Pipette-tip-accommodating container and method for providing the same
Inventors
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-10850284-B2
Publication Date
2020-12-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
The invention relates to a pipette-tip-accommodating container (1), including a receiving cradle (3) and a cover (4) which covers a receiving opening (12) of the receiving cradle (3) in its closed position. The cover (4) comprises a standardized footprint and is realized as an adapter element for the receiving cradle (3). A positioning device (25) with multiple positioning elements (26) is provided on the cover (4). The receiving cradle (3) is supported on the cover (4) by way of its base (7), wherein the receiving cradle (3) is aligned relatively with reference to the footprint defined by the cover (4), positioned in a positioning position for automated sample processing by means of the positioning elements (26). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for providing such a pipette-tip-accommodating container (1).
Core Innovation
A pipette-tip-accommodating container is provided for accommodating a plurality of pipette tips and includes a receiving cradle with a base and side walls that project up from the base. The side walls surround a receiving opening at least in regions and together with the base define a receiving area. A cover having a cover wall and cover side walls defines a cover interior, and in a closed position the cover covers the receiving opening and is held removably on the receiving cradle.
In an outer peripheral region, the cover defines a footprint having specified length and width dimensions, and a positioning device with multiple positioning elements is provided on the cover. When the cover is moved into an open position removed from the receiving cradle, the cover forms an adapter element for the receiving cradle, with the receiving cradle supported on the cover by way of the base to form an adapter position. In this adapter position the receiving cradle is aligned relative to the footprint defined by the cover by means of the positioning elements for automated sample processing.
The receiving cradle side walls are realized tapering conically when seen in axial section proceeding from the receiving opening toward the direction of the base, and the receiving cradle comprises a clear cross sectional dimension in the region of the receiving opening that is realized greater than an outer cross sectional dimension in the region of the base. A method is described for providing the pipette-tip-accommodating container by forming the receiving cradle and the cover, providing the positioning device on the cover, removing the cover into the open position, and supporting the receiving cradle on the cover to form the adapter position with a positioning position for automated sample processing.
Claims Coverage
Independent claim 1 and independent claim 15 define the container and its providing method, respectively, with core inventive features focused on a removable cover forming an adapter element and positioning the receiving cradle relative to a standardized footprint using multiple positioning elements for automated sample processing. Across these independent claims, the geometry of conically tapering receiving-cradle side walls and a cross-sectional dimension relationship are also part of the stated coverage.
Removable cover forming adapter element and removable support of receiving cradle
A cover that, in its closed position, covers the receiving opening and is held removably on the receiving cradle, wherein the cover is movable into an open position after removal from the receiving cradle and, in the open position, forms an adapter element for the receiving cradle by supporting the receiving cradle on the cover by way of its base for forming an adapter position.
Specified cover footprint with multiple positioning elements for alignment
In its outer peripheral region at least in portions, the cover defines a footprint with a length dimension and width dimension, and a positioning device with multiple positioning elements arranged over the outer peripheral region of the cover, wherein in the adapter position the receiving cradle is aligned relative to the footprint defined by the cover by means of the positioning elements for automated sample processing.
Tapering conical receiving-cradle side walls and receiving-opening vs base cross-sectional relationship
The receiving cradle side walls are realized tapering conically when seen in axial section proceeding from the receiving opening toward the direction of the base, and the receiving cradle comprises a clear cross sectional dimension in the region of its receiving opening realized greater than an outer cross sectional dimension of the receiving cradle in the region of the base.
Adapter-position positioning for automated sample processing
In the adapter position, the cover realizes a positioning position for the receiving cradle for automated sample processing, positioned with respect to one another.
The independent claims primarily cover a pipette-tip-accommodating container in which a removable cover defines a specified footprint and carries multiple positioning elements, enabling alignment of a receiving cradle relative to that footprint in an adapter position for automated sample processing. The coverage further includes a receiving cradle with conically tapering side walls and a defined cross-sectional dimension relationship between the receiving opening region and the base region.
Stated Advantages
Enables a positioning position for the receiving cradle for automated sample processing by aligning the receiving cradle relative to the footprint defined by the cover using multiple positioning elements.
Documented Applications
Automated sample processing using the positioning position formed in the adapter position by the cover and positioning elements.
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