Cuvette arrays

US6887432B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Hoffmann-La Roche Inc. · US
• WEIDMANN PLASTICS TECHNOLOGY AG · CH

Inventors

• Manfred Kansy · Kiel, DE
• Hansjörg Tschirky · Ettingen, CH
• Werner Schneider · Pfeffingen, CH
• Heinrich Buttgen · Rapperswil, CH
• Tilo Callenbach · Jona, CH
• Karl Mazenauer · Jona, CH

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 15, 2002
• Grant date: May 3, 2005
• Expiry date: Nov 8, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2021/0357
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An integrally built, linear array of cuvettes is made of a plastic material. Every cuvette of the array has the same shape and dimensions. Neighboring cuvettes are connected to each other by a single web. Each of the single webs has a curved shape and each cuvette has means forming integral part thereof and serving for accurately positioning the cuvette into an opening of a cuvette holder and means for removably connecting the cuvette to the cuvette holder. Each cuvette has an upper chamber and a lower chamber having a common symmetry axis passing through the centers of both chambers. Each of the upper and lower chambers has a substantially cylindrical shape. The cross-section of the upper chamber at the central part thereof is larger than the cross-section of the lower chamber. The lower chamber has an open lower end. The upper chamber has an open top end and an annular bottom wall having a central circular opening which connects the upper chamber with the lower chamber. The inner surface of the bottom wall of the upper chamber (17) is part of a conical surface the cross-section of which forms an angle of about 80 degrees with the symmetry axis, so that there is an abrupt change o…