US3720502A - Centrifuge test tube stopper - Google Patents
Centrifuge test tube stopper Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3720502A US3720502A US00100005A US3720502DA US3720502A US 3720502 A US3720502 A US 3720502A US 00100005 A US00100005 A US 00100005A US 3720502D A US3720502D A US 3720502DA US 3720502 A US3720502 A US 3720502A
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- container
- stopper
- centrifuge
- test tube
- sample
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B04—CENTRIFUGAL APPARATUS OR MACHINES FOR CARRYING-OUT PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES
- B04B—CENTRIFUGES
- B04B5/00—Other centrifuges
- B04B5/04—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers
- B04B5/0407—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles
- B04B5/0414—Radial chamber apparatus for separating predominantly liquid mixtures, e.g. butyrometers for liquids contained in receptacles comprising test tubes
Definitions
- This invention relates in general to centrifuges of the type in which the material to be subjected to centrifugation is held within sample containers, such as test tubes or bottles, carried by the centrifuge rotor and more particularly to an improved centrifuge sample container and stopper assembly.
- Preparative centrifuges commonly employ a rotor having a series of cavities equally spaced about the circumference of the rotor body and adapted to receive containers (test tubes or bottles) for carrying the sample to be centrifuged.
- containers test tubes or bottles
- the axis of each cavity is inclined at an angle with respect to the vertical rotational axis of the rotor such that the bottom of the container is disposed further away from the rotor axis than the top of the container.
- Such rotors are commonly referred to as fixed angle rotors and are advantageous in that initially precipitate is collected at the bottom of the container at a more rapid rate than if a container having its longitudinal axis orientated perpendicular to the rotor axis were utilized.
- An ideal cap for a centrifuge test tube (or bottle) container exhibits characteristics of high strength, leak-tightness, and simplicity of assembly and disassembly.
- High strength is necessary to withstand the high centrifugal forces to which the container and cap assembly or stopper is subjected when the rotor is spun at the high rotational speeds, typically 40,000 r.p.m. and upward, reached during the course of routine centrifuge operation.
- the container and cap assembly or stopper must remain leak-tight during the centrifuge operation notwithstanding the high centrifugal forces generated, in order to prevent cross-contamination and to protect operating personnel from any virulent components of the sample material.
- prior art centrifuge test tube and bottle caps have been fabricated from relative high strength materials, such as steel, and least partially supported by a shoulder or ridge formed in the upper portion of the centrifuge rotor cavity in which the container is placed. Such measures were considered necessary to enable the container and cap assembly or stopper to resist distortion under the high centrifugal forces to which it is subjected during centrifugation. Examples of conventional prior art centrifuge sample containers and cap assemblies may be found in US. Pat. Nos. 3,459,369; 3,447,712; 3,366,- 320; 3,071,316; and 2,649,245. Prior art designs are characterized by two serious drawbacks.
- the cap generally must be screwed onto a threaded surface formed on the container which consumes valuable time.
- an appropriate ridge or shoulder formed in the rotor cavity to assist in cap support inherently limits that rotor to the use of test tubes (or bottles) of one length since the closed end of the sample container must conform to and be in contact with the lower extremities of the cavity to prevent distortion of the container.
- the centrifuge container and stopper assembly contemplates a centrifuge container and stopper assembly which is simple in construction, able to maintain a liquid-tight seal under the high centrifugal forces generated during centrifugation, and easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.
- the centrifuge container and stopper assembly includes an appropriate shaped container with a stopper or plug element which fits snugly inside the mouth of the container.
- the stopper element carries an O-ring which forms a liquid-tight seal about the inner surface of the container.
- the stopper assembly is inserted to a depth such that the lower surface of the stopper abuts against the surface of the sample solution, or the sample solution is filled to a depth such that the surface of the sample solution abuts against the lower surface of the stopper, and the solution thereby supports the stopper against the forces of centrifugation during the centrifuge run.
- the stopper element also includes a cylindrical axial bore, through which sample solution may be introduced into the test tube until it abuts against the lower surface of the stopper assembly, and a counterbore concentric with the axial bore into which a plug member slidably fits to close the axial bore once the tube is filled.
- a primary object of the present invention is the provision of an improved centrifuge container and stopper assembly which is simple in construction, limited in number of components, and easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.
- a further object is the provision of a centrifuge container and stopper assembly wherein the stopper is supported in the direction of the axis of the centrifuge container by the sample solution held within the container during a centrifuge run and does not require ancillary support means in the rotor body itself.
- Still a further object is the provision of a centrifuge container and stopper assembly which permits sample containers of varying lengths to be used with the same fixed angle preparative rotor.
- FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view of a fixed angle type preparative centrifuge rotor loaded with test tube and stopper assemblies constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is an axial sectioanl view of the centrifuge test tube and stopper assembly with the stopper in place over the mouth of the tube.
- FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the stopper assembly.
- the reference numeral designates a typical preparative centrifuge rotor having a plurality of U-shaped cavities or wells 11 having a U-shaped cross-section equally spaced about the circumference of the rotor 10 and adapted to receive and carry centrifuge test tube and cap assemblies containing the solution to be centrifuged.
- Each cavity 11 projects downwardly from and at some predetermined angle with respect to rotational axis 12 of rotor 10.
- a ridge or shoulder means or other auxiliary support for the test tube cap assembly is not required thereby enabling the rotor 10 to accommodate test tubes of varying lengths.
- the centrifuge test tube having a U-shaped cross-section and cap assembly 15 comprises a U-shaped test tube 16 and a cap assembly 17.
- the base or lower end of test tube 16 is contoured to conform with the bottom of cavity 11 in which the test tube 16 is placed. This assists in preventing distortion of the lower extremities of the tube during centrifugation.
- Stopper assembly 17 includes a generally cylindrical stopper member or plug 18 which fits snugly inside the mouth of test tube 16 and is slidably inserted and removed therefrom.
- Stopper member 18 includes an annular groove 19 about its outer surface for carrying and an 'O-ring seal 20.
- O-ring 20 is slightly larger in diameter than annular groove 19 such that once stopper member 18 is inserted into the mouth of test tube 16, O-ring 20 presses against the inner surface of test tube 16 to form a liquid-tight seal.
- Both test tube 16 and stopper member 18 are fabricated from a suitable plastic, such as polycarbonate, to permit the test tube and cap assembly to carry a sample solution which might react with metallic ions.
- Stopper member 18 also includes a generally circular axial bore 21 which communicates with the interior of test tube 16 to permit the introduction of the sample solution into the test tube after the stopper member 18 has been inserted into the mouth of tube 16.
- a circular counterbore 22 slightly greater in diameter than axial bore 21 is provided concentric with axial bore 21 to form a flat annular shoulder or seat 23 (orthogonal with respect to the vertical axis of tube 16) which serves as a seat for a plug member 24.
- Plug member 24, which slidably fits into counterbore 22 includes a generally cylindrical body portion 30 dimensioned to fit snugly inside counterbore 22 with a Hat lower surface 311 which seats against shoulder 23.
- a circular stem 32 projects downwardly from the center of lower surface 31 and serves to close axial bore 21 once the plug member 24 is inserted into counterbore 22.
- a small O-ring 33- is sandwiched between lower surface 31 and seat 23.
- plug 24 is fabricated of plastic.
- stopper member 18 also includes an externally threaded axial stud 27 projecting upwardly from the upper surface 29 of stopper member 18 so that an appropriate tool may be threadedly engaged with stopper member 18 to facilitate its removal after the centrifuge run.
- the present invention provides a relatively simple centrifuge test tube and cap assembly which may be easily and quickly assembled and disassembled.
- the test tube 16 is capped by merely placing the test tube in a suitable holder and inserting cylindrical stopper member 18 into the mouth of the tube by hand or with a suitable loading tool.
- the tube is then filled with sample solution through aixal bore 21 and plug 24 slidably inserted into counterbore 22 to close bore 21 and complete the capping of the tube.
- an appropriate removing tool is screwed onto stud 27 to extract the tube from the rotor cavity and to remove the stopper member 18 from the mouth of the tube.
- stopper member 18 is in place and the test tube '16 has been filled with the sample solution to be investigated, the under surface 26 of stopper member 18 is in contact with the sample solution and supported in the direction of the axis of the tube by such solution during centrifugation. That is, there is no ancillary axial support for the cap assembly 17. It is preferable that the effective weight of stopper assembly 17 during a centrifugation run be slightly greater than the pressure developed by the sample solution contained within the test tube 16 such that the stopper assembly 17 compresses the solution slightly.
- cap assembly of the present invention may be utilized with sample containers other than test tubes, such as bottles. Accordingly, the invention is to be construed as limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
- a centrifuge sample container and stopper assembly adapted to be carried by a centrifuge rotor, the combination comprising: a sample container for containing a sample solution to be investigated by centrifugation, said container having a mouth and a substantially cylindrical inner surface adjacent the mouth of said container, a stopper member having upper and lower surfaces and having an outer cylindrical surface positioned snugly within the cylindrical surface of said container, said stopper member having an annular groove around its outer surface and an axial bore therein through which sample solution may be introduced into said sample container, an O-ring seal carried by said annular groove to form a liquid-tight seal between said cylindrical inner surface of said sample container and said outer cylindrical surface of said stopper member, a generally circular counterbore in said stopper member concentric with the axis of said axial bore, said counterbore being greater in diameter than said axial bore to form an annular shoulder substantially orthogonal to the axis of said axial bore, said stopper assembly including a generally cylindrical plug member inserted into said counterbore of said stopper member, said
Landscapes
- Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10000570A | 1970-12-21 | 1970-12-21 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3720502A true US3720502A (en) | 1973-03-13 |
Family
ID=22277647
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US00100005A Expired - Lifetime US3720502A (en) | 1970-12-21 | 1970-12-21 | Centrifuge test tube stopper |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3720502A (de) |
CA (1) | CA957325A (de) |
DE (1) | DE2163584A1 (de) |
GB (1) | GB1369063A (de) |
SE (1) | SE374281B (de) |
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3942717A (en) * | 1973-02-09 | 1976-03-09 | Robison William O | Specimen container |
US4015941A (en) * | 1975-01-29 | 1977-04-05 | Japan Medical Supply Co., Ltd. | Test tube assembly |
US4166573A (en) * | 1977-12-01 | 1979-09-04 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Centrifuge tube enclosure |
US4290550A (en) * | 1980-02-19 | 1981-09-22 | Beckman Instruments, Inc. | Modular supporting cap and spacer for centrifuge tubes |
US4304356A (en) * | 1980-02-19 | 1981-12-08 | Beckman Instruments, Inc. | Supporting cap for sealed centrifuge tube |
US4342419A (en) * | 1980-10-31 | 1982-08-03 | Beckman Instruments, Inc. | Safety cover for centrifuge bucket |
US4585433A (en) * | 1984-10-01 | 1986-04-29 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Sample container for a top loading swinging bucket centrifuge rotor |
US4830209A (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1989-05-16 | Multi-Technology Inc. | Fail safe releasible locks for cappped disposable centrifuge containers |
US4874102A (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1989-10-17 | Multi-Technology Inc. | Medical fail safe releasible locks and/or seals for capped disposable centrifuge containers, cryogenic vials and the like |
US4883644A (en) * | 1987-12-09 | 1989-11-28 | Brandeis University | Microtube vortexer adapter and method of its use |
US4896780A (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1990-01-30 | Multi-Technology Inc. | Fail safe releasible locks for capped disposable centrifuge containers |
US4902270A (en) * | 1988-10-03 | 1990-02-20 | Nalge Company | Centrifuge tube |
US4953741A (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1990-09-04 | Multi-Technology Inc. | Medical fail safe releasible locks and/or seals for capped disposable centrifuge containers, cryogenic vials and the like |
US4956103A (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1990-09-11 | Multi-Technology Inc. | Fail safe releasible locks for capped disposable centrifuge containers |
US5047210A (en) * | 1987-12-04 | 1991-09-10 | Melet Schloesing Laboratories | Device for presenting receptacles |
US5310527A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1994-05-10 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Tube for use in a pelleting centrifuge rotor |
US5334130A (en) * | 1992-05-13 | 1994-08-02 | Savant Instruments, Inc. | Centrifugal vacuum concentration with holder assembly |
US5382220A (en) * | 1989-11-07 | 1995-01-17 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Centrifuge tube adapter |
WO2018009384A1 (en) * | 2016-07-06 | 2018-01-11 | Advanced Instruments, Llc | Cuvette and rotor system for blood plasma separation |
WO2021211473A1 (en) * | 2020-04-14 | 2021-10-21 | Sandstone Diagnostics, Inc. | Devices and methods for portable and compact centrifugation |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE8312557U1 (de) * | 1983-04-28 | 1983-10-20 | Deutsche Fibercast GmbH, 5180 Eschweiler | Vorrichtung zum stirnseitigen verschliessen eines ringraumes |
KR200462858Y1 (ko) * | 2011-12-06 | 2012-10-05 | 이정민 | 원심분리기용 용기 |
CN103894296B (zh) * | 2014-04-08 | 2017-03-15 | 江苏欧耐尔新型材料有限公司 | 离心机夹具 |
-
1970
- 1970-12-21 US US00100005A patent/US3720502A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1971
- 1971-09-24 CA CA123,652A patent/CA957325A/en not_active Expired
- 1971-10-15 GB GB4802971A patent/GB1369063A/en not_active Expired
- 1971-10-29 SE SE7113842A patent/SE374281B/xx unknown
- 1971-12-21 DE DE19712163584 patent/DE2163584A1/de active Pending
Cited By (20)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3942717A (en) * | 1973-02-09 | 1976-03-09 | Robison William O | Specimen container |
US4015941A (en) * | 1975-01-29 | 1977-04-05 | Japan Medical Supply Co., Ltd. | Test tube assembly |
US4166573A (en) * | 1977-12-01 | 1979-09-04 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Centrifuge tube enclosure |
US4290550A (en) * | 1980-02-19 | 1981-09-22 | Beckman Instruments, Inc. | Modular supporting cap and spacer for centrifuge tubes |
US4304356A (en) * | 1980-02-19 | 1981-12-08 | Beckman Instruments, Inc. | Supporting cap for sealed centrifuge tube |
US4342419A (en) * | 1980-10-31 | 1982-08-03 | Beckman Instruments, Inc. | Safety cover for centrifuge bucket |
US4585433A (en) * | 1984-10-01 | 1986-04-29 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Sample container for a top loading swinging bucket centrifuge rotor |
US5047210A (en) * | 1987-12-04 | 1991-09-10 | Melet Schloesing Laboratories | Device for presenting receptacles |
US4883644A (en) * | 1987-12-09 | 1989-11-28 | Brandeis University | Microtube vortexer adapter and method of its use |
US4896780A (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1990-01-30 | Multi-Technology Inc. | Fail safe releasible locks for capped disposable centrifuge containers |
US4874102A (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1989-10-17 | Multi-Technology Inc. | Medical fail safe releasible locks and/or seals for capped disposable centrifuge containers, cryogenic vials and the like |
US4953741A (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1990-09-04 | Multi-Technology Inc. | Medical fail safe releasible locks and/or seals for capped disposable centrifuge containers, cryogenic vials and the like |
US4956103A (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1990-09-11 | Multi-Technology Inc. | Fail safe releasible locks for capped disposable centrifuge containers |
US4830209A (en) * | 1988-05-09 | 1989-05-16 | Multi-Technology Inc. | Fail safe releasible locks for cappped disposable centrifuge containers |
US4902270A (en) * | 1988-10-03 | 1990-02-20 | Nalge Company | Centrifuge tube |
US5382220A (en) * | 1989-11-07 | 1995-01-17 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Centrifuge tube adapter |
US5334130A (en) * | 1992-05-13 | 1994-08-02 | Savant Instruments, Inc. | Centrifugal vacuum concentration with holder assembly |
US5310527A (en) * | 1992-12-14 | 1994-05-10 | E. I. Du Pont De Nemours And Company | Tube for use in a pelleting centrifuge rotor |
WO2018009384A1 (en) * | 2016-07-06 | 2018-01-11 | Advanced Instruments, Llc | Cuvette and rotor system for blood plasma separation |
WO2021211473A1 (en) * | 2020-04-14 | 2021-10-21 | Sandstone Diagnostics, Inc. | Devices and methods for portable and compact centrifugation |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB1369063A (en) | 1974-10-02 |
SE374281B (de) | 1975-03-03 |
CA957325A (en) | 1974-11-05 |
DE2163584A1 (de) | 1972-07-13 |
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