CN114430701B - Multi-chamber lid apparatus with reagent port - Google Patents

Abstract

A cover device for a multi-chamber container. The cover device has a top cover hingedly attached to a bottom cap. The top cover includes one or more openings for filling a fluid of a plurality of channels extending from the bottom cap. The lower bottom cap includes a welding feature for welding to the multi-chamber container. The bottom cap also includes one or more auxiliary ports for injecting reagents when the cover device is in a closed configuration sealingly attached to the multi-chamber sample container.

Description

Multi-chamber lid assembly with reagent ports

Background Art

In the sample testing industry, multi-chamber containers with hinged lids are used. These lids may have multiple filling ports, typically one for each chamber of the container. In particular, this enables each chamber of the container to be filled simultaneously.

Usually, this lid is molded by polymer material, and then for example is fixed to container by ultrasonic welding.The unique physical property and user requirements of this multi-chamber lid device cause difficulty in both manufacture and use.Usually, this lid is suitable for use with specific container and reagent filling system, and has limited versatility in use, for example, this lid does not allow user to add third party reagent usually.The application solves these problems and other problems.

Summary of the invention

Some embodiments of the present application provide a device comprising: a top cover having a main opening, wherein the top cover comprises a hinged end and a snap-fit end; and a bottom cap hingedly attached to the top cover, the bottom cap comprising an upper side and a lower side. The lower side comprises an interface feature for sealingly coupling with a multi-chamber container, while the top side comprises a plurality of channels and openings to facilitate automated use of the cover and container, and also comprises an auxiliary port allowing a user to add a third-party reagent.

The underside of the bottom cap may include a lower main surface, an outermost edge extending downward from the lower main surface. A plurality of outermost edge alignment features may extend downward from the lower main surface. A continuous external welding ridge may extend downward from the lower side between the outermost edge and the alignment feature. A plurality of walls may define a separate chamber for each of a plurality of channels. The plurality of walls may extend from the bottom surface of the cap. An internal welding pattern may extend from the end of the wall and from the lower main surface. The internal welding pattern may be patterned so that each chamber defined by the plurality of walls is surrounded by the internal welding pattern. In the open configuration, the top cover is hinged away from the bottom cap, and in the closed configuration, the top cover engages with the bottom cap. In the closed configuration, the snap fit end of the top cover engages with the snap portion of the outermost edge of the lower side of the bottom cap, and the central cylindrical portion having a top opening is fitted into the main opening of the top cover.

Some embodiments of the present application provide a device, the device comprising: a top cover having a plurality of openings, wherein the top cover comprises a hinged end and a snap-fit end. The bottom cap may be hingedly attached to the top cover. The bottom cap may include an upper side and a lower side. The upper side may include a plurality of chimneys extending upward from the lower surface of the upper side. Each chimney may include a channel extending to an opening at the top of the chimney, wherein each chimney is matched with a corresponding opening of the top cover. The bottom cap also includes at least one auxiliary port having an opening larger than the opening at the top of each chimney, and the auxiliary port is arranged at a position corresponding to the opening of the top cover. When the cover device is in a closed configuration and is sealingly attached to the multi-chamber sample box, the auxiliary port allows a user to inject a third-party reagent. In some embodiments, the auxiliary port is an opening arranged on the upper side and substantially flush with the top surface of the upper side of the bottom cap. In some embodiments, the port is a non-circular shape (e.g., square, pie, triangle). In some embodiments, the port opening is larger than the corresponding opening in the top cover.

The underside of the bottom cap may include a lower major surface. The outermost edge may extend downwardly from the lower major surface. A plurality of outermost edge alignment features may extend downwardly from the lower major surface. The alignment feature may be adjacent to the outermost edge. A continuous external weld ridge may extend downwardly from the underside between the outermost edge and the alignment feature. An internal weld pattern may extend from the end of the wall and from the lower major surface so that the internal weld pattern does not extend together with any wall extending from the lower major surface. In an open configuration, the top cover is hinged away from the bottom cap, and in a closed configuration, the top cover is engaged with the bottom cap. In the closed configuration, the snap fit end of the top cover engages the snap portion of the outermost edge of the underside of the bottom cap.

In some embodiments, the multi-chamber container can be connected to a bottom cap, wherein the corresponding edges of the multi-chamber container are welded to the outermost welding ridges and the inner welding pattern so that each chamber of the multi-chamber container is fluid-tight to each other at the connection between the multi-chamber container and the bottom cap.

In some embodiments, the main opening of the top cover comprises a circular opening. The circular opening may be defined by a raised portion, or may itself be a raised cylindrical feature extending from the bottom cap.

In some embodiments, the top cover includes a second side portion and a first side portion extending between the hinge end and the snap fit end. In some embodiments, the snap fit portion extends along a majority of the front end of the cover device. In some embodiments, the snap fit end includes a straight snap portion that deviates from the curved portion.

In some embodiments, the hinged end of the top cover includes a first hinge and a second hinge, each hinge being displaced from the first side and the second side toward the middle. In some embodiments, the hinged end of the top cover includes only a single hinge.

In some embodiments, the top cover includes a cylindrical wall extending downwardly from the uppermost top cover surface, the cylindrical wall defining the main opening. In some embodiments, the top cover includes a bottom top cover surface opposite to the uppermost top cover surface, the cylindrical wall extending through the bottom top cover surface. In some embodiments, the top cover includes a plurality of cylindrical walls extending from the bottom top cover surface.

In some implementations, the plurality of outermost edge alignment features on the underside of the bottom cap include curved walls extending away from the outermost edge.

In some embodiments, the plurality of walls on the underside of the bottom cap defining the separate chambers form a central cylindrical chamber and a plurality of petal-shaped chambers extending from the central cylindrical chamber. In some embodiments, the plurality of walls defining the separate chambers also form a plurality of wedge-shaped chambers. In some embodiments, the plurality of walls defining the separate chambers share a uniform wall thickness.

In some embodiments, the inner weld pattern (ie, ridges or energy directors) comprises a triangular cross-section. In some embodiments, the continuous outer weld pattern (ie, ridges or energy directors) comprises a triangular cross-section.

Another aspect of the present application includes a method for reacting or measuring in a fluid container disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method includes lysis of cells or microorganisms. In some embodiments, the method includes preparing a sample in a fluid cartridge to separate or purify an analyte of interest. In some embodiments, the method includes detecting an analyte of interest. In some embodiments, the analyte of interest is selected from cells, proteins, and nucleic acids. In some embodiments, the method includes using an enzyme or a binding moiety. Another aspect of the present application includes a method for filling a fluid container with a liquid reagent, wherein the fluid container cooperates with a lid disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method includes filling one or more chambers of a fluid cartridge with a reagent.

It will be appreciated that the auxiliary port features described herein may be incorporated into any cap device described herein or in any application incorporated herein by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a cover device according to some embodiments.

1B shows a perspective view of the top side of the cover device of FIG. 1A positioned according to an open configuration.

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of the bottom side of the cover device of FIG. 1A in an open configuration.

FIG. 1D shows an enlarged top view of the cover device of FIG. 1A in an open configuration.

IE shows an enlarged bottom view of the cover device of FIG. 1A in an open configuration.

IF shows an enlarged side view of the cover device of FIG. 1A in an open configuration.

2A-2D show enlarged detailed views of various features of the cover device of FIG. 1A .

FIG. 3 illustrates a cover device assembly process according to some embodiments.

4A-4G show various views of a cover device according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1A shows a perspective view of a cover device 100. The cover device 100 includes a top cover 102 connected to a bottom cap 104 by a hinge (not shown in this view). The top cover 102 has an upper surface 106 defining a main opening 108, which is shown as a circle. The main opening 108 is arranged at the center of a circular portion, which also includes a plurality of openings 110 around the main opening, which are also shown as a circle. The upper surface 106 may also define other profiles, openings, channels and holes.

The top cap 102 includes a snap fit end 112 having features defining an overhang feature that "snaps" onto a portion of the bottom cap 104. The snap fit end 112 is characterized by a curved profile leading to a bulbous end 114, which in turn leads to non-parallel sides 116. The non-parallel sides connect to an articulated end 118 having a straight profile. A center portion 107 having a generally circular shape surrounds a smaller circular portion having a plurality of openings defined therein. In some embodiments, when the top cap 102 is closed, the center portion 107 is slightly recessed, and the smaller circular portion is further recessed relative to the upper surface 106.

1B shows the top cover 102 and bottom cap 104 deployed in an open configuration, wherein the top cover 102 is hinged away from the bottom cap 104 by hinge 105. The figure shows the bottom-facing surface 122 of the top cover 102, from which the main cylindrical wall 124 of the main opening 108 extends. The inner wall surface 126 extends from the periphery of the bottom-facing surface 122 and defines the periphery of the bottom-facing surface 122. The bottom edge surface 128 is located on top of the inner wall surface.

The snap-fit end 112 extends downwardly from the bottom-facing surface 122 with the inner wall surface 126 (and through the inner wall surface 126). The outer curved wall 132 and the inner curved wall 134 define the crescent shape of the snap-fit end. A hollow chamber is dug between the outer curved wall 132 and the inner curved wall 134 to help maintain a constant wall thickness throughout the process. The curvature of the inner curved wall 134 is interrupted by a flexible tab 136 located in the center. The flexible tab 136 has a straight edge for docking with a corresponding straight portion 137 of the bottom cap 104. In this embodiment, the flexible tab 136 of the snap-fit end 112 extends across most of the inner front end of the top cover. It has been found that existing devices that utilize curved tab edges are unsatisfactory in providing adequate snap fit.

The lower surface 138 may include one or more openings, such as fill holes 140, which may be shaped as keyholes. The channels are arranged in an orbital pattern around a central channel 143; however, the openings may be defined in other arrangements as desired.

A plurality of chimneys (with channels) protrude into an opening 110 in the top cover when closed. Each chimney includes a channel and a top opening. The plurality of chimneys surround a central raised circular opening having a raised lip or cylindrical feature that protrudes into the main opening 108 of the top cover when closed. The bottom cap 104 also includes one or more auxiliary ports 144 having an opening larger than the top opening of the plurality of chimneys. On the other hand, the auxiliary port is larger than the corresponding hole in the top cover, while the opening in the chimney is smaller than the corresponding hole in the top cover. In this embodiment, the bottom cap includes a single auxiliary port, although it is understood that additional auxiliary ports may be included. In this embodiment, the auxiliary port 144 is non-circular in shape (e.g., pie-shaped) and is substantially flush with the top surface 138 of the bottom cap, so that when the top cover is closed, no portion of the auxiliary port protrudes into the corresponding opening 110 disposed directly above the auxiliary port 144. This allows for additional clearance to allow a user to inject a third party reagent through the auxiliary port, such as with a needle or pipette. In some embodiments, the at least one auxiliary opening is configured to allow insertion of a needle or pipette of 0.14" or less.

1C shows a bottom view of the underside of the bottom cap 104, which includes a lower major surface 150. An outermost edge 152a extends downwardly from the lower major surface 150 to form an outer wall 152b. The outer wall 152b is nearly continuous around the perimeter of the bottom cap 104, with an interruption near the hinge.

In some embodiments, edge alignment features are provided along each side of the lower major surface 150 and in close proximity to the outer wall 152b. The edge alignment features provide buttresses for aligning the walls of the multi-chamber fluid container with the bottom cap 104. One or both of the walls 152a/b or any portion thereof may serve as edge alignment features. A typical fluid container suitable for use with can be seen in FIG3. Alignment walls extend from the edge alignment features, and in some cases extend between the edge alignment features, providing further engagement points against the walls of the fluid container.

Between the edge alignment features and the outer wall 152b, the raised welding ridge 156 is continuous around the perimeter of the bottom cap 104. When secured in an appropriate manner, the edge alignment features and the alignment wall prevent the bottom cap 104 from over-rotating relative to the fluid container, thereby aligning the raised welding ridge 156 of the bottom cap 104 with a weldable feature (e.g., the edge of the wall) of the bottom container.

A plurality of walls 158 extend from the central portion of the lower main surface 150. These walls are arranged in a petal-like pattern around the central cylinder to form a pattern. Here, the wall 158 is formed into six petals. A raised welding pattern 160 is located on the top edge of the wall 158. The raised ridges 159 between the petals serve as energy directors to isolate the chambers formed by the wall 158. The raised welding pattern 160 is connected to the welding ridges 156. In this way, four fluid regions are generated outside the petals. When the fluid container and the bottom cap 104 are welded by the raised welding pattern 160 and the welding ridges 156, the sub-containers in the bottom container are fluidly isolated from each other (at least at the interface between the fluid container and the bottom cap 104).

FIG1D shows a top view of the cap device in an open configuration, wherein the pin locations for injection molding are indicated by dashed circles (see arrows). As shown, the opening 142a in the chimney portion 142 is significantly smaller than the opening in the auxiliary port 144. In addition, the auxiliary port 144 is non-circular and has no chimney portion, so that the auxiliary port 144 can occupy the available space to provide additional clearance.

In some embodiments, the opening of the auxiliary port 144 may have an area that is approximately 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%, 125% or 150% or more than the opening in each corresponding chimney portion. By providing an auxiliary port that is substantially larger than the chimney portion opening, it is allowed that the user can more easily inject a third-party reagent such as a needle or a pipette, and when the lid is closed, the third-party reagent passes through the port. Because the auxiliary port 144 is non-circular and does not extend into the corresponding opening in the lid, this allows a larger gap so that a needle or a pipette can be inserted or tilted through the opening to inject the reagent and can be easily removed afterwards. On the contrary, inserting a needle or a pipette into a circular opening can produce a friction fit so that when the reagent is injected into the port, the needle or the pipette becomes stuck. This friction fit can also cause pressure to increase, thereby hindering the pressurized injection of the fluid. The particular shape of a triangle, wedge or pie as shown in the illustrated embodiment is advantageous as it allows for an enlarged non-circular opening yet still fits between adjacent chimney portions and within the defined petal-shaped cavity as shown in the bottom view shown in FIG. IE .

2A to 2D show enlarged detailed views of various features of the lid assembly of FIG. 1A. FIG. 2A shows a detailed view of hinge 105. Hinge 105 includes a thinned portion having a thickness t and an inside bending radius. The thickness is thin enough to allow bending between the connected parts, for example, the thickness t is in the range of 0.01-0.05", 0.01-0.03", or 0.01-0.02", for example 0.015". ±0.001". The inner diameter R1 may be in the range of 0.01-0.05", 0.01-0.04", for example, about 0.03"±0.01". It will be appreciated that various other types of hinge designs may also be used. FIG. 2B shows a detailed view of an auxiliary port 144 disposed between adjacent chimney portions 142. In some embodiments, the curved portion of the wedge extends along an arc of an angle α1 in any of the following ranges: 75-120 degrees, 80-110 degrees, and 90-110 degrees, for example, approximately 97±5 degrees. In some embodiments, the wedge is sized to accommodate an opening having at least a diameter d in the range of 0.1-0.5", 0.1-0.3", or 0.1-0.2", for example, a diameter of approximately 0.139"±0.05". FIG2C shows a section C-C, which shows the structure and size of the welding ridge 156 disposed within the channel 157, which is sized to accommodate a corresponding raised edge of a sample container to facilitate sealing when the welding ridge is welded to the raised edge of the sample container. In this embodiment, the radius R2 of the apex of the welding ridge is about 0.005" or less, such as 0.002" or less, and the slope of the sidewall of the welding ridge is determined by arc a2, which may be in the range of 40-110 degrees, 50-90 degrees, or 50-80 degrees, such as about 60±10 degrees. The height h1 of the welding ridge 156 may be approximately 0.05" or less, such as approximately 0.022"±0.01", and the height h2 of the side wall of the channel 157 is greater than the height h1 of the welding ridge, such as h2 may be 0.02" or greater, 0.03" or greater, 0.04" or greater, 0.05" or greater, or greater. For example, approximately 0.05"±0.02". The total width of the ridge 156 within the channel is w, and the total width w may be in the range of 0.01-0.05" or 0.02-0.04", such as approximately 0.025"±0.01". It should be understood that although certain dimensions are shown for the above-mentioned features, these concepts are not limited to this, as these features may be any suitable dimensions required for a particular cover configuration. For example, the above-mentioned dimensions may be determined relative to each other and may be appropriately scaled based on the size of the cover.

FIG. 2D shows an enlarged view of a raised weld pattern 160 having a triangular cross-section. This shape acts as an "energy director" when ultrasonic energy is applied to the cap device 100 to weld the raised weld pattern 160 (and raised weld ridges 156 shaped in the same manner) to a container. The cap device 100 is characterized in that the entire device has a uniform wall thickness, except for the raised weld pattern 160 and the raised weld ridges 156, both of which are triangular in shape. Thus, preferably, energy is directed to the tip of the triangle, which contacts the edge of the container, thereby causing the triangular raised weld pattern 160 and the raised weld ridges 156 to fuse to the wall of the container.

FIG3 shows the cap device 100 in relation to a fluid container 200. The container 200 includes a plurality of chambers that may be fluidically coupled or uncoupled depending on the location of the internal valve assembly. The chambers are defined by walls extending to the top of the container 200. A weld interface is formed between the cap device 100 and the fluid container 200 such that the chambers are sealed from one another by the weld interface between the raised weld pattern 160 and the weld ridges 156 and the chambers of the container 200.

The cap device 100 can be welded to the fluid container by an ultrasonic welding horn that engages the cap while the device is mounted on the container 200. The welding horn 210 generally includes a metal cylinder shaped to abut against and engage around the cap. The welding horn 210 is part of a larger welding device (not shown) that provides energy to the welding horn 210. A commercially available ultrasonic welding device can be obtained from a manufacturer such as Hermann Ultrasonics, Bartlett, IL 60103 or Branson Ultrasonics, a division of Emerson Industrial Automation, Eden Prarie, MN 55344, and the process can use the above device. In some embodiments, the cap device is secured to the fluid container using a gasket or adhesive known to those skilled in the art.

The cover device 100 and the container can be made of any suitable material, including but not limited to metal, ceramic and/or plastic. Suitable plastics may include thermoplastics, such as polypropylene, which are suitable materials for processing biological samples, but do not have the best welding characteristics. Compared with existing designs that require 350-500 joules, the cover device 100 overcomes this by having an almost uniform wall thickness throughout the bottom cap 104, which enables the cover device 100 to be welded to the container using a relatively low power of 150 joules. Tests have shown that despite the low power setting, good welding penetration depth (13-29‰) can still be achieved. Other suitable polymers that can be used include but are not limited to polyester, polyethylene, polyimide, ABS, polycarbonate, etc.

In some embodiments, to weld the cap assembly 100 to the fluid container 200, the bottom cap 104 is first brought into contact with the fluid container 200. The outer bottom sidewall and/or edge alignment features and alignment walls prevent the bottom cap 104 from over-rotating relative to the fluid container 200, thereby aligning the raised weld pattern 160 and the raised weld ridges 156 of the bottom cap 104 with the edge of the fluid container 200. After the cap assembly 100 is properly positioned, the welding horn 210 is lowered until the welding horn contacts the cap. Then 150 J of energy is applied to the welding horn for a sufficient time to obtain a welded cap assembly.

The triangular shape of the raised weld pattern 160 and raised weld ridges 156 allows energy to be directed preferentially from the upper surface of the lid periphery to the raised weld pattern 160 and raised weld ridges 156, thereby fusing the raised weld pattern 160 and raised weld ridges 156 to the fluid container 200. The resulting weld is fluid-tight, so that the chambers of the fluid container 200 are fluid-tight to each other at the connection between the fluid container 200 and the bottom cap 104 (under pressurized conditions).

The chamber of the fluid container device disclosed herein can accommodate one or more reagents for various purposes. In addition, the user can inject one or more reagents into one or more chambers of the sample container through one or more auxiliary ports of the cover. These reagents can exist in various forms. Non-limiting exemplary reagent types may include solutions, dry powders or freeze-dried beads. Reagents can be used for different purposes, including but not limited to chemical and/or enzyme reactions, sample preparation and/or detection. Non-limiting exemplary purposes may include the lysis of cells or microorganisms, the purification or separation of target analytes (e.g., specific cell populations, nucleic acids or proteins), the digestion or modification of nucleic acids or proteins, the amplification of nucleic acids, and/or the detection of target analytes.

In some embodiments, the reagent present in the chamber of the device can be a lysing agent (such as a detergent) that can cause the breakdown of cell membranes, thereby releasing cellular nucleic acids and proteins for further processing. Lysing agents are formulated differently to effectively lyse specific organisms, such as eukaryotic cells, prokaryotic cells, plant cells, viruses, spores, etc.

In some embodiments, the reagent can be an antibody, a nucleic acid, or other part that specifically binds to a predetermined molecule (e.g., a cell surface antigen, a specific protein, or a specific nucleic acid sequence as an expected detection target), and is used to separate, purify, or detect the related molecule or a cell carrying the molecule. Optionally, the reagent with the desired binding affinity is fixed to a solid matrix in the chamber. Although the antibody or other reagent part can be stably stored in solution under certain conditions, it is usually lyophilized or freeze-dried for better stability.

In some embodiments, the reagent may be an enzyme capable of digesting a target molecule (e.g., a protein or nucleic acid) so that further analysis can be performed. Many known proteases and nucleases are commercially available and can be selected for use in the device of the present application. In other cases, the reagent is an enzyme for nucleic acid amplification reaction, such as a DNA polymerase for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), or a reverse transcriptase for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Like antibodies, the enzyme can be kept in a solution, but for reasons of stability, it is usually kept in a lyophilized or dried form in the device of the present application. Usually together with the enzyme, other necessary components of the enzymatic reaction, such as components of the reaction buffer, free deoxyribonucleotides, and primers are also present in the same or different chambers, so that the desired reaction can be quickly constituted when needed.

In some embodiments, the reagents include the necessary components for the chemical reaction, such as components capable of generating a detectable signal (e.g., a light signal) for detecting a specific target analyte. In addition to the components of an appropriate reaction buffer, at least one reagent responsible for generating a detectable signal is generally included.

4A to 4G show various views of the cover device 100 according to some embodiments and related enlarged views. FIG. 4A shows a top perspective view of the cover device in an open configuration, and FIG. 4B shows a bottom perspective view of the cover in an open configuration. FIG. 4C shows a top view of the cover in an open configuration. FIG. 4D shows another top view of the cover in an open configuration, FIG. 4D has detail M and a corresponding enlarged view. FIG. 4E shows a side view of the cover in an open configuration, FIG. 4E has detail A and a corresponding enlarged view. FIG. 4F shows a bottom view of the cover in an open configuration, FIG. 4F has detail C and a corresponding enlarged view. FIG. 4G shows a top view of the cover in an open configuration and details A, D, E, F, G, H, J, K and corresponding enlarged views. It should be understood that, according to the concepts of the present application described herein, the cover assembly may include any of these specific details alone or in any combination, and any feature may be replaced with a feature having a similar function.

Although the above description shows many particularities and describes specific details, these should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present application, but only as illustrations of some exemplary embodiments. After considering this disclosure, many possible changes and modifications to the present application will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

1. A device comprising: a top cover having a main opening, wherein the top cover includes a hinged end and a snap-fit end; and a bottom cap hingedly attached to the top cover for movement between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the bottom cap comprising an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side comprises: a plurality of chimney portions extending upward from the lower surface of the upper side, wherein each chimney portion includes a channel extending to a top opening, and each chimney portion cooperates with a corresponding opening of the top cover, and at least one auxiliary port having an opening larger than each top opening of the plurality of chimney portions to facilitate fluid injection of a reagent through the auxiliary port when the top cap and the bottom cap are in the closed configuration; Wherein, the lower side of the bottom cap comprises: a lower main surface; an outermost edge extending downwardly from the lower major surface; a continuous outer weld ridge extending downwardly from said underside between said outermost edge and an alignment feature; and A plurality of walls define separate chambers for each opening of the plurality of chimneys and the at least one auxiliary port. 2. The device of claim 1 , wherein, when closed, each of the plurality of chimney portions protrudes through a corresponding opening of the top cover, and wherein the at least one auxiliary port is defined within a lower surface of an upper side of the bottom cap such that, when in the closed configuration, no portion of the auxiliary port protrudes into the corresponding opening of the top cover. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary port is flush with the lower surface of the upper side of the bottom cap. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary port is non-circular. 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one auxiliary port has a triangular, wedge-shaped, or pie-shaped shape. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one auxiliary port is configured to allow insertion of a 0.14" or smaller needle or pipette. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the bottom cap further comprises one or more additional auxiliary ports configured to allow one or more additional reagents to be injected therethrough. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein an underside of the bottom cap includes a wall extending therefrom and surrounding the auxiliary port, the wall having the same shape as the auxiliary port. 9. The device of claim 1 further comprising an internal weld pattern extending from an end of the wall and from the lower major surface, the internal weld pattern being patterned such that each chamber defined by the plurality of walls is surrounded by the internal weld pattern. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the top cover is hinged away from the bottom cap in an open configuration, and wherein the top cover is engaged with the bottom cap in a closed configuration, wherein a snap-fit end of the top cover is engaged with a snap portion of an outermost edge of an underside of the bottom cap in the closed configuration. 11. The device according to claim 1 further includes a multi-chamber container connected to the bottom cap, wherein the corresponding edges of the multi-chamber container are welded to the outermost welding ridges and the internal welding pattern so that the chambers of the multi-chamber container are fluid-tight to each other at the connection between the multi-chamber container and the bottom cap. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the main opening of the top cover comprises a circular opening. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the top cover includes a first side and a second side extending between the hinge end and the snap-fit end. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the hinged end of the top cover includes a first hinge and a second hinge, each hinge being laterally displaced from the first side and the second side. 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the snap fit end includes a snap portion that is removed from a curved portion that extends along a majority of the front side of the device. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary port is sized to allow injection of a reagent into a chamber of the multi-chamber container through the auxiliary port when the device is in the closed configuration and sealingly attached to the multi-chamber container. 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of walls defining separate chambers form a central cylindrical chamber and a plurality of petal-shaped chambers extending from the central cylindrical chamber. 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of walls defining separate chambers further form a plurality of wedge-shaped chambers. 19. An apparatus comprising: a top cover having a plurality of openings, wherein the top cover includes a hinged end and a snap-fit end; and A bottom cap is hingedly attached to the top cover, the bottom cap comprising an upper side and a lower side, wherein the upper side comprises: a plurality of openings, each having a surrounding lip extending upwardly from a lower surface of the upper side, wherein each opening is smaller than and matches a corresponding opening of the top cover, and at least one auxiliary port disposed between openings of the plurality of openings and having an opening larger than a corresponding opening of the cover to facilitate injection of additional reagent through the auxiliary port when the device is in a closed configuration and sealingly attached to a multi-chamber container; Wherein, the lower side of the bottom cap comprises: a lower main surface; an outermost edge extending downwardly from the lower major surface; a continuous outer weld ridge extending downwardly from said underside between said outermost edge and an alignment feature; and an internal weld pattern extending from an end of the wall and from the lower major surface, wherein the internal weld pattern is not coextensive with any wall extending from the lower major surface, wherein, in an open configuration, the top cover is hinged away from the bottom cap, and wherein, in a closed configuration, the top cover is engaged with the bottom cap, wherein in the closed configuration, a snap-fit end of the top cover is engaged with a snap portion of an outermost edge of an underside of the bottom cap. 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the at least one auxiliary port comprises a non-circular shape.