Packaging Container for Test Sensors

Abstract

A test sensor packaging container for use in a sensor instrument. The container comprises a housing, a first foil cover, and a second foil cover The housing has first and second housing layers. The first housing layer has a first plurality of test sensor containing regions. The second housing layer has a second plurality of test sensor containing regions. Each of the first and second plurality of test sensor containing regions protrude radially outward from the center of the housing. The housing has a top portion and a bottom portion that are generally parallel. Each of the test sensors has width and thickness directions. The first foil cover is adapted to cover the top portion of the first housing layer The second foil cover is adapted to cover the bottom portion of the second housing layer.

1 . A test sensor packaging container for use in a sensor instrument for handling a plurality of test sensors, the test sensor packaging container comprising: 
 a housing having first housing layer and a second housing layer, the first housing layer having a first plurality of test sensor containing regions, each of the first plurality of test sensor containing regions being adapted to contain one of the plurality of test sensors, each of the first plurality of test sensor containing regions protruding radially outward from the center of the housing, the second housing layer having a second plurality of sensor containing regions, each of the second plurality of test sensor containing regions protruding radially outward from the center of the housing, the housing having a top portion and a bottom portion that are generally parallel, each of the plurality of test sensors having a width direction and a thickness direction;    a first foil cover adapted to cover the top portion of the first housing layer of the housing; and    a second foil cover adapted to cover the bottom portion of the second housing layer of the housing.    
   
   
       2 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of first desiccant cavities in fluid communication with each of the first test sensor containing regions; and 
 a plurality of second desiccant cavities in fluid communication with each of the second sensor containing regions.    
   
   
       3 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 2 , further having desiccant material in each of the plurality of first and second desiccant cavities such that each of the test sensor containing regions is maintained in a desiccate state.  
   
   
       4 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has from about fifteen (15) to about twenty five (25) test sensor containing regions.  
   
   
       5 . (canceled)  
   
   
       6 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a diameter from about 40 mm to about 60 mm.  
   
   
       7 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 6 , wherein the housing has a diameter of from about 50 mm to about 55 mm.  
   
   
       8 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 1 , wherein the housing has a thickness of from about 2 mm to about 8 mm.  
   
   
       9 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 8 , wherein the housing has a thickness of about 4 mm.  
   
   
       10 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 1 , wherein the housing of the test sensor packaging container is made of a molded polymeric material.  
   
   
       11 . A test sensor packaging container for use in a sensor instrument for handling a plurality of test sensors, the test sensor packaging container comprising: 
 a housing having a first housing layer and a second housing layer, the first housing layer having a first plurality of test sensor containing regions and a first plurality of desiccant cavities in fluid communication with each of the first plurality of test sensor containing regions, the second housing layer having a second plurality of test sensor containing regions and a second plurality of desiccant cavities in fluid communication with each of the second plurality of test sensor containing regions, each of the first and second plurality of test sensor containing regions having a proximal end and a distal end and being adapted to contain one of the plurality of test sensors, each of the first and second plurality of test sensor containing regions protruding radially outward from the center of the housing, the housing having a top portion and a bottom portion that are generally parallel, each of the plurality of test sensors having a width direction and a thickness direction;    a first foil cover adapted to cover the top portion of the first housing layer of the housing;    a second foil cover adapted to cover the bottom portion of the second housing layer of the housing;    a third foil cover adapted to cover the distal end of the first plurality of test sensor containing regions; and    a fourth foil cover adapted to cover the distal end of the second plurality of test sensor containing regions,    wherein a plane generally parallel to the width direction of each of the plurality of test sensors is generally perpendicular to the top and bottom portion of the housing.    
   
   
       12 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of open regions formed between each of the first and second plurality of sensor containing regions.  
   
   
       13 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second plurality of test sensor containing regions and the plurality of open regions form a generally gear shaped container, the open regions being positioned on the housing to properly position the test sensor packaging container when the test sensor packaging container is in the sensor instrument.  
   
   
       14 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 11 , wherein the container has from about fifty (50) to about seventy (70) test sensor containing regions.  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 11 , wherein the housing has a diameter from about 40 mm to about 55 mm.  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 11 , wherein the housing has a thickness of from about 2 mm to about 6 mm.  
   
   
       19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 11 , wherein the housing of the test sensor packaging container is made of a molded polymeric material.  
   
   
       21 . A test sensor packaging container for use in a sensor instrument for handling a plurality of test sensors, the test sensor packaging container comprising: 
 a molded polymeric housing having a first housing layer and a second housing layer, the first housing layer having a first plurality of test sensor containing regions and a first plurality of desiccant cavities in fluid communication with each of the first plurality of test sensor containing regions, the second housing layer having a second plurality of test sensor containing regions and a second plurality of desiccant cavities in fluid communication with each of the second plurality of test sensor containing regions, each of the first and second plurality of test sensor containing regions having a proximal end and a distal end and being adapted to contain one of the plurality of test sensors, each of the first and second plurality of test sensor containing regions protruding radially outward from the center of the housing, the housing having a top portion and a bottom portion that are generally parallel, each of the plurality of test sensors having a width direction and a thickness direction;    a first foil cover adapted to cover the top portion of the first housing layer of the housing;    a second foil cover adapted to cover the bottom portion of the second housing layer of the housing;    a third foil cover adapted to cover the distal end of the first plurality of test sensor containing regions; and    a fourth foil cover adapted to cover the distal end of the second plurality of test sensor containing regions,    wherein a plane generally parallel to the width direction of each of the plurality of test sensors is generally perpendicular to the top and bottom portion of the housing.    
   
   
       22 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 21 , wherein the housing has from about fifty (50) to about seventy (70) test sensor containing regions.  
   
   
       23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 21 , wherein the housing has a diameter from about 40 mm to about 55 mm.  
   
   
       25 . (canceled)  
   
   
       26 . The test sensor packaging container of  claim 21 , wherein the housing has a thickness of from about 2 mm to about 6 mm.  
   
   
       27 . (canceled)