HK1261361B - Cap and induction seal designed to be opened by piercing in a diagnostic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

Caps and inductive seals designed to be opened by puncture in diagnostic analyzers

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/357,911, filed on July 1, 2016, 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 the mouths of reagent containers used in diagnostic analyzers.

Background Art

Caps, particularly injection-molded screw caps, are commonly used to seal containers such as bottles. The primary 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 induction sealing membranes. Inside such caps, an "energy director" projector may be included to apply pressure to the contact area between the top throat surface of the container and the thermal bonding layer of the membrane. Such a membrane may comprise a layer of aluminium foil between two polymer layers, such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The bottom polymer layer is sealed to the opening of the container by induction heating of the aluminium foil layer, thereby melting the bottom polymer layer and bonding it to the container. The seal serves to protect the contents of the container and to form a leak-proof closure for the container. Access to the contents of the container is achieved by removing the cap and manually peeling off or perforating the induction sealing membrane.

However, when used in automated processes requiring high throughput, such as diagnostic analyzers, manual removal of caps and manual stripping/perforation of membranes is undesirable due to the amount of operator-induced time required and the opportunity for introduction of cross-contamination. Therefore, there is a need to provide access to the contents of a container in an automated manner in a diagnostic analyzer while reducing the potential for cross-contamination and spillage.

Summary of the Invention

Embodiments are directed to a removable cap having a top hole and a seal having a heat-induction closure for sealing an opening of a container.

In one embodiment, a device for covering a reagent container used in a diagnostic analyzer in an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) environment includes: a cap including a sidewall and a top wall, the cap having an open access hole on and through the top wall, the cap configured to be attached to a throat of the reagent container, the throat including an opening; and an induction seal for sealing the opening of the throat of the reagent container. The induction seal includes: a first polymer sealing layer configured to heat seal to an outer surface of the opening of the throat of the reagent container; an aluminum foil layer disposed on top of the first polymer sealing layer and configured to heat seal the first polymer sealing layer to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the reagent container via 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 hole of the cap and is configured to be opened by a piercing device and to maintain an open shape during 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 comprises: a container including one or more storage portions, each storage portion including a throat having a throat sidewall, an opening, and an outer surface of the opening; one or more caps, each cap including a sidewall and a top wall, the cap having an open access hole on and through the top wall, the cap being 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 corresponding pair of one of the one or more caps and one of the one or more storage portions, the induction seals being used to seal the opening of the throat of the storage portion of the container. Each induction seal comprises: a first polymer sealing layer configured to heat seal to an outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion; an aluminum foil layer disposed on top of the first polymer sealing layer and configured to heat seal the first polymer 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 hole of the cap and is configured to be opened by a piercing device and to maintain an open shape when pierced while remaining adhered to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will be best understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings presently preferred embodiments, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following diagrams:

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

FIG3 is a diagram illustrating aspects of a multi-layer seal according to one embodiment;

FIG4 is a diagram of an exemplary container according to one embodiment;

FIG5 illustrates an exemplary container having a seal covering an opening of the container according to one embodiment;

FIG6 illustrates an exemplary container having a cap and a seal attached thereto, wherein the seal is pierced, according to one embodiment;

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

FIG8 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 for sealing the opening of a container and a seal with a heat-sensitive closure. Advantageously, according to the embodiments provided herein, when used in a diagnostic analyzer, the cap and the seal do not need to be removed to allow a probe to approach the contents of the container, thereby eliminating the operator's cap removal and seal peeling or perforation steps. According to an embodiment, the automatic opening of the cap and seal combination is provided by piercing the seal without removing the cap from the container. The seal advantageously maintains its open shape, which is required for unimpeded contactless probe access to the contents of the container. By preventing accidental contact of the probe with the surface other than the contents of the container, the problems of cross contamination and level sensing are solved.

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 therein.

1 and 2, features of a cap 100 and a seal 150 are illustrated according to one embodiment. FIG1 is a top perspective view of the cap 100 and seal 150, and FIG2 provides an underside perspective view of the cap 100 and seal 150.

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

1 and 2 , a portion of the sidewall 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 sidewall 110 and/or top wall 120 may alternatively have a smooth outer surface or other surface texture.

1 and 2 , an open access hole 122 is formed in 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 hole 122 includes an upper flat portion 124 (see FIG. 1 ), hole sidewalls 126 (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 ), and a bottom projector 128 (see FIG. 2 ).

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 may alternatively utilize other designs, e.g., an inner sidewall 140 having features for snap-fitting the cap 100 to the container, etc.

In one embodiment, the cap 100 is formed of polypropylene, such as high-density polypropylene, but the cap 100 is not limited thereto.

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

FIG3 is a diagram illustrating additional aspects of a seal 150 according to one embodiment. According to one embodiment, the seal 150 includes three layers: a first (bottom) polymer sealing layer 160 comprising a heat-sealable polymer capable of heat sealing to a container; an aluminum foil (middle) layer 170 disposed on top of the first polymer sealing layer 160 and comprising aluminum foil to heat seal the first polymer sealing layer 160 by induction heating of the aluminum; and a second (top) polymer layer 180 disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer 170 and configured to protect the aluminum foil layer 170 and the first polymer sealing layer 160.

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

In one embodiment, the first polymer sealing layer 160 comprises polyethylene and the second polymer 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.

4 is a diagram of an exemplary container 200 that can be used with the cap 100 and the seal 150. Other types of containers or variations of the container 200 can also be used, and the cap 100 and the seal 150 are not limited to use with the exemplary container 200 described herein. Detailed features of exemplary reagent containers are provided in PCT patent application serial number PCT/US14/019078, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

For example, according to one embodiment, as shown in FIG4 , a container 200 includes two storage portions (or packages) 210, 220 configured to hold fluids (e.g., reagent fluids) or other materials (e.g., powders) for a specific on-board diagnostic test on a diagnostic analyzer. A gripping portion 230 may extend between the two storage packages 210, 220, and in one embodiment, the gripping portion 230 is a substantially flat surface that may have one or more protrusions or gripping portions disposed thereon.

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

Of course, the container 200 shown in FIG4 and described herein with reference to FIG4 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 according to the embodiments provided herein can have a single storage portion. Furthermore, the container 200 or variations thereof need not be used to store reagent fluids for use in a diagnostic analyzer.

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

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 sealed to top surfaces 214, 224 of throat sidewalls 213, 223, respectively, to cover openings 212, 222. As shown in FIG6 , the pierced seals 155a, 155b (seals 150a, 150b pierced by a piercing tool) provide access to the contents of the container 200 via openings 156a, 156b of the pierced seals 155a, 155b. As shown, the openings 212, 222 of the container 200 are accessible through the open access holes 122a, 122b of the caps 100a, 100b via the openings 156a, 156b of the pierced seals 155a, 155b.

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

According to embodiments herein, the first polymer 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 the container 200 during the sealing process) to result in molecular bonding of the first polymer sealing layer 160 and the container 200 due to their matching material compositions.

According to the embodiments of the present invention, the aluminum foil layer 170 performs the following functions: transferring induced heat to the first polymer sealing layer 160 and the second polymer layer 180 of polyethylene, for molecularly heat sealing the first polymer sealing layer 160 to the top surface 214, 224 of the throat 211, 221 of the container 200; and the formable and "memory" forming properties of the aluminum foil layer 170 introduce shape retention capabilities, and therefore, introduce the ability to "keep open" the first polymer sealing layer 160 and the second polymer layer 180.

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

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

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

According to one embodiment, second polymer layer 180 comprises a different material than cap 100. In one embodiment, second polymer layer 180 and cap 100 have a different releasing force than first polymer sealing layer 160 on container 200 due to their respective material differences. The material differences between cap 100, foil layer 170, and polymer sealing layers 160, 180 isolate cap 100, thereby preventing cap 100 from sticking to seal 150 during the induction process.

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

7 , removal of the cap 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 cap 100a, 100b, and the seal 150a, 150b or pierced seal 155a, 155b remains adhered to the container 200. Due to the piercing of the seal 150a, 150b, fully open access to the contents of the container 200 is achieved without a probe or instrument contacting the pierced seal 155a, 155b.

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 the seal 150 are in contact with the top surfaces 214, 224 of the throat sidewalls 213, 223 (i.e., the outer surfaces of the openings 212, 222) via the projector 128 of the cap 100. According to methods known to those skilled in the art, the cap 100 and the seal 150 are exposed to an induction heat source. The aluminum foil layer 170 of the seal 150 transfers heat to the first polymer sealing layer 160, bonding the seal 150 to the top surfaces 214, 224 of the throat sidewalls 213, 223 of the container 200. According to one embodiment, heat induction causes the attachment of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 to be continuous and void-free, causing the first polymeric sealing layer 160 to molecularly bond from two surfaces (i.e., the top surfaces 214, 224 of the container throats 211, 221 and the underside of the first polymeric sealing layer 160). Applying heat to the aluminum foil layer 170 causes the polymer surface of the layer 160 to melt and causes the polypropylene sealing layer 160 to molecularly bond to the polypropylene container throat top surfaces 214, 224. Removing the cap 100 after heat induction will not invalidate or compromise the sealing surface of the container 200, and the sealed closure will remain until it is penetrated or punctured by a piercing device. The piercing of the seal 150 by penetration with an opening tool or piercing device results in the curling of the underside of the seal 150 (i.e., pierced seals 155a, 155b as shown in Figures 6 and 7), which is held open by the tension of the aluminum foil layer 170 of the sealing laminate. The piercing or piercing of the seal 150 can be accomplished automatically, but can also be accomplished manually with a hand tool used by an operator.

According to one embodiment herein, cap 100 does not need to be removed to pierce seal 150, and once pierced, aluminum foil layer 170 maintains the pierced shape of opening 156, providing continued access to the contents of container 200. Perforation of seal 150 results in the formation and control of the size of pierced seal opening 156. Limited to the size of the open access hole 122, the crimped access flange (i.e., opening 156 of pierced seal 155) then serves as a physical means of maintaining the opening and preventing a probe or other instrument from contacting the pierced seal 155 (e.g., in one embodiment, the open access hole 122 comprises a 9.1 mm opening, compared to the probe's 1.5 mm diameter). The aluminum protrusion maintains the seal 150's separation and prevents retraction or reclosing of pierced seal opening 156, thereby eliminating contact contamination of the probe with aspiration and aerosolized particles deposited on seal 150. The seal 150 remains attached to the container throat top surfaces 214, 224 and remains intact even when 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 access probe.

As disclosed herein, the combination of a cap 100 and a seal 150 covering a container 200 and providing access to the contents contained therein offers several advantages, namely: the seal 150 protects the contents from waste and spillage; reduces operator spillage; reduces contamination incidents; and increases ease of use and operability. Furthermore, instrument errors caused by probe contact with unintended contamination are prevented, resulting in improved reliability and performance for the customer. In embodiments where the container 200 is used in a reagent diagnostic analyzer, the automatic opening and preparation of the container seal 150 for the reagent probe increases instrument performance during a single or full cycle of reagent probe loading by creating a large access target (i.e., pierced seal openings 156a, 156b) without seal obstruction. Non-utilization hours observed from probe contact with the seal material are eliminated. Customer profits are increased due to the increased reliability of reagent probe access and the elimination of a significant amount of operator time.

FIG8 provides a layout of an exemplary system architecture 800 in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented, according to one embodiment. FIG8 illustrates: various transfer arms 810 (810a, 810b, 810c, and 810d) 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 containers arranged in one or more reaction rings; and reagent storage areas 840a and 840b dedicated to storing and supplying respective reagents, each of which includes space for multiple reagent containers. In operation, transfer arm 810a and its corresponding probes can be operated to transfer samples from an access position to one or more dilution containers on dilution carousel 820 to produce dilutions therein. Transfer arm 810b and its corresponding probes can be operated to transfer dilutions from the dilution containers to the reaction containers on reaction carousel 830. Transfer arms 810c and 810d and their corresponding probes can be operated to transfer reagents from reagent storage areas 840a and 840b, respectively, to reaction containers on reaction turntable 830. Various transfers occur using, for example, a pumping mechanism (not shown) such as a piston pump attached to transfer arm 810. In addition, system architecture 800 also includes one or more controllers (not shown) for controlling the operation of various components including transfer arm 810, probes, and turntable.

Also included in the system architecture 800 is a reagent handling system 850 for transferring one or more of the containers 200 to and/or from the reagent storage areas 840 a and 840 b. According to one embodiment, the reagent handling system 850 includes a reagent server module 855, which, in one embodiment, is a refrigerated storage enclosure including one or more indexing rings for storing the 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 manual loading and unloading of containers 200 onto and from the tray 860, which is movable on tracks.

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 a tray 860 and a reagent server module 855. The gripper assembly 865 moves along a 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 that are 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 Figure 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 merely 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, it is not limited thereto. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, and that these changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as covering all such equivalent variations that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (18)

1. A device for covering reagent containers used in a diagnostic analyzer within an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) environment, the device comprising: A cap comprising sidewalls and a top wall, the cap having an open inlet hole located on and through the top wall, the cap being configured to attach to a throat of the reagent container, the throat including an opening; and A sensing seal for sealing the opening at the throat of the reagent container, the sensing seal comprising: A first polymer sealing layer is configured to be heat-sealed to the outer surface of the opening at the throat of the reagent container; An aluminum foil layer, disposed on top of the first polymer sealing layer, and configured to heat-seal the first polymer sealing layer to the outer surface of the opening at the throat of the reagent container by induction heating; and A second polymer layer is disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer and is configured to protect the aluminum foil layer and the first polymer layer; The inductive seal is accessible through the open inlet of the cap and is configured to open via a perforation device and remain open during perforation, while maintaining the outer surface of the opening adhered to the throat of the reagent container. The sensing seal is configured to generate a curled entry flange upon puncture, the curled entry flange extending into the open entry hole of the cap to form a punctured seal opening. This punctured seal opening allows for unobstructed, non-contact, repetitive probe access to the contents of the reagent container. The portion of the top wall surrounding the open inlet includes a flat upper portion, an orifice sidewall, and a bottom protrusion within the inner portion of the cap, wherein the bottom protrusion provides contact pressure to hold the seal in place between the cap and the container during the induction heating. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the aluminum foil layer transfers induced heat to the first polymer sealing layer and the second polymer layer for heat-sealing the molecules of the first polymer sealing layer to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the reagent container; and wherein the physical properties of the aluminum foil layer cause the first polymer sealing layer and the second polymer layer to maintain the open shape during perforation. 3. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first polymer sealing layer comprises polyethylene. 4. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second polymer layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate. 5. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cap comprises either a screw-on cap or a snap-on cap. 6. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thermally induced adhesion force of the first polymer sealing layer to the reagent container is greater than the peel force between the force of the first polymer sealing layer to the aluminum foil layer and the force of the aluminum foil layer to the second polymer layer. 7. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retaining force of the first polymer sealing layer is greater than the shear force required to penetrate the aluminum foil layer and the second polymer layer. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the second polymer layer comprises a material different from that of the cap, wherein the second polymer layer and the cap differ from the first polymer sealing layer in their release force on the container based on the difference in their respective materials. 9. The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the melting temperature of the first polymer sealing layer is lower than the melting temperature of the second polymer layer. 10. An apparatus for storing one or more fluids in a diagnostic analyzer within an in vitro diagnostic (IVD) environment, the apparatus comprising: A container comprising one or more storage portions, each storage portion comprising a throat having a throat sidewall, an opening, and an outer surface of the opening; One or more caps, each cap including a sidewall and a top wall, the cap having an open access hole 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 inductive seals, each of the one or more inductive seals corresponding to a corresponding pair of one of the one or more caps and one of the one or more storage portions, the inductive seals being used to seal the opening of the throat of the storage portion of the container, each inductive seal comprising: A first polymer sealing layer is configured to be heat-sealed to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion; An aluminum foil layer, disposed on top of the first polymer sealing layer, and configured to heat-seal the first polymer sealing layer to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion by induction heating; and A second polymer layer is disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer and is configured to protect the aluminum foil layer and the first polymer layer; The inductive seal is accessible through the open inlet of the cap and is configured to open via a perforation device and remain open during perforation, while maintaining the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion adhered to it. The inductive seal is configured to generate a curled entry flange upon piercing, the curled entry flange extending into the open entry hole of the cap to form a pierced seal opening. This pierced seal opening allows for unobstructed, non-contact, repeated probe access to the contents of the container. The portion of the top wall surrounding the open inlet includes a flat upper portion, an inlet sidewall, and a bottom protrusion within the inner portion of the cap, wherein the bottom protrusion provides contact pressure to hold the seal in place between the cap and the storage portion of the container during the induction heating. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the throat further includes a throat sidewall thread formed on the throat sidewall, wherein the cap further includes a cap thread formed on the inner sidewall of the cap, wherein the throat sidewall thread and the cap thread are configured to mate with each other to attach the cap to the throat of the storage portion of the container. 12. The device of claim 10, wherein, without removing the cap, the contents of each of the one or more storage portions are accessible through the open access port of the cap and the perforated inductive seal. 13. The device of claim 10, wherein the aluminum foil layer transfers induced heat to the first polymer sealing layer and the second polymer layer for thermally sealing the molecules of the first polymer sealing layer to the outer surface of the opening of the throat of the storage portion; and wherein the physical properties of the aluminum foil layer cause the first polymer sealing layer and the second polymer layer to maintain the open shape during perforation, and the opening of the perforation is maintained to a sufficient size to allow a reagent probe to enter without contacting the first polymer sealing layer. 14. The device of claim 10, wherein the thermally induced adhesion force of the first polymer sealing layer to the container is greater than the peel force between the force of the first polymer sealing layer to the aluminum foil layer and the force of the aluminum foil layer to the second polymer layer. 15. The device of claim 10, wherein the retaining force of the first polymer sealing layer is greater than the shear force required to penetrate the aluminum foil layer and the second polymer layer. 16. The device of claim 10, wherein the second polymer layer comprises a material different from that of the cap, wherein the second polymer layer and the cap differ from the first polymer sealing layer in their release force on the container based on the difference in their respective materials. 17. The device of claim 10, wherein the melting temperature of the first polymer sealing layer is lower than the melting temperature of the second polymer layer. 18. The device of claim 10, wherein the first polymer sealing layer comprises polyethylene, and wherein the second polymer layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate.