Interlocking cap and receptacle for automated processes

Abstract

System, apparatuses, and methods for performing automated reagent-based analysis are provided. Also provided are methods for automated attachment of a cap to a reaction receptacle, and automated removal of a cap from a capped reaction receptacle.

1 - 3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A cap comprising:
 a lower portion;   an upper portion having an opening formed therein; and   a plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the cap, the inner surface of the cap being defined by the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap, wherein each rib is associated with a concave recess disposed directly opposite the rib on an outer surface of the upper portion of the cap, and wherein the recess extends along at least part of the length of the rib.   
     
     
         5 . The cap of  claim 4 , further comprising means for securing the cap to the receptacle when the lower portion of the cap is inserted into an open top end of the receptacle. 
     
     
         6 . The cap of  claim 4 , further comprising one or more annular ribs disposed on an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap, wherein the annular ribs are configured to provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface in the opening at the top end of the receptacle. 
     
     
         7 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein the ribs are spaced equidistantly apart. 
     
     
         8 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein each rib includes an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, and wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the rib. 
     
     
         9 . The cap of  claim 8 , wherein the enlarged portion of each rib includes an inwardly tapered portion proximate the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The cap of  claim 9 , wherein the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap defines an upper, generally cylindrical portion and a lower, inwardly tapered portion, and wherein the enlarged portion of each rib traverses a transition between the cylindrical and inwardly tapered portions of the opening. 
     
     
         11 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein the concave recess is a groove formed in the outer surface of the upper portion of the cap. 
     
     
         12 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein each recess is constructed to flex radially outwardly when a receptacle transport mechanism is inserted into the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap. 
     
     
         13 . The cap of  claim 12 , wherein each recess extends along the entire length of the associated rib. 
     
     
         14 . The cap of  claim 12 , wherein the receptacle transport mechanism is an automated pipettor or a pick-and-place robot, and wherein a tubular probe of the automated pipettor or the pick-and-place robot is configured for frictional engagement with the inner surface of the cap. 
     
     
         15 . The cap of  claim 4 , further comprising an opening formed in the lower portion of the cap and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap from the opening formed in the lower portion of the cap. 
     
     
         16 . The cap of  claim 15 , wherein the bottom wall includes score lines formed therein to facilitate piercing of the bottom wall by a mechanism configured to dispense reagents. 
     
     
         17 . The cap of  claim 4 , wherein the cap is a unitary plastic structure. 
     
     
         18 . A tray comprising a plurality of wells formed in a base thereof, wherein a first well of the tray contains a receptacle and a second well of the tray contains the cap of  claim 4 , wherein the receptacle is configured for engagement by the cap and comprises a generally cylindrical portion having an opening formed therein that is configured to receive the lower portion of the cap so as to provide a sealing engagement between an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface of the opening formed in the cylindrical portion of the receptacle. 
     
     
         19 . The cap of  claim 18 , further comprising means for securing the cap to the receptacle when the lower portion of the cap is inserted into an open top end of the receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The cap of  claim 18 , further comprising an opening formed in the lower portion and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion from the opening formed in the lower portion. 
     
     
         21 . The cap of  claim 20 , further comprising one or more annular ribs disposed on an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap, wherein the annular ribs are configured to provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and the inner surface of the receptacle. 
     
     
         22 . The tray of  claim 18 , wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves formed in an inner surface of the opening. 
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 18 , wherein each of the cap and the receptacle is unitary plastic structure. 
     
     
         24 . An assembly comprising a cap secured to a receptacle,
 wherein the receptacle comprises:
 a generally cylindrical portion having an opening formed therein; and 
 a radially projecting lip circumscribing the opening; and 
   wherein the cap comprises:
 a lower portion inserted into the opening of the receptacle and providing a sealing engagement between an outer surface of the lower portion of the cap and an inner surface of the opening of the receptacle; 
 an upper portion having an opening formed therein, the opening defining an open end that is configured for engagement by a receptacle transport mechanism; and 
 a plurality of longitudinally oriented ribs disposed on an inner surface of the cap, the inner surface of the cap being defined by the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap, wherein each rib is associated with a concave recess disposed directly opposite the rib on an outer surface of the upper portion of the cap, and wherein the recess extends along at least part of the length of the rib. 
   
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the lower portion of the cap has an outer surface defining one or more annular ribs that provide a sealing engagement between the outer surface of the cap and the inner surface of the opening of the receptacle. 
     
     
         26 . The cap of  claim 24 , wherein the ribs are spaced equidistantly apart. 
     
     
         27 . The cap of  claim 24 , wherein each rib includes an enlarged portion proximate a distal end thereof, and wherein the enlarged portion has a greater radius than the remainder of the rib. 
     
     
         28 . The cap of  claim 27 , wherein the enlarged portion of each rib includes an inwardly tapered portion proximate the distal end thereof. 
     
     
         29 . The cap of  claim 28 , wherein the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap defines an upper, generally cylindrical portion and a lower, inwardly tapered portion, and wherein the enlarged portion of each rib traverses a transition between the cylindrical and inwardly tapered portions of the opening. 
     
     
         30 . The cap of  claim 24 , wherein the concave recess is a groove formed in the outer surface of the upper portion of the cap. 
     
     
         31 . The cap of  claim 24 , wherein each recess is constructed to flex radially outwardly when a receptacle transport mechanism is inserted into the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap. 
     
     
         32 . The cap of  claim 31 , wherein each recess extends along the entire length of the associated rib. 
     
     
         33 . The cap of  claim 31 , wherein the receptacle transport mechanism is an automated pipettor or a pick-and-place robot, and wherein a tubular probe of the automated pipettor or the pick-and-place robot is configured for frictional engagement with the inner surface of the cap. 
     
     
         34 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the cap further comprises an opening formed in the lower portion of the cap and a bottom wall separating the opening formed in the upper portion of the cap from the opening formed in the lower portion of the cap. 
     
     
         35 . The assembly of  claim 34 , wherein the bottom wall includes score lines formed therein to facilitate piercing of the bottom wall by a mechanism configured to dispense reagents to a test sample contained within the receptacle. 
     
     
         36 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the cap is secured to the receptacle in a snap-fit relationship. 
     
     
         37 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the receptacle further comprises a conical portion depending from the cylindrical portion, wherein the opening extends into the conical portion. 
     
     
         38 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein the receptacle further comprises a plurality of longitudinally oriented grooves formed on an inner surface of the opening of the receptacle. 
     
     
         39 . The assembly of  claim 24 , wherein each of the cap and the receptacle is a unitary plastic structure.