EP1317961B1 - Receptacle with cap - Google Patents

Abstract

The axial portion of the hollow cylinder (15) or vessel (1) in the area of the sealing seat, is alternately sub-divided into harder and softer segments (16,17) in a circumferential direction.

Description

The invention relates to a lidded container made of plastic for laboratory use, especially under elevated temperature conditions, i.a. in the PCR technique.

Lidded vessels of the type mentioned initially have a capacity of a few milliliters or below one milliliter.

Known lidded vessels comprise a vessel and a lid with a lid bottom and a hollow cylinder on one side of the lid bottom, either plugged into a vessel opening or cap-like on the The end of the vessel is placed with the vessel opening to the vessel outer wall seal. The lid may be formed separately from or with the vessel be connected via a hinge (DE-A-19645892).

In the known lidded containers, the lid may leak or jump up, when the pressure in the vessel increases above ambient pressure. This can be, for example when tempering samples in the lidded vessels occur. Especially this problem occurs in the polymerase chain reaction (polymerase chain Reaction, PCR), in which for duplicating the DNA samples in the lidded vessels treated by means of so-called thermal cycler at elevated temperatures become. The PCR involves the three steps of denaturation at 94 ° C, the Annealing at 40 to 60 ° C and DNA synthesis at 72 ° C, which often (mostly 25 up to 30 times).

Does the pressure (change) load lead to leaks or jumping up of the Lids, this can lead to contamination of other samples or the laboratory environment come.

Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a lidded container create, in which the lid better against leaks and / or jumping up due to a pressure difference between the interior of the vessel and the Environment is protected.

The object is achieved by a lidded vessel with the features of claim 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

• ein röhrenförmiges Gefäß, das einenends einen Gefäßboden und anderenends eine Gefäßöffnung hat,
• einen Deckel, der einen Deckelboden und auf einer Seite des Deckelbodens mindestens einen Hohlzylinder hat, der durch die Gefäßöffnung in einen Dichtsitz an der Gefäßinnenwand einsetzbar ist und/oder der auf das Ende des Gefäßes mit der Gefäßöffnung in einen Dichtsitz auf der Gefäßaußenwand aufsetzbar ist und
• zumindest einen Axialabschnitt des Hohlzylinders oder des Gefäßes im Bereich des Dichtsitzes, über den der Hohlzylinder oder das Gefäß in Umfangsrichtung abwechselnd in härtere und weichere Segmente unterteilt ist.

According to the invention, the lidded container made of plastic for laboratory use, in particular in the PCR technique,

• a tubular vessel having at one end a vessel bottom and at the other a vessel opening,
• a lid having a lid bottom and on one side of the lid bottom at least one hollow cylinder which is insertable through the vessel opening in a sealing seat on the vessel inner wall and / or which is placed on the end of the vessel with the vessel opening in a sealing seat on the vessel outer wall and
• at least one axial section of the hollow cylinder or of the vessel in the region of the sealing seat, via which the hollow cylinder or the vessel is alternately divided in the circumferential direction into harder and softer segments.

In the case of the lidded vessels according to the invention, the sealing partners, i. of the Hollow cylinder of the lid and the vessel inner wall or the vessel outer wall, in Area of the sealing seat with a bias to each other to a seal to achieve. The hollow cylinder and the vessel have a flexural rigidity, which ensures a simple and secure closing of the lid, without this one preventing deformation of the sealing areas. In conventional lidded containers However, the circumferential sealing areas are also very stiff radially, so that at elevated Pressure in the vessel no or hardly enhances the sealing effect Expansion of the inner sealing partner is possible. In the inventive Lidded vessels, on the other hand, are replaced by the alternately harder and softer ones Segments of the inner sealing partner at least partially widening achieved under increased pressure in the vessel and thus an active reinforcement of the Seal. In addition, the pressure increases in the vessel with increasing pressure in the sealing surface acting holding force, the lid despite the increased force on holds the lid bottom to the vessel.

Another advantage compared to vessels with full stopper is that the cavity directly under the vessel opening as an expansion volume, for example Heating or shaking the sample can be used. In addition, that will Close the lid with the same excess between the lid and the vessel facilitated over conventional closures due to the softer segments. Furthermore, you can work with less oversize when the lidded vessel is designed so that the pressure in the vessel, the sealing effect and the holding force sufficient strengthened.

The above advantages also come with a vessel for cold treatment of samples to bear when the outer seal partner with the harder and softer Segments is provided, because this then at a pressure in the vessel exceeding Ambient pressure stronger against the inner seal partner is pressed.

According to one embodiment, the axial section of the hollow cylinder is free End of the hollow cylinder or goes the axial portion of the vessel from the end of the Vessel with the vessel opening, resulting in a particularly strong expandability at the free end of the hollow cylinder or at the end of the vessel with the vessel opening is achieved with a concomitant increase in the sealing effect and the holding force.

Also to increase the sealing effect and the holding force is according to an embodiment the axial portion of the lid extends to the lid bottom or the axial portion of the vessel extends at least over the entire coverage area the hollow cylinder of the attached lid.

According to one embodiment, the harder and softer segments axially parallel or inclined or interlocking edges to the axis. The axis-parallel or inclined to the axis edges have in particular spraying Advantages. With the axis inclined or interlocking edges a constructive clawing of the segments can be achieved, which in their Manufacture of different materials can be beneficial.

According to one embodiment, the hollow cylinder or the vessel at least in Region of the axial section inside and / or outside a soft material layer.

According to one embodiment, the hollow cylinder at the free end or the vessel at the vessel opening on a sealing bead. This can be the sealing effect in particular Increase by increasing the surface pressure.

According to one embodiment, the sealing bead is softer than the harder segments. As a result, in particular, the coefficient of friction between the vessel and the Lid be increased to increase the holding power.

According to one embodiment, the lid or the vessel at the proximal end the axial section at least one completely or partially circumferential ring section which is softer than the harder segments. The at least one Ring section can the radial expandability or compressibility of the Axial section increase, especially when moving along the base of the harder Segments extends.

According to one embodiment, the ring portion at the base of the hollow cylinder in Lid bottom arranged and softer than the rest of the lid bottom, also around the increase radial expandability or compressibility of the axial section. For the same reason, according to a further embodiment of the lid bottom Radial sections which extend radially from the ring portion to the outside and also softer than the rest of the lid bottom.

According to one embodiment, the softer regions (i.e. Segments and / or the sealing bead and / or the ring section and / or the radial sections) the same material as the adjacent harder areas (i.e., the harder ones) Segments and / or other areas of the lid or vessel) However, in contrast, a smaller wall thickness. The softness is through increased structural weakening of the material in the areas concerned.

According to one embodiment, the softer regions (i.e. Segments and / or the sealing bead and / or the ring section and / or the radial sections) a softer material than the adjacent harder areas (i.e. harder segments and / or other areas of the lid or vessel). in this connection the softness is increased by using softer materials. The softness can Combined with reduced wall thickness and material usage.

According to one embodiment, the lid and / or the vessel is within the softer ones Areas everywhere from the same softer material and outside of it Areas everywhere made of the same harder material. The lid and / or the Vessel then consist of only two components.

According to one embodiment, the harder material is polypropylene or polyethylene and / or the softer material silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer or an elastomer or other soft polymeric material. In particular, for the harder material and the softer material plastics are used which have particularly good adhesive properties with each other.

According to one embodiment, the lidded vessel comprises at least two plastic components with different E-modules. Preferably, the softer ones Segments made of a material whose modulus of elasticity is one or more orders of magnitude is less than the modulus of elasticity of the material making up the harder segments consist.

The invention includes the formation of the vessel and lid each as a separate Component. Furthermore, the invention comprises vessels and lids which are separate and mutually connectable components are, for example by means of a tab that with a the components is integrally connected and a ring for connection to the outer periphery having the other component. With separate training can cover and vessel entirely or partially made of the same or the same plastic materials consist. But you can also include different plastic materials or be made entirely of various plastic materials. As production methods come for lid and vessel in particular single and / or multi-component injection molding into consideration.

According to a further embodiment, the lid and the vessel are integrally in a one- or multi-component injection molding produced. You can then in particular, comprise a film hinge which connects the lid and vessel together. But also includes the possibility of lid and vessel over a Separating point releasably connect to each other, the separation point to close of the vessel is to be separated.

According to one embodiment, the lid is in its middle radius region made of an elastic plastic so as to be perforated, e.g. by means of a Needle for sampling purposes to ensure automatic sealing properties.

Fig. 1

ein Deckelgefäß mit härteren und weicheren Segmenten mit achsparallelen Rändern im Deckel bei geöffnetem Deckel in perspektivischer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 2

Deckel desselben Deckelgefäßes in einer Perspektivansicht schräg von oben;

Fig. 3

dasselbe Deckelgefäß geschlossen in einer perspektivischen Seitenansicht;

Fig. 4a und b

ein anderer Deckel in unbelastetem Zustand (in Strichlinien gekennzeichnet) und mit Innendruck belastet (in unterschiedlichen Dunkeltönen entsprechend der Verformung) in einem perspektivischen Schnittbild (Fig. 4a) und Legende mit der Zuordnung der Dunkeltöne zum Verformungsausmaß in Millimetern (Fig. 4b);

Fig. 5 a und b

Deckel eines herkömmlichen Deckelgefäßes mit Innendruck belastet (in unterschiedlichen Dunkeltönen entsprechend der Verformung) in einer perspektivischen Seitenansicht (Fig. 5a) und Legende mit der Zuordnung der Dunkeltöne zum Verformungsausmaß in Millimetern (Fig. 5b);

Fig. 6

ein anderer Deckel mit härteren und weicheren Segmenten mit zur Achse geneigten Rändern in einer perspektivischen Unteransicht;

Fig. 7

derselbe Deckel in einer perspektivischen Ansicht schräg von oben;

Fig. 8

ein anderer Deckel mit achsparallelen Segmenten und weicheren Ringabschnitten im Deckelboden in einer perspektivischen Ansicht schräg von unten;

Fig. 9

derselbe Deckel in einer perspektivischen Ansicht schräg von oben;

Fig. 10

ein anderer Deckel eines weiteren Deckelgefäßes mit achsparallelen Segmenten und weicheren Ringabschnitten und Radialabschnitten im Deckelboden in einem perspektivischen Schnittbild schräg von oben.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be described in more detail below. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a lidded vessel with harder and softer segments with axially parallel edges in the lid with the lid open in a perspective side view;

Fig. 2

Lid of the same lidded vessel in a perspective view obliquely from above;

Fig. 3

the same lidded vessel closed in a perspective side view;

Fig. 4a and b

another cover in the unloaded state (marked in dashed lines) and loaded with internal pressure (in different dark tones corresponding to the deformation) in a perspective sectional view (Figure 4a) and legend with the assignment of the dark tones to the deformation amount in millimeters (Figure 4b).

Fig. 5 a and b

Cover of a conventional lidded vessel loaded with internal pressure (in different dark tones according to the deformation) in a perspective side view (Fig. 5a) and legend with the assignment of the dark tones to the deformation amount in millimeters (Figure 5b).

Fig. 6

another cover with harder and softer segments with edges inclined to the axis in a perspective bottom view;

Fig. 7

the same lid in a perspective view obliquely from above;

Fig. 8

another cover with axially parallel segments and softer ring sections in the lid base in a perspective view obliquely from below;

Fig. 9

the same lid in a perspective view obliquely from above;

Fig. 10

another lid of another lidded vessel with axially parallel segments and softer ring sections and radial sections in the lid base in a perspective sectional view obliquely from above.

In the following explanation of various embodiments are the same designated elements with the same reference numerals. As far as these elements Structural differences, this is by painting the reference numerals characterized.

The lidded vessel according to FIGS. 1 to 3 has a vessel 1 with a cup-shaped one Floor 2, an adjacent cone section 3 and an adjacent thereto Cylinder section 4, a vessel opening 5 and a surrounding this Vessel flange 6 has.

Furthermore, the lidded vessel has a lid 7 with a lid bottom 8, which in the example has approximately the form of two identical, isosceles trapezoids, the are juxtaposed at the big baseline.

The vessel flange 6 is connected to the lid base 8 via two parallel hinge bands 9, which have adjacent to the vessel flange 6 side sections 10, in which they are practically not flexible.

Between the hinge bands 9 go from the vessel flange 6 two parallel forks 11, between which a gap 12 is formed. On the gap 12 is a Latch 13 aligned, which is connected at its top with the lid bottom 8.

Details of these locking elements and their function are described in DE-A-196 45 892 in particular with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4 described.

The lid base 8 has at the edge of a skirt 14 which protrudes from its inside. In the region of the locking lug 13, the skirt 14 is interrupted.

The lid base 8 carries inside a hollow cylinder 15, the entire circumference has a distance from the enclosure 14 and protrudes beyond this.

The hollow cylinder 15 is alternately in the circumferential direction in harder segments 16th and softer segments 17, which extend axially over the entire Hollow cylinder 15 extend. The harder segments 16 may be in their ratio be made variable to the softer segments 17 in larger areas and optimally have a ratio of 1: 1 in terms of their extent in Circumferential direction.

At the free end of the hollow cylinder 15 has outside a circumferential sealing bead 18, which is also softer than the harder segments 16.

The lid bottom 8 has at the base of the hollow cylinder inside a on the inner circumference the hollow cylinder encircling ring portion 19, which also consists of a softer Material is as the segments 16.

In addition, the lid base 8 has on the side opposite the film hinges 9 in Distance range of the skirt 14 and the hollow cylinder 15 is a teardrop-shaped, softer area 20, which passes through the lid bottom 8.

The softer segments 17, the sealing bead 16, the ring portion 19 and the Drop-shaped portions 20 are made of the same softer material.

The remaining areas of the lid base 8 are made of the same harder material as the harder segments 16. The hinges 9, the locking elements 12, 13 and the vessel 1 are also made of this material.

The entire lidded vessel is in the two-component injection molding of the two Materials made. After spraying the harder material are over the ring portion 19, the softer segments 17 in the gaps between the segments 16, the sealing bead 18 and the teardrop-shaped portion 20 with the softer Material filled up.

The lid 7 is by pressing the hollow cylinder 15 into the vessel opening. 5 closed. The sealing bead 15 comes under bias to the plant at the Vessel inner wall, i. forms with this a sealing seat. In this sealing position supports the laterally over the hollow cylinder 15 projecting bottom 8 on top of the Vessel flange 6 from.

If the pressure in the vessel 1 increases, the hollow cylinder 15 expands due to the soft, stretchable segments 17 on. The seal between the sealing bead 15 and vessel inner wall is thereby reinforced and also the of the Vessel inner wall on the sealing bead 15 exerted frictional force. This is the Cover 7 against pressing by acting on the lid bottom 8 force secured.

Figures 4 and 5, the results of FEM (Finite Element Method) calculations show, illustrate the different deformation behavior of an inventive and a conventional lid at a pressure of 4 bar in the Vessel.

In the calculations it was assumed that the harder material of the lid 7 'according to the invention is a PP having a modulus of elasticity of 1400 Newton / mm ² and the conventional lid 7 "is made entirely of this material was based on a TPE with an E modulus of 6.1 Newton / mm ² .

For simplicity, calculations have been made for lids 7 ', 7 "at which the lid bottom 8 ', 8 "no lateral projection on the hollow cylinder 15 ', 15 ". In the lid 7' according to the invention, in which the hollow cylinder 15 'over the entire axial length in the circumferential direction alternately with harder segments 16 'and softer segments 17' is provided, the result strongest deformation at the free end, where the seal against the inside of the vessel he follows. The lid bottom 8 'is virtually undeformed. In the conventional Cover 7 "arise at the free end virtually no deformations are on the other hand, the strongest deformations can be seen in the center of the lid base 8 ".

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, another lid 7 "'harder segments 16' '' and softer segments 17 '' 'with obliquely inclined to the axis sides, wherein the harder segments 16 '' 'to the lid bottom 8' '' and the softer segments 17 '' ' tapering towards the free end of the hollow cylinder 15 '' '. The material of the harder Segments 17 '' 'extends to the top of the lid bottom 8' ''. To this The result is a constructive engagement of the soft component with the hard component reached.

The cover 7 ^{IV of} FIG. 8 and 9 differs from the lid 7 of FIG. 1 to 3 characterized in that at the base of the hollow cylinder 15 ^IV a ring portion 19 ^IV on the shell of the hollow cylinder 15 ^IV completely rotates and above the harder segments 16 ^IV to the top of the lid bottom 8 ^IV ranges. By reducing the wall thickness of the material of the harder segments 16 ^IV at the bottom of the hollow cylinder 15 ^IV , the radial stiffness of the hollow cylinder 15 ^{IV is} further reduced and increases its Ausbiegbarkeit.

The undercut for producing the ring portion 19 ^IV can be realized by a slotted, annular tool core, which dives through the lid 7 ^IV .

According to FIG. 10, the rigidity of the cover bottom 8 ^{V of} the cover 7 ^{V is} reduced by ring sections 21 in the cover base 8 ^V and radial sections 22 originating therefrom and made of a softer component. This results in a reduction of the rigidity of the hollow cylinder 15 ^V and hereby likewise an improvement of the Aufspreizbarkeit.

Claims (16)

1. A lid type vessel of an elastic plastic material for laboratory use, specifically in the PCR procedure, comprising:

   a tubular vessel (1) which has a vessel bottom (2) at one end and a vessel opening (5) at the other end,

   a lid (7) which has a lid bottom (8) and has at least one hollow cylinder (15) on one side of the lid bottom, which is adapted to be inserted into a sealing seat at the vessel inner wall through the vessel opening (5), and/or which is adapted to be placed onto the end of the vessel (1) having the vessel opening (5) and in a sealing seat on the vessel outer wall, and

   at least one axial portion of the hollow cylinder (15) or vessel (1) in the area of the sealing seat by means of which the hollow cylinder (15) or vessel (1) is alternately subdivided into harder and softer segments (16, 17) in a circumferential direction.
2. The lid type vessel as claimed in claim 1 which only has a lid (7) with only one hollow cylinder (15) including harder and softer segments (16, 17) which is adapted to be inserted into a sealing seat at the vessel inner wall through the vessel opening (5).
3. The lid type vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 2 wherein the axial portion of the hollow cylinder (15) extends from the free end of the hollow cylinder (15) or wherein the axial portion of the vessel (1) extends from the end of the vessel (1) having the vessel opening (5).
4. The lid type vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the axial portion of the hollow cylinder (15) is extended up to the lid bottom (5) or wherein the axial portion of the vessel (1) is extended at least over the whole covering area of the hollow cylinder (15).
5. The lid type vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the harder and softer segments (16, 17) have borders which are parallel to the axis or are inclined towards the axis or engage each other.
6. The lid type vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the hollow cylinder (15) has a sealing bulge (18) at the free end or the vessel has said bulge at the vessel opening (5).
7. The lid type vessel as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sealing bulge (18) is softer than are the harder segments (16).
8. The lid type vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the lid (7) or vessel (1), at the proximal end of the axial portion, has at least one completely or partially circumferential annular portion (19) which is softer than are the harder segments (16).
9. The lid type vessel as claimed in claim 8 wherein the annular portion (19) is arranged at the base of the hollow cylinder (15) in the lid bottom (8) and is softer than is the remaining lid bottom (8).
10. The lid type vessel as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lid bottom has radial portions (22) which radiate outwardly from the annular portion (21) and are also softer than is the remaining lid bottom (8).
11. The lid type vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the softer regions (17, 18, 19, 21, 22) are comprised of the same material than are the adjacent harder regions (16) but, in contrast, are of a reduced wall thickness.
12. The lid type vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the softer regions (17, 18, 19, 21, 22) are comprised of a softer material than are the adjacent harder regions (16).
13. The lid type vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 which comprises at least two plastic material components of different moduli of elasticity.
14. The lid type vessel as claimed in claim 12 or 13 wherein the lid (7) and/or vessel (1) is/are made of the same soft material at any point within the softer regions (17, 18, 19, 21, 22) and of the same harder material at any point outside said regions.
15. The lid type vessel as claimed in any one of claims 12 or 14 wherein the harder material is polypropylene or polyethylene and/or the softer material is silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer or an elastomer or another soft polymeric material.
16. The lid type vessel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the lid (7) is made of an elastic plastic material in its radius central area to provide self-acting sealing properties following a perforation.

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