Mixing container used for reagents
Inventors
Hiramura, Fumito • Hasegawa, Hironori • TAE, Park Ki • MIN, Kim Cheol
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10035149-B2
Publication Date
2018-07-31
Expiration Date
Abstract
A mixing container includes a first container that stores two or more reagents and a second container for mixing two or more reagents. The first container includes reagent storage chambers that are respectively provided for the two or more reagents and have openings formed at portions thereof, and a sealing member that seals the respective openings of the reagent storage chambers. The second container includes an opening portion formed such that the first container can be connected thereto, and protruding portions disposed so as to pierce the sealing member when the first container is connected to the opening portion.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a mixing container for mixing two or more reagents. The mixing container includes a first container storing two or more reagents and a second container configured for mixing the two or more reagents. The first container includes reagent storage chambers provided for the two or more reagents, with openings formed at portions of the reagent storage chambers.
The first container further includes a sealing member sealing the respective openings of the reagent storage chambers. The reagent storage chambers extend from a bottom surface of the first container and beyond a side portion of the first container. The second container includes an opening portion so that the first container can be connected thereto, and protruding portions are disposed so as to pierce the sealing member when the first container is connected to the opening portion.
The protruding portions are positioned below an upper surface of the second container and are aligned within the second container. The protruding portions are provided with a plurality of first edges and are formed to continue along a plurality of second edges of the openings of the reagent storage chambers. The protruding portions are sized to fit inside the reagent storage chambers, and a cut part of the protruding portions is formed to be cut along the second edges of the openings of the reagent storage chambers, such that a substantial portion of the perimeter of the sealing member along the second edges is cut while parts of the sealing member are not cut.
Each protruding portion is configured to have a shearing portion and a pushing portion, where the shearing portion extends further toward the sealing member than the pushing portion. The pushing portion is positioned closer to a non-cut portion of the sealing member than the shearing portion. An inclined surface is positioned below the protruding portions inside the second container to promote reagent fall/mixing, and a drip nozzle is attachable for dispensing a mixed reagent via a through hole.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims include one independent claim defining the core structure and interaction between the sealing member and protruding portions when connecting two containers, and dependent independent claim set features further refine connection and dispensing by adding through-hole communication, an attachable drip nozzle, and specific protrusion geometry and internal inclined mixing surface. Across these claims, at least four main inventive feature areas are covered.
Edge-continuous protrusion cutting aligned to reagent chamber openings
Reagent storage chambers in a first container have openings sealed by a sealing member, and protruding portions in a second container are aligned within the second container and sized to fit inside the reagent storage chambers, with the protruding portions including a plurality of first edges formed to continue along a plurality of second edges of the openings, so that a cut part of the protruding portions is formed to be cut along the second edges.
Selective perimeter cutting leaving non-cut sealing portions
When the first container is connected to the opening portion of the second container, the cut part causes a substantial portion of the perimeter of the sealing member along the second edges of the openings to be cut, while a part of the sealing member is not cut by the protruding portions.
Through-hole providing interior/exterior communication upon connection
The first container includes a through hole configured so that, when the first container and the second container are connected, the interior and the exterior of the second container are placed in communication.
Attachable drip nozzle for dispensing a liquid through the through hole
A nozzle that drips a liquid is provided and is designed to be attachable to the through hole of the mixing container.
Shearing and pushing portion protrusion geometry relative to cut and non-cut sealing regions
Each protruding portion includes a shearing portion and a pushing portion, where the shearing portion extends further toward the sealing member than the pushing portion, and the pushing portion is positioned closer to a non-cut portion of the sealing member than the shearing portion.
Internal inclined surface positioned below protruding portions
An inclined surface is positioned below the protruding portions inside the second container.
The claim set covers a mixing container in which a second-container opening portion with aligned protruding portions pierces and selectively cuts a sealing member along specified edge paths of reagent chamber openings while leaving non-cut sealing portions. Optional features add through-hole interior/exterior communication and an attachable drip nozzle, and further specify a shearing/pushing protrusion geometry and an internal inclined surface positioned below the protrusions to support mixing.
Stated Advantages
Prevents reagent retention by ensuring cut portions are pushed into close contact with inner walls of the reagent storage chambers, enabling reliable mixing.
Reduces cutting force by using a pointed shearing-side protrusion variant.
Documented Applications
Mixing and dispensing mixed reagent for tests using test plate/test paper, including handling of bodily fluids such as pharyngeal mucus, nasal mucus, and blood, and use with items such as a cotton swab.
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