HK1261361A1 - Cap and induction seal designed to be opened by piercing in a diagnostic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

Cap and inductive seal designed to be opened by piercing in a diagnostic analyzer

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/357,911, filed 2016, month 7, day 1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to caps and seals for containers used in diagnostic analyzers, and more particularly, to induction sealed containers having removable caps to conceal mouths of reagent containers used in diagnostic analyzers.

Background

Caps, particularly injection molded screw caps, are commonly used to seal containers such as bottles. The main function of the cap is to keep the container closed and leak-free until the contents of the container are to be used.

Known screw caps operate acceptably when mounted on containers sealed by an inductive sealing membrane. Inside such a cap, an "energy director" projector may be included to apply pressure to the contact area of the top throat surface of the container and the thermal bond layer of the membrane. Such a film may comprise a layer of aluminium foil between two polymer layers, for example polyethylene and polypropylene. The bottom polymer layer is sealed to the opening of the container by induction heating of the aluminum foil layer, thereby melting and bonding the bottom polymer layer to the container. The seal serves to protect the contents of the container and forms a leak-proof closure for the container. Access to the container contents is made by removing the cap and manually peeling or perforating the induction sealing membrane.

However, when used in an automated process requiring high throughput, such as a diagnostic analyzer, manual removal of the cap and manual peeling/perforation of the membrane is undesirable due to the amount of time required for the operator and the opportunity to introduce cross-contamination. Accordingly, there is a need to provide access to the contents of a container in an automated manner in a diagnostic analyzer while reducing the possibility of cross-contamination and spillage.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments relate to a removable cap with a top hole and a seal with a heat-sensitive closure for sealing an opening of a container.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for covering reagent containers used in a diagnostic analyzer in an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) environment includes: a cap comprising a side wall and a top wall, the cap having an open access aperture on and through the top wall, the cap configured to attach to a throat of the reagent container, the throat comprising an opening; and an induction seal for sealing the opening of the throat of the reagent container. The induction seal comprises: a first polymeric sealing layer configured to be heat sealed to an outer surface of the opening of the throat of the reagent container; an aluminum foil layer disposed on top of the first polymeric sealing layer and configured to heat seal the first polymeric sealing layer to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the reagent container by induction heating; and a second polymer layer disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer and configured to protect the aluminum foil layer and the first polymer layer. The induction seal is accessible through the open access aperture of the cap and is configured to open through a piercing device and maintain an open shape upon piercing while remaining adhered to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the reagent container.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus for storing one or more fluids in a diagnostic analyzer in an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) environment includes: a container comprising one or more storage sections, each storage section comprising a throat having a throat sidewall, an opening, and an outer surface of the opening; one or more caps, each cap comprising a side wall and a top wall, the cap having an open access aperture on and through the top wall, the cap configured to attach to the throat of the storage portion of the container; and one or more induction seals, each of the one or more induction seals corresponding to a respective pair of one of the one or more caps and one of the one or more storage portions, the induction seals for sealing the opening of the throat of the storage portion of the container. Each induction seal includes: a first polymeric sealing layer configured to be heat sealed to an outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion; an aluminum foil layer disposed on top of the first polymeric sealing layer and configured to heat seal the first polymeric sealing layer to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion by induction heating; and a second polymer layer disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer and configured to protect the aluminum foil layer and the first polymer layer. The induction seal is accessible through the open access aperture of the cap and is configured to open through a piercing device and maintain an open shape when pierced while remaining adhered to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion.

Drawings

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention are best understood from the following detailed description, when read with the accompanying drawing figures. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following figures:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams depicting views of a cap and seal according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating aspects of a multilayer seal according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary container, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary container having a seal covering an opening of the container, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary container having a cap and a seal attached thereto, wherein the seal is pierced, in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary container having a seal attached thereto, and wherein the seal is pierced, in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is a layout of an exemplary system architecture in which embodiments of the present invention may be used, according to one embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments relate to a removable cap with a top hole and a seal with a heat-sensitive closure for sealing an opening of a container. Advantageously, according to embodiments provided herein, when used in a diagnostic analyzer, the cap and the seal need not be removed to access the probe to the contents of the container, thereby eliminating the steps of cap removal and seal peeling or puncturing by the operator. According to an embodiment, automatic opening of the cap and seal combination is provided by piercing the seal without removing the cap from the container. The seal advantageously retains its open shape required for unimpeded non-contact probe access to the contents of the container. The problems of cross-contamination and level sensing are addressed by preventing accidental probe contact with surfaces other than the contents of the container.

Although the embodiments are described with respect to reagent containers for use in diagnostic or clinical analyzers, the invention is not so limited. The caps and seals provided herein may be used in any type of environment in which it is desirable to open a seal on a container in order to access the contents contained in the container.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, features of a cap 100 and a seal 150 are illustrated, according to one embodiment. Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of the cap 100 and seal 150, and fig. 2 provides a lower perspective view of the cap 100 and seal 150.

The cap 100 includes a sidewall 110 and a top wall 120. The side walls 110 and the top wall 120 define an interior portion 130 of the cap 100 (see fig. 2).

As shown in the embodiment of fig. 1 and 2, a portion of the side wall 110 and top wall 120 may have a series of ridges 112 on their outer surfaces to aid in gripping the cap 100. The cap 100 is not limited to this configuration, and the side walls 110 and/or top wall 120 may alternatively have a smooth outer surface or other surface texture.

With continued reference to fig. 1 and 2, an open access aperture 122 is formed in the top wall 120 of the cap 100 and through the top wall 120 of the cap 100. In one embodiment, the open access hole 122 is a central hole in the top wall 120. The portion of the top wall 120 surrounding the open access aperture 122 includes an upper flat portion 124 (see fig. 1), an aperture sidewall 126 (see fig. 1 and 2), and a bottom projector 128 (see fig. 2).

As shown in fig. 2, the inner sidewall 140 of the cap 100 may include threads 142 and/or one or more protrusions 144 for connecting the cap 100 to a container, as described below. The cap 100 is not limited to this configuration of the inner sidewall 140 and other designs may alternatively be utilized, for example, the inner sidewall 140 having components for snap-fitting the cap 100 to a container, or the like.

In one embodiment, cap 100 is formed from polypropylene, such as high density polypropylene, but cap 100 is not so limited.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the seal 150 is generally circular in shape with one or more protruding tabs 152. The protrusion 152 may have a generally square or rectangular shape, but in other embodiments, other shapes (e.g., triangular) may also be utilized. In one embodiment, the tab 152 is not included. In such embodiments, the circular shape of the seal 150 may have a larger diameter to accommodate fitting on a container.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating additional aspects of a seal 150 according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, the seal 150 includes three layers, namely: a first (bottom) polymeric sealing layer 160 comprising a heat sealable polymer capable of being heat sealed to a container; an aluminium foil (middle) layer 170 arranged on top of the first polymeric sealing layer 160, comprising aluminium foil, to heat seal the first polymeric sealing layer 160 by induction heating of aluminium; and a second (top) polymer layer 180 disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer 170 configured to protect the aluminum foil layer 170 and the first polymer sealant layer 160.

Each of the layers 160, 170, and 180 may have one or more protruding tabs 162, 172, and 182, respectively.

In one embodiment, the first polymeric sealing layer 160 comprises polyethylene and the second polymeric layer 180 comprises polyethylene terephthalate. In one embodiment, the second polymer layer 180 comprising polyethylene terephthalate forms a laminate with the aluminum foil layer 170.

Fig. 4 is an illustration of an exemplary container 200 that may be used with the cap 100 and seal 150. Other types of containers or variations of the container 200 may also be used, and the cap 100 and seal 150 are not limited to use with the example container 200 described herein. Detailed features of exemplary reagent containers are provided in PCT patent application serial No. PCT/US14/019078, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

For example, according to one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the container 200 includes two storage portions (or packages) 210, 220 configured to hold a fluid (e.g., reagent fluid) or other material (e.g., powder) for a particular on-board diagnostic test on a diagnostic analyzer. The grip portion 230 may extend between the two storage packages 210, 220, and in one embodiment, the grip portion 230 is a substantially flat surface that may have one or more protrusions or grip portions disposed thereon.

According to embodiments provided herein, each storage portion 210, 220 includes a throat 211, 221, respectively, to which the cap 100 and seal 150 may be attached. Throat 211 includes an opening 212, a throat sidewall 213, and a top surface 214 of throat sidewall 213 (i.e., an outer surface of opening 212). Throat sidewall threads 215 may be formed on throat sidewall 213 for mating with threads 142 of inner sidewall 140 of cap 100. As noted above, the container 200 and the cap 100 are not limited to a threaded configuration, and each may alternatively have other features or characteristics (e.g., snap-fit features, etc.) for mating the cap 100 and the container 200 together. Similar to throat 211, throat 221 includes an opening 222, a throat sidewall 223, and a top surface 224 of throat sidewall 223 (i.e., an outer surface of opening 222). Throat sidewall threads 225 may be formed on throat sidewall 223 for mating with threads 142 of inner sidewall 140 of cap 100.

Of course, the container 200 shown in fig. 4 and described herein with reference to fig. 4 is purely exemplary and is not limited to the cap 100 and seal 150 disclosed herein. For example, in one embodiment, a container to be used with the cap 100 and seal 150 may have a single storage portion in accordance with embodiments provided herein. Furthermore, the container 200 or a variation thereof need not be used to store reagent fluids for use in a diagnostic analyzer.

Fig. 5 depicts an exemplary container 200 having seals 150a, 150b that seal to the top surfaces 214, 224 of throat sidewalls 213, 223, respectively, to cover openings 212, 222, according to one embodiment.

Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary container 200 according to one embodiment having caps 100a, 100b attached to throats 211, 221, respectively, and having pierced seals 155a, 155b that seal to top surfaces 214, 224 of throat sidewalls 213, 223, respectively, to cover openings 212, 222. As shown in fig. 6, the pierced seals 155a, 155b (the seals 150a, 150b pierced by the piercing tool) provide access to the contents of the container 200 via the openings 156a, 156b of the pierced seals 155a, 155 b. As shown, the openings 212, 222 of the container 200 are accessible through the open access apertures 122a, 122b of the caps 100a, 100b via the openings 156a, 156b of the pierced seals 155a, 155 b.

Fig. 7 provides a view of an exemplary container 200 having pierced seals 155a, 155b attached thereto, with caps 100a, 100b removed, according to one embodiment.

According to embodiments herein, the first polymeric sealing layer 160 performs a seal adhesion function by applying thermal energy (from induction heating of the aluminum foil layer 170) and contact pressure (from the cap 100, and in particular from the bottom projector 128 of the cap 100, which holds the seal 150 within the cap 100 in place between the top surfaces 214, 224 of the throats 211, 221 of the cap 100 and container 200 during the sealing process) to cause molecular bonding of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 and the container 200 due to the matching material composition of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 and the container 200.

According to embodiments herein, the aluminum foil layer 170 performs the following functions: inductively transferring heat to the first and second polymeric sealing layers 160, 180 of polyethylene for heat sealing bonding the first polymeric sealing layer 160 molecules to the top surfaces 214, 224 of the throats 211, 221 of the vessel 200; and the formable and "memory" forming characteristics of the aluminum foil layer 170, introduce shape retention capabilities and, therefore, the ability to "hold open" the first and second polymeric sealing layers 160, 180.

According to one embodiment, second polymer layer 180 is exposed to the external environment surrounding cap 100, seal 150, and container 200, thereby providing a protective layer for first polymer sealant layer 160 and aluminum foil layer 170 from degradation associated with environmental or external exposure to contaminants. As such, the second polymer layer 180 is an environmental, vapor and water tight seal.

According to one embodiment, the heat-induced adhesion (i.e., holding) force (power) of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 to the container 200 is greater than the force of the peel force between the force of the first layer 160 to the second layer 170 and the force of the second layer 170 to the third layer 180.

In one embodiment, the holding power (holding power) of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 is greater than the shear force required to perforate the aluminum foil layer 170 and the second polymeric layer 180.

According to one embodiment, the second polymer layer 180 comprises a different material than the cap 100. In one embodiment, the second polymeric layer 180 and the cap 100 have a difference in release force (releasing power) from the first polymeric sealing layer 160 to the container 200 based on the difference in their respective materials. The differences in materials between the cap 100, foil layer 170, and polymeric sealing layers 160, 180 isolate the cap 100, thereby preventing inductive process sticking of the cap 100 to the seal 150.

In one embodiment, the melting temperature of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 is higher than the melting temperature of the second polymeric layer 180.

As shown in fig. 7, removal of the caps 100a, 100b from the container 200 does not result in damage to or otherwise affect the pierced seals 155a, 155b, thereby preventing leakage due to loosening of the caps 100a, 100b, and the seals 150a, 150b or the pierced seals 155a, 155b remain adhered to the container 200. Due to the piercing of the seals 150a, 150b, full open access to the contents of the container 200 is achieved without the probe or instrument contacting the pierced seals 155a, 155 b.

According to one embodiment, the seal 150 is placed within the interior portion 130 of the cap 100. The cap 100 is attached to the throat 211, 221 of the container 200, and thus, the cap 100 and seal 150 are in contact with the top surface 214, 224 of the throat sidewall 213, 223 (i.e., the outer surface of the opening 212, 222) through the projector 128 of the cap 100. The cap 100 and seal 150 are exposed to an induction heat source according to methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Aluminum foil layer 170 of seal 150 transfers heat to first polymeric sealant layer 160 to bond seal 150 to top surfaces 214, 224 of throat sidewalls 213, 223 of container 200. According to one embodiment, the thermal induction is such that the attachment of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 is continuous and void free, such that the first polymeric sealing layer 160 is molecularly bonded from both surfaces (i.e., the top surfaces 214, 224 of the container throats 211, 221 and the underside of the first polymeric sealing layer 160). Application of heat to the aluminum foil layer 170 melts the polymer surface of layer 160 and causes the sealing layer 160 of polypropylene to molecularly bond to the container throat top surfaces 214, 224 of polypropylene. Removal of the cap 100 after heat induction will not defeat or damage the sealing surfaces of the container 200 and the sealed closure will remain until it is penetrated or pierced by the piercing device. Piercing of the seal 150 by penetration of an opener or piercing device creates an underside curl formation of the seal 150 (i.e., pierced seals 155a, 155b as shown in fig. 6 and 7), which seal 150 remains open due to the tension of the aluminum foil layer 170 of the sealing laminate. Penetration or piercing of the seal 150 may be accomplished by automation, but may also be accomplished manually with a manual tool used by an operator.

According to one embodiment herein, the cap 100 need not be removed to penetrate the seal 150, and once perforated, the aluminum foil layer 170 retains the pierced shape of the opening 156 to provide continued access to the contents of the container 200. Penetration of the seal 150 results in the formation of a pierced seal opening 156 and controls the size of the pierced seal opening 156. Limited to the size of the open access aperture 122, the crimped access flange (i.e., the opening 156 of the pierced seal 155) then becomes a physical method of maintaining the opening and preventing the probe or other instrument from contacting the pierced seal 155 (e.g., in one embodiment, the open access aperture 122 comprises a 9.1mm opening as compared to a 1.5mm diameter of the probe). The aluminum protrusion maintains separation of the seal 150 and prevents retraction or reclosing of the pierced seal opening 156, thereby eliminating contact contamination of the probe with inhalants (asprations) and aerosolized particles deposited on the seal 150. The seal 150 remains attached to the container throat top surfaces 214, 224 and remains intact even if the cap 100 is removed. Repeated probe access to the container 200 is provided, including emptying the container 200, without the seal 150 interfering with the accessed probe.

As disclosed herein, the combination of the cap 100 and seal 150 covering the container 200 and providing access to the contents contained therein has several advantages, namely: the seal 150 protects the contents from waste and spillage; operator spillage is reduced; pollution events are reduced; the ease of use and operability are increased. Furthermore, instrumental errors of the probe in contact with unintended contaminations are also prevented, leading to improved reliability and performance for the customer. In embodiments of the diagnostic analyzer in which the container 200 is used for reagents, the automatic opening and preparation of the container seal 150 for the reagent probe increases the value of the instrument performance during single-cycle or full-cycle loading of the reagent probe by creating a large access target (i.e., pierced seal openings 156a, 156 b) without seal obstruction. The non-utilizable hours (non-utilizationhour) observed from the contact of the probe with the sealing material were eliminated. Customer profits increase due to increased reliability of reagent probe access and elimination of the current large amount of operator time.

FIG. 8 provides a layout of an exemplary system architecture 800 in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented, according to one embodiment. Shown in fig. 8: various transfer arms 810 (810 a, 810b, 810c, and 810 d) with corresponding probes; a dilution carousel 820 comprising a plurality of dilution containers arranged in one or more dilution rings; a reaction carousel 830 comprising a plurality of reaction vessels arranged in one or more reaction rings; and reagent storage regions 840a and 840b dedicated to storing and supplying respective reagents, each of the reagent storage regions 840a and 840b including a space for a plurality of reagent containers. In operation, the transfer arm 810a and its corresponding probe may be operated to transfer a sample from an access location to one or more dilution containers on the dilution carousel 820 to produce a dilution therein. The transfer arm 810b and its corresponding probe may operate to transfer the dilution from the dilution vessel to the reaction vessel on the reaction carousel 830. The transfer arms 810c and 810d and their corresponding probes may be operated to transfer reagents from the reagent storage regions 840a and 840b, respectively, to reaction vessels on the reaction carousel 830. The various transfers occur through the use of a pumping mechanism (not shown), such as a piston pump, for example, attached to the transfer arm 810. In addition, the system architecture 800 also includes one or more controllers (not shown) for controlling the operation of the various components including the transfer arm 810, the probe, and the carousel.

Also included in the system architecture 800 is a reagent processing system 850 for transferring one or more of the containers 200 to and/or from the reagent storage regions 840a and 840 b. According to one embodiment, the reagent processing system 850 includes a reagent server module 855, which in one embodiment is a refrigerated storage enclosure including one or more indexing rings (indexing rings) for storing reagent containers 200.

The tray 860 is configured to hold one or more containers 200 for transfer to and from the reagent server module 855. The tray 860 is accessible by an operator for manually loading and unloading the containers 200 to and from the tray 860, the tray 860 being movable on a track.

In one embodiment, a gripper assembly 865 is provided to automatically transfer containers 200 (with caps 100 and seals 150 according to embodiments disclosed herein) between trays 860 and reagent server modules 855. The gripper assembly 865 moves along the horizontal transfer arm 870 while gripping the container 200 to transfer the container 200. In one embodiment, the gripper assembly 865 includes a pair of gripper fingers vertically oriented and opposed to each other for gripping a portion of the container 200 and for piercing or penetrating the seal 150 attached to the container 200 without removing the attached cap 100.

The system architecture 800 of fig. 8 and the accompanying description are purely exemplary and are not limited to the cap 100 and seal 150 disclosed herein. The system architecture 800 is only one exemplary system in which the cap 100 and seal 150 may be used.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiment of the present invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus for overlaying reagent containers for use in a diagnostic analyzer in an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) environment, the apparatus comprising:

a cap comprising a side wall and a top wall, the cap having an open access aperture on and through the top wall, the cap configured to attach to a throat of the reagent container, the throat comprising an opening; and

an induction seal for sealing the opening of the throat of the reagent container, the induction seal comprising:

a first polymeric sealing layer configured to be heat sealed to an outer surface of the opening of the throat of the reagent container;

an aluminum foil layer disposed on top of the first polymeric sealing layer and configured to heat seal the first polymeric sealing layer to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the reagent container by induction heating; and

a second polymer layer disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer and configured to protect the aluminum foil layer and first polymer layer;

wherein the induction seal is accessible through the open access aperture of the cap and is configured to open through a piercing device and maintain an open shape upon piercing while remaining adhered to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the reagent container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aluminum foil layer transfers inductive heat to the first polymeric sealant layer and the second polymeric layer for molecular heat seal bonding of the first polymeric sealant layer to the outer surface of the opening of the throat portion of the reagent container; and wherein the physical properties of the aluminum foil layer are such that the first polymeric sealant layer and the second polymeric layer retain the open shape upon perforation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first polymeric sealing layer comprises polyethylene.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second polymer layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portion of the top wall surrounding the open access aperture comprises an upper flat portion, an aperture sidewall, and a bottom projector within an interior portion of the cap, wherein the bottom projector provides contact pressure to hold the seal in place between the cap and the container during the induction heating.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises one of a screw-type cap or a snap-in cap.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein a heat-induced adhesion force of the first polymeric sealant layer to the reagent container is greater than a peel force between a force of the first polymeric sealant layer to the aluminum foil layer and a force of the aluminum foil layer to the second polymeric layer.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a holding force of the first polymeric sealant layer is greater than a shear force required to penetrate the aluminum foil layer and the second polymeric layer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second polymer layer comprises a different material than the cap, wherein the second polymer layer and the cap differ from the first polymer sealing layer in release force on the container based on the difference in their respective materials.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first polymeric sealing layer has a melting temperature higher than a melting temperature of the second polymeric layer.

11. An apparatus for storing one or more fluids in a diagnostic analyzer in an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) environment, the apparatus comprising:

a container comprising one or more storage sections, each storage section comprising a throat having a throat sidewall, an opening, and an outer surface of the opening;

one or more caps, each cap comprising a side wall and a top wall, the cap having an open access aperture on and through the top wall, the cap configured to attach to the throat of the storage portion of the container; and

one or more induction seals, each of the one or more induction seals corresponding to a respective pair of one of the one or more caps and one of the one or more storage portions, the induction seals for sealing the opening of the throat of the storage portion of the container, each induction seal comprising:

a first polymeric sealing layer configured to be heat sealed to an outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion;

an aluminum foil layer disposed on top of the first polymeric sealing layer and configured to heat seal the first polymeric sealing layer to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion by induction heating; and

a second polymer layer disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer and configured to protect the aluminum foil layer and first polymer layer;

wherein the induction seal is accessible through the open access aperture of the cap and is configured to open through a piercing device and maintain an open shape when pierced while remaining adhered to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the throat further comprises throat sidewall threads formed on the throat sidewall, wherein the cap further comprises cap threads formed on an inner sidewall of the cap, wherein the throat sidewall threads and the cap threads are configured to mate with one another to attach the cap to the throat of the storage portion of the container.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the contents of each of the one or more storage portions are accessible through the open access hole and the perforated induction seal of the cap without removing the cap.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the aluminum foil layer transfers inductive heat to the first polymeric sealant and the second polymeric layer for molecular heat seal bonding of the first polymeric sealant to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion; and wherein the physical properties of the aluminum foil layer are such that the first polymeric sealant and the second polymeric layer retain the open shape upon perforation, the opening of the perforation remaining of sufficient size to allow the entry of a reagent probe without contacting the first polymeric sealant.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the portion of the top wall surrounding the open access aperture comprises an upper flat portion, an aperture sidewall, and a bottom projector within an interior portion of the cap, wherein the bottom projector provides contact pressure to hold the seal in place between the cap and the storage portion of the container during the induction heating.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a heat-induced adhesion force of the first polymeric sealant layer to the container is greater than a peel force between a force of the first polymeric sealant layer to the aluminum foil layer and a force of the aluminum foil layer to the second polymeric layer.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a holding force of the first polymeric sealant layer is greater than a shear force required to penetrate the aluminum foil layer and the second polymeric layer.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second polymer layer comprises a different material than the cap, wherein the second polymer layer and the cap differ from the first polymer sealing layer in release force on the container based on the difference in their respective materials.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first polymeric sealing layer has a melting temperature higher than a melting temperature of the second polymeric layer.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first polymeric sealing layer comprises polyethylene, and wherein the second polymeric layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate.