Abstract:
A secure clamping system for sealing and storing multiple vessels such as commercially available vial arrays, multi-well plates, and deep well blocks, as typically used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, or biological fields including top and bottom plates, with or without drainage or injection ports, secured to the array or well by a C-shaped clamping member that may be fixed or adjustable, or by top and bottom clamping plates having opposite side height adjustable bracket members with cooperating locking members, or by top and bottom clamping plates having eccentrically cammed grasping arms, all for retaining the plates in a secure, leak-proof fit over the top and bottom of the array, well or block.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application accorded Ser. No. 60/546,221, filed Feb. 20, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a secure clamping system for sealing multiple vessels such as vial arrays, multi-well plates, and deep well blocks, as typically used in the chemical, pharmaceutical, or biological arts. This clamping device will be used to secure commercially available storage units having sealing mats with or without dimples (plugs). The dimples, or plugs, are inserted into one or more individual wells or vials providing enhanced isolation of one such well or vial from another. The purpose of securely clamping the sealing mats is to prevent evaporation, spillage or contamination of a liquid contained therein, or the inadvertent transfer of the liquid from one well to another, as well as to provide a mechanical means to secure the flexible sealing mat to multi-vessel arrays in order to prevent the sealing mat from dislodging, and allow for a variety of applications including, but not limited to, reaction chemistry, liquid/liquid extraction, compound and solution storage. 
     In the chemical, pharmaceutical, and biochemistry arts, multi-compartment vessels are commonly used to carry out chemical reactions and store reagents and samples. Multi-well plates come in a variety of formats, 24 wells—4×6 array; 48 wells—6×8 array; 96 wells—8×12 array, but now a 384 and a 1536 well format are becoming increasingly common. Multi-well plates may be manually handled or handled by automated systems. Materials or samples are placed in the various compartments of the vessel and covered with a flexible sealing mat. Fluids may be transferred between selected wells, and the plates may be manipulated for storing, reacting and/or analyzing the samples. Accordingly, a means is needed to securely cover the vessel to ensure that the materials will not be spilled, and/or that the gases from the reaction do not escape to the atmosphere. A loose-fitting seal does not significantly guard against evaporation, sublimation, absorption, or cross-contamination between wells. 
     Numerous attempts have been made to provide a secure sealing system, however, they have a number of shortcomings, which the present invention overcomes. For example, one method of sealing the storage containers involves using a commercially available heat-sealable foil or plastic film that may be applied across the entire upper surface of the plate. Application of these films provide an efficient, gas and liquid tight seal, but the heat-sealing process to secure the films in place is cumbersome, may warp the plate and affect its performance in automated robotic equipment. In addition, access to each well can only be obtained by piercing the film or by peeling the film off by hand or with a foil stripper, causing the end user to re-apply the film. Consequently, this type of seal is not re-usable. 
     In other sealing systems, the clamping systems are made of more than two parts. This increases the difficulty needed to utilize the equipment, leading to potential spillage of the contents. In addition, having many parts increases the chance that parts will get misplaced or confused with other systems. Additionally, in these other systems, the sealing clamps are specific to a particular vessel type and dimension, and cannot be used for vessel types of different dimensions, which can result in a costly expense to the consumer. Lastly, other systems specifically do not allow for vessels that have bottom drain ports, such as filter plates, thereby preventing the vessel to be drained without disassembling the sealing system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art by allowing for a universal secure clamping system that can be used on a variety of commercially available vial arrays, multi-well and single-well storage blocks and containers, either with or without dimpled flexible sealing mats. The particular geometry of a well, whether round, rectangular or square in cross-section, is immaterial to this invention. 
     In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a base plate with or without drainage ports, a top plate with or without fluid injection or removal ports, and a C-clamp style strip made of metal that is sufficiently rigid to keep its shape, yet have enough spring action to allow for easy application and removal. In the event that the multi-well plate has an integral bottom, the reinforcing bottom plate will not be required. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a clamping system comprising: (1) a base plate and a top plate, either with or without drainage or injection ports, (2) an expandable (or contractible) C-clamp style strip having a cooperating set of overlapping clamp arms that are adjustably moved inward and outward to accommodate differently sized well arrays and can be secured in a desired position by a tightening means. An alternative arrangement may be utilized with the adjustment for size being located along one side (or end) of the well array with one gripping and tightening arm being adjustably moveable in relation to one arm of the cooperating clamp arms extending over the top of the well array and tightened to hold the plates in position by a threaded tightening means exerting pressure inward against the opposing clamp arm from the overlapping portion of the first clamp arm. 
     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of this invention, there is provided a clamping system comprising: (1) a base plate and a top plate, either with or without drainage or injection ports, (2) a cooperating pair of brackets extending perpendicularly upward from and on opposite sides of the rectangular plates, with a channel or slot to receive a plate position securing means. The brackets are secured to each other at the desired spatial relationship depending upon the dimensions of the well using one of several spatial retention means, for example, a hip-squared carriage bolt with a rounded head that will not turn once engaged in the channel. The bracket and the channels can be of varying heights, so as to allow for securely clamping more than one storage container at a time, or containers or wells of varying heights. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a clamping system comprising: (1) a base plate and a top plate, (2) a paired set of articulating clamps on either side of the base plate that are engageable with a latching means opposing the clamp arms on either side of the top plate to secure one plate to the other plate retaining the sealing mat and stored articles securely therebetween. 
     In each of the preferred embodiments, the plates, brackets and springs are made of metal, such as steel, aluminum or other metal alloys, plastic-coated metals having similar properties and physical characteristics, or more rigid plastics. 
     The present invention has the direct advantages that it is universal and can be used on vessels of various dimensions, greatly reducing the cost to the consumer, as well as it being universal in the fact that the top and bottom plates can be interchanged, thus rendering the clamping system easier to use. In addition, this invention allows for an added convenience and flexibility in the fact that the top and bottom plates can contain a plurality of small injection ports or small drainage ports, respectively, that allow for titration, drainage, or other action without taking the clamping system apart. This is particularly useful, for example, when it is necessary to stack the trays on top of each other in order to allow the top system to drain into the lower system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the invention, showing base and top plates and a C-style clamping means, including the storage container or well and flexible sealing mat covers. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the first preferred embodiment, showing the C-style clamp engaged to hold the sealing mats securely in position about the container or well. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of an alternate clamping apparatus for use with the first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing base and top plates and a C-style clamping means having the capacity to expand or contract laterally in an overlapping manner with a top securing means, including the storage container or well and flexible sealing mat covers. 
         FIG. 2B  is a side view of a second alternate clamping apparatus for use with the first preferred embodiment of the invention, showing base and top plates and a C-style clamping means having the capacity to expand or contract laterally in an overlapping manner with a side securing means, including the storage container or well and flexible sealing mat covers. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a second preferred embodiment, providing top and bottom plates secured together about a container or well and top and bottom sealing mats with a side bracket clamping system. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the second preferred embodiment in a secure and locked position, providing top and bottom plates with drainage holes with the side bracket clamping system engaged to hold the sealing mats securely in position about the container or well. 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the invention, showing base and top plates and a paired set of articulating clamping arms that engage cooperating opposing latches for securing the plates together retaining the storage container or well, a plurality of storage articles, and the flexible sealing mat cover therebetween. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the third preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not intended in a limiting sense, and is made solely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, where like numerals refer to like parts or elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1 , according to the first embodiment of this invention, a secure clamping apparatus  10  comprising a rectangular bottom clamp plate  20 , with or without a plurality of small drainage holes  20 - 1  through  20 - 8 . The rectangular plate  20  is sized to accommodate most commercially available multi-well array sizes, such as 96 wells in a 12×8 array. The identically sized bottom sealing mat  18 , with raised square plugs (for purposes of cooperating geometry and dimension) numbered  18 - 1  through  18 - 96 , is placed on top of the rectangular bottom plate  20  with the plugs facing upwards. Then the identically sized multi-well chamber  16  is placed on top of the bottom sealing mat  18 , with the corresponding containment wells or chambers, numbered  16 - 1  through  16 - 96  engaged accordingly. The containment wells can then be filled with the appropriate materials, such as chemicals, reactants, diluents, or compounds in preparation for storage or reaction, and the like. The identically sized top sealing mat  14  with protruding square plugs, numbered  14 - 1  through  14 - 96 , is placed on top of the multi-well chamber  16  with the plugs facing downwards, making sure that the sealing mat plugs, numbered  14 - 1  through  14 - 96 , are securely engaged with the corresponding containment chamber openings,  16 - 1  through  16 - 96 . The identically sized top clamp plate  12 , with or without a plurality of small injection ports  12 - 1  through  12 - 8 , is placed on top of the sealing mat  14 . The number of drainage and injection ports, as shown in  FIG. 1 , in both the top and bottom plates are merely representative of the total number of such ports that are intended to correspond with each of the wells in the multi-well chamber  16 . The top and bottom plates  12 ,  20  may be customized to accommodate non-standard formats for the vial arrays, wells or containment blocks that retain standardized dimensions common in the industry. These top and bottom plates  12 ,  20  may also be molded from suitable engineered plastics that do not exhibit fatigue through continued, repeated use or by exposure to certain solvents. The plastics are also to be resistant to heat and retain their rigidity and strength during their use. Further, the mats  14 ,  18  may have cooperating apertures that permit drainage from or the addition of liquids to the various wells in the multi-well container  16  with the unit assembled and a clamping means in place to retain the various elements together as a unit. 
     Once the unit is assembled, a releasable C-shaped clamp  22 , with extension arms  22 A and  22 B, is placed around the exterior of the storage unit in order to secure the various parts together as a unit. The C-clamp may be fashioned from a memory shaped material to form a partially closed structure with a width that is less than the width of the storage container yet wide enough to form a strong seal, with a thickness that enables it to deflect outwardly when a force is applied to its respective free ends at arms  22 A and  22 B. The secure clamping apparatus  10 , engaged about the multi-well chamber  16  and sealing mats  14 ,  18 , is ready for storage or other activity as may be required. Alternatively, the C-clamp may be of an entirely rigid material and slip onto the assembled unit from one side to retain the various elements together as a unit. 
     The combination of the various elements just described can be modified to exclude the bottom clamping plate  20  and the bottom flexible sealing mat  18  in the event that the multi-well plate has its own integral sealed bottom. Another modification is that clamp  22  can be oriented to fit around the bottom of the multi-well plate  16  and engage its grasping arm extensions  22 A,  22 B partially across the top of top clamping plate  12 . 
     The top and bottom clamping plates  12 ,  20 , and clamping means  22  and grasping arm extensions  22 A and  22 B, are made of a rigid material, preferably with low thermal expansion and little potential for contaminating the contents of the containment wells  16 - 1  through  16 - 96 . The top and bottom clamp plates  12 ,  20 , and clamping means  22  may be machined from aluminum or similar alloy, or stainless steel. It is also envisioned that top and bottom plates  12  and  20  could also be molded from an engineered plastic with relatively low thermal expansion, such as a polycarbonate. The C-shaped clamping means  22  and grasping arm extensions  22 A and  22 B are presently preferred to be of a material that is sufficiently rigid to keep its shape, yet have sufficient spring action to allow for easy application and removal without distortion, warping or breakage. 
       FIG. 2  shows a plan view along one side of the assembled universal secure clamp system  10  comprising the bottom clamp plate  20 , the bottom sealing mat  18 , the multi-well chamber  16 , the top sealing mat  14 , the top clamp plate  12 , and the C-shaped clamp  22  secured on the outside with grasping arm extension  22 A and  22 B extending around the bottom clamp plate  20 . The secure clamping apparatus  10 , engaged about the multi-well chamber  16  and sealing mats  14 ,  18 , will remain in position for storage or until removed for other activities as needed. 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  show two alternate versions of the clamping apparatus  22 . In  FIG. 2A  the clamp  22  is comprised of first and second legs  24 A and  24 B that overlap one another and are slideable along the overlapping surfaces of the respective legs  24 A,  24 B. The legs  24 A and  24 B are retained in the desired longitudinal overlapping position along each of the respective legs by a slot  26  common to both through which slot an adjusting and tightening means  28  extends. The adjustment and tightening means  28  may be comprised of a threaded screw  30  extending upwards away from the top plate  12  and through the common slot  26  of both legs  24 A,  24 B of the clamp  22  with a flanged nut  32  may be used to loosen or tighten the grip of the adjusting and tightening means  28  on the legs  24 A,  24 B so that the clamp  22  may be extended to open the multi-chambered well  16 , or retracted to clamp the several parts of the unit and retain them together, by bringing the arms  22 A,  22 B of the clamp  22  inward to grasp the assembled unit or outward to release the parts of the assembled unit. The threaded screw  30  rides within the slot  26  and is retained against the inward side of the leg  24 A of the clamp  22  by its flat head. The other leg  24 B is able to slidingly engage the threaded screw  30  within its slot  26  so that the legs  24 A,  24 B are able to slide inwardly against the multi-chambered well  16  and away from the well  16  in order that the clamp  22  be engaged or disengaged from the assembled unit. 
     In  FIG. 2B  the clamp  22  is comprised of first and second legs  24 A and  24 B that overlap one another and are slideable along the overlapping surfaces of the respective legs  24 A,  24 B. The leg  24 A of the clamp  22  extends beyond the side of the assembled unit away from the grasping arm  22 A and has a second downwardly extending arm  34 A through which a threaded screw  30  is engaged and extends toward the assembled unit. The threaded screw  30  forms a part of the adjusting and tightening means  28  as it cooperates with a friction plate  34 B attached to the bottom of the screw  30  that contacts the leg  24 B of the clamp  22  to achieve the appropriate gripping force to retain the clamp  22  in place around the assembled unit. In this manner the leg  24 A of the clamp  22  extends around and grips the assemble unit by its grasping arm  22 A and provides the adjusting and tightening means  28  a mounted position opposing the opposite side of the assembled unit. The leg  24 B of the clamp  22  is slid between the assembled unit and the second arm  34 A of the leg  24 A such that its extends from a point along the top plate  12  of the assembled unit to the end of grasping arm  22 B that extends partially along the bottom plate  20  of the assembled unit and lies between the extended arm  34 A and the side of the assembled unit. In this fashion the adjusting and tightening means can be manipulated inward and outward along the threads of screw  30  by the knurled head  36  to apply sufficient force against the leg  22 B of the clamp  22  by the friction plate  34 B to assert the appropriate clamping action and retain the assembled unit together. In reverse fashion the adjusting and tightening means  28  can be loosened and withdrawn from against the leg  24 B of clamp  22  in order to disassemble the several parts of the unit. Utilizing the alternately constructed clamps  22  of  FIGS. 2A and 2B  permits the use of differently sized multi-chambered wells  16  having a variety of differing outer dimensions rather than a fixed, one-size clamp  22  of the first preferred embodiment. 
       FIG. 3  shows a second preferred embodiment of the universal clamping apparatus  110  comprising a bottom clamping plate  120 , with or without a plurality of small drainage holes,  126 - 1  through  126 - 8 , the plate also sized to accommodate the most commercially available multi-well array sizes, such as 96 wells/arrays, in a 12×8 array. The bottom plate  120  has a pair of cooperating brackets  128 A and  128 B extending perpendicularly upward from and on opposite sides of the rectangular plate, each having a channel or slot  130 A,  130 B to receive a plate position securing means  136 . The brackets  128 A,  128 B are secured to identically sized brackets  132 A,  132 B extending perpendicularly downward from and on opposite sides of the top plate  112  at the desired spatial relationship depending upon the dimensions of the well through cooperating channels or slots  134 A,  134 B in the brackets  132 A,  132 B. Each bracket  128 A,  128 B and  132 A,  132 B is retained in the desired positioning clamping the top and bottom sealing mats  114 ,  118  in sealing engagement with the multi-well chamber  116  using the plate position securing means  136 . 
     In  FIGS. 3 and 4  the plate position securing means  136  is shown as comprising a hip-squared carriage bolt with a flat head  138 A,  138 B that will not turn once engaged in the channels  128 A,  128 B and  130 A,  130 B, hand-tightened and secured with wing nuts  140 A,  140 B. The securing means  136  could also be T-squared nut positioned to slide inside the channels  130 A,  130 B,  134 A,  134 B and cooperate with a threaded screw fixedly mounted within a knurled knob used to tighten and loosen the securing means  136 . Other securing means having equivalent structures for mechanically retaining the respective top and bottom plates  112 ,  120  in the desired spatial relationship about the multi-well plate  116  could also be utilized. 
     The brackets  128 A,  128 B and  132 A,  132 B and the channels  130 A,  130 B and  134 A,  134 B can be of varying lengths, so as to allow for securely clamping more than one storage container at a time, or containers or wells of varying heights. The brackets  128 A,  128 B and  132 A,  132 B attached to each of the top and bottom clamp plates  112 ,  120  respectively can be positioned so that the paired brackets  128  and  132  can both be outside of the other brackets, or the paired brackets can be oriented to interleave one another. The brackets  128 A,  128 B and  132 A,  132 B and top and bottom clamp plates  112 ,  120  are made of a rigid material, preferably with low thermal expansion and little potential for contaminating the contents of the containment wells  116 - 1  through  116 - 96 . The top and bottom clamp plates  112 ,  120 , and brackets  128 A,  128 B and  132 A,  132 B may be machined from aluminum or similar alloy, or stainless steel, or alternatively, it is also envisioned that they could also be molded from an engineered plastic with relatively low thermal expansion, such as polycarbonate. 
     To assemble the clamping system, the identically sized bottom sealing mat  118 , with a plurality of small raised plugs  118 - 1  through  118 - 96  facing upwards, is placed on top of the bottom clamp plate  120 . The identically sized multi-well chamber  116 , with containment wells or chambers  116 - 1  through  116 - 96 , is placed on the bottom sealing mat, so as to engage the plugs  118 - 1  through  118 - 96  in the bottom of the containment wells. The multi-well containment chambers  116 - 1  through  116 - 96  may then be filled with chemicals, reactants, diluents, or compounds, and the like, in order to carry out a reaction or in preparation for storage, or other desired activity. The top sealing mat  114 , with small raised plugs  114 - 1  through  114 - 96  facing downwards, is placed on top so as to engage each plug securely with each cooperating opening of corresponding containment chamber  116 - 1  through  116 - 96 . Finally, the identically sized top clamp plate  112 , with or with out drainage holes  124 - 1  through  124 - 8 , is placed on top of the top sealing mat  114 , so that the cooperating brackets  132 A,  132 B and respective slots  134 A,  134 B are matched with bottom plate brackets  128 A,  128 B and slots  130 A,  130 B. 
     At this point the side brackets  128 A,  132 A and  128 B,  132 B are ready to be secured using the clamp securing means  136  comprised of hip-squared carriage bolt  138 A,  138 B and wing nuts  140 A,  140 B, placed through slots  130 A,  134 A and  130 B,  134 B, respectively. The bolts  138  are secured by tightening the wing nuts  140  at the desired distance along the length of the corresponding channels  130 A,  134 A and  130 B,  134 B, depending upon the height of the multi-well chamber(s)  116 . The secure clamping apparatus  110 , engaged about the multi-well chamber  116  and sealing mats  114 ,  118 , is now ready for storage or other activity as needed. 
     To disassemble the unit, the wing nuts  140 A,  140 B are loosened by hand and removed so that the bolt  138 A,  138 B can be removed from the slots  130 A,  134 A and  130 B,  134 B. The top clamping plate  112  is then removed to reveal the top sealing mat cover  114 . The top sealing mat cover  114  is then removed to reveal the multi-well compartment chambers  116 - 1  through  116 - 96  and the chemicals or compounds that had been placed inside the chambers. The chemicals or compounds are removed by any typical means such as pipette, syringe, or needle, and then the multi-well chamber  116  can be removed from the bottom sealing mat  118 . The bottom sealing mat  118  can then be removed from the bottom clamp plate  120 , and all the pieces can be cleaned or prepared for use again as needed. 
     Alternatively, the bracket and plate system can be pre-assembled and extended to its maximum spatial relationship between the plates and the multi-well plate  116  slid into the opening between the plates  112 ,  120 . With the multi-well plate  116  in position, the plates  112 ,  120  can be adjusted in an inwardly direction about the multi-well plate  116  to provide a clamping force directly upon the one or more sealing mats  114 ,  118  and retain the mats in position and sealing engagement with the well  116 . The securing means  136  can then be tightened to retain the combination in the desired clamping arrangement until disassembly is required. When the well  116  is to be unclamped, the reverse procedure is utilized, loosening of the securing means  136  and the extension of the top and bottom plates  112 ,  120  to the maximum spatial relationship, or the necessary spatial relationship, to remove the well  116  and sealing mats  114 ,  118  from within the clamp. 
       FIG. 4  shows the second preferred embodiment of the universal secure clamping apparatus  110  in it&#39;s final and secure position comprising top clamp plate  112  with drainage holes  124 - 1  through  124 - 8 , top sealing mat  114 , multi-well chamber  116 , bottom sealing mat  118 , and bottom clamp plate  120 . Securing the top and bottom clamp plates  112  and  120  are cooperating brackets  128 A and  132 A, with matching slots or channels  130 A and  134 A, secured by the securing means  136  comprising hip-squared carriage bolt  138 A and wing nut  140 A. The opposite side of the universal clamping means  110 , the B side, is not shown in  FIG. 4 , but each of the elements identically interconnects in the same way. The secure clamping apparatus  110 , engaged about the multi-well chamber  116  and sealing mats  114 ,  118 , is now ready for storage or other such activity as needed. 
     As in the case of the former embodiment, this embodiment may also be modified to exclude the bottom clamping plate  120  and the bottom flexible sealing mat  118  in the event that the multi-well plate  116  has its own integral sealed bottom. As such, the clamping plates  112 ,  120  will be oriented to fit over and around the multi-well plate  116  and the top sealing mat  114  and engage the entire assembly within the clamping plates  112 ,  120 . 
     A third preferred embodiment of the clamping system of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In this case the article that is to be retained in a sealed condition is a carrier  216  housing a number of cylindrical tubes or vials  216 - 1  to  216 - 24  that are shown capped. A sealing mat  214  may be placed over the unsealed tubes or vials  216 - 1  to  216 - 24 , or over the capped tubes or vials. The mat  214  provides a cushioning effect against the tubes or vials  216 - 1  to  216 - 24  as these articles may be made from glass and the amt will tend prevent shattering of the tube or vial by the pressure of the clamping system  210 . The carrier  216  is positioned within a bottom plate  220  having opposing upstanding sides. Additionally other positioning structures could be used but are not absolutely necessary. Midway along each upstanding side are paired articulating clamping arms  222 A,  222 B, each of them are fixedly attached to the sidewalls. The clamping arms  222 A,  222 B are eccentrically cammed so as to latch in the extended position and release in the opposite position. The top plate  212  also has two opposing sidewalls that extend over the sides of the mat  214  and the carrier  216 , each side having a ledge  224 A,  224 B extending outward from the sidewalls and positioned to cooperate with the grasping ends of the clamping arms  222 A,  222 B of the clamping system. When engaged by positioning the grasping ends of the clamping arms  222 A,  222 B over the ledges  224  and rotating the cams away from the ledges  224 A,  224 B the assembled unit is retained within the clamping system so that it may be stored, stacked, etc. The reversal of the process of rotating the cams toward the ledges releases the ledges  224 A,  224 B from the grasping ends of the clamping arms  222 A,  222 B and permits the clamping system to be disengaged from the assembled unit. Once the clamping system is disengaged, the assembled unit may be disassembled, the carrier  216  removed from the clamping system top and bottom plates  212 ,  220 , and the user regains access to the tubes or vials in the carrier  216 . Although the drawing shows only a vial array, this embodiment of the universal clamping system is intended to be utilized with a storage block as well. 
     In summary, the clamping system of the present invention is designed to accommodate both industry standard dimensioned vial arrays, wells and containment blocks and to be adjustable to be able to retain assembled elements together as a unit even though different assembled units may have varying dimensions. Further, the clamping system of the present invention is designed to be adjustable to accommodate assembled units having different dimensions without the need to locate and utilize a clamping system specifically designed for the dimensions of the assembled unit. This includes the adjustability of the clamping system to accommodate changes in both the vertical or height dimension, as well as the length or horizontal dimension of the assembled units. In doing so the clamping system of the present invention exhibits an adjusting means, that is also utilized as a position retaining means, to accommodate the varying height and length dimensions of different assembled units. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as being illustrative and not restrictive, with the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing detailed description, as indicating the scope of the invention as well as all modifications which may fall within a range of equivalency which are also intended to be embraced therein.