U.S. patent application number 09/879649 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-24 for microscope slide container.
Invention is credited to Bevirt, JoeBen, Guyot, Joshua N., Rollins, Eric J..
Application Number | 20020008045 09/879649 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22786071 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020008045 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guyot, Joshua N. ; et
al. |
January 24, 2002 |
Microscope slide container
Abstract
A container for removably retaining a plurality of microscope
slides in a predetermined spaced relationship comprises a back
wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end
walls. The side walls and end walls extend from the back wall, and
the end walls extend between the side walls. The side walls have a
plurality of side ribs. The back wall has a plurality of grippers,
each of which include a first grip rib and a second grip rib. The
first grip rib has a first grip location capable of firmly gripping
one of the slides to prevent the slide from freely moving.
Additionally, the first grip rib is capable of flexing away from
the second grip rib. Moreover, each of the side walls has an outer
surface, and one of said outer surfaces has a rail projecting
outward from the outer surface. The outer surface also has an
orientation notch and a circular-shaped projection with a depressed
center.
Inventors: |
Guyot, Joshua N.; (Fly
Creek, NY) ; Bevirt, JoeBen; (Emerald Hills, CA)
; Rollins, Eric J.; (Sonora, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jon D. Shutter
Howrey Simon Arnold & White, LLP
P.O. Box 4433
Houston
TX
77210
US
|
Family ID: |
22786071 |
Appl. No.: |
09/879649 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60211233 |
Jun 12, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/456 ;
211/41.14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 9/52 20130101; G02B
21/34 20130101; B65D 21/0204 20130101; B65D 85/48 20130101; B65D
25/107 20130101; G01N 1/312 20130101; G01N 2035/00089 20130101;
B01L 2300/0822 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/456 ;
211/41.14 |
International
Class: |
B65D 085/48; A47G
019/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A container for removably retaining a plurality of microscope
slides in a predetermined spaced relationship, comprising a back
wall having a plurality of grippers, each of said grippers
including a first grip rib and a second grip rib; and a pair of
opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls, said side
walls and said end walls extending from said back wall, said end
walls extending between said side walls, said side walls having a
plurality of side ribs.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein said first grip rib has a first
grip location capable of firmly gripping one of said slides to
prevent said slide from freely moving.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein said second grip rib has a
second grip location capable of firmly gripping one of said slides
to prevent said slide from freely moving.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein said first grip rib has a
tapered front end.
5. The container of claim 4 wherein said second grip rib has a
tapered front end to facilitate reception of said slide between
said first and second grip ribs.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein said first grip rib is capable
of flexing away from said second grip rib.
7. The container of claim 6 wherein said first grip rib is biased
toward said second grip rib, said first grip rib flexes away from
said second grip rib with the application of a force.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein each of said side ribs have a
tapered front end to facilitate reception of said slide between
adjacent side ribs.
9. The container of claim 1 further including a cover having a
face, said cover face capable of abutting portions of said side
walls and said end walls.
10. The container of claim 9 wherein said cover further includes an
encompassing rim interconnected to said face.
11. The container of claim 10 wherein said rim is capable of
forming a friction fit with said side walls and said end walls.
12. The container of claim 1 further including a reinforcing wall
interconnected with said side walls and said back wall.
13. The container of claim 1 wherein each of said side walls has an
outer surface, one of said outer surfaces having a rail projecting
outward from said outer surface.
14. The container of claim 1 wherein each of said side walls has an
outer surface, one of said outer surfaces having an orientation
notch projecting outward from said outer surface.
15. The container of claim 1 wherein each of said side walls has an
outer surface, one of said outer surfaces having a circular-shaped
projection with a depressed center.
16. The container of claim 15 wherein one of said outer surfaces
further including a second circular-shaped projection with a
depressed center and a rib projecting outward from said outer
surface.
17. A container for removably retaining a microscope slide,
comprising a back wall having a first grip rib and a second grip
rib, said first grip rib having a first grip location capable of
gripping said slide to prevent said slide from freely moving; and a
pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls, said
side walls and said end walls extending from said back wall, said
end walls extending between said side walls.
18. The container of claim 17 wherein said second grip rib has a
second grip location capable of firmly gripping said slide to
prevent said slide from freely moving.
19. The container of claim 17 wherein said first grip rib has a
tapered front end.
20. The container of claim 19 wherein said second grip rib has a
tapered front end to facilitate reception of said slide between
said first and second grip ribs.
21. The container of claim 17 wherein said first grip rib is
capable of flexing away from said second grip rib.
22. The container of claim 21 wherein said first grip rib is biased
toward said second grip rib, said first grip rib flexes away from
said second grip rib with the application of a force.
23. A container for removably retaining a microscope slide,
comprising a back wall; a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of
opposing end walls, said side walls and said end walls extending
from said back wall, said end walls extending between said side
walls, each of said side walls has an outer surface, one of said
outer surfaces having an interconnected rail projecting outward
from said outer surface.
24. The container of claim 23 wherein one of said outer surfaces
having an orientation notch projecting outward from said outer
surface.
25. The container of claim 23 wherein one of said outer surfaces
having a circular-shaped projection with a depressed center.
26. The container of claim 23 further including a first grip rib
and a second grip rib, said first grip rib having a first grip
location capable of gripping said slide to prevent said slide from
freely moving.
27. The container of claim 26 wherein said first grip rib is
capable of flexing away from said second grip rib.
28. A container for removably retaining a microscope slide,
comprising a first grip rib and a second grip rib, said first grip
rib having a first grip location capable of gripping said slide to
prevent said slide from freely moving.
29. The container of claim 28 wherein said second grip rib has a
second grip location capable of firmly gripping said slide to
prevent said slide from freely moving.
30. The container of claim 28 wherein said first grip rib has a
tapered front end.
31. The container of claim 28 wherein said first grip rib is
capable of flexing away from said second grip rib.
32. The container of claim 31 wherein said first grip rib is biased
toward said second grip rib, said first grip rib flexes away from
said second grip rib with the application of a force.
33. The container of claim 28 further including a back wall, a pair
of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls, said side
walls and said end walls extending from said back wall, said end
walls extending between said side walls.
34. The container of claim 33 wherein said first grip rib and said
second grip rib are connected to one of said side walls.
35. The container of claim 33 wherein said first grip rib and said
second grip rib are connected to one of said end walls.
36. The container of claim 33 further including a first rib and a
second rib capable of receiving said slide between said first and
second rib.
Description
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of co-pending
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/211,233, which was
filed on Jun. 12, 2000.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a container for
the handling, transportation and storage of microscope slides and,
in particular, to a microscope slide container for removably
retaining a plurality of microscope slides in fixed positions
within a plurality of slide receiving projections.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Microscope slide containers or folders manufactured of
various materials such as cardboard and plastic have been made for
many years for the purpose of storing and indexing microscope
analyzeable specimen materials supported on a glass microscope
slide. In the past, various features were employed in attempts to
provide the microscope slide container with advantages. An example
of one such feature is a finger recess to aid in the removal of a
microscope slide. Other examples include structural elements within
the microscope slide receiving compartments to maintain each
microscope slide in a fixed position for handling and transport
with minimal disturbance of the analyzeable specimen material. With
the advent of automated pick-and-place machinery, it is desirable
to have a microscope slide container that is adapted for automation
and is more efficient than ones requiring the sometimes cumbersome
accommodation of human fingers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is a microscope slide container. In
accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the container
comprises a back wall, a pair of opposing side walls and a pair of
opposing end walls. The side walls and end walls extend from the
back wall, and the end walls extend between the side walls. The
side walls have a plurality of side ribs. The back wall has a
plurality of grippers, each of which include a first grip rib and a
second grip rib. The first grip rib has a first grip location
capable of firmly gripping one of the slides to prevent the slide
from freely moving. The second grip rib has a second grip location
capable of firmly gripping one of the slides to prevent the slide
from freely moving. The first and second grip ribs have tapered
front ends to facilitate reception of the slide between the first
and second grip ribs. The first grip rib is capable of flexing away
from the second grip rib, and the first grip rib is biased toward
the second grip rib such that the first grip rib flexes away from
the second grip rib with the application of a force. The container
further includes a cover. Additionally, each of the side walls has
an outer surface. The outer surface includes a rail, an orientation
notch and a circular-shaped projection with a depressed center.
[0005] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a container comprising a back wall, a pair of
opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls. The side
walls and end walls extend from the back wall, and the end walls
extend between the side walls. The side walls have a pair of side
ribs. The back wall has a first grip rib and a second grip rib. The
first grip rib has a first grip location capable of firmly gripping
one of the slides to prevent the slide from freely moving. The
second grip rib has a second grip location capable of firmly
gripping one of the slides to prevent the slide from freely moving.
The first and second grip ribs have tapered front ends to
facilitate reception of the slide between the first and second grip
ribs. The first grip rib is capable of flexing away from the second
grip rib. Additionally, the first grip rib is biased toward the
second grip rib and flexes away from the second grip rib with the
application of a force.
[0006] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a container comprising a back wall, a
pair of opposing side walls and a pair of opposing end walls. The
side walls and end walls extend from the back wall, and the end
walls extend between the side walls. The side walls have a pair of
side ribs and an outer surface. The outer surface of the side wall
includes a rail projecting outward. The outer surface also includes
an orientation notch and a circular shaped projection with a
depressed center.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Other objects and advantages of the invention will become
apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon
reference to the drawings in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the microscope slide
container of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a front-elevational, partial cross-sectional view
of the microscope slide container of the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view along 3-3 of FIG. 2 of
the microscope slide container of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side-elevational view of the microscope slide
container of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a top view of the microscope slide container of
the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a sectional perspective view of the back wall of
the microscope slide container of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a sectional front view of a microscope slide
inserted into back wall of the microscope slide container of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view along 8-8 of FIG. 7 of
the microscope slide container of the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 9 is a sectional side view of a gripper of the
microscope slide container of the present invention.
[0017] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications
and alternative forms, a specific embodiment thereof has been shown
by way of example in the drawing and will herein be described in
detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended
to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed but, on
the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a container 10 in accordance
with the invention is shown. As illustrated, the container includes
a base 12 and a cover 14. The base 12 and cover 14 define a
microscope slide storage chamber 16.
[0019] The base 12 includes a back wall 18, two opposing and side
walls designated generally 20 and 22, two opposing end walls
designated generally 24 and 26. The side walls 20, 22 and the end
walls 24, 26 extend around the periphery of the back wall 18
defining a generally rectangular shape with the length of the
longitudinal side walls 20, 22 being greater than the length of the
end walls 24, 26. The base 12 may be constituted of any kind of
material suitable for storing microscope slides such as
thermoplastic or thermosetting solvent-resistant polymeric material
such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).
[0020] Still referencing FIGS. 1 and 2, side wall 20 includes an
outer surface 28 and an inner surface 30. Side wall 22 includes an
outer surface 32 and an inner surface 34. Focusing now on FIGS. 3,
4 and 5, each of the outer surfaces 28, 32 include a pair of rails
36 and 38, respectively, for interlocking consecutively stacked
containers. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the rails 36
projecting from outer surface 28 are spaced farther apart from each
other than the rails 38 projecting from outer surface 32 such that
a series of covered containers may be vertically stacked on top of
one another in a secure arrangement by inserting the closely-spaced
rails 38 of one container into the complementary widely-spaced
rails 36 of another container. The rails 36 provide camming
surfaces for rails 38 and vice versa to create a secured stack of
interlocked containers.
[0021] The outer surfaces 28 and 32 include a plurality of
container orientation notches 40. These notches allow for the
proper orientation and insertion of the container 10 with respect
to lab automation equipment. For the removal of microscope slides,
the container 10 must be properly oriented to work with loading and
unloading apparatuses and the notches 40 are keyed in such a way
that the container 10 can be loaded into a specific machine one
way. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, at locations adjacent slide
count 70-75 and 40-45, outer surface 28 does not include notches 40
that are found on outer surface 32. Additional features for
compatibility with lab automation equipment that aid in the loading
and orientation of the container 10 include two circular-shaped
projections 42 with depressed centers 44 and a rib 46 on each of
the outer surfaces 28, 32.
[0022] Turning now to the inside of the container 10 and with
particular reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the inner surfaces 30, 34
of the side walls 20, 22 are spaced from each other a distance that
generally corresponds to the width of a standard microscope slide,
approximately one inch. The inner surfaces 30, 34 include a
plurality of integrally formed side ribs 48. Each of the side ribs
48 include a front end 50 and back end 52. The front ends 50 are
tapered for the facilitated reception of microscope slides and are
set back from the edge of the side walls 20, 22 by a distance of
approximately 1/4 inch. The length of each side rib 48 is generally
the same length of a standard microscope slide, approximately three
inches. The back end 52 is integral with the back wall 18.
Consecutive side ribs 48 are vertically spaced apart from each
other a distance that generally corresponds to the thickness of a
standard microscope slide (approximately {fraction (1/16)} inch) to
restrain vertical motion of the microscope slide. The side ribs 48
are also thick enough (approximately {fraction (1/16)} inch) to
adequately space the microscope slides away from each other in
order to prevent disturbance and smearing of specimen materials
supported on the microscope slide.
[0023] The cover 14 of the container 10, as shown in FIG. 1,
includes a face 54 interconnected to an encompassing rim 56. The
rim 56 is interconnected with a lip 58. The rim 56 has a depth that
corresponds to the distance with which the front ends 50 of the
side ribs 48 are set back from the edge of the side walls 20, 22,
approximately 1/4 inch. To close the container 10, the cover 14 is
inserted such that the rim 56 forms a friction fit or snap fit
engagement with the side walls 20, 22 and end walls 24, 26. The
cover 14 is in place with the lip 58 resting on the edges of the
side walls 20, 22 and end walls 24, 26 and with the face 54
contacting the front ends 50 of the side ribs 48. Thus, the
microscope slide storage chamber 16 is defined by the face 54, back
wall 18, end walls 24, 26, and inner surfaces 30, 34 of side walls
20, 22 wherein the length of the side ribs 48 generally corresponds
to the length of a standard microscope slide, approximately three
inches, and the length of back wall 18 generally corresponds to the
width of a standard microscope slide, approximately one inch. One
hundred standard microscope slides are stackable in approximately
97/8 inches of ribbed container space. The overall length of the
container 10 is approximately 103/4 inches. The microscope slide
storage chamber 16 further contains a plurality of reinforcing
walls 60 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. These reinforcing walls 60 span
the chamber 16 and interconnect with side walls 20, 22 and back
wall 18.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the back wall 18
includes a plurality of grippers 62. Each gripper 62 includes a
first rib 64 and a second rib 66. The first and second ribs 64, 66
include slide surfaces 68 and 70, respectively, and grip locations
69, 71, respectively. The first and second ribs 64, 66 also include
front ends 72, 74, respectively. The first and second ribs 64 and
66 are inclined towards each other at angle, .alpha., as shown in
FIG. 9. The front ends 72 and 74 of slide surfaces 68 and 70,
respectively, are tapered at an angle, .beta., as shown in FIG. 9.
The tapered front ends 72 and 74 facilitate reception of the
microscope slide 76 between the first and second ribs 64, 66 and
provide a camming surface for the insertion of a microscope
slide.
[0025] When a microscope slide is inserted into the container, the
microscope slide first contacts the tapered front end 50 of the
side ribs 48. These tapered front ends 50 of the side ribs 48
direct the microscope slide between the side ribs 48. Then, the
microscope slide contacts one or more of the tapered ends 72 and 74
of the first and second ribs 64, 66 of a gripper 62. Next, with
slight force on the microscope slide, the first and second ribs 64,
66 flex slightly outwardly away from the microscope slide, thereby,
spring-loading the first and second ribs 64, 66 to firmly grip the
microscope slide at grip locations 69, 71. The microscope slide is
continually passed towards the back wall 18 until the microscope
slide is in position. This gripping action prevents the microscope
slide from sliding out of the container even when the container is
inverted and the cover removed. In an alternate embodiment, the
grippers 62 may be connected to either one of the side walls or one
of the end walls instead of the back wall to prevent the slide from
sliding out of the container.
[0026] While the present invention has been described with
reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in
the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention. Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof
is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the
claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *