Packaging, shipping and storage device for capillary tubes

Abstract

Capillary tube holder, a storage and shipping container in which a loaded capillary tube holder is securely held, a fixture for loading capillary tubes onto a capillary tube transfer fixture for transferring, removing or replacing individual capillary tubes from a loaded capillary tube holder.

Description

[0001]This application pertains to a handling and packaging assembly, or system, for small diameter tubes and rods. It is particularly useful for the handling of small diameter (Outside diameter≦2 mm) tubes that have one end (the proximal end) tapered to a fine tip with the other end (the distal end) square cut. Such tubes find general application in the field of analytical chemistry, and most specifically in the field liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. These tapered tubes, or needles, are typically used as ionization emitters in electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Traditionally capillary tubes or needles have been packaged in one of two ways:[0003](1) An adhesive material, such as double sided adhesive tape or spray adhesive, is used to affix the tubes in a plastic box; the box typically having a base and flip top lid. The base of the box typically has a raised portion to which the adhesive is applied. The tubes are then placed on the ad...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]There is also provided a carrier transfer system which enables handling and processing operations to be carried out on the distal ends 93 of the tubes 90. The carrier transfer system allows the group of tubes 90 to be removed from the holder 1 and holding clip 20 while maintaining their respective alignment in an array. The carrier transfer system comprises a carrier body 60 and carrier clip 70. The carrier body 60 interfaces to the holder 1 and holding clip 20 in a reversible manner so that the group of tubes 90 may be released from the holder 1 and holding clip 20 or transferred to an empty holder 1 and holding clip 20. The transfer clip 70 is designed to protect the proximal end of the tube. It contains a compression element 74, which is similar in form and substance to compression elements 24 and 54, that is held normal to the surface 3 of holder 1.

Problems solved by technology

The adhesives used in system (1) may chemically contaminate the tubes being shipped.

This is not acceptable for applications in mass spectrometry, a chemical analysis method.

Furthermore, the adhesives may deteriorate over time and loose holding power, damaging the tubes being stored.

System (2) is limited in its ability to protect the ends of the capillary tubes since the tubes may shift in the packaging tubes.

Contact with at least one end of the capillary tube is typically unavoidable.

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