Patent ID: 7108833

Claim:
A sample tab comprising: a base plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface of the base plate defining a first plane; a well disposed on a section of the base plate, the well having a side wall and a bottom wall, the side wall of the well comprising one, or more than one overflow opening, and the side wall of the well being surrounded by a containment wall, wherein the containment wall and the side wall define an overflow channel therebetween, and wherein a top surface of the bottom wall defines a second plane, the second plane disposed above or below the first plane; a cover plate hingedly connected to the base plate, the cover plate having an open position allowing a sample to be introduced into the well and a closed position in which a bottom surface of a section of the cover plate covers the well, and a locking member for locking the cover plate to the base plate when the cover plate is in the closed position, wherein at least a portion of the bottom wall of the well is transparent or translucent, and wherein at least a portion of one of the section of the cover plate and the section of the base plate is transparent or translucent, and at least a portion of the other of the section of the cover plate and the section of the base plate is transparent, translucent or reflective, or wherein the bottom wall of the well is defined by the section of the base plate, and wherein at least a portion of one of the section of the cover plate and the section of the base plate is transparent or translucent, and at least a portion of the other of the section of the cover plate and the section of the base plate is transparent, translucent, or reflective.