Plastic body configured for engagement with an automated receptacle transport mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016114318-A1
Application number	US-201614992663-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 11, 2016
Priority date	Mar 14, 2013
Publication date	Apr 28, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A plastic body including a generally cylindrical upper portion having an open end configured for engagement with an automated pipettor. The plastic body further includes a plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the open end of the upper portion and a plurality of concave recesses disposed on an outer surface of the upper portion. Each of the recesses is disposed directly opposite an associated one of the ribs, and each of the recesses extends along at least part of the length of the associated rib.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A plastic body comprising:
a generally cylindrical upper portion having an open end configured for engagement with an automated pipettor; a plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the open end of the upper portion; and a plurality of concave recesses disposed on an outer surface of the upper portion, each of the recesses being disposed directly opposite an associated one of the ribs, and each of the recesses extending along at least part of the length of the associated one of the ribs.

2 . The plastic body of claim 1 , wherein the ribs are spaced equidistantly apart.

3 . The plastic body of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ribs has associated therewith an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof.

4 . The plastic body of claim 3 , wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the associated one of the ribs.

5 . The plastic body of claim 1 , wherein each of the ribs has associated therewith an enlarged portion proximate the distal end thereof.

6 . The plastic body of claim 5 , wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the associated one of the ribs.

7 . The plastic body of claim 1 , wherein a proximal end of each of the ribs is beveled.

8 . The plastic body of claim 1 , wherein each of the recesses extends along the entire length of the associated one of the ribs.

9 . The plastic body of claim 1 , wherein the open end of the upper portion is configured for frictional engagement with the automated pipettor.

10 . The plastic body of claim 1 , wherein the upper portion is constructed to flex outwardly in the regions of the recesses when the automated pipettor is inserted into the open end of the upper portion.

11 . The plastic body of claim 1 , further comprising a tapered lower portion.

12 . The plastic body of claim 11 , wherein the tapered lower portion is closed-ended.

13 . The plastic body of claim 1 , wherein the plastic body is a unitary structure.

14 . The plastic body of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the ribs comprises a detent configured for engaging the automated pipettor in an interference fit.

15 . The plastic body of claim 14 , wherein each of the ribs comprises a detent configured for engaging the automated pipettor.

16 . The plastic body of claim 3 , wherein at least one of the ribs comprises a detent formed in the enlarged portion of the associated one of the ribs.

17 . The plastic body of claim 16 , wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the associated one of the ribs.

18 . The plastic body of claim 16 , wherein each of the ribs comprises the detent formed in the enlarged portion of the associated one of the ribs.

19 . The plastic body of claim 18 , wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the associated one of the ribs.

20 . The plastic body of claim 14 , wherein a proximal end of each of the ribs is beveled.

21 . The plastic body of claim 14 , wherein each of the recesses extends along the entire length of the associated one of the ribs.

22 . The plastic body of claim 14 , wherein the upper portion is constructed to flex outwardly in the regions of the recesses when the automated pipettor is inserted into the open end of the upper portion.

23 . The plastic body of claim 14 , further comprising a tapered lower portion.

24 . The plastic body of claim 23 , wherein the tapered lower portion is closed-ended.

25 . The plastic body of claim 14 , wherein the plastic body is a unitary structure.

Assignees

• Gen Probe Inc

Inventors

• Knight Byron J

Classifications

• B01L2400/0406

  capillary forces · CPC title

• B01L2300/0829

  Multi-well plates; Microtitration plates · CPC title

• Y10T436/11

  Automated chemical analysis · CPC title

• B65D2539/003

  provided with sealing flanges or ribs · CPC title

• B01L2200/141

  Preventing contamination, tampering · CPC title