HK1179232B - A reagent kit with in-transit securing means - Google Patents

Description

Reagent box with on-the-way transport fastening mechanism

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a kit comprising: reagent container assembly having at least one reagent container for containing a substance, the reagent container comprising at least one container body and at least one closure associated with and mountable or provided to the container body, wherein the closure comprises a closure base member and a lid movably supported on the closure base member for movement at least between a closed lid position and a further lid position. The kit further comprises an in-transit securing mechanism which is mountable or mounted on the reagent container assembly in a locked position and which, when mounted on the reagent container assembly, is movable relative to the reagent container assembly from the locked position into a release position, wherein in the locked position the in-transit securing mechanism secures the lid in a closed lid position.

The reagent vessel is designed to contain a substance, preferably a fluid. However, the present invention relates to a kit regardless of whether or not the reagent containers are filled with a substance.

The closure can be formed as a single piece with the container body. However, in order to simplify the production of the reagent container, in particular by injection moulding, the closure can be formed separately from the container body and can be mounted on the container body, for example by screwing or clipping onto said container body. Similarly, the closure base member and lid can be formed as a single piece, or separately.

Background

The reagent container can be used in particular in the field of automated analysis. Automated analytical systems (e.g., diagnostic assay systems) require many different reagents (substances) to perform a test. These reagents are typically filled in separate containers and identified, and optionally, a plurality of separate containers with different reagents calibrated to each other are provided to form a reagent container assembly for a specific test.

In order to ensure that the substance does not spill out of the reagent container even when transported in transit to the user, the reagent container assembly is usually provided with an in-transit securing mechanism.

For example, publications EP 1424291 a1, EP 1424292 a1, WO 95/01919 a1 and EP 0543638 a1 each disclose a reagent cartridge which in each case comprises a separate screw cap which can be screwed onto a respective container body in place of a closure provided for analytical operations, and in its locked position (i.e. screwed-on position) the screw cap prevents spillage of the substance from the container body, even when transported to the user from the manufacturer.

Only when these reagent cartridges have arrived at the user, the in-transit securing screw cap is replaced by a closure which remains on the container body during the automatic analysis and can be opened and optionally can also be closed again by the automatic analysis system.

Publications US 5,632,399B and WO92/20449 disclose a universal kit in which the closure is already placed on the container body during in-transit transport and the reagent containers are additionally secured by in-transit securing means which, when in the locked position, secure the lid of the closure in the closed lid position.

US 5,632,399B discloses a reagent container assembly comprising a plurality of reagent containers which can be opened and closed by a common sliding lid, wherein the reagent container assembly is fastened by a detachable foil as an in-transit fastening mechanism when in-transit.

Publication WO92/20449 discloses a reagent container with a closure, into which an additional closure plate can be inserted for transport.

Before using the above described reagent container assembly in an automated analytical system, it is advantageous to move the lid of the closure out of the closed lid position at least once, i.e. to perform an initial opening in order to, for example, equalize different pressure conditions inside and outside the container, and thereby enable the reagent container to be easily opened in an automated analytical operation.

This initial opening can in principle be carried out by the analysis system or by the user.

A disadvantage of the initial opening effected by the analysis system is that relatively large forces are to be applied, which requires a correspondingly complex and expensive opening mechanism of the analysis system and limits the construction of the analysis system in terms of the size and positioning of the individual elements. Furthermore, any failure or damage in the mechanism for initial opening would imply a failure or damage to the entire analysis system.

The initial opening of the individual containers by the user (e.g. just before inserting the reagent container assembly into the analysis system) is also time consuming and additionally subject to failure. For example, the analysis system may even be damaged if the user does not remove or does not completely remove the in-transit securing mechanism.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is therefore to facilitate the initial opening described above.

This object is achieved in that: in a universal kit, the lid is moved from the closed lid position into another lid position by moving the in-transit securing mechanism from a locked position into a released position relative to the reagent container assembly.

Thus, the unlocking of the in-transit securing mechanism (which is necessary in any case), and optionally its removal, takes place in conjunction with the initial opening, so that the user only has to unlock and optionally remove the in-transit securing mechanism before inserting the reagent cartridge according to the invention into the analysis system.

In principle, measures can be taken to keep the in-transit securing mechanism in the release position on the reagent container assembly, so that the reagent container assembly and the in-transit securing mechanism can be handled as one unit even in analytical operations.

However, since as many reagent cartridges as possible are always used in an automated analysis system in order to enable a large number of different tests to be performed, and since the in-transit securing mechanism increases the overall volume of the reagent cartridge, for reasons of space saving it may be advantageous to have the in-transit securing mechanism removed from the reagent container assembly out of the release position so that the reagent container assembly can be inserted into the analysis system without the in-transit securing mechanism.

In another embodiment, the in-transit securing mechanism can be designed such that: the kit meets certain requirements concerning the fluid sealing of the container when the in-transit securing mechanism is in the locked position, for example in order to meet air-transport requirements, for example a fluid seal of more than 10 minutes at a pressure difference of 660 mbar.

With more simple reagent container assemblies, the lid is displaceable between a closed lid position and an open position. In this case, the further cover position can be an open position of the cover.

The reagent container assembly is typically kept on the device for weeks for automated analysis. During this period, it must be ensured that not too much filling substance escapes as a result of evaporation. For certain types of reagents, gas transport (CO) from ambient air₂Inflated) is limited to a minimum.

In order to ensure sufficient evaporation protection, a reagent container is known, for example from DE 4439755 a1 or US 5,540,890B, in which, in addition to a closed lid position and an open lid position, a lid evaporation protection position is provided, wherein the lid rests only slightly on the closure base member or the neck of the container body.

For such containers it is possible to set the further lid position as an evaporation-prevention position and the closed lid position as an in-transit securing position, wherein the lid can be movably mounted on the base member for movement between the in-transit securing position, the evaporation-prevention position and the open lid position.

When the in-transit securing mechanism is removed by the user, the cover is simultaneously moved out of the in-transit securing position and into the evaporation prevention position, from which the automatic analysis system can displace the cover into the open position with a small force input.

It may be provided that in the in-transit securing position the lid is so firmly supported on or engaged with the closure base member or the neck of the container body that no substance is spilled even if the reagent container is tipped over. If the reagent container is not needed for a considerable time, it can be closed again at any time simply by displacing the lid into the in-transit fastening position.

In order to reduce evaporation during operation of the analysis system without any of the ever-open reagent containers having to be closed by the analysis system itself, the reagent cartridge can further comprise a preloading mechanism which preloads the lid from an open lid position into an evaporation-proof position or, in the case of only two different lid positions, from the open lid position into a closed lid position. Thus, a mechanical self-sealing cap was obtained.

These preloading mechanisms can be formed as a single piece with the closure bottom member, in the view of advantageously reducing the number of components required. Thereby, a closure assembled from only two parts can be obtained. However, it is also possible that the preloading organ is formed separately and arranged on the cartridge. Alternatively, these preloading mechanisms can also be integrated into the analysis system, for example into a receptacle for the reagent container assembly.

A simple opening mechanism can be achieved in that the cover is pivotally mounted to the base member for pivotal movement about a cover axis.

With the pivotally mounted cover, the in-transit transport fastening mechanism can be realized in a structurally simple manner in that the in-transit transport fastening mechanism is movable by sliding displacement in an unlocking direction relative to the reagent container assembly from a locking position into a release position, wherein the in-transit transport fastening mechanism comprises at least one ramp-block-like engagement element for each cover and the cover comprises at least one adapter element which cooperates with the engagement element in such a way that, when the in-transit transport fastening mechanism mounted on the reagent container assembly is slidingly displaced in the unlocking direction from the locking position, the engagement element and the adapter element are in engagement in sliding abutment with each other or are brought into engagement in sliding abutment with each other, so that by the in-transit transport fastening mechanism a sliding displacement in the unlocking direction into a release position is achieved, the lid is movable from a closed lid position to the further lid position.

When the in-transit securing mechanism is displaced from the locking position into the release position, the oblique block-shaped engaging element can lift the adapter element and thus the cover in a simple manner and can pivot the cover into the further cover position, for example the open cover position or the evaporation-preventing position.

Another advantage of this design is that it can be easily operated by a user who only has to displace the in-transit securing mechanism on the reagent container assembly, so that with a single movement said in-transit securing mechanism can be unlocked, and optionally removed, and can be opened initially.

It is also possible to provide a plurality of engaging elements on the in-transit securing mechanism for one lid and associated adapter elements on the respective lid in order to prevent any tilting during initial opening. For example, it is possible to provide two engagement tabs as engagement elements on the cover, which engagement tabs project from the cover parallel to the cover axis on opposite sides.

Typically, many different reagents are required for a given test, and these reagents are assembled to form a test cartridge before being shipped to a customer. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reagent container assembly comprises a plurality of reagent containers (preferably 3 to 5 reagent containers), wherein the lids of these reagent containers are each moved from the closed lid position into the further lid position, for example into the evaporation-preventing position, by moving the in-transit securing mechanism from the locking position into the release position. Preferably, reagent containers of the same or similar design are included.

The reagent containers required for the test can thus be handled in an advantageous manner both in transit and when inserted into the analysis system as a unit.

In this case, it can be provided that the reagent containers are arranged in a row in the unlocking direction, wherein the lid axes of the lids mounted or provided on these reagent containers extend orthogonally to the unlocking direction.

Thereby, a reagent cartridge of elongated design in the unlocking direction can be obtained, a plurality of such reagent cartridges being able to be arranged in a space-saving manner, for example on a turntable of an analysis system.

However, it should not be excluded that the reagent container assembly can comprise only one reagent container.

In order to simplify handling, in particular in the case of a plurality of reagent containers being assembled to form a reagent container assembly, it can be provided that the reagent container assembly further comprises a reagent cartridge on which a reagent container or a plurality of reagent containers can be mounted or arranged.

Drawings

The invention will be described hereinafter with reference to several preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows in perspective view individual components of a reagent vessel of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the object of FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of individual components of the closure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows another view of the closure bottom member of FIG. 3;

figure 5 shows a simplified view of the closure and reagent container parts of figure 1 in side view to show the in-transit securing position;

FIG. 6 shows the subject of FIG. 5 to illustrate an anti-evaporation position;

FIG. 7 shows the subject of FIG. 5 with the lid slightly opened by the analysis system;

FIG. 8 shows the subject of FIG. 7 with the lid fully open;

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment;

FIG. 10 shows the reagent cartridge of FIG. 9 in another view;

FIG. 11 shows the in-transit securing mechanism of FIG. 9 in another view;

FIG. 12 shows the object of FIG. 9 with the in-transit securing mechanism mounted on the reagent container assembly and in a locked position;

FIG. 13 shows the object of FIG. 12 with a portion of the in-transit securing mechanism removed;

FIG. 14 shows a detail of the object of FIG. 12 with the in-transit securing mechanism partially removed;

FIG. 15 shows the object of FIG. 14 with the in-transit securing mechanism between a locked position and a released position;

FIG. 16 shows the object of FIG. 15 with the in-transit securing mechanism in a released position;

FIG. 17 shows in perspective view corresponding to FIG. 11 an in-transit securing mechanism of a second embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 18 shows the object of fig. 17 in another perspective view;

FIG. 19 shows a reagent cartridge according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the in-transit securing mechanism is mounted on the reagent container assembly and in a locked position;

FIG. 20 shows the object of FIG. 19 with a portion of the in-transit securing mechanism removed;

fig. 21 shows a perspective view of a kit according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 shows a detail of the object of FIG. 19 with the in-transit securing mechanism partially removed;

FIG. 23 shows the object of FIG. 22 with the in-transit securing mechanism between the locked and released positions;

FIG. 24 shows the object of FIG. 23 with the in-transit securing mechanism in a released position;

FIG. 25 shows the object of FIG. 22 in a top view;

FIG. 26 shows the object of FIG. 23 in a top view;

FIG. 27 shows the object of FIG. 24 in a top view; and

fig. 28 shows a part of a kit according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the lid of one of the reagent containers is opened by a push rod of the analysis system.

Detailed Description

For the sake of clarity, not all parts in each drawing are provided with reference numerals, but only those parts referred to in the description of the respective drawing are provided with reference numerals. In particular, in the case where there are several identical components in one drawing, not every component is denoted by a reference numeral.

In the following, terms such as "top" and "bottom" are described with reference to the reagent container in its normal operating position.

Fig. 1 shows the individual components of a reagent vessel 12 of a first preferred embodiment of the invention, namely: a container body 13 and a closure 14, said closure 14 comprising a closure base member 16 and a lid 18, the lid 18 being pivotally mounted to the closure base member 16 for pivotal movement about a lid axis 18 a.

In each case, the individual components 13, 16 and 18 can be, for example, injection-molded components, blow-molded components or injection-blow-molded components of a suitable plastic material.

The container body 13 includes: a substantially parallelepiped central portion 20; a bottom portion 22 tapered toward the lower end of the container body 13; and an upper end portion 24 having a hollow cylindrical neck portion 26 and a parallel-sided body web 28, on which web 28 four stop hooks 30 or stop lugs are provided, which can engage in corresponding stop windows 32 of the closure base member 16, so that the closure base member 16 can be clipped onto the web 28 of the container body 13.

In order to minimize the dead volume of the container body 13 (i.e. the volume in which the substance remains unremovable from the reagent container 12 by the pipette of the analysis system), the bottom 22 tapers towards the lower end of the container body 13 such that the central axis M of the hollow cylindrical neck 26 passes through the lowest point of the container body 13.

The parallelepiped shape of the central portion 20 is advantageous because it allows a plurality of reagent containers to be arranged side by side or one after the other in a space-saving manner, and also because it optionally allows information about the substance filled into the reagent containers to be applied to the wall of the central portion 20. This can be achieved in the following way: the reagent containers 12, in particular the central portion 20, are painted or printed with a color or code (barcode); or a suitable label may be applied. This information can include, for example, a fill material and/or a lot identification number or lot number. Thereby, it is made possible to manually or automatically assemble a plurality of reagent containers to form a test cartridge.

The closure base member 16, shown in more detail in fig. 3 and 4, comprises: a lower connection frame 34 in which a stop window 32 and two stop hooks 36 are provided for fastening the reagent container 12 to a reagent cartridge (see fig. 9); a cover mount 38 onto which the cover 18 can be inserted such that the cover can rotate about a cover axis 18a; and a preloading mechanism 40, which in the present case has the form of a U-shaped spring element and which, in the assembled state of the reagent container 12, preloads the cover 18 into the evaporation-proof position shown in fig. 6. In the present case, the closure base member 16 is formed as a single piece with the above-described components thereof (i.e., specifically, with the connecting frame 34, the lid mount 38, and the preload mechanism 40). However, these components may also be manufactured separately and assembled to form closure bottom member 16.

Furthermore, it is apparent from the description of fig. 4 that a recess 58 (provided in this case for production purposes) is provided in the lower connection frame 34 and below the preloading organ 40. However, this recess is not absolutely necessary.

As shown in fig. 3, the cover 18 includes: a closing plate 42; an annular seal 44; two pivot journals 46 extending generally parallel to the surface of the closure plate 42, and said pivot journals 46 defining the lid axis 18a and being insertable into two bearing holes 48 of the lid mount 38; and two lever arms 50 that project from the closure plate 42 at an obtuse angle and are coupled together by a crossbar 52. The cross bar 52 can fit into a correspondingly formed jaw 54 provided on the preloading organ 40. To facilitate insertion of the pivot journals 46 of the cover 18 into the bearing holes 48 of the cover mount 38, insertion ramps 49 are provided in the cover mount 38 above the bearing holes 48.

The cover 18 further includes: two adapter elements 56 in the form of engagement tabs projecting substantially parallel to the lid axis 18a and away from the closing plate 42; and two fastening elements 57 which are shaped in the form of circular arcuate plates, extend substantially perpendicularly to the closing plate 42 and project upwards away from it. The function of the adapter element 56 and the fastening element 57 will be explained in more detail below with reference to fig. 14 and 16.

Fig. 2 shows the reagent vessel 12 of fig. 1 in an assembled state. Wherein closure bottom member 16 is clamped onto container body 13, pivot journals 46 of lid 18 are inserted into respective support holes 48 of lid mount 38, and cross bars 52 are fitted into jaws 54 of preloading mechanism 40.

In the situation shown in fig. 2, the cover 18 is in an in-transit (in-transit) fastening position in which the cover 18 is supported on the hollow cylindrical neck 26 so firmly that no substance flows out of the reagent container 12 even if it is tipped over.

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the cap 18 and the hollow cylindrical neck 26 in a schematic and somewhat simplified view, with the cap 18 in the in-transit fastening position. In this figure, hidden elements are shown in dashed lines to make the interior of the structure visible. The illustration of closure bottom member 16 is omitted for clarity.

As is apparent from this drawing, the seal 44 is slightly convexly curved. Thus, in the in-transit secured position shown, the cap 18 seals the hollow cylindrical bottleneck 26 and thus the reagent container 12 in a fluid-tight manner.

Fig. 6 shows the object of fig. 5 with the cover 18 in the anti-evaporation position. In this case, the seal 44 rests only slightly on the edge of the hollow cylindrical neck 26, which is sufficient to prevent evaporation of the substance filling the reagent container 12, but at the same time allows the lid 18 to be opened with a low force input.

As shown in fig. 7 and 8, the reagent vessel 12 can be opened by a push rod 60 (not shown in greater detail here) of an opening mechanism of the analysis system, wherein this push rod 60 presses the cross bar 52 of the cover 18 downwards in the direction indicated by the arrow P.

FIG. 7 shows the lid 18 in a slightly open position; fig. 8 shows the lid 18 in a fully open position with the closure plate 42 pivoted approximately 90 degrees relative to the in-transit securing position. The fastening element 57 is arranged on the closure plate 42 in such a way that the plunger 60 of the analysis system extends precisely between the two positioning elements 57 when the cover 18 is fully opened.

In the situation shown in fig. 8, the substance can now be removed from the reagent vessel 12 by the analysis system (typically by a pipette) and can be used for testing.

Fig. 9 shows a perspective view of a reagent cartridge 10 according to the invention, said reagent cartridge 10 comprising a reagent container assembly 15, in this case said reagent container assembly 15 comprising five substantially similar reagent containers 12 and a reagent cartridge 64, the reagent containers 12 being inserted into the reagent cartridge 64 and fastened to said reagent cartridge 64, and said reagent cartridge 10 further comprising an in-transit fastening mechanism 66, said in-transit fastening mechanism 66 being mountable on the reagent container assembly 15 (see fig. 12) and being in a locked position in which the in-transit fastening mechanism 66 fastens the lid 18 in a respective in-transit fastening position. In the illustration of fig. 9, the in-transit securing mechanism 66 is not (yet) mounted on the reagent container assembly 15.

The reagent cartridge 64 includes a cartridge frame 70 having an end wall 72, a rear wall 74, and two side walls 76. The end wall 72 can be widened relative to the rear wall 74 so that information in the form of a stamp and/or a label and/or an RFID chip or the like can be applied to the end wall. The widening of the end wall 72 can alternatively or additionally also serve as an orientation structure for correctly positioning the reagent cartridge in the analysis system.

In each side wall 76, openings 78 are provided, which serve to accelerate the thermal equilibrium between the substance filled into the reagent vessel 12 and the environment. In the first embodiment described herein, these openings have a rounded rectangular shape. However, the number, shape, and arrangement of the openings 78 can vary from the embodiments described herein. In particular, reagent cartridges without such openings are also possible.

Further, on each side wall 76, there are provided two columnar engaging projections 80 that project outwardly (i.e., away from the interior of the reagent cartridge 64) generally orthogonal to the side wall 76.

As will be described in more detail below, these engagement tabs 80 serve to secure the in-transit securing mechanism 66 to the reagent cartridge 64, and thus to the reagent container assembly 15.

Finally, in each side wall 76 and for each reagent container 12, a respective stop window 82 is provided, into which a respective stop hook 36 of the closure bottom member 16 can engage.

The in-transit securing mechanism 66 has the shape of a hollow-profile rail having a U-shaped cross-section and having one closed end, i.e., the hollow-profile rail includes: an upper cover plate 84 having various cutouts 96, 97, 98 (described in more detail below) disposed therein; and two side plates 86 and end plates 88. The end of the in-transit securing mechanism 66 opposite the end plate 88 and the underside of the in-transit securing mechanism are open so that the in-transit securing mechanism 66 can be installed by sliding onto the reagent cartridge 64 in the direction indicated by arrow a.

In this process, the engagement projection 80 is engaged in sliding abutment with an engagement ramp 90 provided on the inside of the side plate 86 as shown in fig. 11, so that the in-transit securing mechanism 66 is pressed from above against the cover 18 of the reagent container assembly 15 by sliding the in-transit securing mechanism 66 onto the reagent container assembly 15 in the direction a.

When the in-transit securing mechanism 66 reaches the locked position as shown in fig. 12 and 13, the engagement projection 80 engages into the engagement groove 92 provided on the engagement ramp 90.

As described above, in fig. 12 and 13, the reagent cartridge according to the present invention is shown in a condition in which the in-transit fastening mechanism 66 is in the locked position.

Fig. 13 shows the object in fig. 12 with a portion of the transport securing mechanism 66 removed in transit in order to better show the closure 14 and the different engagement elements 90, 80, 94, 56.

As is apparent from fig. 12 and 13, in this condition, the closure plate 42 of the lid 18 is substantially covered by the cover plate 84 of the in-transit securing mechanism 66. In this condition, the cover plates 84 press against the fastening elements 57 from above, so that the covers 18 are each fastened in the in-transit fastening position and cannot be moved from said in-transit fastening position as long as the in-transit fastening means 66 is in the locked position.

However, by sliding the in-transit securing mechanism 66 further in the direction of arrow a (unlocking direction) from the locked position, the in-transit securing mechanism 66 can be moved into its release position, and the cover 18 can thus be simultaneously displaced into the respective evaporation-prevention position, as will be described in further detail below with reference to fig. 14 to 16.

These figures each show a portion of the reagent vessel 12 of the reagent vessel assembly 15 (in fig. 12 and 13, the portion closest to the end wall 72 of the reagent cartridge 64) and a portion of the in-transit securing mechanism 66. A portion of the cover plate 84 and a portion of the side plate 86 closer to the viewer have been removed from the in-transit securing mechanism 66 to allow viewing of the closure of the reagent container 12 and the engagement element 94. Moreover, the illustration of the reagent cartridge has been omitted for clarity.

A respective sloping block-like engagement element 94 is provided on the inner side of each side plate 86 of the in-transit securing mechanism 66 and in the vicinity of the cover plate 84 for each reagent container 12, which engagement element 94 engages in sliding abutment with one of the adapter elements 56 provided on the cover 18 in the event of a displacement of the in-transit securing mechanism 66 relative to the reagent container assembly in the unlocking direction a from the locking position.

By displacing the in-transit securing mechanism 66 further in the unlocking direction a, as shown in fig. 15, the cover 18 is raised by means of the sloping block-like engagement elements 94 cooperating with the associated adapter elements 56 and is pivoted slightly in the opening direction.

To provide space for the fastening elements 57 to move upward in the process, an opening 96 is provided in the cover plate 84 of the in-transit fastening mechanism 66 for each cover 18.

These openings 96 are provided above the engagement bosses 80 in the locked position and can be widened to form viewing windows 97 that enable a user to view the engagement bosses 80 and thereby determine whether the in-transit securing mechanism 66 is, for example, properly fitted on the reagent cartridge 64 and in the locked position.

Furthermore, if desired, a smaller viewing window 98 (see fig. 9) can also be provided above the oblique block-like engagement element 94 in the cover plate 84 of the in-transit fastening means 66, said viewing window 98 enabling viewing of the engagement element 94 and enabling a user to view the cooperation between the engagement element 94 and the adapter element 56. However, it is not absolutely necessary to widen the opening 96 to form the observation window 97 and the observation window 98.

The in-transit securing mechanism 66 can be removed from the reagent cartridge 64 and moved out of the release position as shown in fig. 16. The reagent cartridge 64 (i.e., the reagent container assembly 15) with the reagent container 12 disposed therein can then be used in an automated analysis system. The in-transit securing mechanism 66 can be reused, for example, by sliding over the reagent cartridge 64 again.

Since the cover 18 of the reagent container 12 is moved from the in-transit securing position into the evaporation-preventing position by removing the in-transit securing mechanism 66, the cover 18 can now be opened only by means of a slight force exerted by the analysis system, as shown in fig. 7 and 8.

Even though in the example shown in the figures the unlocking direction a corresponds to the direction in which the in-transit securing mechanism slides onto the reagent container assembly, it is of course possible to configure the reagent cartridge such that: the in-transit securing mechanism is caused to slide onto the reagent container assembly in a direction extending opposite to the unlocking direction, for example by providing an engagement ramp on the in-transit securing mechanism for securing to the reagent container assembly and by the in-transit securing mechanism being formed open at the end face, said ramp rising in a further direction than the direction in which the engagement ramp of the first embodiment rises.

In fig. 17-28, a kit 110 according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown. In these figures, features corresponding to those of the first exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 16 are all denoted by reference numerals which are obtained by adding the numeral 100 to the reference numerals of the corresponding features of the first exemplary embodiment. If letters are used as reference numbers, the same letters are used in all embodiments.

In order to prevent unnecessary repetition, the following drawings will be described mainly with respect to the aspects thereof that differ from those of the corresponding drawings of the first exemplary embodiment. In addition, reference will be made to the above description of the first embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 16.

Fig. 17 shows in a perspective view an in-transit securing mechanism 166 of a reagent cartridge 110 according to the second exemplary embodiment, corresponding to the in-transit securing mechanism of fig. 11. Wherein a portion of the cover plate 184 of the in-transit securing mechanism 166 presses the cover 118 downward during in-transit (i.e., in the locked position of the in-transit securing mechanism 166), the portion is reduced to a narrow bar 185, and the opening 196 corresponding to the opening 96 of the example shown in fig. 1-16 is enlarged.

Furthermore, as can be seen from a comparison of fig. 17 and 11, the in-transit securing mechanism 166 of the reagent cartridge 110 according to the second exemplary embodiment further includes an additional engagement ramp 191 that is provided on the inner side of the side plate 186 of the in-transit securing mechanism 166 near the end plate 188 thereof and that is spaced apart from only one of the engagement ramps 190 corresponding to those of the first exemplary embodiment by a small distance.

Fig. 18 shows the fastening mechanism 166 in transit in a different perspective view, revealing that the additional engagement ramp 191 is also provided with an engagement groove 192.

Fig. 19 and 20 correspond to fig. 12 and 13 and show the reagent vessel 110 with the in-transit securing mechanism 166 mounted on the reagent container assembly 115 in a locked position, wherein in fig. 13 a side panel 186 of the in-transit securing mechanism 166 closer to a viewer is removed in order to allow unobstructed viewing of the interaction between the in-transit securing mechanism and the reagent container assembly 115.

In the locked position, the narrow rod 185 of the cover plate 184 is positioned directly above the fastening element 157 of the lid 118 of the reagent container 112, thereby fastening the lid 118 in the in-transit fastening position. Two engagement projections 180 provided on the side walls 176 of the cartridge frame 170 and adjacent the end walls 172 thereof rest in corresponding engagement recesses 192 provided in corresponding engagement ramps 190, thereby ensuring that the in-transit securing mechanism 166 does not inadvertently move from the locked position to the released position. With the in-transit securing mechanism 166 mounted on the reagent container assembly 115 and in the locked position, the reagent cartridge can be safely shipped to a user, for example, from a manufacturer.

Although only the engagement ramp 190 near the end plate 188 has the engagement projection 192 in this embodiment, it is also possible to provide similar engagement grooves on all of the engagement ramps 190.

Fig. 21 shows a perspective view of a reagent cartridge 110 according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein an in-transit fastening mechanism 166 has not yet been mounted to the reagent container assembly 115. For details, reference is made to the description of the first exemplary embodiment corresponding to fig. 9.

Fig. 22 to 24 correspond to fig. 14 to 16, with the difference that part of the reagent cartridge 164 is also shown in fig. 22 to 24. These figures show how the in-transit securing mechanism 166 is moved from the locked position (fig. 22) by sliding it in an unlocking direction a (fig. 23) relative to the reagent container assembly 115 such that the adapter elements 156 provided on the lid 118 engage the ramp-like engagement elements 194 provided on the inside of the in-transit securing mechanism 166, causing these ramp-like engagement elements 194 to slide upwards and thus rise upwards, moving the lid 118 from the closed lid position towards the evaporation-prevention position until the in-transit securing mechanism 166 reaches a release position (fig. 24) in which the narrow bars 185 of the upper lid panel 184 are positioned between adjacent lids 118 and all lids 118 are in the evaporation-prevention position. In this release position, the two engagement projections 180 provided on the side wall 176 of the cartridge frame 170 and near the end wall 172 thereof rest in corresponding engagement recesses 192 provided on the additional engagement ramp 191.

Fig. 25 to 27 show top views of the object of fig. 22 to 24.

In summary, in the reagent cartridge 110 of the second exemplary embodiment, the opening 196 provided on the upper cover plate 184 of the in-transit securing mechanism 166 is enlarged to such an extent that: in the release position of the in-transit securing mechanism 166, the lids 118 can be opened by the analysis system even with the in-transit securing mechanism 166 still on the reagent container assembly 115, as shown in fig. 28, which shows one of the lids 118 being opened by the pusher 160 of the analysis system (not otherwise shown here). The levers 185 of the upper cover plate 184 are positioned just between adjacent covers 118 in the release position so that these levers 185 do not obstruct the opening of the covers 118. Such in-transit securing mechanisms can be permanently retained on the reagent container assembly 115, particularly during analytical operations.

In order to limit the displacement travel between the locking position and the release position, according to a further variant of the first or second exemplary embodiment (not shown here), the lever can be arranged to move during unlocking over the free lid end opposite (i.e. in exactly the opposite direction) to the respective lid axis, as in the embodiment described in the figures. For this purpose, the ramp-like engagement elements of the in-transit securing mechanism, which cooperate with the adapter element 56 during unlocking to lift the cover, can be formed at slightly different positions, so that the ramps are raised in a direction which is different from the direction in which the ramps of the engagement elements 94, 194 of the first and second exemplary embodiments, respectively, are raised. Thereby, the displacement stroke can be limited to about 5 mm to 7 mm.

Finally, in all the embodiments described, further stop elements can be provided on the in-transit securing mechanism and the reagent container assembly in order to prevent unintentional movement of the in-transit securing mechanism from the locking position and/or from the release position.

Claims (16)

1. A kit (10; 110) comprising:

-a reagent container assembly (15; 115) having at least one reagent container (12; 112) for containing a substance, the reagent container (12; 112) comprising at least one container body (13; 113) and at least one closure (14; 114), the closure (14; 114) being associated with the container body (13; 113) and being mountable or arranged on the container body (13; 113), wherein the closure (14; 114) comprises a closure base member (16; 116) and a lid (18; 118), the lid (18; 118) being movably supported on the closure base member (16; 116) for movement at least between a closed lid position and another lid position; and

-an in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166), which in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) is mountable or mounted on the reagent container assembly (15; 115) in a locked position and which in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) is movable relative to the reagent container assembly (15; 115) from the locked position into a released position when mounted on the reagent container assembly (15; 115), wherein in the locked position the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) secures the lid (18; 118) in the closed lid position;

characterized in that the cover (18; 118) is moved from the closed cover position into the further cover position by moving the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) from the locking position into the release position relative to the reagent container assembly (15; 115).

2. The reagent cartridge (10; 110) according to claim 1, wherein the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) is removable from the reagent container assembly (15; 115) for moving out of the release position.

3. The reagent cartridge (10; 110) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the further lid position is an open lid position.

4. A kit (10; 110) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the further lid position is an anti-evaporation position and the closed lid position is an in-transit secured position, wherein the lid (18; 118) is movably supported on the closure base member (16; 116) for movement between the in-transit secured position, the anti-evaporation position and an open lid position.

5. The cartridge (10; 110) according to claim 3, characterized in that the cartridge (10; 110) further comprises a preloading mechanism for preloading the lid (18; 118) from the open lid position towards the closed lid position.

6. The cartridge (10; 110) according to claim 4, wherein the cartridge (10; 110) further comprises a preloading means (40; 140), the preloading means (40; 140) being adapted to preload the lid (18; 118) from the open lid position towards the evaporation prevention position.

7. The cartridge (10; 110) of claim 5 or 6, wherein the preloading means (40; 140) is formed in one piece with the closure bottom member (16; 116).

8. The reagent cartridge (10; 110) according to claim 1, wherein the lid (18; 118) is pivotally mounted on the closure bottom member (16; 116) for pivotal movement about a lid axis (18 a; 118 a).

9. Kit (10; 110) according to claim 8, characterized in that the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) is movable by a sliding displacement relative to the reagent container assembly (15; 115) in an unlocking direction (A) from the locking position into the release position, wherein the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) comprises at least one sloping block-like engagement element (94; 194) and the lid (18; 118) comprises at least one adapter element (56; 156), the adapter element (56; 156) cooperating with the engagement element (94; 194) in such a way that by a sliding displacement of the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) mounted on the reagent container assembly (15; 115) in the unlocking direction (A) from the locking position, the engagement element (94; 194) and the adapter element (56; 156) are in or enter into sliding abutting engagement with each other, such that the lid (18; 118) can be moved from the closed lid position into the further lid position by a sliding displacement of the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) in the unlocking direction (A) into the release position.

10. The kit (10; 110) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reagent container assembly (15; 115) comprises a plurality of reagent containers (12; 112); and wherein the lids (18; 118) of the reagent containers (12; 112) are each moved from the closed lid position into the further lid position by moving the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) from the locking position into the release position.

11. The kit (10; 110) according to claim 1, characterized in that the reagent container assembly (15; 115) comprises 3 to 5 reagent containers (12; 112); and wherein the lids (18; 118) of the reagent containers (12; 112) are each moved from the closed lid position into the further lid position by moving the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) from the locking position into the release position.

12. The kit (10; 110) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the reagent container assembly (15; 115) comprises a plurality of reagent containers (12; 112); and wherein the lids (18; 118) of the reagent containers (12; 112) are each moved from the closed lid position into the further lid position by moving the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) from the locking position into the release position.

13. The kit (10; 110) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the reagent container assembly (15; 115) comprises 3 to 5 reagent containers (12; 112); and wherein the lids (18; 118) of the reagent containers (12; 112) are each moved from the closed lid position into the further lid position by moving the in-transit securing mechanism (66; 166) from the locking position into the release position.

14. Kit (10; 110) according to claim 12, characterized in that the reagent containers (12; 112) are arranged in a row along the unlocking direction (a), wherein the lid axis (18 a; 118 a) of the lid (18; 118) mounted or provided on the reagent container (12; 112) extends substantially orthogonally to the unlocking direction (a).

15. Kit (10; 110) according to claim 13, characterized in that the reagent containers (12; 112) are arranged in a row along the unlocking direction (a), wherein the lid axis (18 a; 118 a) of the lid (18; 118) mounted or provided on the reagent container (12; 112) extends substantially orthogonally to the unlocking direction (a).

16. The reagent cartridge (10; 110) according to claim 1, wherein the reagent container assembly (15; 115) further comprises a reagent cartridge (64; 164), one reagent container (12; 112) or a plurality of the reagent containers (12; 112) being mountable or arranged on the reagent cartridge (64; 164).