Holder For Flat Rectangular Objects

Abstract

A tray-like holder for flat rectangular objects, such as microscope slides, into which such objects can be easily placed and from which such objects can be easily withdrawn comprises a base with upstanding elongated sidewalls and transverse endwalls to form a major elongated receptacle. This major receptacle is divided into individual smaller receptacles by a plurality of vertical partitions which extend transversely inwardly from each of the longitudinal sidewalls. Between adjacent partitions there is located an abutment on or adjacent to the corresponding longitudinal sidewall. A row of openings in the base is located adjacent and generally parallel with at least one of the longitudinal sidewalls, each of the openings being located between adjacent transverse partitions. An object can be easily placed on the base between adjacent partitions with one end of the object engaging an abutment and the other end of the object extending partially over a corresponding opening in the base. The object can be easily removed by placing a finger into the base opening against the exposed end of the object and lifting the object.

Parent Case Text

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 40,690, filed on May 26, 1970 now abandoned.

Description

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

It is frequently desirable to support one or more microscope slides in an incubator for treatment of material deposited on such slides. Most of the prior art holders for microscope slides have been complex or inconvenient to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A tray-like holder for accommodating a plurality of like elongated flat rectangular objects, such as microscope slides, in side-by-side spaced relation and from which such objects can be easily withdrawn is provided which comprises a tray-like member having a base portion, spaced first abutment means on said base located for engagement by side edge portions of flat rectangular objects placed on said base and operable to position such objects in spaced realtion, and second abutment means on said member located for engagement by end edge portions of said flat rectangular objects when the latter are so positioned by said first abutment means, said base having cut-away portions located for positioning adjacent thereto of end edge portions of said flat rectangular objects when the latter engage said first and second abutment means, said cut-away portions facilitating digital access to the end edge portions of said flat rectangular objects adjacent thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical cross-section view taken along Line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another form of the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 4; and

FIG.6 is an enlarged vertical cross-section view taken along Line 6--6 of FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The holder 10 for accommodating a plurality of flat rectangular objects, such as microscope slides, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, has a base portion 12 with a flat object-receiving surface to which are attached upwardly extending opposing transverse end-walls 14 and 16 and opposing first longitudinal sidewall 18 and second longitudinal sidewall 20. The combination of base 12, end-walls 14 and 16, and sidewalls 18 and 20 forms a generally rectangular elongated tray-like major receptacle having an open top 22. A peripheral surface 24 which is parallel to base 12 and normal to the sidewalls surrounds and is in contact with open top 22. A peripheral elevated ledge, formed by transverse vertical walls 26 and 28, longitudinal vertical walls 30 and 32, and upper ledge surface 34 which is parallel to surface 24 and base 12, communicates with surface 24 and surrounds open top 22. An extension 36 is attached to surface 34 through hinge 38 and will be described in more detail later.

A plurality of cut-away portions or openings 40 are formed in base 12 longitudinally along and in juxtaposition to first longitudinal sidewall 18. These openings 40 preferably form the mouths of depressions 42 in base 12. A plurality of spaced first partitions or abutment means 44 are upstanding from base 12, are located between adjacent openings 40 and project transversely inwardly from first longitudinal sidewall 18. Each of the abutment means 44 on both sides of openings 40 has opposing ridges 46 located thereon which are normal to base 12 and which project toward each other to form second abutment means. Transverse side-walls 14 and 16 are also formed with corresponding abutment means 46. The surface of first longitudinal sidewall 18 between adjacent first abutment means 44 is curved as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to correspond to the upward projected shape of opening 40 located therebetween. Sidewall 18 also connects directly with depressions 42. Peripheral surface 24 forms the upper edge surface for first abutment means 44. The inner edge of each of the abutment means 44 is principally formed by concave arcuate surface 48.

A plurality of spaced partitions 44 are upstanding from base 12 and project transversely inwardly from second longitudinal sidewall 20. The partitions 44 along sidewall 20 are aligned in opposing transverse relation with the partitions 44 along sidewall 18 to form a plurality of transverse receptacles between adjacent partitions 44 along the corresponding longitudinal sidewall. The longitudinal spacing between adjacent partitions 44 is slightly larger than the width of a typical microscope slide. Each of the partitions 44 along sidewall 20 also has a second abutment means or shoulder 46 similar to that described above.

Preferably, holder 10 also has a plurality of cut-away portions or openings 54 formed in base 12 longitudinally along and in juxtaposition to second longitudinal sidewall 20. These openings 54 preferably form the mouths of depressions 56 in base 12. Each of the openings 54 are located between adjacent partitions 44 and are transversely aligned with corresponding openings 40. Openings 40 and 54 are preferably circular and depressions 42 and 56 are preferably hemispherical in shape. The depressions 42 and 56 form supporting legs for the holder 10.

The surface of second longitudinal sidewall 20 between the adjacent first abutment means 44 is curved as shown to correspond to the upward projected shape of opening 54 therebetween. The transverse distance across base 12 from the abutment means 46 near sidewall 20 to the abutment means 46 near sidewall 18 is slightly more than the length of a typical microscope slide.

The holder 10 described above is preferably formed as a unitary structure molded from organoplastic materials. Useful organoplastic materials are polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, celluloid, polymethacrylate, polymethylmethacrylate and the like.

When the above-described holder is employed to hold microscope slides, the slides 58, which are represented in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 2, are easily placed on base 12 in the receptacles between adjacent partitions. One substantially flat end edge portion 60 of the slide 58 is placed against the abutment formed by abutment means 46 near the sidewall 20 while the opposing substantially flat end edge portion 62 of the slide 58 is placed against the abutment means 46 near sidewall 18. Side edge portions 50 of slide 58 are in engagement with adjacent partitions 44. This arrangement allows the slide to be supported in a substantially fixed position even though there may be some slight movement of the holder. In this position the end edge portions 62 and 60 of slide 58 extend partially over the adjacent openings 40 and 54 respectively. When it is desired to remove a slide from holder 10, one can place a finger into the uncovered portion of opening 40 against end 62 of slide 58 and pull up on the slide. Since the slide also extends partially over opening 54, it can be pulled up by digital access at this end. The apparatus of this invention thus provides an advance in the art whereby microscope slides can be easily inserted and withdrawn from a convenient holder. The slides are supported in the holder in side-by-side, aligned, generally coplanar spaced relation permitting specific treatment of material carried by the slides.

If desired, various indicia may be entered on extension 36 to characterize the slides placed in particular receptacles in the holder. The hinge 38 allows the extension 36 to be placed in various desired positions.

If desired, the holder 10 can be covered, either during or prior to use, by placing a cover in contact with upper ledge surface 34 and extending over the entire tray.

The above-described apparatus contained eight receptacles for supporting eight slides. It should be understood that apparatus of this invention can be so constructed as to contain more or less than eight receptacles.

Another and preferred form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 inclusive wherein the same reference numbers used in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive are employed to show the same structures.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the holder 10' has a base portion 12' with a flat object-receiving surface to which are attached upwardly extending opposing transverse endwalls 14' and 16 ' and opposing first longitudinal sidewall 18' and second longitudinal sidewall 20'. The combination of base 12', endwalls 14' and 16', and sidewalls 18' and 20' forms an elongated generally rectangular tray-like major receptacle having an open top. A continuous outwardly projecting peripheral flange 34' is joined to the upper edge portions of the endwalls 14' and 16' and sidewalls 18' and 20' and is parallel to the base portion 12'.

A plurality of cut-away portions or openings 40' are formed in base 12' longitudinally along and in juxtaposition to sidewall 18'. These openings 40' preferably form the mouths of depressions 42' formed in base 12'. A plurality of spaced first partitions or abutment means 44' are upstanding from base 12' between adjacent openings 40' and project transversely inwardly from sidewall 18'. Each of the partitions 44' is formed with a pair of vertical shoulder surfaces 46' such that the surfaces 46' on adjacent partitions 44' are disposed on opposite sides of the intervening openings 40' and form second abutment means. Sidewalls 14' and 16' are also formed with corresponding second abutment means 46' as shown. The surface of sidewall 18' between adjacent partitions 44' is curved as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 to correspond to the upward projected shape of the intervening opening 40'. Sidewall 18' also connects directly with depressions 42' as shown. The inner edge of each partition 44' is principally formed by concave arcuate surface 48'.

A plurality of spaced partitions or third abutment means 52 are upstanding from base 12' and project transversely inwardly from sidewall 20'. The inner edge of each partition 52 is principally formed by concave arcuate surface 53. The partitions 52 along sidewall 20' are aligned in opposing transverse relation with the partitions 44' along sidewall 18' to form a plurality of transverse receptacles between adjacent partitions. The longitudinal spacing between adjacent partitions 44' and 52 is preferably slightly larger than the width of a typical microscope slide. The inner surfaces 64 of sidewall 20' located between adjacent abutment means 52 are substantially flat and form fourth abutment means.

Preferably, holder 10' also has a plurality of spaced cut -away portions or openings 66 formed in base 12' longitudinally along and in juxtaposition to sidewall 20'. These openings 66 preferably form the mouths of depressions 68 formed in base 12'. The openings 66 are each located between adjacent partitions 52 and are each aligned transversely with openings 40'. Openings 66 are preferably generally rectangular with rounded corners and depressions 68 are in the form of a somewhat tapered projection of such shape. The depressions 42' and 68 form supporting legs for the holder.

The inner surfaces 64 of sidewall 20' and the adjacent portions of partitions 52 correspond to the upward projected shape of openings 66. The transverse distance across base 12' from the shoulders 46' near sidewall 18' to the surface 64 on sidewall 20' is preferably slightly more than the length of a typical microscope slide.

In a preferred form of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the aligned opposing partitions 44' and 52 located at the center of the holder 10' are extended inwardly to form a transverse wall member 70 which divides the base and tray into two equal segments and is normal to sidewalls 18' and 20'. The upper surface of wall member 70 is coplanar with the upper surface of peripheral flange 34', and the upper surfaces of the partitions 44' and 52 are generally coplanar and spaced below the plane of the upper surface of wall 70.

When the above-described holder 10' is employed to hold microscope slides, the slides 58', which are represented in phantom in FIGS. 4 and 5, are easily placed on base 12' in the receptacles between adjacent partitions. One substantially flat end edge portion 60' of the slide 58' is placed against the fourth abutment means formed by wall surface 64 on the sidewall 20' while the opposing substantially flat end edge portion 62' of the slide 58' is placed against opposing shoulders 46' near sidewall 18'. Side edge portions 50' of slide 58' are in engagement with adjacent partitions 44' and 52. In this position one end of the slide 58' extends partially over an opening 40'. It can be easily removed by grasping the end thereof positioned over the opening 40'.

The particular apparatus configuration shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 is especially useful when several holders 10', each containing microscope slides, are stacked one upon another. The depressions 68, having a generally rectangular shape, assist in providing level and vertically aligned stacking of the holders 10'.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A tray-like holder for accommodating a plurality of like elongated flat rectangular objects, such as microscope slides, in side-by-side spaced relation and from which such objects can be easily withdrawn, comprising a tray-like member having a base portion and opposing first and second longitudinal side walls, spaced first abutment means on said base extending transversely inwardly from said first longitudinal side wall, located for engagement by side edge portions of flat rectangular objects placed on said base and operable to position such objects in spaced relation, and second abutment means on said member projecting longitudinally from said first abutment means located for engagement by end edge portions of said flat rectangular objects when the latter are so positioned by said first abutment means, said base having circular cut-away portions formed by hemispherical depressions in said base located between adjacent first abutment means for positioning adjacent thereto of end edge portions of said flat rectangular objects when the latter engage said first and second abutment means, the wall surfaces of said first longitudinal side wall between adjacent spaced first abutment means being curved to correspond to the vertical projected edge of the adjacent cut-away portions in said base, said second abutment means being formed as a ridge joining said cut-away portions facilitating digital access to the end edge portions of said flat rectangular objects adjacent thereto.

2. A holder according to claim 1 having spaced third abutment means extending transversely inwardly from said second longitudinal sidewall in opposing alignment with said first abutment means, said third abutment means located for engagement by side edge portions of flat rectangular objects placed on said base and being cooperable with said first abutment means to position such objects in spaced relation, said second longitudinal sidewall having substantially flat wall surface portions between adjacent spaced third abutment means which form fourth abutment means for engagement with end edge portions of said flat rectangular objects opposite those engaged by said second abutment means when said objects are in operative position on said holder.

3. A holder according to claim 2 wherein the base is divided into two equal segments by a transverse wall member formed by extension and joinder of an opposing pair of first and third abutment means.

4. A holder according to claim 2 also having cut-away portions in the base located between adjacent third abutment means.

5. A holder according to claim 4 wherein the cut-away portions located between adjacent third abutment means are generally rectangular with rounded corners and are formed by depressions in the base generally in the form of vertical projections of such shape.