Apparatus for Testing a Liquid Specimen

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for testing a liquid specimen, which apparatus (2) comprises: (i) a container (4) for the liquid specimen; (ii) a lid (6) for closing the container (4) after the liquid specimen has been provided in the container (4); (iii) first securing means (8) by which the lid (6) is secured to the container (4); (iv) a test capsule (10) for securing to the lid (6) when the lid (6) is on the container (4); (v) second securing means (12) by which the test capsule (10) is secured to the lid (6); and (vi) a response chart (14) which is operable in response to contact with the liquid specimen, and the apparatus (2) being such that: (vii) the lid has an openable portion (18) which when opened permits a liquid specimen in the container (4) to enter the test capsule (10); (viii) the test capsule (10) has opener means (20) for opening the openable portion on the lid (6) when the test capsule (10) is secured to the lid (6); and (ix) the response chart (14) is inside the test capsule (10) and is contacted by the liquid specimen when the liquid specimen enters the test capsule (10).

Claims

1. Apparatus for testing a liquid specimen, which apparatus comprises: (i) a container for the liquid specimen; (ii) a lid for closing the container after the liquid specimen has been provided in the container; (iii) first securing means by which the lid is secured to the container; (iv) a test capsule for securing to the lid when the lid is on the container; (v) second securing means by which the test capsule is secured to the lid; and (vi) a response chart which is operable in response to contact with the liquid specimen, and the apparatus being such that: (vii) the lid has an openable portion which when opened permits a liquid specimen in the container to enter the test capsule; (viii) the test capsule has opener means for opening the openable portion on the lid; and (ix) the response chart is inside the test capsule and is contacted by the liquid specimen when the liquid specimen enters the test capsule.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the first securing means is a screw operated first securing means.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second securing means is a push fit securing means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the second securing means causes the test capsule to be permanently secured to the lid in order to minimise the possibility of spillage of the liquid specimen.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 in which the second securing means comprises an outwardly extending formation on the container, and an inwardly extending formation on the test capsule, in which the outwardly extending formation on the container is a lip which is angled outwardly away from a top of the container, and in which the inwardly extending formation on the test capsule is an inclined bead formation.

6-7. (canceled)

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the openable portion of the lid is a foil or a membrane.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the opener means of the test capsule is a puncturing formation for puncturing the openable portion of the lid.

10. (canceled)

11. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including a result chart for use with the response chart.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 in which the result chart is outside of the test capsule.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the result chart fits on the test capsule, in which the result chart has a central aperture, in which the test capsule has a reduced portion and a shoulder, and in which the result chart fits over the reduced portion and abuts against the shoulder.

14. (canceled)

15. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the result chart comprises result sectors, each result sector is for indicating the result of a different test for the liquid specimen, and each result sector has a plurality of differently coloured result portions, and the different colours of the result portions in each result sector indicate different degrees of result for the test afforded by the result sector.

16. (canceled)

17. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the container is at tube of a diameter for fitting into laboratory test equipment.

18. (canceled)

19. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the response chart comprises response portions which are contacted by the liquid specimen, which become differently coloured to indicate different characteristics present in the liquid specimen, and which are read at predetermined time intervals.

20. (canceled)

21. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the response chart is inside the test capsule such that the response chart is in a test chamber.

22. Apparatus according to claim 1 n which the result chart comprises results sectors, each result sector is for indicating the result of a different test for the liquid specimen, and each result sector has a plurality of differently coloured result portions, and the different colours of the result portions in each result in each result sector indicates different degrees of result for the test afforded by the result sector, the response chart comprises response portions which are contacted by the liquid specimen, which become differently coloured to indicate different characteristics present in the liquid specimen, and which are read at predetermined time intervals, and including aligning means for aligning one of the result sectors with one of the response portions such that each one of the result sectors has its own one of the response portions.

Description

[0032] Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0033] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of first apparatus for testing a liquid specimen;

[0034] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show how the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is progressively assembled;

[0035] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 2;

[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the assembled apparatus as shown in FIG. 4;

[0037] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the apparatus as shown in FIG. 6 and shows in more detail a preferred result chart;

[0038] FIGS. 8 and 9 are sectional and top plan views of a first type of test capsule;

[0039] FIGS. 10 and 11 are sectional and top plan views of a second type of test capsule; and

[0040] FIGS. 12 and 13 are sectional and top plan views of a third type of test capsule.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, there is shown apparatus 2 for testing a liquid specimen. The apparatus 2 comprises a container 4 for the liquid specimen. The apparatus 2 also comprises a lid 6 for closing the container 4 after the liquid specimen has been provided in the container 4. First securing means 8 enables the lid 6 to be secured to the container 4.

[0042] The apparatus 2 further comprises a test capsule 10 for securing to the lid 6 when the lid 6 is on the container 4. The second securing means 12 enables the test capsule 10 to be secured to the lid 6.

[0043] The apparatus 2 further comprises a response chart 14 which is operable in response to contact with the liquid specimen. A result chart 16 is provided for use with the response chart 14.

[0044] The apparatus 2 is such that the lid 6 has an openable portion 18 which when opened permits the liquid specimen in the container 4 to enter the test capsule 10. The test capsule 10 has opener means 20 for opening the openable portion 18 on the lid 6 when the test capsule 10 is secured to the lid 6. The response chart 14 is inside the test capsule 10 and is contacted by the liquid specimen when the liquid specimen enters the test capsule 10. The result chart 16 is outside of the test capsule 10.

[0045] The first securing means 8 is a screw-operated first securing means 8 and, as shown, comprises internal threads on the lid 6 and external threads on the container 4. Thus the lid 6 screws to a top 22 of the container 4.

[0046] The second securing means 12 is a push fit securing means 12. Thus the second securing means 12 is a push fit over the lid 6 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0047] The openable portion 18 of the lid 6 is a foil. The openable portion 18 may alternatively be a membrane or other member.

[0048] The opener means 20 of the test capsule 10 has a puncturing formation for puncturing the openable portion 18 of the lid 6. The puncturing formation is a cylindrical formation 28 having a free end 30 which extends at an angle to the openable portion 18 of the lid 6 as shown. The free end 30 provides a focussing opening force at a point to puncture the openable portion 18 of the lid 6. The part 31 opposite the free end 30 has a flat section which prevents the formation of a complete cut circle. This flat section causes a hinge to be created in the punctured openable portion 18. This flat section also passes through the openable portion 18 and holds open the punctured portion of the openable portion 18 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the test capsule 10, thereby ensuring that the openable portion 18 does not interrupt the urine flow.

[0049] The result chart 16 fits on the test capsule 10. This can best be appreciated from a comparison of FIGS. 5 and 6. The result chart 16 has a central aperture 32. The test capsule 10 has a reduced portion 34 and a shoulder 36. The result chart 16 fits over the reduced portion 34 and abuts against the shoulder 36.

[0050] The container 4 may be a test tube or what is known as a primary tube in the field of medical diagnostics.

[0051] The response chart 14 comprises response portions 38 which are contacted by the liquid specimen, which become differently coloured to indicate different characteristics present in the liquid specimen, and which are read at predetermined time intervals.

[0052] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a preferred result chart 16. The result chart shown in FIG. 7 comprises result sectors 40 for indicating the result of a different test for the liquid specimen. Each result sector 40 has a plurality of differently coloured result portions 42. The different colours of the result portions 42 in each result sector 40 indicate different degrees of result for the rest afforded by the result sector 40.

[0053] The apparatus 2 includes aligning means (not shown) for aligning one of the result sectors 40 with one of the response portions 38 such that each one of the result sectors 40 has its own one of the response portions 38.

[0054] The response chart 14 is inside the test capsule 10 such that the response chart 14 is in a test chamber 50. The response portions 38 are arranged in a circle. The result sectors 40 are arranged in a circle.

[0055] FIGS. 8 and 9 show a test capsule 52 having result portions 42 mounted on conical pins 54.

[0056] FIGS. 10 and 11 show a test capsule 56 with result portions 42 supported by cross-shaped pins 58.

[0057] FIGS. 12 and 13 show a test capsule 60 with result portions 42 mounted on conical pins 54 extending into a trough 62 in a top part 64 of the test capsule 60.

[0058] The apparatus 2 may be such that the test capsule 10 includes all appropriate parts as disclosed in WO 2011/157981 A1.

[0059] It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the container 4 may be shorter and of a larger diameter than the container 4 shown. The first securing means 8 and the second securing means 12 may be different from those shown. Other types of response chart 14 and result chart 16 may be employed. Instead of using the result chart 16, results may be obtained electronically for example using digital read-out result means. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention.