Method of making a glass array plate with closure

Abstract

A method of making a glass multiwell plate for use in biological or chemical laboratory applications whereby the plate is formed by a single ribbon of molten glass passing twice over a mold such that the first section of glass takes the form of the mold and thereby forms the wells of the plate while the second section of glass covers the wells and forms a top surface of the plate. Holes are cut through the top surface, above each well to enable access.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of making a multiwell plate made substantially of glass comprising the steps of: 
 (a) delivering and depositing a first or well-forming ribbon of molten glass to a surface of a mold assembly having a mold cavity possessing at least one well forming depression formed therewithin and a peripheral surface, wherein the well forming ribbon overlies the mold cavity and the peripheral surface of the mold assembly;    (b) causing the well-forming ribbon of molten glass to substantially conform to the contour of the mold cavity resulting in the formation of at least one well in the ribbon of molten glass;    (c) delivering and depositing a second or sealing ribbon of molten glass to the outer surface of the well forming ribbon of molten glass wherein the viscosity of the sealing ribbon is such that the sealing ribbon (1) bridges but does not sag into complete contact with the surface of the at least one well of the well forming ribbon and (2) forms a hermetic seal wherever the sealing ribbon contacts the well-forming ribbon; and, (d) removing the glass article from the mold; and    (e) puncturing a hole through the sealing ribbon and over an approximate center of the at least one well thereby forming a series of self contained wells that may be accessed through the hole in the sealing ribbon.    
     
     
         2 . The method of    claim 1    including the additional step of applying a vacuum to the under surface of the channel forming ribbon of molten glass thereby causing the well forming ribbon to substantially conform to the contour of the mold cavity well forming depression.  
     
     
         3 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said puncturing step is performed by an array of gas flames.  
     
     
         4 . The method of    claim 3    wherein the puncturing step occurs while the sealing ribbon is still in a molten state.  
     
     
         5 . The method of    claim 3    wherein the puncturing step occurs after the piece is ejected from the mold.  
     
     
         6 . A method of making a multiwell plate made substantially of glass comprising the steps of: 
 (a) delivering and depositing a first or well-forming ribbon of molten glass to a surface of a mold assembly having a mold cavity possessing at least one well forming depression formed therewithin and a peripheral surface, wherein the well forming ribbon overlies the mold cavity and the peripheral surface of the mold assembly;    (b) causing the well-forming ribbon of molten glass to substantially conform to the contour of the mold cavity resulting in the formation of at least one well in the ribbon of molten glass;    (c) delivering and depositing a second or sealing ribbon of molten glass to the outer surface of the well forming ribbon of molten glass wherein the viscosity of the sealing ribbon is such that the sealing ribbon (1) bridges and sags into the depression but does not make contact with the surface of the at least one well of the well forming ribbon and (2) forms a hermetic seal wherever the sealing ribbon contacts the well-forming ribbon;    (d) removing the glass article from the mold; and,    (e) puncturing a hole through the sealing ribbon and over an approximate center of the at least one well.    
     
     
         7 . The method of    claim 1    wherein said puncturing step is performed by an array of gas flames.  
     
     
         8 . The method of    claim 7    wherein the puncturing step occurs while the sealing ribbon is still in a molten state.  
     
     
         9 . The method of    claim 7    wherein the puncturing step occurs after the piece is ejected from the mold.  
     
     
         10 . A multiwell plate made substantially of glass for use in chemical or biological applications comprising: 
 a plurality of wells arranged in a matrix, said matrix covered by a sheet of glass having small puncture holes located therethrough and substantially aligned with a center point of the well, whereby said puncture holes are capable of receiving a removable sealing means.    
     
     
         11 . The multiwell plate of    claim 10    wherein said sealing means is a rubber mat.  
     
     
         12 . A multiwell plate made substantially of glass for use in chemical or biological applications comprising: 
 a plurality of wells arranged in a matrix,    said wells having sidewalls and a bottom formed of a bottommost and topmost double layer of glass sheeting having a space therebetween,    said topmost layer of glass sheeting having a hole therethrough such that said well and said space are in fluid communication.    
     
     
         13 . The multiwell plate of    claim 1    wherein the diameter of said hole is approximately 2 mm.  
     
     
         14 . A method of making a multiwell plate made substantially of glass comprising the steps of: 
 (a) delivering and depositing a first length of a molten glass ribbon to a surface of a mold having a mold cavity possessing at least one well-forming depression and a peripheral surface, wherein the molten glass ribbon overlies the mold cavity and the peripheral surface;    (b) causing the first length to substantially conform to the contour of the mold cavity thereby forming at least one well in the first length of the molten glass ribbon;    (c) delivering and depositing a second length of the molten glass ribbon to the exposed surface of the earlier deposited first length, wherein the viscosity of the glass ribbon at delivery is such that the second length (i) bridges, but does not sag into complete contact with, the well of the first length and (ii) forms a hermetic seal wherever the first length of the molten glass ribbon contacts the second length of the molten glass ribbon to form a glass plate with at least one well;    (d) removing the glass plate from the mold; and,    (e) puncturing a hole through the second length and over the approximate center of at least one well thereby forming a series of self contained wells that may be accessed through the hole in the second length.    
     
     
         15 . A glass multiwell plate comprising a substantially rectangular plate having a peripheral skirt and formed by a uniform sheet of glass having therein a plurality of wells, each well having sidewalls, a bottom and a top surface, the top surface defining a hole capable of being hermetically sealed by a sealing means.  
     
     
         16 . The glass multiwell plate of    claim 15    further comprising a rubber sealing mat in sealing contact with said holes.