Abstract:
The present application is directed towards the handling of laboratory test tubes. More particularly to a specialized laboratory device that enables manual opening, closing and capping of multiple test tubes with integral sealing caps. The Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device permits the user to perform multiple processes simultaneously more efficiently and rapidly than current practice.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present application is directed towards the handling of laboratory test tubes. More particularly to a specialized laboratory device that enables manual opening, closing and capping of multiple test tubes with integral sealing caps. The Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device permits the user to perform multiple processes simultaneously more efficiently and rapidly than current practice. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    With the lid assembly in the lifted position and sliding plate retracted, test tubes to be used, up to the maximum quantity available on the rack, are inserted into the rack with the sealing caps closed. The Rack alignment features require that the tubes be inserted with the cap hinges to the back, the cap locking pins to the front. The Lid Assembly is lowered and the sliding plate is moved into the caps to engage the pins on all inserted test tubes simultaneously. The lid assembly hinge is located on an axis coincident with the axis of rotation of the test tube caps allowing all caps to be raised and held open simultaneously while maintaining the test tubes in the rack. When needed, all the test tubes are closed and sealed by lowering the lid assembly. The sliding plate is retracted and the lid assembly is lifted to expose the sealed test tubes. The rack provides access to the necks of the test tubes for marking or labeling as required on the individual test tubes. An open lever is provided to reduce the effort required to lift the Lid Assembly to unseal and open the test tube caps, and for ease of operation uses a downward motion. It pushes the lid assembly up by means of a rod at each end. An extract lever is provided to remove the sealed test tubes out of the rack, after the lid assembly with the sliding plate retracted is in the lifted position, also using a downward motion. A removable magnetic strip runs along the back of, and is in contact with, the test tubes should magnetic separation of the test samples be desired. All materials used in the construction of the Rack are capable of withstanding the temperatures of an autoclave when used for cleaning or sterilization. 
         [0003]    These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present disclosure provides a device that permits handling multiple test tubes simultaneously for opening, collecting, and capping of test tubes. Laboratory test tubes with integral snap-type sealing caps must be individually handled for opening, filling or emptying and closing. An apparatus is proposed enabling multiple test tubes to be located, opened, held open for filling or emptying, and closed to seal simultaneously. 
         [0005]    The Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device is configured to be manually operated permitting a user to quickly and efficiently collect samples and seal multiple tubes simultaneously. The Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device is configured with a top plane that is used with a color scheme for identifying when the cover is in the open position, corresponding to green and a red color indicating when the device is in the locked position. Numerous receptacle devices are placed in a sequential order whereby samplings can take place. Once the desired sampling takes place simultaneous sealing of numerous receptacle devices can take place by manually moving the top plain and sliding it into the locked position. The advantage of using such a device is that it is manually operated and allows the user to reduce effort and quickly perform a desired sampling and obtain results that normally would take considerable time to achieve. The Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device is configured with lifting devices to assist in simultaneously performing operations. 
         [0006]    There is a need in the field for a device that allows a user to quickly and efficiently perform multiple sampling manually. Including the ability to simultaneously open and close the sampling receptacles. 
         [0007]    Further features and embodiments will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of an exemplary Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  presents an sectioned Perspective view of an exemplary Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device in the locked position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  presents an sectional view Perspective view of an exemplary Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device in the unlocked position; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  presents a sectioned isometric view of the exemplary Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device in the open position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  presents a sectioned Isometric view of the exemplary Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device in the open position whereby the test tubes are being raised by lower device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  presents a sectioned Isometric view of the exemplary Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device in the closed position; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  presents a sectioned Isometric view of the exemplary Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device in the open position prior to the test tubes are being raised by lower device; 
           [0016]    FIG. 8  presents a frontal view of the exemplary Laboratory Test Tube Handling Device in the normal open position; 
       
    
    
       [0017]    While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adapted for providing rigidity to instrument devices the invention is not limited to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings but are merely used to illustrate the wide variety of uses of this invention. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modification and changes will readily occur by those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0019]    Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, the assembly for opening multiple capped test tubes simultaneously, hereinafter referred to by reference numeral  10 , is sized and configured to open a plurality of test tubes  12 , each having a cap  14  thereon which incorporates a hinge  16 , such as a living hinge  16  on a collar  18  surrounding a mouth  20  of each test tube  12 . From the living hinge  16 , extending forwardly, as illustrated, is a cover  22  which includes a latching member or nub  24  which fits into a cooperating opening or lip  26  in the collar  18  to keep the test tubes  12  from accidentally opening. 
         [0020]    The assembly  10  thus must accommodate for the hinged cover  22  as well as for the latching member or nub  24  to open test tubes  12  simultaneously. It will be also understood that the assembly  10  can accommodate any plurality of test tubes  12 . In a preferred embodiment,  10  to  12  test tubes are accommodated, though this should not be construed as limiting. 
         [0021]    The assembly  10  is illustrated to have a base  30  from which a rear wall  32  extends upwardly extending forwardly from the rear wall  32  and supported thereon are two parallel, planar shelves, a top shelf  34  and lower shelf  36 , which are vertically spaced apart and each contain aligned openings  38  therein within which the test tubes  12  are received in particular position. In this respect, the openings  38  in the top shelf  34  are each partially surrounded by spaced apart, cooperating positioning rear shoulder pairs  40  upon top surface  41  of top shelf  34  which define an opening  42  therebetween which is configured to receive therein the hinge  16  of each cap  14  to ensure identical alignment to all of the caps  14  relative to a pivotable top  44  which engages over the covers  22  when desired, to simultaneously open a plurality of same. 
         [0022]    The pivotable top  44  includes a center planar support  46  sandwiched between upper and lower slidable top and bottom planar members  48  and  50 , respectively, the bottom member  50  being used to open the caps  14  when desired. Alternatively, the pivotable top  44  may also be opened while leaving the caps  14  closed, such as for removal of the test tubes  12  from the assembly  10 . 
         [0023]    The center planar support  46  of the pivotable top  44  extends across a width of the assembly  10  and includes two end pivot nubs  52  toward a rear end edge  54  thereof, the nubs  52  being of any suitable configuration for fixedly engaging a pivot arm  55  and for allowing the top  44  to pivot relative to the test tubes  12  positioned within the assembly  10 , as will be defined below. The upper slidable planar member  48  incorporates side flanges  56  alongside edges  58  thereof which extend laterally from the edges  58  toward a forward end edge  60  thereof and overlie upstanding fingers  62  which are used to open the pivotable top  44 . There are also provided therein a plurality of cutouts  63  which accommodate receipt of the covers  22  of the test tubes  12  therewithin. 
         [0024]    Although shown as 2 separate members in this embodiment, the top and bottom members  48 ,  50 , respectively, could, for example, be formed of a single element curved around the forward end edge  60  of the support  46 . Thus, the exemplary embodiment of the assembly  10  should not be construed as limiting as to scope. It will be seen that the top and bottom members  48  and  50  respectively are joined together by suitable engagement members  70 , such as bolts  70 , which extend through slots  72  provided in the planar support  46  so as to be slidable, together, forwardly and rearwardly along the planar support  46 . Further, if desired, indicia  74  ( FIG. 2 ) may be provided on a top surface  75  of planar support  46  which are visible through an opening  76  in top member  48  ( FIG. 2 ), to indicate which position the top and bottom members  48  and  50 , respectively, are in, relative to the planar support  46 . 
         [0025]    The top planar member  48  also serves as a cover  48  for the assembly  10 . The bottom planar member  50 , on the other hand, is configured for use in opening the covers  22  on the plurality of test tubes  12  within the assembly  10 , simultaneously. In this respect, it will be seen that there are specifically configured cutout sections  78  in a rearward end edge  80  of the bottom member  50 . It will be understood that the front to rear extent of the bottom member  50  is such that, when the pivotable top  44  is positioned horizontally over the test tubes  12  and pushed rearwardly thereover, they align along forward end edges  82  of the alignment shoulders  40  provided on the top surface  41  of the top shelf  34  holding the test tubes  12  in aligned positioned. A forward end edge  83  of each cutout section  78  includes an undercut area  84  which allows the forward end edge  83  to easily slip between the cap  22  and collar  18  on each test tube  12  to disengage the locking nub  24  by pushing same rearwardly, out of engagement with lip  26  in the collar on each test tube  12  when the bottom member  50  is slid rearwardly on planar support  46 . When slid into in this rearward position after being placed into position horizontally over the test tubes  12  and the pivotable top  44  is pivoted to the vertical, the caps  22  on the test tubes  12  are simultaneously opened for access to content within the test tubes  12 . This opening, and closing, of multiple test tubes  12  simultaneously saves many man hours of work as compared to the opening and closing of test tubes  12  one at a time, as will be obvious to one skilled in the art. 
         [0026]    When closing of the test tubes  12  is desired, such as for removal thereof, it will be understood that the pivotable top  44  is horizontally positioned over the test tubes  12  and the bottom member  50  is manually pushed into the forwardly position along the center support  46  and out of contact with the locking nubs  24 , the pivotable top  44  is pushed down against the caps  22 , with the locking nub  24  re-engaging into the lip  26  on the collar  18 . When the pivotable top  44  is so positioned and now pivoted upwardly, the test tubes  12  are all closed against spillage and easily removable from the assembly  10  through use of a test tube lift narrow, elongate platen  90 , to be defined below. 
         [0027]    With respect to lifting of the test tubes  12  slightly out of seating within the openings  38  and alignment shoulders  40 , a finger pivot  92  is provided along each mirror image end  93  of the base  30  which is manipulated by pushing down on a forward pivot tip  94  which moves a rearward end  95  of the finger pivot  92  upwardly, to which an end of the platen  90  is engaged, the narrow elongate platen  90  extending across a lateral extent of the assembly  10 , raising the platen  90  and pushing up on bottom ends  96  of test tubes  12  for ease in grasping of each test tube  12 . 
         [0028]    The pivoting of top  44  from the horizontal to vertical position is accomplished through provision of a pivot rod  98  is provided which extends across the lateral extent of the base  30  along a forward end area  100  thereof as well and when pivoted downwardly causes the upstanding fingers  62  pivotably engaged at each rear end portion  101  of the rod  98  to move upwardly to pivot the pivotable top  44  toward the vertical position thereof. An upper end  102  ( FIG. 8 ) of each finger  62  engages against and pushes up on a corresponding side flange  56  of the pivotable top  44 , moving same to a vertical position. 
         [0029]    It will be understood that the test tube lift platen  90  and the pivot rod  98  for the top  44  are provided for simplifying operation and are accessory rather than absolutely necessary for function in opening and closing a plurality of test tubes  12  simultaneously as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The assembly  10  could just as easily be operated manually to perform these tasks without undue burden on the user. 
         [0030]    It will be seen that, in a preferred embodiment, the pivotable members  90  and  98  are pivotably engaged to an upstanding support  104  for same provided on and raised above the base  30  to allow for pivotability. 
         [0031]    Further, a magnetic accessory  110  for magnetic separation of content within the test tubes  12  when desired may also be provided. In this respect, in one embodiment, an elongate lateral slot  112  may defined by a space  112  between the rear wall  30  and an upstanding flange  114  spaced forwardly of rear wall  32  on the base  30  as shown in  FIG. 1  or may be defined by space  112  between the rear wall  30  and upstanding rails  116  as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 . The magnetic accessory  110  in a preferred embodiment comprises a strip of magnetic dots  112  or the like which is configured to align each magnetic dot  112  behind one of the plurality of test tubes  12  within the assembly  10 . 
         [0032]    As described above, the assembly  10  of the present invention provides a number of advantages, some of which have been described above and others of which are inherent in the invention. Also, modifications may be proposed to the apparatus  10  without departing from the teachings herein. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims. 
         [0033]    As will be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the pertinent art, numerous modifications and substitutions can be made to the above-described embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the preceding portion of this specification is to be taken in an illustrative, as opposed to a limiting sense. 
         [0034]    An assembly for simultaneously opening a plurality of capped test tubes, the test tubes including caps configured to engage over an open end of each of said test tubes, each cap including a circumferential collar engaged about the open end of each of said test tubes and having a cover engaged to the collar by a living hinge at one circumferential position therealong and having a locking nub at an opposite circumferential position therealong which coacts with a slot in the collar for locking the cover to the collar, the assembly comprising a horizontal base from which a rear wall extends upwardly, a pair of vertically spaced apart test tube receiving and aligning shelves extending from the rear wall over said base and having aligned openings therein for aligned positioning of the test tubes vertically beneath a working pivotable top of the apparatus, the working pivotable top comprising a multilevel substantially planar element having a center support member and upon which are slidably mounted top and bottom planar members, the bottom planar member engaging the locking nub of each cap when in a first position thereof to simultaneously release and open each cover of the plurality of capped test tubes therebeneath and when in a second position thereof, allowing the pivotable top to pivot upwardly without releasing the caps. 
         [0035]    The assembly of claim  1  wherein the top and bottom slidable planar members slide rearwardly and forwardly upon the center support member. The assembly of claim  1  wherein the covers of the test tubes are opened by the bottom member when the bottom member is rearwardly positioned. The assembly of claim  1  wherein the covers of the test tubes remain closed when the bottom member is in a forwardly position. The assembly of claim  1  wherein an accessory test tube lifting platen pivotably positioned beneath the test tubes is pivoted upwardly for ease in grasping of the test tubes. 
         [0036]    The assembly of claim  1  wherein an accessory top pivoting rod with an upstanding finger at each rear end thereof is pivoted to raise the upstanding finger into engagement with and against a forwardly positioned end edge side flange of the assembly top to pivot same to a vertical position. 
         [0037]    The assembly of claim  1  wherein an accessory magnetic strip is provided for magnetically separating contents within the test tubes. The assembly of claim  7  wherein a slot for the accessory magnetic strip is provided forward of and adjacent to the rear wall of the assembly. 
         [0038]    The assembly of claim  7  wherein the magnetic accessory strip incorporates magnetic dots which align behind tubes located within the assembly. The assembly of claim  1  wherein a top one of the vertically aligned spaced apart shelves having openings therein also includes alignment shoulders on a top surface therein for aligning the hinges of the test tube caps toward a rear of the assembly. The assembly of claim  1  wherein the center support member includes a plurality of cutouts for accommodating covers of the test tube caps therein. The assembly of claim  1  wherein indicia are provided in the assembly top to indicate positioning of the bottom planar member. The assembly of claim  1  wherein the bottom planar member has cutouts therein which engage over the covers of the test tube caps and which when in the first position thereof releases the locking nub of each cover from engagement with a slot in the collar. 
         [0039]    The assembly of claim  1  wherein the bottom planar member has cutouts therein which engage over the covers of the test tube caps and which when in the second position thereof do not release the locking nub of each cover from engagement with a slot in the collar, with each cover remaining engaged over the respective test tube. The assembly of claim  1  wherein each cutout in the bottom planar member includes an undercut forward edge which engages between the cover and the test tube to release the nub from engagement within the slot of the collar when the assembly top is in the first position thereof. 
         [0040]    The assembly of claim  1  wherein a preferred plurality of test tubes to simultaneously be opened is more than one. 
         [0041]    The assembly of claim  1  wherein the preferred plurality of test tubes to be simultaneously opened is  10 . The assembly of claim  1  wherein the preferred plurality of test tubes to be simultaneously opened is more than  10 . 
         [0042]    The assembly of claim  1  wherein the top and bottom planar members of the assembly top are joined together via slots provided in the center support member. The assembly of claim  1  wherein the locking nubs are suitably engaged within the slots in the collar to keep same from opening until opened.