Patent ID: 7767151

Claim:
A multiwell ball milling fixture consisting essentially of a multiwell plate, a cap, at least one seal, and a lid, wherein: (a) the multiwell plate comprises a plurality of sample wells that comprise a liner, wherein each sample well is formed within the thickness of the multiwall plate so that the top of each sample well opens into the upper surface of the multiwall plate, and further wherein each sample well further comprises a sidewall and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is joined to the sidewall by a rounded edge; (b) the lid defining a planar expanse sufficient to cover the sample wells, which lid comprises (i) a plurality of recessed areas which have a cross-sectional shape that corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the sample wells, and the positions of which recessed areas spatially correspond to the sample wells when the lid is placed on the multiwell plate, said recessed area comprise a top surface that is concave relative to the planar expanse of the lid, and (ii) a plurality of gas outlet ports, wherein the gas outlet ports are positioned such that two or more of the sample wells are each in fluid communication with an associated gas outlet port when the lid is positioned on the multiwell plate and the fixture does not include a sizing screen; and (c) the cap defines a planar expanse sufficient to cover each of the plurality of gas outlet ports when the cap is positioned on the lid, wherein the sample wells are sealed when the lid and cap are attached to the multiwell plate.