CA2466647A1 - An array of interconnected tips separable by autoclaving for filling of pipette tip racks - Google Patents
An array of interconnected tips separable by autoclaving for filling of pipette tip racks Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2466647A1 CA2466647A1 CA 2466647 CA2466647A CA2466647A1 CA 2466647 A1 CA2466647 A1 CA 2466647A1 CA 2466647 CA2466647 CA 2466647 CA 2466647 A CA2466647 A CA 2466647A CA 2466647 A1 CA2466647 A1 CA 2466647A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tips
- pipette
- pipette tip
- tip
- array
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L9/00—Supporting devices; Holding devices
- B01L9/54—Supports specially adapted for pipettes and burettes
- B01L9/543—Supports specially adapted for pipettes and burettes for disposable pipette tips, e.g. racks or cassettes
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L3/00—Containers or dishes for laboratory use, e.g. laboratory glassware; Droppers
- B01L3/02—Burettes; Pipettes
- B01L3/0275—Interchangeable or disposable dispensing tips
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
- B01L2200/025—Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
- B01L2200/04—Exchange or ejection of cartridges, containers or reservoirs
Landscapes
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Devices For Use In Laboratory Experiments (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates generally to pipette tips that are used to quantify small amounts of liquids. More particularly, it concerns a plurality of low cost interconnected micro pipette tips that are readily separated by melting of the bridges that connect the pipette tips, which can be achieved by autoclaving the filled pipette tip rack containing the above said embodiment. This new invention allows for facilitated and expedited reloading of micro pipette racks in a cost-efficient manner.
Description
AN ARRAY OF INTERCONNECTED TIPS SEPARABLE BY AUTOCLAVING FOR FILLING
OF PIPETTE TIP RACKS
BACKGROUND ART
It is the function of pipette tip racks to organize disposable pipette tips in a manner for convenient tip placement on a pipette. Such racks generally comprise a rigid base with vertical sides joined at contiguous edges and horizontally supporting a rigid pipette tip organizing tray having an array of pipette tip receiving holes extending there through. The pipette tips are organized and held vertically in the array of holes for ease of access by a pipette tip user. In this regard, the pipette tip user simply places a hand-held pipette over the rack and lowers a distal end of the pipette into a proximal or upper end of a vertically oriented pipette tip and presses down to affix the tip to the pipette. A similar operation is followed by the user when connecting a plurality of tips to a multiple tip pipette. U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,377 describes a conventional pipette tip rack of the type just described and U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,467 describes a multiple tip pipette.
Once all tips are dispensed from the pipette tip rack, the rack may be discarded or reloaded with a new supply of pipette tips. The reloading of replacement pipette tips into the tip rack in a rapid, convenient manner is important to pipette users. There are currently three commonly used means of filling and refilling a pipette tip rack with pipette tips.
Firstly, manufacturers can package the tips directly in rack making the tips easy to take into use. Undesirably, this entails the disposal of packaging material in abundance and requires a relatively large amount of space during storage and transport. Moreover, due to their relatively high cost, this option is not plausible for research environments in which financial resources are lacking.
Secondly, pipette tip rack can be refilled by using individual tips that are sold in bulk. These tips can be manually attached to the pipette. Alternatively, the separate tips are vertically positioned onto a pipette tip rack, one-by-one until the whole rack is filled. The tip is then taken into the pipette by pushing the pipette end into the tip. This operation can be performed with only one hand, and no manual contact with the tips is necessary in the attachment step, thus making this method practical.
During manufacture, the tips can be packaged in large numbers into separate bags. A disadvantage of such system is the valuable time lost refilling the pipette tip racks.
Finally, one may use refill packs. Refill packs generally consist of a support plate containing an array of replacement pipette tips. The refill pack can be placed over the top of the reusable pipette tip racks. Although this method of refilling pipette tip racks is fast and efficient, it is relatively high in cost when compared to separate pipette tips purchased in large numbers and packaged in bags.
We have invented a new way to refill pipette tip racks. It concerns a plurality of interconnected tips forming an array of tips that can fit into the holes of a pipette tip rack quickly and easily. The tips are interconnected using bridges made of material that melts upon the process of autoclaving used by those skilled in the art. Such melting results in the breaking of joints between the tips resulting in an array of singular tips for use with a pipette. The arrays of interconnected pipette tips can be manufactured using fully automated methods, and can be packaged in large numbers in bags, allowing manufacturers to supply them at low cost.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fast, easy, and economical method of refilling pipette tip racks using an array of interconnected tips bridged by a material having the ability to melt resulting in the separation of once interconnected tips upon autoclaving of the filled pipette tip rack.
The interconnected array of pipette tips is a practical way to handle many tips at the same time when refilling pipette tip rack, thus allowing fast reloading of empty pipette tip racks.
The array of tips is joined together by bridges. The tips are gathered together in parallel lines to form rows and columns of tips. The complete structure resembles that of a pipette tip sheet. Each tip in the sheet is distanced uniformly from adjacent tips resulting in such an arrangement that the tips and the holes found on a pipette tip rack are aligned. The said arrangement allows for each tip in the array to fit into its respective hole in the rack.
The pipette tips are available in various capacities. Examples of typical tips capacities include 2 microlitres, 10 microlitres, 20 microlitres. Therefore, figures listed hereafter are only representative of the above mentioned embodiment.
The bridges are preferably sufficiently thin to at once allow for melting and to retain the rigidity of the array for optimal handing and insertion into pipette tips racks. The interconnecting material can be melted at temperatures of less than 121 °C (the typical heat generated during the process of autoclaving). After refilling a pipette tip rack with the array of interconnected pipette tips, autoclaving is sufficient to melt the connecting material and thus separates each pipette tip allowing for individual use the tips by a pipettor.
OF PIPETTE TIP RACKS
BACKGROUND ART
It is the function of pipette tip racks to organize disposable pipette tips in a manner for convenient tip placement on a pipette. Such racks generally comprise a rigid base with vertical sides joined at contiguous edges and horizontally supporting a rigid pipette tip organizing tray having an array of pipette tip receiving holes extending there through. The pipette tips are organized and held vertically in the array of holes for ease of access by a pipette tip user. In this regard, the pipette tip user simply places a hand-held pipette over the rack and lowers a distal end of the pipette into a proximal or upper end of a vertically oriented pipette tip and presses down to affix the tip to the pipette. A similar operation is followed by the user when connecting a plurality of tips to a multiple tip pipette. U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,377 describes a conventional pipette tip rack of the type just described and U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,467 describes a multiple tip pipette.
Once all tips are dispensed from the pipette tip rack, the rack may be discarded or reloaded with a new supply of pipette tips. The reloading of replacement pipette tips into the tip rack in a rapid, convenient manner is important to pipette users. There are currently three commonly used means of filling and refilling a pipette tip rack with pipette tips.
Firstly, manufacturers can package the tips directly in rack making the tips easy to take into use. Undesirably, this entails the disposal of packaging material in abundance and requires a relatively large amount of space during storage and transport. Moreover, due to their relatively high cost, this option is not plausible for research environments in which financial resources are lacking.
Secondly, pipette tip rack can be refilled by using individual tips that are sold in bulk. These tips can be manually attached to the pipette. Alternatively, the separate tips are vertically positioned onto a pipette tip rack, one-by-one until the whole rack is filled. The tip is then taken into the pipette by pushing the pipette end into the tip. This operation can be performed with only one hand, and no manual contact with the tips is necessary in the attachment step, thus making this method practical.
During manufacture, the tips can be packaged in large numbers into separate bags. A disadvantage of such system is the valuable time lost refilling the pipette tip racks.
Finally, one may use refill packs. Refill packs generally consist of a support plate containing an array of replacement pipette tips. The refill pack can be placed over the top of the reusable pipette tip racks. Although this method of refilling pipette tip racks is fast and efficient, it is relatively high in cost when compared to separate pipette tips purchased in large numbers and packaged in bags.
We have invented a new way to refill pipette tip racks. It concerns a plurality of interconnected tips forming an array of tips that can fit into the holes of a pipette tip rack quickly and easily. The tips are interconnected using bridges made of material that melts upon the process of autoclaving used by those skilled in the art. Such melting results in the breaking of joints between the tips resulting in an array of singular tips for use with a pipette. The arrays of interconnected pipette tips can be manufactured using fully automated methods, and can be packaged in large numbers in bags, allowing manufacturers to supply them at low cost.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fast, easy, and economical method of refilling pipette tip racks using an array of interconnected tips bridged by a material having the ability to melt resulting in the separation of once interconnected tips upon autoclaving of the filled pipette tip rack.
The interconnected array of pipette tips is a practical way to handle many tips at the same time when refilling pipette tip rack, thus allowing fast reloading of empty pipette tip racks.
The array of tips is joined together by bridges. The tips are gathered together in parallel lines to form rows and columns of tips. The complete structure resembles that of a pipette tip sheet. Each tip in the sheet is distanced uniformly from adjacent tips resulting in such an arrangement that the tips and the holes found on a pipette tip rack are aligned. The said arrangement allows for each tip in the array to fit into its respective hole in the rack.
The pipette tips are available in various capacities. Examples of typical tips capacities include 2 microlitres, 10 microlitres, 20 microlitres. Therefore, figures listed hereafter are only representative of the above mentioned embodiment.
The bridges are preferably sufficiently thin to at once allow for melting and to retain the rigidity of the array for optimal handing and insertion into pipette tips racks. The interconnecting material can be melted at temperatures of less than 121 °C (the typical heat generated during the process of autoclaving). After refilling a pipette tip rack with the array of interconnected pipette tips, autoclaving is sufficient to melt the connecting material and thus separates each pipette tip allowing for individual use the tips by a pipettor.
The design of the invention allows the packaging of large numbers of pipette tip sheets into a single bag, thus lowering packaging costs and allowing the invention to be relatively inexpensive compared to alternative methods of current use.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects, features and advantages of this invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the array pipette tips that is the subject of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway, perspective view showing the array of pipette tips of this invention within a pipette tip rack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings and, in particular, with reference to FIGS 1-3, the improved arrangement of pipette tips of this invention for loading into a pipette tip rack will now be described.
Sheet 10 of this invention is formed of an array of tips 12 arranged in such a way that allows easy loading into a pipette tip box. Tips 12 are joined to a tip 12 adjacent thereto by a bridge 14 in the example arrangement shown in FIG 1. Each bridge 14 abuts two tips 12 adjacent thereto in the array of tips. The number of tips 12 in each row and column depends upon the size of a specific pipette tip rack and upon the size of the pipette tips 12 (FIG. 4) with which the specific pipette tip rack is to be used. One common example is a rack 10.79 centimetres long and 7.19 inches wide having 12 tips in the long or X direction and 8 tips in the short or Y
direction, as shown in FIG. 1.
The number of bridges in each row is dependent upon the number of tips in a specific pipette tip rack as well as the preferred rigidity of the sheet of tips. For example, bridges 14 are arranged in the X-direction and the Y-direction to connect 96 tips 12 in FIG. 1. Typically, the X and Y directions, or the rows and columns respectively, of the array of tips 12 are perpendicular to one another, although they need not be. It will be appreciated that bridges 14 could be aligned in other directions, such as along a diagonal, at 45° to the X and Y directions, or that are not perpendicular to one another. It will further be appreciated that bridges 14 do not have to be present between each aligned tip 12. In the preferred embodiment, bridges 14 need only be so thick and numerous that sufficient strength and rigidity is imparted to the array of tips 10 to prevent breaking thereof under normal handling. Bridges 14 are shaped as quadrilateral prisms in the current example shown in FIGS. 1-3., yet it will be recognized that bridges 14 can take any shape.
Furthermore, bridges 14 are positioned to be in line with the upper surface of the tips 12 in the current example shown in FIGS.
1-3, yet it will be recognized that bridges 14 can adjoin adjacent tips 12 at any point along the tip's 12 length.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 - 3, distance between adjacent tips 12 is preferably adequate to allow the tips 12 to settle into their respective hole in the pipette tip rack, shown in FIG. 3. It is to be understood that the array of tips 10 may be used in conjunction with various different types, sizes and shapes of pipette tip racks, and the particular rack disclosed herein is shown for purposes of illustration only. The array of tips 10 may be used with any other type of rack in which it is desired to load tips 12 for autoclaving purposes or otherwise, wherein it is desired to be able to easily load tips 12 into the rack.
Typically, bridges 14 are injection-moulded and formed of a material that loses its solid composition at a temperature less than that experienced in autoclave (typically 121 degrees Celsius).
A typical example of the material of which bridges 14 may be formed is wax.
However, it will be appreciated that bridges 14 may be formed of any other material which can be autoclaved and which provides the desired structural support and rigidity for easy loading of tips 12 into a pipette tip rack.
The foregoing invention, therefore, provides an array of pipette tips connected in a manner desired for facilitating and expediting the process of inserting said tips into a pipette tip rack, and allows tips to be separated in autoclave for use as singular entities as is desired for the use of commercial pipettor systems.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above by way of example only, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that modifications and improvements may be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects, features and advantages of this invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the array pipette tips that is the subject of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway, perspective view showing the array of pipette tips of this invention within a pipette tip rack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
With reference to the drawings and, in particular, with reference to FIGS 1-3, the improved arrangement of pipette tips of this invention for loading into a pipette tip rack will now be described.
Sheet 10 of this invention is formed of an array of tips 12 arranged in such a way that allows easy loading into a pipette tip box. Tips 12 are joined to a tip 12 adjacent thereto by a bridge 14 in the example arrangement shown in FIG 1. Each bridge 14 abuts two tips 12 adjacent thereto in the array of tips. The number of tips 12 in each row and column depends upon the size of a specific pipette tip rack and upon the size of the pipette tips 12 (FIG. 4) with which the specific pipette tip rack is to be used. One common example is a rack 10.79 centimetres long and 7.19 inches wide having 12 tips in the long or X direction and 8 tips in the short or Y
direction, as shown in FIG. 1.
The number of bridges in each row is dependent upon the number of tips in a specific pipette tip rack as well as the preferred rigidity of the sheet of tips. For example, bridges 14 are arranged in the X-direction and the Y-direction to connect 96 tips 12 in FIG. 1. Typically, the X and Y directions, or the rows and columns respectively, of the array of tips 12 are perpendicular to one another, although they need not be. It will be appreciated that bridges 14 could be aligned in other directions, such as along a diagonal, at 45° to the X and Y directions, or that are not perpendicular to one another. It will further be appreciated that bridges 14 do not have to be present between each aligned tip 12. In the preferred embodiment, bridges 14 need only be so thick and numerous that sufficient strength and rigidity is imparted to the array of tips 10 to prevent breaking thereof under normal handling. Bridges 14 are shaped as quadrilateral prisms in the current example shown in FIGS. 1-3., yet it will be recognized that bridges 14 can take any shape.
Furthermore, bridges 14 are positioned to be in line with the upper surface of the tips 12 in the current example shown in FIGS.
1-3, yet it will be recognized that bridges 14 can adjoin adjacent tips 12 at any point along the tip's 12 length.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 - 3, distance between adjacent tips 12 is preferably adequate to allow the tips 12 to settle into their respective hole in the pipette tip rack, shown in FIG. 3. It is to be understood that the array of tips 10 may be used in conjunction with various different types, sizes and shapes of pipette tip racks, and the particular rack disclosed herein is shown for purposes of illustration only. The array of tips 10 may be used with any other type of rack in which it is desired to load tips 12 for autoclaving purposes or otherwise, wherein it is desired to be able to easily load tips 12 into the rack.
Typically, bridges 14 are injection-moulded and formed of a material that loses its solid composition at a temperature less than that experienced in autoclave (typically 121 degrees Celsius).
A typical example of the material of which bridges 14 may be formed is wax.
However, it will be appreciated that bridges 14 may be formed of any other material which can be autoclaved and which provides the desired structural support and rigidity for easy loading of tips 12 into a pipette tip rack.
The foregoing invention, therefore, provides an array of pipette tips connected in a manner desired for facilitating and expediting the process of inserting said tips into a pipette tip rack, and allows tips to be separated in autoclave for use as singular entities as is desired for the use of commercial pipettor systems.
Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described above by way of example only, it will be understood by those skilled in the field that modifications and improvements may be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims.
Claims (10)
1. A pipette tip device for releasable mating with a pipette shaft, comprising:
a plurality of interconnecting pipette tips;
wherein the connecting material is heat-labile where autoclaving releases the connected pipette tips; and wherein the tips are hollow and each tip comprises a tip body and a distal end portion.
a plurality of interconnecting pipette tips;
wherein the connecting material is heat-labile where autoclaving releases the connected pipette tips; and wherein the tips are hollow and each tip comprises a tip body and a distal end portion.
2. The pipette device of claim 1, wherein loading in a pipette tip rack is efficient.
3. The pipette tip device of claim 1, wherein the tips define a through-passage herein and wherein each tip comprises a tip body and said distal end portion, such that the through-passage extends through said tip body and distal end portion.
4. The pipette tip device of claim 1, wherein all portions of the through-passage residing in the tip body have a V-shaped axial cross section.
5. The pipette tip device of claim 1, wherein each tip comprises a tip body having a circular cross section.
6. The pipette tip device of claim 1, wherein a plurality of tips is formed using an interconnecting material meltable at temperatures less than 121°C.
7. The pipette tip device of claim 6, wherein the meltable interconnecting material is melted when a filled pipette tip rack is autoclaved.
8. The pipette tip device of claim 6, wherein the interconnecting material allows for the formation of an array of tips, in a side-by-side alignment.
9. The pipette tip device of claim 8, wherein the tips resemble a sheet of tips that can be inserted into a pipette tip rack at once.
10. The pipette tip device of claims 1 through 6, wherein the receptacle has a generally conical shape and the inner surface is tapered from a rear opening at a proximal end to a tip opening at a distal end.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2466647 CA2466647A1 (en) | 2004-05-12 | 2004-05-12 | An array of interconnected tips separable by autoclaving for filling of pipette tip racks |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2466647 CA2466647A1 (en) | 2004-05-12 | 2004-05-12 | An array of interconnected tips separable by autoclaving for filling of pipette tip racks |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2466647A1 true CA2466647A1 (en) | 2005-11-12 |
Family
ID=35452044
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2466647 Abandoned CA2466647A1 (en) | 2004-05-12 | 2004-05-12 | An array of interconnected tips separable by autoclaving for filling of pipette tip racks |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2466647A1 (en) |
-
2004
- 2004-05-12 CA CA 2466647 patent/CA2466647A1/en not_active Abandoned
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6286678B1 (en) | Refill pack for pipette tip racks and improved pipette tip support plate for use in such packs and racks | |
| US5779984A (en) | Pipette tip rack and refill pack containing large maximized volume freely nestable pipette tips | |
| EP0415307B1 (en) | Cuvette matrix and its tray | |
| EP0944432B1 (en) | Support rack for pipette tips | |
| ES2744596T3 (en) | Processing tube and carrier tray | |
| US20090065458A1 (en) | Rack for holding centrifuge tubes | |
| JP3920853B2 (en) | Pipette tip container | |
| JP2000084419A (en) | Pipet tip replenishing pack | |
| US6328933B1 (en) | Double density pipette tip storage rack | |
| US4130978A (en) | Method of assembling disposable pipette tips for shipment to users thereof | |
| CN111591476B (en) | System for manufacturing cartridge | |
| US20080240999A1 (en) | Pipette tip transfer system | |
| WO2004093604A1 (en) | Tube rack accommodating a range of tube diameters | |
| SE449429B (en) | puncturing device | |
| EP1890818A1 (en) | An automatic machine for loading pipette tips into a rack and a loading metho thereof | |
| ES2334561T3 (en) | APPLIANCE WITH PIN AND METHOD TOOL. | |
| CN209934780U (en) | Device for separately loading pipette heads into pipette head boxes | |
| US6575209B2 (en) | Proportioning head | |
| CN107405622A (en) | Pipe holder instrument | |
| CA2466647A1 (en) | An array of interconnected tips separable by autoclaving for filling of pipette tip racks | |
| US7968056B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for transferring pipette tips | |
| EP1232011B1 (en) | Pipette tip having plural channels and a corresponding titration kit | |
| WO2001010556A1 (en) | Pipette tip kit | |
| JP4425291B2 (en) | Micro tube picking device for drug discovery | |
| JPH09285368A (en) | Wall element and holder |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |