Pipette Tip Support Card Bundles

Abstract

An interleaved support card bundle with two pipette tip support cards, the first support card with a first top surface that contains a first plurality of pipette tip support holes. A first plurality of pipette tips is seated in the support holes, and those tips extend away from the first top surface. The bundle also has second support card with a similar construction as that of the first support card. The first top surface is parallel to the second top surface, and the first plurality of pipette tips extends towards the second top surface. Likewise, the second plurality of pipette tips extends towards the first top surface. The pipette tips interleave with each other in the interleaved region. Four and six card bundles are also possible.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to pipette tip systems, and more particularly support cards for the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current pipette tips systems have many drawbacks. First, the pipette tip is disposed in a support card, but is permitted to move significantly within the support card, ultimately rubbing against adjacent tips and building static electricity. This static can misalign the tips, making it more difficult, if not impossible, for a pipetter to accurately mate and seal with the pipette tip.

Second, the pipette tips are shipped in support cards that are individually wrapped and boxed with several of these individually wrapped support cards. During shipping the individual support cards can jostle against each other, and the pipette tips disposed within each support card and rub against each other, building static electricity. Again, this static misaligns the tips making it more difficult, if not impossible for a pipetter to accurately mate and seal with the pipette tip.

Third, an apron or a stand extends away from the support card to suspend the pipette tips above the laboratory bench surface. The apron enlarges the size of the support card, increasing shipping costs and waste.

What is needed, therefore, is a system that overcomes these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Provided herein is an interleaved support card bundle comprised of two pipette tip support cards. Each of the support cards can be removed from the bundle and the pipette tips can be accessed. The interleaved support card bundle includes a first support card with a first top surface that contains a first plurality of pipette tip support holes. A first plurality of pipette tips is disposed in the first plurality of pipette tip support holes, and those tips extend away from the first top surface. The bundle also has second support card with a similar construction as that of the first support card. Specifically, the second support card includes a second top surface containing a second plurality of pipette tip support holes. A second plurality of pipette tips is disposed in the second plurality of pipette tip support holes, and those tips extend away from the second top surface. The first top surface is parallel to the second top surface, and the first plurality of pipette tips extends towards the second top surface. Likewise, the second plurality of pipette tips extends towards the first top surface. The pipette tips interleave with each other in the interleaved region.

The first and second support cards may have an apron, and may have a lid. The lid may fit over the top surface and may secure the plurality of pipette tips in its respective support holes. The lids may slide over the top surface, or may snap fit over the top surface. The edge of the either or both support cards may have a plurality of partial holes to prevent obstruction to a pipetter.

The interleaved support card bundle may be comprised of four or six support cards, all of similar construction, with their respective pipette tips interleaved.

Additional aspects, alternatives and variations as would be apparent to persons of skill in the art are also disclosed herein and are specifically contemplated as included as part of the invention. The invention is set forth only in the claims as allowed by the patent office in this or related applications, and the following summary descriptions of certain examples are not in any way to limit, define or otherwise establish the scope of legal protection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed on clearly illustrating example aspects of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views and/or embodiments. Furthermore, various features of different disclosed embodiments can be combined to form additional embodiments, which are part of this disclosure. It will be understood that certain components and details may not appear in the figures to assist in more clearly describing the invention.

FIG. 1A is a top isometric view of an interleaved support card bundle comprised of two pipette tip support cards, with the covers partially opened to expose a plurality of pipette tips.

FIG. 1B is the pipette support card removed from the bundle illustrating the plurality of partial holes along its edge, preventing interference with a multiport pipetter loading pipette tips.

FIG. 1C is a bottom isometric view of an interleaved support card bundle comprised of two pipette tip support cards.

FIG. 1D is a bottom isometric view, with the aprons removed, of an interleaved support card bundle comprised of two pipette tip support cards, with the aprons removed.

FIG. 1E is a short-side view, with the aprons removed, showing the interleaved pipette tips.

FIG. 1F is a long-side view, with the aprons removed, showing the interleaved pipette tips.

FIG. 1G is a long-side view, with the aprons removed, showing the interleaved pipette tips and a sliding lid.

FIG. 1H is a front view of an interleaved support card bundle comprised of two pipette tip support cards.

FIG. 1I is a front view of a separated interleaved support card bundle.

FIG. 1J is a tope view of the support cards, showing the offset.

FIG. 1K is a top isometric view, with the apron removed, showing the pipette tips disposed in the underside receiver slots.

FIG. 1L is a top isometric view, with the apron removed, showing the pipette tips disposed in the underside receiver slots.

FIG. 2A is a top perspective exploded view of an interleaved support card bundle comprised of four pipette tip support cards.

FIG. 2B is a top exploded view of an interleaved support card bundle comprised of four pipette tip support cards.

FIG. 2C is a short-side exploded view of an interleaved support card bundle comprised of four pipette tip support cards.

FIG. 3A is a top isometric exploded view of an interleaved support card bundle comprised of six pipette tip support cards.

FIG. 3B is a top exploded view of an interleaved support card bundle comprised of six pipette tip support cards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to some specific examples of the present invention, including any best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out the invention. Examples of these specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying figures. While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to the described or illustrated embodiments. To the contrary, they are intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Example embodiments of the present invention may be implemented without some or all these specific details. In other instances, process operations well-known to persons of skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure unnecessarily the present invention. Various techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However, it should be noted that some embodiments include multiple iterations of a technique or multiple mechanisms, unless noted otherwise. Similarly, various steps of the methods shown and described herein are not necessarily performed in the order indicated, or performed at all, in certain embodiments. Accordingly, some implementations of the methods discussed herein may include more or fewer steps than those shown or described. Further, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention will sometimes describe a connection, relationship or communication between two or more entities. It should be noted that a connection or relationship between entities does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of other entities or processes may reside or occur between any two entities. Consequently, an indicated connection does not necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, unless otherwise noted.

The following list of example features corresponds with the attached figures and is provided for ease of reference, where like reference numerals designate corresponding features throughout the specification and figures:

Interleaved Support Card Bundle (Two Cards) 5-1
Interleaved Support Card Bundle (Four Cards) 5-2
Interleaved Support Card Bundle (Six Cards) 5-3
First Support Card               10-1
Second Support Card              10-2
Third Support Card               10-3
Fourth Support Card              10-4
Fifth Support Card               10-5
Sixth Support Card               10-6
First Apron                      12-1
Second Apron                     12-2
First Lid                        15-1
Second Lid                       15-2
Fourth Lid                       15-4
Support Card Long Edge           16-1
Support Card Short Edge          16-2
Lid Sliding Direction (Long Edge) 17-1
Lid Sliding Direction (Short Edge) 17-2
First Apron Distal Edge          18-1
Second Apron Distal Edge         18-2
Apron Contact Area               19
First Top Surface                20-1
Second Top Surface               20-2
First Plurality of Pipette Tip Support Holes 25-1
Second Plurality of Pipette Tip Support Holes 25-2
First Plurality of Partial Holes 35-1
Multiport Pipetter               40
Unobstructed Region              45
First Plurality of Pipette Tips  50-1
Second Plurality of Pipette Tips 50-2
Pipette Tips Interleaved Region  55
Long Side Offset                 60-1
Short Side Offse                 60-2
Receiver Slot                    65-1
Receiver Slot                    65-2

Now turning to the drawing, FIGS. 1A-1L illustrate an interleaved support card bundle 5-1 comprised of two pipette tip support cards (10-1, 10-2). Each of the support cards (10-1, 10-2) can be removed from the bundle 5-1 and the pipette tips can be accessed. The interleaved support card bundle 5-1 includes a first support card 10-1 with a first top surface 20-1 that contains a first plurality of pipette tip support holes 25-1. A first plurality of pipette tips 50-1 is disposed in the first plurality of pipette tip support holes 25-1, and those tips 50-1 extend away from the first top surface 20-1 (see FIG. 1E). The bundle 5-1 also has second support card with a similar construction as that of the first support card 10-1. Specifically, the second support card 10-2 includes a second top surface 20-2 containing a second plurality of pipette tip support holes 50-2. A second plurality of pipette tips 50-2 is disposed in the second plurality of pipette tip support holes 25-2, and those tips 50-2 extend away from the second top surface 20-2 (see FIG. 1E).

FIG. 1E illustrates the relative positioning of the two support cards (10-1, 10-2). The first top surface 20-1 is parallel to the second top surface 20-2, and the first plurality of pipette tips 50-1 extends towards the second top surface 20-2. Likewise, the second plurality of pipette tips 50-2 extends towards the first top surface 20-1. The pipette tips (50-1, 50-2) interleave with each other in the interleaved region 55.

FIG. 1H illustrates a first apron 12-1 connected to the first support card 10-1 and extending away from the first top surface 20-1, and a second apron 12-2 connected to the second support card 10-2 and extending away from the second top surface 20-2. The first apron distal edge 18-1 contacts the second apron distal edge 18-2 as the apron contact area 19. The support card aprons can be separated from each other and can support their respective pipette support cards as shown in FIG. 1I. Alternatively, the support cards cannot be separated, and to access the bottom side pipette tips, the bundle 5-1 is simply turned over. Specifically, the support card bundle (5-1) may be positioned such that the first top surface (20-1) is horizontal and above the second top surface (20-2), then one or more pipette tips from the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1) may be access by an aspiration device. If more pipette tips are needed, then the support card bundle (5-1) may be rotated such that the second top surface (20-2) is horizontal and above the first top surface (20-1), allowing access to one or more pipette tips from the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2) by an aspiration device. If the support cards have lids (discussed below), the lid for the first support card (10-1) is opened to expose and access the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1). The lid for the second support card (10-2) may be closed while the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1) is accessed to prevent the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2) from dislodging from its respective card. Before the bundle is rotated to access the second support card (10-2), the lid for the first support card (10-1) may be closed if there are still pipette tips in the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1). Then the lid for the second support card (10-2) may be opened to access the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2). If the bundle has four or six support cards (describe below), then the lids for the non-accessed support cards can be maintained closed, again to prevent the plurality of pipette tips from dislodging from its respective card. The aspiration device may be a handheld pipetter (single or multiport), an automated pipetter (single or multiport) or a pump.

The distance the first apron 12-2 extends away from the first top surface 20-1 is less than the distance the first plurality of pipette tips 50-1 extends away from the first top surface 20-1; thus, the first plurality of pipette tips 50-1 extend past the first apron distal edge 18-1. The second apron 12-2 has a similar construction to that of the first apron 12-2 as shown in FIG. 1I.

The first support card 10-1 may have a first lid 15-1 constructed cover the first top surface 20-1 and secure the first plurality of pipette tips 50-1 in its respective support holes 25-1. The first lid 15-1 may slide over the first top surface 20-1 as shown in FIG. 1A. The first support card 10-1 may have a long edge 16-1 and a short edge 16-2. The first lid 15-1 may slide along the long edge 17-1 or along the short edge 17-2. The support card covers may be connected to the support card as described in U.S. Pat. No. 11,701,663 issued on Jul. 18, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The first lid may instead be a snap-fit lid, or may connect to the support card via a hinge. The second support card 10-2 may have a second lid 15-2 with a similar construction to that of the first lid 15-1 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1C.

FIG. 1B is the pipette support card 10-1 removed from the bundle illustrating a plurality of partial holes 35-1 along its long edge 16-1 (the support card 10-1 is illustrated with partial hole along all four edges). These partial holes prevent interference with a multiport pipetter 40. If, for example, a multiport pipetter 40 is only accessing five of the pipette tips as shown in FIG. 1B, then three of the multiport pipetter 40 ports must travel along the outer edge of the support card 10-1. The partial holes 35-1 creates an unobstructed region 45 that allows the multiport pipetter 40 to travel along the edge without interference. Without these partial holes 35-1 along the edge, the multiport pipetter 40 would be blocked from accessing the five pipette tips. The second support card 10-2 may also have a plurality of partial holes of similar construction.

FIG. 1J illustrates the first support card 10-1 with a long-side offset 60-1 and a short-side offset 60-2. The second support card 10-2 is a similar construction, but a mirror image to the first support card 10-1. The offsets (60-1, 60-2) assist in staggering the pipette tips from opposing support cards so they do not interfere with each other. FIG. 1K illustrates this staggering and details the underside receiver slot 65-1 on support card 10-1. The receiver slot 65-1 receives the distal end of the pipette tip from the opposing support card. This is shown in greater detail in FIG. 1K, where the receiver slots 65-2 of the second support card 10-2 are shown in cross-section. FIG. 1I illustrates two pipette tips from opposing support cards disposed in the underside receiver slots. The receiver slots 65-1 prevent the pipette tips from contacting each other during shipping and handling, and thus reduce the buildup of static electricity—this in turn keeps the pipette tips centered in the pipette tip support holes. This is particularly important for automatic pipette machines which load the pipette tips by placing the pipetter centered on the support hole. Deviations from center can prevent the pipette tip from being properly loaded and thus affect the operation of the system.

FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate an interleaved support card bundle 5-2 comprised of four pipette tip support cards (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4). The additional third support card 10-3 and fourth support card 10-4 is of a similar construction to that of the first support card 10-1 already discussed. In this configuration, the top surface of the third support card 10-3 is parallel to the top surface of the fourth support card 10-4. Also, the top surface of the third support card 10-3 is orthogonal to the first top surface 20-1. The plurality of pipette tips supported by the third support card 10-3 extends towards the top surface of the fourth support card 10-4. Likewise, the plurality of pipette tips supported by the fourth support card 10-4 extends towards the top surface of the third support card 10-3. These pipette tips are interleaved with each other. A user can access the pipette tips by rotating the bundle 5-2 to the desired support card and exposing the pipette tips on that support card. Once the pipette tips from that support card have been exhausted, the user can access more pipette tips by rotating the bundle 5-2 to a support card with available pipette tips.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an interleaved support card bundle 5-3 comprised of six pipette tip support cards (10-1, 10-2, 10-3, 10-4, 10-5, 10-6). The additional fifth support card 10-5 and sixth support card 10-6 is of a similar construction to that of the first support card 10-1 already discussed. In this configuration, the top surface of the fifth support card 10-5 is parallel to the top surface of the sixth support card 10-6. Also, the top surface of the fifth support card 10-5 is orthogonal to the first top surface 20-1. The plurality of pipette tips supported by the fifth support card 10-5 extends towards the top surface of the sixth support card 10-6. Likewise, the plurality of pipette tips supported by the sixth support card 10-6 extends towards the top surface of the fifth support card 10-5. These pipette tips are interleaved with each other. A user can access the pipette tips by rotating the bundle 5-2 to the desired support card and exposing the pipette tips on that support card. Once the pipette tips from that support card have been exhausted, the user can access more pipette tips by rotating the bundle 5-2 to a support card with available pipette tips.

The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter that is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly limited by nothing other than the appended claims.

Claims

1. An interleaved support card bundle (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) comprising, a first support card (10-1) comprising: a first top surface (20-1) containing a first plurality of pipette tip support holes (25-1);a plurality of receiver slots (65-1) on an underside of the first top surface (20-1); anda first plurality of pipette tips (50-1) seated in the first plurality of pipette tip support holes (25-1), each of the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1) comprising a distal end and an opening in the distal end;a second support card (10-2) comprising: a second top surface (20-2) containing a second plurality of pipette tip support holes; anda second plurality of pipette tips (50-2) seated in the second plurality of pipette tip support holes (25-2), each of the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2) comprising a distal end and an opening in the distal end;wherein: the first top surface (20-1) is parallel to the second top surface (20-2),the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1) extends towards the second top surface (20-2);the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2) extends towards the first top surface (20-1);the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1) is interleaved with the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2); andthe openings in the distal ends of the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2) are disposed in the plurality of receiver slots (65-1);the plurality of receiver slots (65-1) constructed to prevent the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2) from contacting the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1).

2. The interleaved support card bundle (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) of claim 1, further comprising: a first apron (12-1) connected to the first support card (10-1) and extending away from the first top surface (20-1), the first apron comprising a distal edge of the first apron (18-1); anda second apron (12-2) connected to the second support card (10-2) and extending away from the second top surface (20-2), the second apron comprising a distal edge of the second apron (18-2).

3. The interleaved support card bundle (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) of claim 2, wherein the distal edge of the first apron (18-1) contacts the distal edge of the second apron (18-2).

4. The interleaved support card bundle (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) of claim 1, wherein the first support card (10-1) is fixed to the second support card (10-2).

5. The interleaved support card bundle (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) of claim 1, wherein the first support card (10-1) is detachable from the second support card (10-2).

6. (canceled)

7. The interleaved support card bundle (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) of claim 1, wherein the second support card (10-2) comprises a plurality of receiver slots (65-2) on an underside of the second top surface (20-2); andthe openings in the distal end of the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1) are disposed in the plurality of receiver slots (65-2), thereby preventing the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1) from contacting the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2).

8. The interleaved support card bundle (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) of claim 1, wherein: the first top surface (20-1) comprises a first pair of parallel edges; andthe first plurality of pipette tip support holes (25-1) is positioned closer to one of the first pair parallel edges than the other edge of the first pair of parallel edges.

9. The interleaved support card bundle (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) of claim 8, wherein: the first top surface (20-1) comprises a second pair of parallel edges that are orthogonal to the first pair of parallel edges; andthe first plurality of pipette tip support holes (25-1) is positioned closer to one of the second pair parallel edges than the other edge of the second pair of parallel edges.

10. The interleaved support card bundle (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) of claim 1, further comprising: a first lid (15-1) connected to the first support card (10-1) and positioned to cover the first top surface (20-1) to maintain the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1) in the first plurality of pipette tip support holes (25-1); anda second lid (15-2) connected to the second support card (10-2) and positioned to cover the second top surface (20-2) to maintain the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2) in the second plurality of pipette tip support holes (25-2).

11. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

14. The interleaved support card bundle (5-1, 5-2, 5-3) of claim 1, further comprising: a first plurality of repeating cutouts (35-1) forming at least one edge of the first top surface (20-1); anda second plurality of repeating cutouts (35-2) forming at least one edge of the second top surface (20-2).

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. A method of accessing pipette tips from an interleaved support card bundle of claim 1, the method comprising: positioning the support card bundle such that the first top surface (20-1) is horizontal and above the second top surface (20-2);contacting with an aspiration device one or more pipette tips from the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1);rotating the support card bundle such that the second top surface (20-2) is horizontal and above the first top surface (20-1);contacting with an aspiration device one or more pipette tips from the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2).

18. (canceled)

19. A method of accessing pipette tips from an interleaved support card bundle of claim 10, the method comprising: positioning the support card bundle such that the first top surface (20-1) is horizontal and above the second top surface (20-2);opening the first lid (15-1) to expose the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1);contacting with an aspiration device one or more pipette tips from the first plurality of pipette tips (50-1);rotating the support card bundle such that the second top surface (20-2) is horizontal and above the first top surface (20-1);opening the second lid (15-2) to expose the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2);contacting with an aspiration device one or more pipette tips from the second plurality of pipette tips (50-2).

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the aspiration device is a handheld pipetter, an automated pipetter or a pump.

21. (canceled)