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Publication Number
US-7631765-B2
Publication Date
2009-12-15
Expiration Date
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a skin testing-device system. The system includes a tray, a well holder that snaps into the tray and that holds a plurality of rows of test-solution wells, and a well holder-assembly lid that snaps into the tray over the well holder. The well-holder may include see-through windows such that a test-solution level is visible for substantially each of the test-solution wells from one or more single viewpoints, which may be elevated, and offset, from the well holder. The well holder-assembly lid may include areas that prevent skin-test devices in the test-solution wells from being dislodged from the test-solution wells while the well holder-assembly lid is snapped into the tray. Embodiments of the invention are directed to a clamshell-package system for holding skin-test devices. The system includes a clamshell package having generally crescent-shaped receptacles in an offset pattern and a clamshell-package lid.
Core Innovation
The clamshell-package system holds skin-test devices in a clamshell package with a first side and a second side. Each side includes u-shaped female receptacle formations and u-shaped male receptacle formations, and a triangular hinge portion is arranged between the first side and the second side so that, when the sides are folded together, the first u-shaped male receptacle formations are received in the second u-shaped female receptacle formations to create generally crescent-shaped receptacles, and the second u-shaped male receptacle formations are received in the first u-shaped female receptacle formations to create generally crescent-shaped receptacles offset relative to the first set.
The system includes a clamshell-package lid. In described refinements, the sides further include lug and receptacle engagement features, including male lugs and corresponding female receptacles, that mate when the clamshell sides are folded. Additional structure is provided in the triangular hinge portion by way of grooves in the hinge region that provide space related to bifurcated pointed ends of skin-test devices, and rigidity is addressed by engagement of the clamshell-package lid via male lug and female receptacle engagement when snapped on.
A skin testing-device system is also described with a tray and a snap-in well holder that holds multiple rows of test-solution wells, together with a snap-in well-holder lid. The well holder includes see-through windows for viewing test-solution levels from a single viewpoint, and the lid includes features configured to prevent test devices from dislodging during drops or turning, providing spill resistance and supporting sterility. The tray and well-holder assembly orientation is keyed to prevent incorrect insertion.
Claims Coverage
The independent claim covers the clamshell-package system for holding skin-test devices with interacting u-shaped male and female receptacle formations that create offset generally crescent-shaped receptacles when folded, and the claim further includes a clamshell-package lid. Dependent claims refine the lid engagement, hinge region structure, and detailed lug/receptacle mating features.
Offset crescent-shaped receptacles from interleaved u-shaped male and female formations
A clamshell package having first and second sides, where each side includes u-shaped female receptacle formations and u-shaped male receptacle formations, and a triangular hinge portion between the sides such that, when folded, first u-shaped male receptacle formations are received in second u-shaped female receptacle formations to create generally crescent-shaped receptacles and second u-shaped male receptacle formations are received in first u-shaped female receptacle formations to create generally crescent-shaped receptacles offset relative to the first set.
Clamshell-package lid
A clamshell-package lid is provided as part of the clamshell-package system for holding the skin-test devices in the clamshell package.
Male lug and female receptacle engagement between folded clamshell sides
The clamshell-package system includes, on each side, lug and receptacle engagement features such that a male lug is received in a corresponding female receptacle when the sides are folded together.
Triangular hinge portion with grooves providing space for pointed ends
A triangular hinge portion includes grooves that provide space in the hinge region for bifurcated pointed ends of test devices held in the package.
Snap-on lid engagement using male lid lugs and female lid receptacles
The clamshell-package system includes male lid lugs and female lid receptacles so that the clamshell-package lid engages by receiving the male lid lugs in the female lid receptacles when the lid is snapped on.
Overall, the claim coverage centers on a clamshell package where u-shaped male and female receptacle formations mate upon folding to form offset generally crescent-shaped receptacles, combined with a clamshell-package lid. Dependent features further define lug/receptacle mating, groove-provided space in the triangular hinge region for pointed ends, and snap-on lid engagement via male lid lugs and female lid receptacles.
Stated Advantages
Improves spill resistance by including features that prevent test devices from dislodging during drops or turning.
Supports sterility by preventing test device dislodgement during drops or turning.
Reduces contamination risk by using upright clamshell orientation to reduce contamination risk and enable one-hand loading/unloading.
Documented Applications
Holding skin-test devices in a clamshell-package system.
Holding skin testing-device wells in a tray and snap-in well holder, with see-through windows for viewing test-solution levels and a snap-in well-holder lid to support spill resistance and sterility.
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