cavities therein, and in particular, to a cavity sealing system which retains individual sample containers within their individual cavities. Vertical tube centrifuge rotors are well known. Such rotors are so named because the axes of the sample container receiving cavities formed in the rotor body lie parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotor. Exemplary of such a rotor is that shown in US-A-3,998,383. When using such rotors each of the sample containers must be individually capped or sealed to contain the liquid therewithin during centrifugation. Moreover, each of the containers must be constrained within its respective cavity. Various container capping, sealing and constraining arrangements for containers used in vertical rotors are known in the art. Exemplary of such devices are those shown in United States Patent 4,222,513, United States Patent 4,166,573, United States Patents 4,114,803; 3,635,370 and 4,552,278, United States Patent 4,190,196, United States Patent 4,285,904, United States Patent 3,459,369 and United States Patent 3,447,712. In the typical case the constraining arrangements are plug-like members that are threadedly engaged to threads formed in the body of the rotor adjacent to the mouth of each cavity. As such the plugs must be tightened to certain torque specifications to insure that they will perform their constraining function. However, verifying that these torque specifications are met is a time-consuming, labor-intensive operation. In addition, the provision of the threads in the rotor body imparts certain stresses thereto. Exemplary of such devices are those shown in United States Patents 4,301,963 and 4,690,670, United States Patents 4,076,140: 4,080,175; 4,102,490 and 4,290,550, United States Patent 4,087,043, United States Patent 4,235,367, and United States Patent 4,568,325. United States Patent 4,304,356 discloses a cap that, once inserted into the cavity, "floats" on the tube disposed in the cavity. That is to say, the cap does not threadedly engage with any threads in the rotor body. It is believed that the device described in this patent is not adapted for use in a vertical tube rotor. SU-A-1 329-830 describes a rotor body wherein the receptacles containing the sample fluid are test tubes without any aperture. The cavities containing the test tubes are closed by a cover and the test tubes extend into cells provided on the underside of the cover. The cover is mounted on the rotor by a clamp coaxial with the rotor axis. US-A-4 076 170 discloses a centrifuge rotor wherein the cavities containing the test tubes are individually closed by plugs. Each test tube has a separate closure underneath the plug. The precharacterizing part of claim 1 refers to a centrifuge rotor as disclosed in US-A-3 133 882. The known device comprises a centrifuge head having a central cavity and a series of arcuately spaced, bottle-receiving cavities. The bottles are closed by an expansible stopper comprising a cap fitting the mouth of the bottle. By rotation of a nut a seal is compressed to render it effective due to the resulting expansion thereof, or released to enable the stopper to be removed. Further, a ring-shaped retainer is provided which is inserted into the central cavity. With such a retainer, the shoulder zone of the bottle is firmly backed against damaging distortion and the outer portion of the stopper is confined. The retainer has a central hub portion which projects for engagement by a cover C mounted on the centrifuge head. It is the object of the present invention to provide a centrifuge rotor in which the necessity for individual contraining arrangements for the sample containers is eliminated. This object is solved, according to the invention, with the features of claim 1. The present invention relates to a centrifuge rotor of the vertical type having a body with plural cavities therein. Each cavity is sized to receive a sample container. The upper portion of the sample container exhibits a predetermined configuration. The rotor includes a cover. The sealing system is characterized by a structure on the rotor having an array of receptacles formed therein. Each of the receptacles is shaped in correspondence to the configuration of the upper portion of the container. The structure having the receptacle therein is mounted to the rotor body to close the cavity, thereby sealing the same. When so mounted each of the receptacles communicates with a cavity, with the upper surface of the container being received within the receptacle. According to the invention a series of individual tube restraining inserts are provided. Each insert has a receptacle therein. The inserts are insertable into the cavities. In one arrangement the upper surface of the insert is flush with the upper surface of the rotor body. In this case the lower surface of the cover overlies the surface of the rotor and abuts the upper surface of the inserts. In another arrangement the upper surface of the insert extends above the surface of the rotor and project into an annular groove formed on the undersurface of the cover. In still another arrrangement the upper surface of the insert is retained within the cavity. In this case the undersurface of the cover has downwardly depending pegs thereon, which project into the cavity to abut the upper surface of the inserts. The cover Is additionally provided with either the annular ring or the array of upwardly extending bosses thereon. When the cover is attached to the rotor, the constraining force generated by the moment holds each insert within its cavity. The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application and in which: Figure 1 is a side elevational view, entirely in section, of a cavity sealing system for a centrifuge rotor in which the cover of the rotor is provided with integral receptacles and in which each receptacle lies above and in communication with a cavity in the rotor; Figures 2 and 3 are side elevational views, in section, of a cover similar to that shown in Figure 1 having alternate structural forms in which the receptacles are provided: Figure 4 is an isolated perspective view of a cover having an annular ring disposed thereon in which any form of the receptacles shown in Figures 1 to 3 may be provided: Figure 5 is an isolated perspective view of a cover having an annular array of bosses disposed thereon, each boss being adapted to carry any form of the receptacles shown in Figures 1 to 3; Figure 6 is an isolated perspective view of a fragment of the embodiment of the cover shown in Figures 4 or 5 having a locating member dIsposed thereon; Figure 7 is a side elevational view, entirely in section, of a cavity sealing system for a centrifuge rotor in accordance with the present invention in which a tube restraining insert is received In the cavity and which cooperates with the body of the rotor to seal the cavity; Figures 8 and 10 are side elevational views similar to Figure 7 Illustrating alternate arrangements in which the upper surface of the inserts are respectively disposed above and below the surface of the rotor; and Figures 9 and 11 are, respectively, plan and perspective views of a rotor cover useful with the arrangements of the invention respectively shown in Figures 8 and 10. Throughout the following detailed description similar reference characters refer to similar elements in all figures of the drawings. A portion of Figure 1 shows a side elevational view of a rotor generally indicated by reference character 10. The rotor 10 includes a body portion 12 that is typically integrally fabricated from a suitable material, such as titanium, aluminum or a composite. The body portion 12 has a threaded opening 14 arranged centrally and axially therein. A mounting recess 16 extends into the rotor body 12 from the undersurface thereof and communicates with the threaded opening 14. The upper surface of the rotor body portion 12 defines a reference surface 18. An aperture 19 is provided in the body portion 12 of the rotor 10 for a purpose to be made clear herein. A plurality of sample container receiving cavities 20 is arranged in an annular array in the body 12. Each cavity 20 has an open mouth 20M. The axis 20A of each of the cavities 20 is parallel to the vertical axis of rotation 10A of the rotor 10. The rotor 10 is thus referred to as a vertical rotor. Each of the cavities 20 is sized to receive a sample container C therein. Each container C is closed by a suitable cap or seal S, as should be appreciated by those skilled in the art. The uppermost portion P of the container C, in which the seal S is disposed, has a predetermined configuration associated therewith. This portion P of the container C may project a predetermined distance D above the reference surface 18, as shown in Figure 1, or, as shown in Figure 3, the entirety of the container C, including the portion P thereof, may be totally confined within the cavity 20. A cover generally indicated by reference character 24 is disposed in overlaying relationship to the rotor body 12. The cover 24 is a generally annular disc-like member fabricated from materials similar to those used for the rotor body 12. The cover 24 has an upper surface 24A and a lower surface 24B and a central axial opening 28 that extends therethrough. The opening 28 receives the threaded shank 32 of a cover nut 30. The shank 32 threadedly engages the aperture 14 in the rotor body 12. When so secured an annular hold down flange 34 on the cover nut 30 engages against the upper surface 24A of the cover 24. It should also be understood that the cover 24 may be of the type that has a threaded engagement boss depending from the lower surface 24B thereof in order to attach the cover to the rotor body 12. A mounting adapter 38 attached to the upper end of a drive spindle 40 is received within the mounting recess 16. The adapter 38 has a threaded bore 42 extending centrally and axially through a portion thereof from the upper surface 38A of the adapter 38. A threaded hold down screw 44 having an enlarged knob 46 thereon extends through the cover nut 30 and into threaded engagement with the threads in the bore 42. The present invention relates to a cavity sealing arrangement generally indicated by the reference character 50 for closing the open mouth 20M of the cavity 20 in the rotor body. In general, the cavity sealing system 50 of the present invention includes a structural member mounted to the rotor that contains an array of receptacles that correspond in configuration to the upper portion of the container. The receptacles communicate with the cavities. When the cover is secured to the rotor the structural member cooperates with the body of the rotor to close the cavities. The receptacles accept the upper portion of the containers therein. As shown in Figures 7 through 11, the structural member takes the form of tube restraining inserts in which the receptacles are formed. Each insert is received in a cavity and cooperates with the cover of the rotor to close the cavity. With reference now to Figures 1 through 5, various forms of the sealing arrangement 50 are shown. In this embodiment the structure that has the receptacles 52 therein is integral with the cover. In one form, discussed in connection with Figure 4, the cover has an annular ring integral therewith in which the receptacles are formed. In the form discussed in connection with Figure 5 the structure in the cover is formed by an array of bosses, each of which is provided with a receptacle therein. In each case the number of receptacles 52 corresponds to the number of cavities 20 in the body 12. Each of the receptacles has a mouth 52M thereon. The receptacles 52 correspond in shape to the configuration of the upper portion P of the container C. In Figure 1 the upper portion P of the container C is shown to project above the reference surface 18. When the cover 24 is disposed on the rotor body 12 the cover 24 overlies the body 12 of the rotor 10 such that each receptacle 52 communicates with a respective corresponding cavity 20 in the body 12. As a result, with the containers C as shown in Figure 1, the upper portion P of each container C is received within the receptacle 52 associated with the cavity 20 in which the container C is disposed. The combination of the body 12 and the structure of the cover 24 having the receptacle therein serves to totally surround the container C, thus obviating the need for a separate constraining mechanism for the container C. The cover 24 may, if desired and as shown in Figure 2, have an array of annular flanges 56 depending a predetermined distance 58 from the lower surface 24B thereof. Each flange 56 is disposed in surrounding relationship with respect to the mouth 52M of an associated receptacle 52. The body 12 of the rotor 10 is modified in this instance to accept the flange 56 by providing a counterbore 20C adjacent the mouth 20M of each cavity 20. When the cover 24 is secured to the rotor body 12 the flanges 56 extend into the counterbore 20C. It has been noted earlier that the upper portion P of the container C may he totally confined within the cavity 20, as seen in Figure 3. In this event the depending flange may be elongated, as shown at 56'. In this arrangement the mouth 52M of the receptacle 52 opens a predetermined distance 60 below the lower surface 24B of the cover 24. The counterbore 20C' in the body 12 is correspondingly elongated. As noted earlier, the structure of the cover 24 having the receptacles 52 (in any of the forms shown in Figures 1,2 or 3) are provided in the cover 24 in either of two ways. As shown in Figure 4, the cover 24 may have a continuous annular ring 64 integrally formed therewith in which the receptacles 52 are formed. The ring 64 extends for a predetermined distance 66 above the upper surface 24A of the cover 24 and bounds a central region 68 thereon. The center of mass 68C of the central region 68 is located in a predetermined reference plane 70 lying perpendicular to the axis of rotation 10A. The center of mass 64C of the ring 64 is spaced a predetermined distance 72 above the reference plane 70. The mouth 52M of each of the receptacle 50 opens on the lower surface 24B of the cover 24. During centrifugation, with the cover 24 on the body portion 12 of the rotor 10 the center of mass 64C of the ring 64 generates a moment acting in the direction of an arrow 74 which urges the cover 24 toward the body 12 of the rotor 10. In an alternate configuration, shown in Figure 5, the cover 24 has an annular array of discrete, angularly spaced bosses 82 integrally formed therewith in which the receptacles 52 are provided. Each boss 82 extends for a predetermined distance 84 above the upper surface 24A of the cover 24. The distance 84 may equal the distance 66. Figure 1, if desired. Similar to the ring 64 the array of bosses 82 bounds the central region 68 of the cover 24. The center of mass 82C of each of the bosses 82 is spaced a predetermined distance 86 above the reference plane 70 which contains the center of mass 24C of the cover 24. Similar to the situation described in connection with the arrangement of Figure 4, because the centers of mass 82C of the bosses 82 lie above the plane of the mass center 24C of the cover, during centrifugation a moment acting in the direction of an arrow 74 is generated to urge the cover 24 toward the body 12 of the rotor 10. Either configuration of the cover shown in Figures 4 or 5, whether or not modified in accordance with Figures 2 or 3, may further include means generally indicated by reference character 90 for angularly locating the cover 24 with respect to the body 12 of the rotor 10. In the preferred case the locating means 90 takes the form of a tab 92 that projects from the lower surface 24B of the cover 24 into a corresponding aperture 19 provided in the rotor body 12. When the tab 92 is received in the aperture 19 the angular position of the cover 24 with respect to the body 12 is defined. It should be understood that any equivalent form of locating means may be used. For example the tab may form part of the rotor and extend from the surface thereof into an opening provided in the cover. The centrifuge rotor in accordance with the present invention is shown in Figures 7 through 11. In this embodiment the structure having the the receptacles 52 therein takes the form of a tube restraining insert 100. Each insert is received in the cavity 20 and is held therein by the cooperative interaction of the cover 24. The insert 100 is fabricated from material similar to that used for the rotor body. The insert 100 has an upper surface 100A and a lower surface 100B. The receptacle is provided into the lower surface 100B of the insert 100. The upper surface 100A of the insert has a predetermined configuration thereon. In Figures 7, 8 and 10, the upper surface 100A is shown as generally planar, although it should be understood that such a configuration is not necessarily required. In Figure 7 the body 12 is modified to provide an enlarged counterbore 20C' which accepts the insert 100. The counterbore 20C' is sized such that when the insert 100 is received therein the upper surface 100A of the insert lies flush with the reference surface 18 of the rotor body 12. The undersurface 24B of the cover 24, when the same is mounted to the body of the rotor, abuts against the upper surface 100A of the insert 100. Of course, if the configuration of the upper surface 100A were other than planar, the undersurface 24B of the cover 24 that abuts the same is correspondingly modified. In Figure 8 the counterbore 20C' is sized such that when the insert 100 is received therein the upper surface 100A of the insert 100 projects above the reference surface 18. In this event the cover 24 is modified to exhibit an annular groove 24G on the undersurface 24B thereof. Figure 9 is a plan view of the cover 24 illustrating the location of the groove 24G therein. In this arrangement the insert 100 projects into the groove 24G and the upper surface 100A of the insert 100 abuts against the base of the groove 24G, as seen in Figure 8. In Figure 10 the counterbore 20C' is sized such that the upper surface 100A of the insert 100, when the same is received in the cavity 20, lies below the reference plane 18 of the rotor body 12. In this event, the cover 24 is provided with an array of pegs 24P, generally similar to the bosses 82, only depending from the lower surface 24B of the cover 24. The lower surface of the pegs 24P conforms to the configuration of the upper surface 100A of the insert 100. The pegs 24P are sized to project into the cavity 20 to abut the upper surface 100A of the insert 100. Whether implemented in any of the forms shown in Figures 7 through 11, when the cover 24 is disposed on the rotor body 12 the cover 24 overlies the body 12 of the rotor 10 and the lower surface 24B thereof abuts the upper surface 100A of the inserts 100. Moreover, each receptacle 52 in each insert 100 communicates with a respective corresponding cavity 20 in the body 12. As a result the upper portion P of each container C is received within the receptacle 52 associated with the cavity 20 in which the container C is disposed. The combination of the body 12 of the rotor and the insert 100 serves to totally surround the container C, thus obviating the need for a separate constraining mechanism for the container C. Either form of the cover 24 shown in Figure 4 or Figure 5 may be used to hold the inserts 100 in place. That is, the cover 24 may be provided with the continuous annular ring 64 integrally formed therewith. During centrifugation, with the cover 24 on the body portion 12 of the rotor 10 the center of mass 64C of the ring 64 generates a moment acting in the direction of an arrow 74 which urges the cover 24 toward the body 12 of the rotor 10. This action holds the lower surface 24B of the cover 24 against the upper surfaces 100A of the inserts 100 and maintains the inserts 100 within the cavities. This holding action is generated regardless of the form of the inserts (Figures 7.8 or 10). Alternately, the cover 24 may have the annular array of discrete, angularly spaced bosses 82 integrally formed therewith which, during centrifugation, generate the moment acting in the direction of an arrow 74. It should also be understood that the cover may also have the locating means 90 shown in connection with Figure 6, if desired. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of the teachings of the present invention may effect numerous modifications thereto. It should be understood that such modifications are to be construed as lying within the contemplation of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims: A centrifuge rotor of the type having a rotor body (12) with a plurality of cavities (20) therein, the rotor (10) having a reference surface (18) thereon, each cavity being sized to receive a container (C) able to hold a sample of liquid therein, and a cover (24) for closing the cavities (20), wherein an insert sized for insertion over the cavities (20) is provided, the insert having an upper surface (100A) thereon and a receptacle (52) formed therein, the receptacle corresponding in configuration to the shape of the upper portion of the container (C), the cover (24) abutting with its lower surface (24B) against the insert (100) when the same is received in the cavity, characterized in that inserts (100) are provided separately for each individual cavity (20), the upper surface (24A) of the cover (24) has an annular structural feature (64,82) disposed thereon, the annular structural feature bounding a central region (68) of the cover, the center of mass (64C) of the annular structural feature (64,82) being spaced from the plane (70) containing the center of mass (68C) of the central region, the annular structural feature (64,82) being responsive to centrifugal force to generate a holding force acting on the insert (100) to hold the insert in the cavity (20). The rotor of claim 1 wherein the structural feature on the cover (24) comprises a ring member (64). The rotor of claim 1 wherein the structural feature on the cover (24) comprises an array of bosses (82). The rotor of one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the upper surface (100A) of the insert (100) projects above the reference surface (18) of the rotor body when the insert is received in the cavity (20), and wherein the cover (24) has a groove (24G) formed on the undersurface (24B) thereof, the upper surface (100A) of the insert abutting against the base of the groove (24G). The rotor of one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the upper surface (100A) of the insert (100) lies below the reference surface (18) of the rotor body (12) when the insert is received in the cavity (20), and wherein the cover (24) has an array of pegs (24P) on the undersurface (24B) thereof, each of the pegs being received in one of the cavities (20) in the rotor, the upper surface (100A) of each insert (100) abutting against the lower surface of one of the pegs.

Inventors: CARSON DAVID MICHAEL, CARSON, DAVID MICHAEL
Applicants: DU PONT, E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B04B5
IPC codes: B04B5, B04B7, B04B15