Applying covers to openings of a plurality of containers

Abstract

A system includes a plurality of cover members ( 52 ) and an arrangement ( 104 ) for positioning the plurality of cover members on, or adjacent, openings of a plurality of containers ( 12 ). The system further includes an arrangement ( 106 ) for exerting a force substantially simultaneously on the plurality of cover members such that each of the cover members contacts a portion of its respective container adjacent the opening, the cover member becoming attached to the container and thereby acting as a cover for the container.

1 . A system adapted to apply covers to openings of a plurality of containers, the system including:
 a plurality of cover members;   an arrangement for positioning the plurality of cover members on, or adjacent, openings of the respective plurality of containers, and   an arrangement for exerting a force substantially simultaneously on the plurality of cover members such that each of the cover members contacts a portion of its respective container adjacent the opening, the cover member becoming attached to the container and thereby acting as a cover for the container.   
   
   
       2 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover members are deformable, the force exerted on the cover members being such that a said cover member becomes deformed around the opening of the container. 
   
   
       3 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover member is substantially flat and formed of an open cell foam that has no memory. 
   
   
       4 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover members are provided with an adhesive suitable for adhering to at least a portion of the container. 
   
   
       5 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cover members are initially provided connected together in a form of a sheet, with the cover members being configured to separate from each other upon application of force. 
   
   
       6 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the sheet includes a plurality of cuts/tear lines such that at least an adjacent pair of the cover members are initially held together at least one point before the application of force. 
   
   
       7 . A system according to  claim 5 , wherein the cover members on the sheet are divided into a formation that generally corresponds to an arrangement of the openings of the containers in a rack. 
   
   
       8 . A system according to  claim 7 , wherein the cover members are in a grid formation. 
   
   
       9 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement for positioning the cover members includes a surface including a plurality of bores or apertures. 
   
   
       10 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein an area of one of the cover members is substantially equal to or greater than the area of the opening of the container and the area of the bore/aperture, such that when the portion of the container including the opening is positioned within the bore/aperture, at least one edge of the cover member deforms towards an outer surface of the container. 
   
   
       11 . A system according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one surface of the cover members includes an adhesive and the at least one edge of the cover member is deformed to adhere against an outer surface of the container. 
   
   
       12 . A system according to  claim 2 , wherein the arrangement for exerting a force forces an inner/central portion of the deformable cover member into contact with a lip around the opening of the container. 
   
   
       13 . A system according to  claim 2 , wherein the arrangement for exerting a force forces an inner/central portion of the deformable cover member into contact with an inner surface of the container. 
   
   
       14 . A system according to  claim 9 , wherein the arrangement for exerting a force includes a plurality of members moveable relative to the arrangement for positioning the cover members. 
   
   
       15 . A system according to  claim 14 , wherein the members are movable relative to the surface such that a portion of a said member maintains contact with a said cover member after it has been applied to the container whilst the surface is moved away, thereby assisting with preventing the cover member from being accidentally removed from the container. 
   
   
       16 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the containers comprise sample tubes. 
   
   
       17 . A system according to  claim 1 , wherein the arrangement for positioning the plurality of cover members and the arrangement for exerting a force are part of a manually portable device that, in use, is positioned above a precision/archive rack. 
   
   
       18 . Apparatus adapted to apply covers to openings of a plurality of containers, the apparatus including:
 an arrangement configured to, in use, position a plurality of cover members on, or adjacent, openings of the respective plurality of containers, and   an arrangement configured to, in use, substantially simultaneously exert a force on the plurality of cover members such that each of the cover members contacts a portion of its respective container adjacent the opening, the cover member becoming attached to the container and thereby acting as a cover for the container.   
   
   
       19 . A sheet including a plurality of container cover members, the cover members configured to separate from each other upon application of force by apparatus according to  claim 18 .