Patent ID: 12239989

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be embodied in a variety of forms, the following description and accompanying drawings are merely intended to disclose some of these forms as specific examples of the subject matter. Accordingly, the subject matter of this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the forms or embodiments so described and illustrated.

Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and other technical terms or terminology used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, applications, published applications, and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this section prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.

Unless otherwise indicated or the context suggests otherwise, as used herein, “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.”

This description may use relative spatial and/or orientation terms in describing the position and/or orientation of a component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof. Unless specifically stated, or otherwise dictated by the context of the description, such terms, including, without limitation, top, bottom, above, below, under, on top of, upper, lower, left of, right of, in front of, behind, next to, adjacent, between, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, longitudinal, transverse, radial, axial, etc., are used for convenience in referring to such component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof in the drawings and are not intended to be limiting.

Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, any specific dimensions mentioned in this description are merely representative of an exemplary implementation of a device embodying aspects of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the term “adjacent” refers to being near or adjoining. Adjacent objects can be spaced apart from one another or can be in actual or direct contact with one another. In some instances, adjacent objects can be coupled to one another or can be formed integrally with one another.

As used herein, the terms “substantially” and “substantial” refer to a considerable degree or extent. When used in conjunction with, for example, an event, circumstance, characteristic, or property, the terms can refer to instances in which the event, circumstance, characteristic, or property occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event, circumstance, characteristic, or property occurs to a close approximation, such as accounting for typical tolerance levels or variability of the embodiments described herein.

A “molecular assay” as used herein refers to a procedure for specifically detecting and/or quantifying a target molecule, such as a target nucleic acid. A sample containing or suspected of containing the target molecule is contacted with one or more reagents, including at least one reagent specific for the target molecule, and subjected to conditions permissive for generating a detectable signal informative of whether the target molecule is present. For example, where the molecular assay is Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), the reagents include primers specific for the target and the generation of a detectable signal can be accomplished at least in part by providing a labeled probe that hybridizes to the amplicon produced by the primers in the presence of the target. Alternatively, the reagents can include an intercalating dye for detecting the formation of double-stranded nucleic acids.

A “reagent” as used herein refers to any substance or combination thereof that participates in a molecular assay, other than sample material and products of the assay. Exemplary reagents include nucleotides, enzymes, amplification oligomers, probes, and salts.

An “assay” as used herein refers to a procedure for detecting and/or quantifying a target molecule in a sample. A sample containing or suspected of containing the target molecule is contacted with one or more reagents and subjected to conditions permissive for generating a detectable signal informative of whether the target molecule is present in the sample or the amount of the target molecule in the sample.

Referring toFIGS.1-3, a container100includes a base102and a lid200disposed on a top end of the base102. A septum250may be disposed between the lid200and the base102over a top wall aperture106formed in the base and below a lid aperture204formed in the lid200.

In various embodiments, base102and lid200are made from suitable moldable materials, including various plastics, such as polypropylene or cyclic olefin copolymer, polyethylene, polycarbonate, acrylic, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and the base102and lid200may be injection molded. Characteristics of the material used to form the base102and lid200include chemical compatibility a fluid intended for use with the container100. In some applications, the material must be inert so that chemicals are not leached into the fluid (e.g., a fluid reagent for performing a molecular assay) and so that the material is not degraded by the fluid. Other characteristics that may be important include manufacturability (i.e., how easily is the material injection molded?), bondability (i.e., how well can the lid200be bonded to the base102?), and ergonomics (e.g., the look and feel in a user's hand).

The septum250may be made from an elastomeric material, such as silicone, Viton®, polyurethane, nitrile, butyl, ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), Neoprene, polyethylene, or Santoprene® (dynamically vulcanized EPDM rubber in a thermoplastic matrix of polypropylene).

Referring toFIGS.4,5,8, and9, the base102includes a top wall104and a vessel110configured to hold a fluid depending from the top wall104and extending longitudinally below the top wall104. The vessel110extends from the top wall aperture106and includes side walls114and a bottom wall116at a bottom end118of the vessel110. In the illustrated embodiment, the vessel110has a tubular or cylindrical side wall114(i.e., a circular transverse profile) with a rounded, interiorly concave bottom wall116. The vessel110may have different shapes and configurations, such as a square or rectangular transverse profile and/or a flat bottom wall.

Referring toFIGS.1-4,8, and9, container100further includes a skirt130extending from a perimeter108(labeled inFIGS.4and5, see alsoFIGS.10and11) of the top wall104. In various embodiments, the skirt130has a flat bottom edge that extends below the bottom end118of the vessel110. Accordingly, the container100may be self-balancing in an upright position when placed with the bottom edge of the skirt130supported on a flat surface. Skirt130may include a first wall segment132oriented transversely to the top wall104and depending from a first segment of the perimeter108of the top wall104and extending longitudinally from the perimeter segment of the top wall to a bottom edge134of the first wall segment. First wall segment132partially surrounds the vessel110, and at least a portion of the bottom edge134extends below the bottom end118of the vessel110. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom edge134of the first wall segment is substantially straight and parallel to the top wall104of the base102, and thus, the entire bottom edge134of the first wall segment132extends below the bottom end118of the vessel110.

As best seen inFIGS.2and3, in an embodiment, first wall segment132includes an alignment notch136formed therein and extending upwardly from the bottom edge134of the first wall segment132. The container100may be carried within a recessed pocket of a rack, shelf, conveyor, carousel, etc., (not shown), and a prong or other inward extension (not shown) may be provided within the recessed pocket to extend into and engage the alignment notch136of the container100placed within the pocket to thereby force a particular, desired orientation of the container100within the pocket and prevent the container100from rotating within the pocket.

Skirt130may further include a second wall segment138, also oriented transversely to the top wall104of the base102and depending from a second segment of the perimeter108of the top wall104and extending longitudinally from the perimeter segment to the bottom edge142of the second wall segment138. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom edge142of the second wall segment138is coplanar with the bottom edge134of the first wall segment132.

Second wall segment may include a label panel140on which is secured a label141(seeFIG.4). Label141may be imprinted with identification or other informational indicia related to the container and/or its contents and may include machine-readable indicia such as bar codes or radio frequency ID tags (“RFID”). Label panel140may include a single, flat surface as shown inFIG.5, or it may include a curved surface or two or more discrete flat and/or curved surfaces.

Referring toFIGS.1-3and5, the skirt further includes longitudinally oriented grooves144,146formed on opposed sides of the base102. Referring more particularly toFIG.5, groove144is defined by exteriorly convex surfaces148and150(i.e., sides, or walls of the groove) converging towards a root156of the groove144. The root156of the groove144is the transition between one wall148of the groove144and an opposite wall150of the groove144. Convergent surface148may include part of the first wall segment132, and converging surface150may include part of the second wall segment138. The root156thereby separates the first wall segment132and the second wall segment138. Similarly, groove146is defined by exteriorly convex surfaces152, and154(i.e., sides, or walls of the groove) converging towards a root158of the groove146. Converging surface152may include part of the first wall segment132, and converging surface154may include part of the second wall segment138. The root158thereby separates the first wall segment132and the second wall segment138.

Referring toFIGS.4and5, a first, or top wall, fluid retainer barrier170projects above a top surface120of the top wall104. Top wall fluid barrier170may include an upstanding wall oriented transversely to the plane of the top wall104and may be substantially perpendicular to the top wall104. Top wall fluid retainer barrier170extends continuously around the top wall aperture106and is spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the top wall aperture106. In the illustrated embodiment, top wall fluid retainer barrier170has a generally diamond shape with rounded corners.

A plurality of alternating merlons172and crenels174are disposed on the top wall104and surround the top wall aperture106within the space between the top wall fluid retainer barrier170and the perimeter of the top wall aperture106. Connecting posts176,178project above the top surface120of the top wall104. The connecting posts176,178may be located at diametrically opposed positions with respect to the top wall aperture106and may each be disposed on a respective one of the merlons172surrounding the aperture106.

Referring toFIGS.4,6,7,10, and11, the lid200includes a cover wall202disposed at spaced-apart position above the top wall104of the base and has formed therein a lid aperture204that is generally aligned with the top wall aperture106of the base102. A perimeter wall, or skirt,212is oriented transversely to the cover wall202and depends from the perimeter206of the cover wall202. The perimeter wall212generally surrounds the top wall fluid retainer barrier170of the base102. As can be appreciated fromFIGS.8and9, in an embodiment, at least a portion of the perimeter wall212is coplanar with at least a portion of the first wall segment132of the skirt130of base102, and a different portion of the perimeter wall212is coplanar with at least a portion of the second wall segment138of the skirt130of the base102.

Referring toFIGS.1,2,6,10, and11, a second fluid retainer barrier, or cover wall fluid retainer barrier,214projects above a top surface208of the cover wall202. The cover wall retainer barrier214extends continuously around the lid aperture204and is spaced from the perimeter of the lid aperture204.

Referring toFIGS.7,10, and11, a lid wall216projects below a bottom surface210of the cover wall202. The lid wall216is oriented transversely to the bottom surface of the cover wall202and extends continuously around the lid aperture204and is spaced from the perimeter of the lid aperture204. In an embodiment, the lid wall216has a similar shape as the top wall fluid retainer barrier170, which, in the illustrated embodiments, is generally diamond shaped with rounded corners. In some embodiments, the lid wall216is configured to have a conforming fit inside the top wall fluid retainer barrier170, as shown inFIGS.10and11, so that the lid wall has a conforming fit within an interior surface of the top wall fluid retainer barrier170.

As shown inFIGS.7,10, and11, in an embodiment, a plurality of alternating merlons218and crenels220form a free edge of the lid wall216. Each of the plurality of alternating merlons218and crenels220of the lid wall216is disposed in opposed alignment with an associated one of the alternating merlons172and crenels174of the top wall104of the base102.

In an embodiment, a merlon of the lid wall216on each of two opposed sides of the lid aperture204defines a post capture pocket222,223. Each post capture pocket222,223includes a curved first segment224, a second segment232connected to a first end226of the first segment224and extending transversely from a concave side of the first segment224, and a third segment234connected to a second end228of the first segment224and extending transversely from the concave side of the first segment224. The second segment232and the third segment234converge toward each other at their free ends, but do not contact each other in the illustrated embodiment. Each post capture pocket222,223is configured to receive a respective one of the connecting posts176,178inserted into a pocket defined between the respective first segment224, second segment232, and third segment234of thereof.

Friction between the connecting posts176,178, the first segment224, second segment232, and third segment234of each respective post capture pocket222,223at least partially retains the lid200on the top end of the base102. In various embodiments, the lid200may be secured to the base102by any suitable adhesive. What constitutes a suitable adhesive will depend on the specific polymer material used to form the lid200and the base102. For example, solvent bonding may be possible for PVC or acrylic but not for polypropylene. Various UV cure adhesives could also be considered. Ultrasonic welding or heat stake methods are also possible.

As shown inFIG.7, in various embodiments, an annular relief236is formed on the bottom surface210of the cover wall202. Relief236represents an area, or region, of reduced thickness of the cover wall202. In various embodiments, and as shown inFIG.7, annular relief surrounds lid aperture204, such that a radially inner edge of the annular relief236is coextensive with the perimeter of the lid aperture204. In addition, portions of a radially outer edge of the annular relief236are coextensive with inner surfaces of parts of the lid wall216. One purpose of the relief236is to create as big of a gap as possible between the surface of the septum250and the underside of the lid200to minimize or prevent oil or another fluid from wicking between the lid200and the septum250.

As shown inFIGS.4,10, and11, septum250is disposed within the top wall fluid retainer barrier170and overlies the top wall aperture106and the plurality of alternating merlons172and crenels174of the top wall104. In this regard, and as shown inFIG.4, the septum may have a perimeter shape256corresponding to the interior shape of the top wall fluid retainer barrier170. Septum250may be at least partially retained within the top wall fluid retainer barrier170by means of the connecting posts176,178extending through holes252,254formed through the septum and aligned with the posts. When the lid200is installed on the top end of the base102, a perimeter256of the septum250is sandwiched between merlons172of the base102and opposed, associated merlons218of the lid wall216. Septum250may include a plurality of slits258formed through a portion of the septum250disposed between lid aperture204and top wall aperture106, whereby the slits intersect at a common, central point and or oriented radially with respect to the lid aperture and the top wall aperture. Slits258are configured to permit a rigid instrument, such as the probe of a pipettor, (not shown) to pass through the septum250and into the vessel110.

Due to the resiliency of the septum material, the pie-shaped sections of the septum250between the slits258will deflect downwardly as the rigid instrument is lowered through the slits258and into the vessel110, but will retain at least some contact with the outer surface of the instrument as the instrument is lowered into and then withdrawn from the vessel. In addition, the pie-shaped portions will elastically return toward their undeflected positions after the instrument is removed, thereby providing an at least partial closure for the vessel110.

The resilient, pie-shaped sections of the septum250in contact with the outer surface of the instrument inserted into and removed from the vessel110function as wipers to remove at least some excess fluid from the outer surface of the instrument, and at least some of that wiped fluid may be deposited on top of the septum250. Accordingly, the container100may include fluid retainer/return structure that prevents the fluid deposited on the septum250from dripping off the container100and allows at least a portion of the fluid deposited on the septum250to run off the septum and into the vessel110.

The fluid retainer/return structure may include retainer walls or barriers that prevent fluid deposited on the septum250from falling off the container100and openings or gaps that permit fluid retained on top of the septum250to fall into the vessel110. In the illustrated embodiment, that fluid retainer/return structure may be provided by the top wall fluid retainer barrier170, the merlons172, and the crenels174of the base102and the lid wall216, the merlons218, and the crenels220of the lid200. The fluid retainer/return structure may also include fluid retainer barrier214on the cover wall202and surrounding the lid aperture204to prevent fluid deposited on the cover wall202adjacent the cover wall aperture204from falling off the container100.

At least some fluid that is deposited on top of the septum250is able to flow to the outer perimeter256of the septum250, where there are gaps between the lid wall216and the septum250at the crenels220formed in the lid wall216. Fluid flowing to the perimeter256can flow around the perimeter, where it is retained by the top wall fluid retainer barrier170, and then flow through the gaps between the septum250and the top wall104of the base102through the crenels174formed in the base102and aligned with the crenels220formed in the lid wall216.

FIG.12shows a gripping mechanism holding a container100. The gripping mechanism includes opposed arms260,262that are movable in a clamping fashion toward and away from each other to selectively grip, or grasp, the container100or release the container100, respectively. Each of the opposed arms260,262includes longitudinally spaced fingers, or extensions,264,266(only visible for arm260). Each of the fingers264,266includes an enlarged tip268,270that extends into the grooves144,146of the container100.

In an embodiment, the container100may include gripping structures, such as grooves144,146, configured to enable the gripping mechanism to securely grip the container100in a repeatable position and orientation with respect to the opposed arms260,262. That is, the gripping structures engaged by container-contacting components of the gripping mechanism result in a securing grasping engagement between the container and the container-contacting components and where the position and orientation of the container with respect to the gripping mechanism is substantially the same each time a container is grasped by the gripping mechanism.

Because each of the grooves144,146includes opposed, exteriorly-convex surfaces148,150,152,154(seeFIG.5), the enlarged tips268,270of the fingers264,266, of the opposed arms260,262are wedged toward the roots156,158of each of the grooves144,146, thereby providing a secure gripping engagement between the enlarged tips268,270and the grooves144,146. In addition, the opposed, exteriorly-convex surfaces148,150,152,154, combined with the longitudinal spacing between the enlarged tips268,270of the fingers264,266, provide a self-centering functionality of the fingers264,266and the enlarged tips268,270with respect to the grooves144,146. Therefore, for example, if the container100is tilted so that one or both grooves144,146is not aligned with an imaginary, longitudinal line extending through the enlarged tips268,270, the container100will be reoriented in an upright orientation as the opposed arms260,262close on the container100and the enlarged tips enlarged tips268,270wedge into the groove toward the roots156,158at longitudinally-spaced positions. Similarly, if the container is twisted about its longitudinal axis so that one or both of the opposed arms260,262(and its associated enlarged tips, such as enlarged tips268,270for arm260) is not aligned with the associated groove144or146, the container100will be rotated about its longitudinal axis as the opposed arms260,262close on the container100and the enlarged tips268,270wedge into each groove toward the roots156,158to align the enlarged tips268,270of both arms260,262with its associated groove144,146.

Accordingly, the container100can be gripped more securely and with more repeatable positioning than if the container were simply gripped on opposite sides of the skirt130.

While the subject matter of this disclosure has been described and shown in considerable detail with reference to certain illustrative embodiments, including various combinations and sub-combinations of features, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other embodiments and variations and modifications thereof as encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the descriptions of such embodiments, combinations, and sub-combinations is not intended to convey that the claimed subject matter requires features or combinations of features other than those expressly recited in the claims. Accordingly, the scope of this disclosure is intended to include all modifications and variations encompassed within the scope of the following appended claims.