Patent ID: 8210057

Claim:
A tool for removeably securing a small, delicate sample, the tool comprising: a base member made of thin flexible plastic film and having a base end, a tip end, a first major surface and a second major surface; and a plurality of flexible members; wherein: the tip end comprises an aperture edge defining an aperture in the tip end of the base member; the aperture extends from the first major surface to the second major surface; the plurality of flexible members are located to extend from the aperture edge into an interior space of the aperture; the plurality of flexible members are integrally formed with the thin flexible plastic film that makes up the base member; and the plurality of flexible members are structured, located, connected, sized, shaped and/or are sufficiently flexible so that when the small, delicate sample is inserted into the plurality of flexible members the sample will be secured, in a position extending through the aperture, by flexing of the plurality of flexible members from an unflexed position to a flexed position, further wherein the plurality of flexible members are further structured, located, connected, sized, shaped and/or are sufficiently flexible so that the members bend upward as said aperture in said tip end is pushed down over a sample, further wherein each of said members is between 10 and 50 micrometers wide.