GB2374413A

GB2374413A - Reservoir tray

Info

Publication number: GB2374413A
Application number: GB0109164A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henric Ekstrand
Original assignee: REPLIZYME Ltd
Current assignee: REPLIZYME Ltd
Priority date: 2001-04-12
Filing date: 2001-04-12
Publication date: 2002-10-16
Also published as: WO2002083311A2; GB0109164D0; WO2002083311A3; AU2002312823A1

Abstract

A reservoir tray 6 useful for preparing and transferring reagents e.g. to a micro titre plate comprises a support 8 having at least one reservoir chamber 27 for mixing or preparing the reagents and means for housing at least one component of an assay kit which is afforded protection by the tray during transportation or handling. The means for housing the component(s) may be provided by shaping the chamber(s) to securely hold the assay kit component(s).

Description

1 237441 3

RESERVOIR TRAY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a reservoir tray. More particularly it relates to a reservoir tray, which also serves as a piece of protective packaging for one or more components of an assay kit packaged in a container. It also relates to an assay kit comprising the reservoir tray and at least one other component of the kit. Examples of kit components include, but are not limited to: Consumables, such as, for example chemical reagents, buffers, antibodies, enzymes, reagent bottles and vials of glass and plastics etc; and equipment, such as, for example, micro titre plates, micro pipettes, plate washers, strip washers, plate readers etc. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Micro titre plates are commonly used in many scientific disciplines. When using micro titre plate based assays, such as, for example, Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assays (ELISAs) it is common practice to prepare the reagents in a reservoir tray and transfer them across to the micro titre plate.

These days rather than prepare numerous reagents from base chemicals people tend to buy kits comprising all or the majority of the consumables and some or all of the equipment needed to conduct a particular assay.

The commercial value of kits is based on a combination of refined and often patented components and / or procedures. The value is a reflection of 1) the saving of an end users time and effort in preparing and preformatting fluids and other components; 2) the ease by which the end user can carry out high tech applications, assisted by standardised procedures and protocols; and 3) the greater accuracy often attained as a result of the consistent nature of the kit and its components.

The resulting kit, often supplied through the post, has thus become an established standard. Typically they come in the form of a box containing all or most of the consumable components in defined amounts, clearly labelled (usually with a denominator that indicates the order of use, e.g. components A, B. C etc.) and with clear instructions in the form of a kit manual. Kits often contain assay plates, and may occasionally even contain plate and / or fluid-handling devices such as single or multi channel pipettes, and even plate and / or strip-washers, readers etc. Since the kits are often posted the box must be quite sturdy, unless a protective outer box is employed. Additionally, to protect and immobilise kit components during transport the kit box must contain internal protective features. Protective supports for bottles include foam or card box inserts with holes punched in them for the receipt of bottles.

Due to frequent imperfect design and layout, and due to the nature of many internal protective features, kits can tend to be unnecessarily bulky. A problem with the kits presently available is hence that the volume of the kit-box often is vastly greater than the sum of the contained components.

Two reasons for this discrepancy can be identified: 1) the internal features used to protect the boxed components (in particular the consumables, which are typically contained in glass or plastic bottles of round cross section) have a singular function and do not cater for any other needs than housing and protection of the components, which means that any addition of other functional entities will result in additional bulk; and 2) the established standard of punched holes to house and protect upright bottles and vials does not allow for a great deal of space saving. More area is lost when placing circles next to each other, than when other geometrical shapes are adjacently positioned (e.g. squares or triangles).

The additional unnecessary bulk creates storage problems, adds to both packaging and transport costs and the singular purpose protective features are an addition to the waste produced by this particular industry.

The applicant has noted that assay kits rarely come with buffer reservoir trays to support applications of the kit, most likely due to the added volume this would incur on the kit and the cost of the additional component. Consequently there is a danger that the end user may use buffer reservoir trays over which the kit supplier has no control. The end user may thereby cross contaminate or otherwise compromise assay results through the use of inconsistent, non standardized, or otherwise inappropriate buffer reservoir trays.

The applicant sought to address these two problems and has developed a reservoir tray, which additionally functions as a protective packaging for one or more other components of a typical assay kit.

The reservoir tray is able to house one or more other components in a manner that protects them in transit. The manner in which they are housed also enables the other components to be positioned in a set manner so that they can be viewed clearly for the purpose of identification by the end user.

Preferably each housing enables the component being housed to be firmly immobilized during handling. In a preferred embodiment the means for housing at least one component of an assay kit, particularly reagent bottles, comprises a locking means, such as a clip or one or more resilient members which can exert a locking or retaining force against the component so that it is held firmly in position during transit. Of course other mechanical means will be apparent to the skilled man. Alternative, and more complex arrangements include the use of magnetic or other non-mechanical retaining means or chemical means such as adhesives.

The means for housing the at least one component of the assay kit not only enables the component to be protected and immobilized but also enables it to be positioned precisely and placed in a manner logical to the order in which the component would be used, and

additionally, allowing the component to be clearly viewed for the purpose of identification. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a reservoir tray, for preparing and transferring reagents to, for example, a micro titre plate, comprising a support having at least one reservoir chamber characterized in that the reservoir tray further comprises means for housing at least one component of an assay kit such that the at least one component of the assay kit housed therein is afforded protection by the reservoir tray during handling or transportation.

The arrangement reduces waste packaging, reduces assay kit bulk thereby increasing free storage space and allows components to be checked by simply opening the container in which they are stored for transport and storage.

The provision of the reservoir tray greatly improves the ease of use of the kit, and adds to the user-friendly value of the kit due to the refined and pre-formatted features and multiple functions.

The provision of a reservoir tray in the assay kit also improves assay reproducibility since it provides a kit specific standard for the mixing and transfer of reagents and additionally reduces contamination risks from the buffer reservoirs that may be independently available to the end user, and over which the kit supplier has no control.

Preferably the at least one reservoir chamber is shaped to snugly house the at least one component of the assay kit. Such an arrangement reduces the size and hence cost of the packaging. Preferably the at least one reservoir chamber is provided with a means for securing the at least one component in place in the reservoir chamber. Such an arrangement prevents the component coming loose in transit thereby avoiding the risk of breakage.

Preferably the means for securing the at least one component in place in the reservoir chamber is a pair of resilient members which are integral with the reservoir chamber and extend from an uppermost surface partially or completely extending across the reservoir chamber. Such a means provides a cheap and effective means for securing, particularly bottles. Preferably the at least one reservoir chamber is of a size that will accommodate at least a four, more preferably an eight and most preferably a twelve channel micropipette.

Preferably the at least one reservoir chamber tapers towards its base. Such a configuration allows easy uptake of liquid in the mixing and dispensing of liquid in the reservoir chamber.

Preferably the reservoir tray has a planar base and is substantially square or rectangular.

These shapes are most suited to the shapes of the boxes most frequently used to transport the assay kits.

Preferably the reservoir tray comprises a plurality, usually two reservoir chambers. A plurality of reservoir chambers is often needed to house all the components of a kit, and will often be needed to avoid washing a reservoir chamber between steps in an assay and thus reduces the risk of contamination in a given assay.

Preferably the at least one reservoir chamber houses a plurality of kit components.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an assay kit comprising a container and a reservoir tray of the invention.

Preferably at least one component of the assay is housed in the reservoir tray.

More preferably the at least one component of the assay housed in the reservoir tray is a reagent bottle.

Most preferably the at least one reagent bottle is housed on its side. This allows easy reading of the bottle without removal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following Figures in which: Fig 1 a is a perspective view from one side and above of a reservoir tray according to one aspect of the invention, Fig lb is a perspective view from the other side and below of the reservoir tray illustrated in Fig 1 a, Fig 2 is a plan view from above of the reservoir tray illustrated in Fig 1; Figs 3a and 3b are side elevations of the reservoir tray illustrated in Fig 1; Figs 4a and 4b are end elevations of the reservoir tray illustrated in Fig 1; Fig 5 is as per Fig 2 with reagent bottles in place in the chambers; Fig 6a and 6b are as per Fig 3a and 3b with reagent bottles in place in the chambers; Fig 7a and 7b are as per Fig 4a and 4b with reagent bottles in place in the chambers;

Fig 8a is a perspective view from one side and above of a further embodiment with a single reservoir chamber; and Fig 8b is a perspective view from the other side and below of the reservoir tray illustrated in Fig 8a.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figs 1 to 7 illustrate a plastic reservoir tray (6) formed from, for example, polyvinyl or polypropylene. It comprises a support (8), which supports two reservoir chambers (24; 26). The support comprises a base (10), that is generally rectangular and flat about its outermost perimeter edge (12) (when viewed in plan - see Fig 2) such that it will sit snugly inside a container, such as, for example a box, and in set from the outermost perimeter edge (12) of the base (10), walls (14; 16; 18; and 20) which extend at an inclined angle to an uppermost surface (22) which is recessed to house four containers (100; 102; 104 and 106). In setting and inclining the walls (14; 16; 18; and 20) from the outer most perimeter edge (12) of the base facilitates easier removal of the reservoir tray from its container (not shown). There are two side walls (14 and 16) and two end walls (18 and 20). The recessed housings also function as reservoir chambers (24 and 26).

The uppermost surface (22) comprises two reservoir chambers (24 and 26), which are substantially "V" shaped in cross section (Fig 4a and 4b). By tapering towards their bottom (27) the reservoirs are most able to facilitate the uptake of small volumes of liquids by a fluid-handling device such as a single or multi-channel pipette. Each reservoir is also elongate (Fig 2) such that they will accept up to a 12-channel micropipette. Each reservoir has two sidewalls (28 and 30), which are slightly curved to facilitate a good fit with the containers (100; 102; 104; 106) that they house (Fig 7a and 7b) and also provide a degree of resilience, which assists in locking the containers in place. Two end walls (32 and 34) ensure the reservoir chambers can retain a liquid that is introduced thereto whilst the reagents are mixed and added to the wells of an assay plate.

On the uppermost surface (22), and projecting slightly across each reservoir chamber (24 and 26), are two pairs of component retaining elements (36a, 36b; 38a, 38b; and 36b, 36c; 38b, 38c). These component retaining elements take the form of grippers which project partly across the reservoir chambers and have faces (40) that grip the components (100; 102; 104; 106), for example the bottles illustrated, holding them firmly and securely in place wholly or partly within one of the reservoir chambers. Of course other component retaining means such as, for example, a shaped lid that locks onto the reservoir tray or straps might be used.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figs 1 to 7 there are two pairs of grippers per reservoir chamber with the central gripper (36b; 38b) having two engaging faces (40) one facing across each of the two adjacent chambers (24; 26).

As can be seen from the figures the two reservoir chambers (24; 26) are of different dimensions to receive different sized bottles (100, 102; 104, 106).

As can be seen from the figures the grippers (36a; 36b) of the left reservoir chamber (24) are of different dimensions to, and protrude slightly more than, the grippers (38a; 38b) of the same reservoir chamber (24) to allow the reception of different sized bottles (100; 102) also in the same reservoir chamber (24).

To maximise the usage of space, at least one kit component or reagent container is preferably housed in a reservoir chamber. Alternatively, or as well, components or reagents could be housed in the underside (50), for example in the void (52) between the two reservoir chambers.

An assay kit comprises the reservoir tray as described and at least one further component, for example the reagent bottles shown packaged in a container (not illustrated), typically a box. It may further comprise a manual and other consumables and / or equipment as previously described.

Figs 8a and 8b illustrates an embodiment in which there is just a single reservoir chamber. Like numbers are used to illustrate like parts and to avoid unnecessary repetition no further details are given below.

Claims

1. A reservoir tray (6), for preparing and transferring reagents to, for example, a microtitre plate, comprising a support (8) having at least one reservoir chamber (24; 26) characterized in that the reservoir tray further comprises means (24; 26 / 36; 38) for housing at least one component (100; 102; 104; 106) of an assay kit such that the at least one component of the assay kit housed therein is afforded protection by the reservoir tray during handling or transportation.

2. A reservoir tray as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one reservoir chamber is shaped to snugly house the at least one component of the assay kit.

3. A reservoir tray as claimed in claim 2 wherein the at least one component of the assay kit is a bottle or the like and the at least one reservoir chamber comprises curved sidewalls (28; 30).

4. A reservoir tray as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one reservoir chamber is provided with a means (36; 38) for securing the at least one component in place in the reservoir chamber.

5. A reservoir tray as claimed in claim 4 wherein the means for securing the at least one component in place in the reservoir chamber is a pair of resilient members (36a, 36b; 36b, 36c; 38a, 38b; 38b,38c) which are integral with and extend from an uppermost surface partially across the reservoir chamber.

6. A reservoir tray as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the means for securing the at least one component in place in the reservoir chamber is a snap lock mechanism (36a, 36b; 36b, 36c; 38a, 38b; 38b,38c).

7. A reservoir tray as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one reservoir chamber is of a size that will accommodate at least a four, more preferably an eight and most preferably a twelve channel micropipettor.

8. A reservoir tray as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one reservoir chamber tapers towards its bottom (27).

9. A reservoir tray as claimed in any of the preceding claims, which has a flat base (10) and is substantially square or rectangular.

10. A reservoir tray as claimed in any of the preceding claims comprising a plurality of reservoir chambers.

11. A reservoir tray as claimed in any of the preceding claims comprising two reservoir chambers.

12. A reservoir tray as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 comprising a single reservoir chamber.

13. A reservoir tray as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one reservoir chamber houses a plurality of assay kit components.

14. An assay kit comprising a container and a reservoir tray as claimed in any of claims I to 13.

15. An assay kit as claimed in claim 14 further comprising at least one component of the assay kit housed in the reservoir tray.

16. An assay kit as claimed in claim 15 in which the at least one component of the assay kit housed in the reservoir tray is a reagent bottle.

17. An assay kit as claimed in claim 16 in which the at least one reagent bottle is housed on its side.

18. A reservoir tray substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 1 to 4.

19. A reservoir tray substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig 8.

20. An assay kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs 5 to 7.