Test strip container with expandable insert and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof

Abstract

A test strip container with an expandable insert, and methods of manufacturing and utilization thereof are disclosed. The container includes a housing defining a cavity, a lid, and a compressible insert removably mounted in the cavity. The compressible insert is expandable to retain a plurality of test strips in the cavity and to protect the test strips from environmental degradation.

1 . A container for storing a plurality of test strips, each test strip having a reagent portion and a handling portion, the container comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity;   a lid to close an opening of the housing to the cavity; and   a compressible insert removably mounted in the cavity, the compressible insert being expandable to retain the plurality of test strips in the cavity, and sized such that the handling portion of the plurality of test strips protrudes out beyond the compressible insert, wherein the compressible insert comprises a plurality of spaced-apart ridges which retain releasably each of the test strips in the housing, which form a seal against air and water ingress into the cavity, and which protect the reagent portion of the test strips from environmental degradation, and wherein the housing is sized such that the reagent portion of the plurality of test strips is provided adjacent to the compressible insert.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible insert comprises open-cell foam. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible insert further comprises a coating. 
     
     
         5 . The container for  claim 1 , further comprising a desiccant. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the housing and the compressible insert are proportioned to allow the handling portion of the plurality of test strips to protrude from the housing, wherein a user may remove at least one test strip. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is part of test strip meter. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible insert comprises a gel-filled pillow. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the compressible insert is a folded insert, wherein a folded portion defines a storage chamber to retain the plurality of test strips. 
     
     
         10 . A container for storing a plurality of test strips, each test strip having a reagent portion and a handling portion, the container comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity;   a lid hingedly connected to the housing to close an opening of the housing to the cavity; and   a compressible insert mounted in the cavity and removable threw the opening, wherein:
 the compressible insert is expandable to retain the plurality of test strips in the cavity, the compressible insert is folded to encompass the reagent portion of the plurality of test strips, the compressible insert is sized such that the handling portion of the plurality of test strips protrudes out beyond the compressible insert, 
 the compressible insert comprises a plurality of cooperating ridges perpendicularly disposed along the compressible insert parallel to unfolded distal edges of the folded compressible insert, said ridges both retain releasably each of the test strips in the housing and form a seal operable to prevent environmental degradation of the reagent portion of the test strips, and 
 the compressible insert further comprises a coating. 
   
     
     
         11 . A method for storing a plurality of test strips comprising:
 providing a container for storing a plurality of test strips, each test strip having a reagent portion and a handling portion, the container comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity, 
 a lid hingedly connected to the housing to close an opening of the housing to the cavity, and 
 a compressible insert removably mounted in the cavity, wherein the compressible insert is expandable to retain a plurality of test strips in the cavity, the compressible insert further comprises a plurality of spaced-apart ridges perpendicularly disposed along a longitudinal axis (X) of the compressible insert which extends perpendicular to the opening of the housing, said ridges retain releasably each of the test strips in the housing, form a seal against air and water ingress into the cavity, and protect the reagent portion of the test strips from environmental degradation; 
   providing the plurality of test strips in the cavity; and   storing the plurality of test strips in the cavity, wherein the compressible insert expands to releasably retain the plurality of test strips, seal against air and water ingress into the cavity and protect the reagent portion of the plurality of test strips from environmental degradation, wherein the compressible insert is sized such that the handling portion of the plurality of test strips protrudes out beyond the compressible insert, and wherein the housing is sized such that the reagent portion of the plurality of test strips is provided adjacent to the compressible insert.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising folding the compressible insert to encompass a majority of the surface are of the plurality of test strips. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the housing and the compressible insert are proportioned to allow the handling portion of the plurality of test strips to protrude from the housing, wherein a user may remove at least one test strip. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a container for storing a plurality of test strips, wherein each test strip comprises a reagent portion and a handling portion, the method comprising:
 providing a housing with a defined cavity and a lid hingedly connected to the housing for closing an opening of the housing to the cavity; and   folding and inserting a compressible insert into the cavity, the compressible insert being expandable to retain the plurality of test strips in the cavity, wherein the compressible insert is sized such that the handling portion of the plurality of test strips protrudes out beyond the compressible insert, the compressible insert further comprises a plurality of spaced-apart ridges perpendicularly disposed along a longitudinal axis (X) of the compressible insert which extends perpendicular to the opening of the housing, said ridges retain releasably each of the test strips in the housing, form a seal against air and water ingress into the cavity, and protect the reagent portion of the test strips from environmental degradation, and wherein the housing is sized such that the reagent portion of the plurality of test strips is provided adjacent to the compressible insert.   
     
     
         16 . A method of protecting test strips from environmental degradation which comprises utilizing the container of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         17 . A container of  claim 1 , wherein the ridges are about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm tall and about 30 mm to about 50 mm long spanning the entire length of the compressible insert. 
     
     
         18 . A container of  claim 1 , wherein the ridges comprise half-moon extruded substantially parallel line to a distill edge. 
     
     
         19 . A container of  claim 1 , wherein the ridges comprise a triangular shape extruded substantially parallel line to a distill edge.