Abstract
A reagent management apparatus utilizing a flexible sheet that is foldable along scores into a disposable liner which may be freestanding via a three point structure. The disposable liner includes a reservoir for reagents and allows the pouring off of unused reagent into a storage container. The disposable liner may be used with a permanent base in certain cases.
Claims
1. A reagent management apparatus, comprising: an insert, said insert including a pliable sheet comprising first and second sections connected to one another and being foldable relative to one another, a third section being connected to said first section and a fourth section being connected to said second section, said first and third sections and said second and fourth sections being foldable relative to one another, a fifth section and a sixth section each connected to said first and second sections, said fifth and sixth sections being foldable relative to said first and second sections to form a reservoir for the reagent, said third and fourth sections having a longitudinal dimension less than said connected first, second, fifth, and sixth sections; a base, said base comprising a trough accommodating said reservoir formed by said first and second sections of said insert, said third and fourth sections each including a free edge portion, said base further including at least a first and second slot for encompassing said free edges of said third and fourth sections, respectively.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which at least one of said first and second slots includes a protrusion capable of contacting said insert.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said base further includes an elongated opening position adjacent said folded first and second sections.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said base further includes third and fourth slots for encompassing said free edges of said third and fourth sections.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said insert is composed of water resistant material.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said base comprises at least one tab projecting outwardly therefrom.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said insert pliable sheet further comprises scores located between said first and second sections, said third and first sections, and said fourth and second sections, said scores being formed by a rotary die cutting device.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said rotary die cutting device is capable of scoring said insert pliable sheet on multiple sides, thereof.
9. A reagent management device, comprising: a free standing element comprising a pliable sheet having first and second sections connected to one another and being foldable relative to one another, a third section being connected to said first section and a fourth section being connected to said second section, said first and third sections and said second and fourth sections being foldable relative to one another, a fifth section and a sixth section each connected to said first and second sections, said fifth and sixth sections being foldable relative to said first and second sections to form a reservoir for the reagent, said first and second sections forming an apex when folded relative to one another, said third and fourth sections each including a free edge, said free edges of said third and fourth section and said apex being capable of lying in a common plane.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said insert is composed of water resistant material.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said insert pliable sheet further comprises scores located between said first and second sections, said third and first sections, and said fourth and second sections, said scores being formed by a rotary die cutting device.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 in which said rotary die cutting device is capable of scoring said insert pliable sheet on multiple sides, thereof.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 in which said water resistant material comprises synthetic paper or a polymeric material.
14. The apparatus of claim 9 in which at least said fifth section extends outwardly from said reservoir and said fourth section and forms a reagent pouring spout.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 in which said fifth section extending outwardly from said fourth section forms a gap between said fifth section and said free edge of said fourth section.
16. A process of creating a reagent management apparatus comprising the steps of: rotary die cutting a pliable sheet from a web is pliable material; and folding said pliable sheet into a freestanding object processing a reservoir for the reagent.
17. The process of claim 16 which comprises the additional step of scoring said pliable sheet to provide first and second sections connected to one another and being foldable relative to one another, a third section being connected to said first section and a fourth section being connected to said second section, said first and third sections and said second and fourth sections being foldable relative to one another to form said reservoir for the reagent.
18. The process of claim 17 which additionally comprises the step of scoring said pliable sheet to form a fifth section and a sixth section each connected to said first and second sections, said fifth and sixth sections being foldable relative to said first and second sections to form a portion of said reservoir.
19. The process of claim 18 which comprises the additional step of providing said pliable sheet of water resistant material.
20. The process of claim 19 in which said step of providing said pliable sheet of water resistant material comprises providing said water resistant material as synthetic paper or a polymeric material.
21. The process of claim 20 which includes the additional step of mounting said object to a base.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a scored pliable sheet used to form a disposable insert having an eight channel reservoir.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a scored pliable sheet used to form a disposable insert having a twelve channel reservoir.
[0035] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a folded pliable sheet depicted in FIG. 1.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a right end view of the folded insert depicted in FIG. 3.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the folded insert of FIG. 3.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the base which may be employed with the folded disposable insert depicted in FIGS. 3-5.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the base depicted in FIG. 6.
[0040] FIG. 8 is a right end view of the base depicted in FIG. 6.
[0041] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of the folded, assembled insert depicted in FIG. 3 mated with the base depicted in FIGS. 6-8.
[0042] FIG. 10 is a schematic view depicting the formation of the sheets from a web depicted in FIG. 1 or 2 using a rotary die cutting apparatus.
[0043] For a better understanding of the application, reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Various aspects of the present application will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be referenced to the prior described drawings.
[0045] The invention as a whole is depicted in the drawings by reference character 10. The reagent management apparatus 10 employs flexible sheets such as those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 as sheets 12 and 14. Sheet 12 is intended to form a disposable insert of an eight channel size while flexible sheet 14, FIG. 2 is intended to form a disposable insert of a twelve channel size. The eight and twelve channel sizes correspond to manual or automatic pipetting apparatuses which are used to draw reagent from the reservoirs of disposable inserts eventually formed by sheets 12 and 14, which will be discussed in greater detail as the specification continues.
[0046] Sheets 12 and 14 may be created by a rotary die cutting apparatus 16, depicted schematically in FIG. 10. The rotary die cutting apparatus 16 utilizes a roll or web of material 18 that presents a working piece 20. A die set 22 includes a male die 24 and an opposite female die 26 represented by arrows on FIG. 10. It should be realized that rotary die cutting and forming is known in the prior art. The male and female dies 24 and 26 impart scores or partial cuts through working sheet 20 and may also produce the perimeter formation or cuts of the flexible sheets 12 and 14 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. Male and female dies 24 and 26 may be oriented oppositely as depicted in FIG. 10. Directional arrow 30 indicates the cutting of a particular flexible piece 20 of FIG. 1 or 2 originating with web 18. Perimeter cutting and scoring of sheet 20 may be effected in a single operation or separately.
[0047] In essence, the flexible sheets 12 and 14 are scored from the top and bottom through the rotary die cutting apparatus 16. In any case, the flexible sheets of FIGS. 1 and 2 are depicted with a plurality of scores 15, each score being depicted by either a solid line or a dashed line. Specifically, the solid lines on flexible sheets 12 and 14 of FIGS. 1 and 2 indicate scoring from the top. On the other hand, the dashed lines indicate scoring of sheets 12 and 14 from underneath, i.e. the side opposite that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The dashed dot line 30 shows a score line which is intended to serve as indicia for the level of reagent in a reservoir which is produced from sheets 12 and 14, which will be discussed hereinafter. Although only score line 30 appears on FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively, for such indicia, multiple lines may be applied to sheets 12 or 14 to indicate various levels in the reservoir to be found in the disposable insert derived from sheets 12 and 14. Also, a topical marking or imprinting may be substituted for score line 30.
[0048] Also, the rotary die cutting apparatus 16 of FIG. 10 may employ heat in the cutting process to obtain a smoother cut and to extend the longevity of the rotary die cutting tool 16.
[0049] It is anticipated that the flexible sheets 12 and 14 may originate from as a polymer-based material, known generically as synthetic paper. Synthetic paper provides excellent foldability, stiffness, and durability as well as moisture and chemical resistance. However, traditional polymeric material may also be used, such as un-altered polypropylene or polystyrene. It is further anticipated that flexible sheets 12 and 14 will possess a thickness of between eight and ten mils when synthetic paper is employed. In contrast, prior art disposable inserts are formed of polypropylene by injection molding, thermoforming, and the like and possess a thickness of between sixteen and twenty-two mils.
[0050] Again returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, it may be observed that flexible sheets 12 and 14 include a plurality of scores 15 imparted at either the top surface or from underneath or a combination thereof. Specifically, flexible sheet 12 of FIG. 1 is shown with a plurality of top and bottom scores 32 resulting in a plurality of sections. First and second sections 34 and 36 lie opposite one another. Third and fourth sections 38 and 40 connect to first and second sections, respectively. In addition, fifth and sixth sections 42 and 44 connect to first and second sections. As heretofore delineated, sections 34, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44 are separated by scores as depicted in FIG. 1. It should also be realized that third section 38 includes a free edge or perimeter 46 while fourth section 40 also possesses a free edge or perimeter 48. Needless to say, the flexible sheet 14 used to form a larger twelve channel insert is similarly scored to that shown with respect to flexible sheet 12 used to form a smaller eight channel insert. In this regard, flexible sheet 14 includes a multiplicity of scores 50 and the sections formed thereby will not be further described as they are similar to that shown with respect to flexible sheet 12 of FIG. 1.
[0051] Turning now to FIG. 3, flexible sheet 12 has been fashioned into a disposable insert 52. Such shaping is achieved by folding first and second sections relative to one another by the exertion of force on first and second sections 34 and 36, indicated by force lines 54 and 56. A trough 58 is created in this manner having a nadir or low point 60. Third and fourth sections 38 and 40 have been folded downwardly according to directional arrows 54 and 56. In addition, fifth and sixth sections 42 and 44 have been pushed inwardly to form the ends of trough or reservoir 58. Such folding is indicated by directional arrows 62 and 64. Fifth and sixth sections 42 and 44 are also each folded upon themselves along fold lines 66 and 68. It should be noted that tips 70, 72, 74, and 76 have been created by the folding of flexible sheet 12 in the formation of trough or reservoir 58. Tips 70, 72, 74, and 76 extend outwardly from reservoir 58, specifically third and fourth sections 38 and 40, thereof. By example, tip 72, extended from reservoir 58 and fourth section 40, may be employed as a spout to recover unused reagent from trough or reservoir 58 according to directional arrow 78. Likewise, tips 70, 72, and 74 may be used as pouring spouts for emptying reagent from reservoir 58.
[0052] It should be noted that a gap or space A, FIG. 5, separates the end of tip 72 from perimeter 48 of fourth section 40. The same relationship exists between tip 70 and perimeter 46 of third section 38, tip 74 and perimeter 46 of third section 38, and tip 76 and perimeter 40 of fourth section 40. It has been found that gap A prevents the dribbling of liquid from reservoir 58 along fourth section 40 when tip 72 is used as a pouring spout. The same advantage applies when tips 72, 74, or 76 are used as pouring spouts.
[0053] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, it may be observed that disposable insert 52 is capable of being self-supporting on a flat plane or surface 80. Thus, liquid being transferred into reservoir 58, directional arrow 82, FIG. 4, will safely be retained in reservoir 58 due to the stability of disposable insert 52. Such stability derives from the contact of perimeter or free edge 46 of third section 38, perimeter or free edge 48 of fourth section 40, and the nadir 60 between first and second sections 34 and 36. Such three point support on plane 80 is clearly shown in FIG. 4. Thus, disposable insert 52 may also be employed as a weigh boat for determining the quantity of reagent lying within trough or reservoir 58. In addition, a flexible sheet similar to flexible sheet 12 may be folded such that third and fourth sections 46 and 48 are pivoted upwardly, as shown in FIG. 4. In this configuration, a flexible sheet similar to flexible sheet 12 may serve as a cover 82 for dispensable insert 52. The use of a flexible sheet similar to flexible sheet 12 in the formation of cover 82 is depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5 by dashed lines.
[0054] With reference now to FIGS. 6-8, it may be seen that a base 84 is depicted. Base 84 may be constructed of a relatively rigid plastic material such as polycarbonate. Base 84 is intended to be used with disposable insert 52 and reused with like disposable inserts. Base 84 includes a rigid frame 86 that forms a V-shaped depression 88 to accommodate the trough 58 of disposable insert 52. In addition, a channel or opening 90 through frame 86 at depression 88 aides in the creasing of flexible sheet, 12 to form disposable insert 52. First and second sections 34 and 36 support in this endeavor by bringing tips 72, 74, 76, and 78 together before passing through channel 90. In other words, the entire flexible sheet 12 may be initially passed through channel 90 in this regard. Further, base 84 is provided with slots 92 and 94 to hold third section 38 and fourth section 40 of disposable insert 52 in its folded configuration shown in FIGS. 3-5. Likewise, longer slots 96 and 98 in frame 86 of base 84 are configured to accept similar sections of flexible sheet 14 when it is assembled into the large twelve channel disposable insert. It should be noted that flexible sheet 14 is assembled in a similar manner to that shown with respect to flexible sheet 12 in FIGS. 3-5. A plurality of protrusions 100 extend into slots 92, 94, 96, and 98 to frictionally hold disposable insert 52 and a similar insert assembled from flexible sheet 14. By way of example, protrusions 102 and 104 bear against fourth section 40 of insert 52 within slot 92. With reference to FIG. 7, it may be apparent that handle 106 and tabs 108 and 110 are provided on base 84 to allow the user to easily grip base 84. Further, it should be noted that slots 92 and 94 are shorter in length than slots 96 and 98 to allow identification by the user of base 84 of slots 92 and 94 to properly position small insert 52 formed from flexible sheet 12. Likewise, slots 96 and 98 are easily acquired to place a larger insert formed from flexible sheet 14. It should also be apparent that the plurality of protrusions 100 have been omitted from FIG. 8 for the sake of clarity.
[0055] FIG. 9 represents the mating of a small disposable insert 52 formed from sheet 12 with base 84 when such insert 52 is not used in its freestanding configuration shown in FIGS. 3-5. Moreover, FIG. 9 indicates that tip 70 may be cut along cut line 112 to permit the pouring of viscous or powdered material from trough 58. Of course, tips 72, 74, or 76 may also be cut in a similar manner as needed. Such cutting of any of tips 70, 72, 74, or 76 may be facilitated when sheet 12 or 14 is in a flattened configuration.
[0056] In operation, the user obtains flexible sheets 12 or 14 from a rotary die cut apparatus 16 and folds the same according to the score lines indicated on either FIG. 1 or 2. In the case of flexible sheet 12, once disposable insert 52 is formed according to FIG. 3, reservoir or trough 58 may be employed to hold reagent material using insert 52 as a freestanding entity, FIG. 4 or 5, or in conjunction with base 84. The latter is accomplished by employment of slots 92 and 94 in base 84 in conjunction with third section 38 and fourth section 40 in the case of flexible sheet 12. Insert 52 may be loaded into the slots 92 and 94 of base 84 in a top-down maneuver or by sliding insert 52 into slots 92 and 94. When an insert is formed from flexible sheet 14 to form a 12-channel insert, slots 96 and 98 of base 84 are similarly used. Tab 106 aids the user in this endeavor. Excess expensive reagent may be poured from reservoir 58 into a storage container for reuse.
[0057] While in the foregoing embodiments of the application have been set forth in considerable detail for the purpose of making a complete disclosure of the application, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the application.
