Centrifugal tube

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of test tubes, and particularly relates to a centrifugal tube. The centrifugal tube comprises a top cover, an upper tube, a lower tube and a filter membrane, the upper end of the upper tube is detachably connected with the top cover, the centrifugal tube further comprises a middle tube located between the upper tube and the lower tube, the filter membrane is arranged on the middle tube, the length of the middle tube is smaller than that of the upper tube, and the upper end and the lower end of the middle tube are detachably connected with the upper tube and the lower tube respectively. After centrifugation is finished, the upper tube is removed, and the middle tube, the lower tube and the top cover or the additional top cover jointly form the storage tube. The length of the storage tube formed by the middle tube and the lower tube is smaller than that of the storage tube formed by the lower tube and the upper tube, so that the length of the storage tube is effectively reduced when sediments on the filter membrane are stored, the space occupied by the storage tube is reduced, and the storage is convenient.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to a centrifuge tube and a use method, belonging to the field of test tubes. Background Art

[0002] A centrifuge tube is a test tube used for centrifugation. They can be made of plastic, glass, or steel. They can be categorized by size, including 1.5ml, 2ml, 5ml, 10ml, 15ml, and 50ml sizes, with 10ml and 50ml being the most commonly used. Centrifuge tubes are primarily used in conjunction with centrifuges. For example, when separating a biological sample suspension, the suspension is placed in a centrifuge tube, which is then placed in a centrifuge. The high-speed rotation of the centrifuge generates a centrifugal force far greater than the experimental liquid's own gravity. Different densities result in different centrifugal forces, and thus different sedimentation rates. This allows suspended particles (such as organelles and biomacromolecules) to settle to the bottom of the tube at a consistent rate.

[0003] Among existing centrifuge tubes, one example is an ultrafiltration centrifuge tube disclosed in Chinese Utility Model Patent Publication No. CN218901901U, dated April 25, 2023. This centrifuge tube comprises a cap assembly, a top tube (i.e., upper tube), and a bottom tube (i.e., lower tube). The top tube has threaded sections on its upper and lower ends, as well as on its upper outer end. The bottom of the bottom tube has an arc-shaped, closed structure. The cap assembly includes an outer tube with a threaded inner surface, threadedly connecting the cap to the top end of the top tube and the bottom end of the top tube to the top end of the bottom tube. A stopper is provided on the inside of the top tube, with an ultrafiltration membrane positioned between the bottom end and the top end of the bottom tube. When the top and bottom tubes are tightened, the stopper cooperates with the bottom tube to retain the ultrafiltration membrane between them. After centrifugation, precipitate that passes through the membrane settles into the bottom tube, with larger precipitates converging on the membrane.

[0004] Because the filter membrane in the centrifuge tube is located between the top and bottom tubes, when the precipitate on the filter membrane needs to be subsequently processed or stored, it needs to be transferred to another container. This process may cause the precipitate to be contaminated. At the same time, the precipitate may also enter the surrounding environment and cause infection to personnel, reducing the safety of experimental operations. To solve this problem, the best way is to directly retain the centrifuged products in the centrifuge tube. In other words, the centrifuge tube is used directly as a storage tube after centrifugation to avoid transfer problems. However, the centrifuge tube is long, which takes up a lot of space and is inconvenient for storage. Utility Model Content

[0005] The utility model aims to provide a centrifuge tube to solve the problem that the existing centrifuge tube with a filter membrane is long and occupies a large space when storing the sediment on the filter membrane, resulting in inconvenience in storage.

[0006] To achieve the above purpose, the centrifuge tube of the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A centrifuge tube comprises a top cover, an upper tube, a lower tube and a filter membrane, wherein the upper end of the upper tube is detachably connected to the top cover. The centrifuge tube is characterized in that the centrifuge tube further comprises a middle tube located between the upper tube and the lower tube, the filter membrane is arranged on the middle tube, the length of the middle tube is shorter than that of the upper tube, and the upper and lower ends of the middle tube are detachably connected to the upper tube and the lower tube respectively, so that after the centrifugation is completed, the upper tube is removed and the middle tube, the lower tube and the top cover or an additional top cover together form a storage tube.

[0008] The beneficial effect of the above technical solution is that: the utility model is an improved invention creation, the centrifuge tube includes a top cover, an upper tube, a lower tube and a filter membrane, and a middle tube is provided between the upper tube and the lower tube, the filter membrane is provided on the middle tube, and the upper and lower ends of the middle tube are detachably connected to the upper tube and the lower tube respectively, so that when in use, after the centrifugation is completed, when it is necessary to retain the sediment on the filter membrane, the upper tube can be removed, and the middle tube, the lower tube and the top cover or the additional top cover together form a storage tube. Because the length of the middle tube is shorter than the length of the upper tube, the length of the storage tube composed of the middle tube and the lower tube is shorter than the length of the storage tube composed of the lower tube and the upper tube, thereby effectively reducing the length of the storage tube, reducing the space occupied by the storage tube when storing the sediment on the filter membrane, and facilitating storage.

[0009] Furthermore, the length of the middle tube is less than half of the length of the upper tube and greater than one third of the length of the upper tube.

[0010] Furthermore, the middle tube includes an extending section extending into the lower tube and having a gap between the middle tube and the inner wall of the lower tube, and the filter membrane is arranged at the lower end of the extending section.

[0011] Furthermore, the middle tube and the upper tube are connected by a first thread structure, one of the middle tube and the upper tube is provided with a first external thread, and the other is provided with a first internal thread adapted to the first external thread.

[0012] Furthermore, the upper tube and the top cover are connected by a second threaded structure, one of the upper tube and the top cover is provided with a second external thread, and the other is provided with a second internal thread that matches the second external thread; the middle tube is provided with a first external thread and the upper tube is provided with a second external thread of the same specification, or the middle tube is provided with a first internal thread and the upper tube is provided with a second internal thread of the same specification.

[0013] Furthermore, the upper tube and the top cover are connected by a second threaded structure. One of the upper tube and the top cover is provided with a second external thread, and the other is provided with a second internal thread that matches the second external thread.

[0014] Furthermore, the middle tube and the lower tube are connected by a third thread structure. One of the middle tube and the lower tube is provided with a third external thread, and the other is provided with a third internal thread adapted to the third external thread.

[0015] Furthermore, the upper tube and the top cover are connected by a second threaded structure, one of the upper tube and the top cover is provided with a second external thread, and the other is provided with a second internal thread adapted to the second external thread; the lower tube is provided with a third external thread and the upper tube is provided with a second external thread of the same specification, or the lower tube is provided with a third internal thread and the upper tube is provided with a second internal thread of the same specification.

[0016] Furthermore, the middle tube and the upper tube are connected by a first threaded structure, one of the middle tube and the upper tube is provided with a first external thread, and the other is provided with a first internal thread adapted to the first external thread; the middle tube and the lower tube are connected by a third threaded structure, the middle tube is provided with a third external thread, and the lower tube is provided with a third internal thread adapted to the third external thread, and the extending section is located below the third external thread.

[0017] Furthermore, the filter membrane and the middle tube are integrally formed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a centrifuge tube of the present utility model;

[0019] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a centrifuge tube of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the centrifuge tube embodiment of the present invention after removing the upper tube.

[0021] In the figure: 1, top cover; 2, upper tube; 3, lower tube; 4, middle tube; 41, insertion section; 5, filter membrane; 6, first external thread; 7, first internal thread; 8, second external thread; 9, second internal thread; 10, third external thread; 11, third internal thread. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The features and performance of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the embodiments.

[0023] In response to the technical problems existing in the prior art, the basic technical concept of the present invention is: a middle tube is detachably connected between the upper tube and the lower tube of the centrifuge tube, the length of the middle tube is shorter than the length of the upper tube, and the filter membrane is set on the middle tube. After the centrifugation is completed, the middle tube, the lower tube and the top cover of the centrifuge tube or an additional top cover can be used to form a storage tube. The length of the storage tube is shorter than the length of the storage tube composed of the upper tube, the lower tube and the top cover of the centrifuge tube, thereby effectively reducing the space required for the storage tube and facilitating storage.

[0024] The embodiment of the centrifuge tube of the present invention:

[0025] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the centrifuge tube includes a top cover 1, an upper tube 2, a lower tube 3 and a filter membrane 5. In the present embodiment, the upper tube 2 is a circular tube that is passed through from top to bottom, and the lower tube 3 is a circular tube with an arc-shaped closed structure at the bottom. The upper end of the upper tube 2 is detachably connected to the top cover 1. In the present embodiment, the upper end of the upper tube 2 is connected to the top cover 1 by a second threaded structure. One of the upper tube 2 and the top cover 1 is provided with a second external thread, and the other is provided with a second internal thread that matches the second external thread. Specifically, the upper end of the upper tube 2 is provided with a second internal thread 9, and the top cover 1 is provided with a second external thread 8 that matches the second internal thread 9. The height of the second external thread 8 and the second internal thread 9 is 15mm-30mm. An O-ring can be used between the top cover 1 and the upper tube 2 to improve the sealing of the connection between the two.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the centrifuge tube also includes a middle tube 4 located between the upper tube 2 and the lower tube 3. The upper and lower ends of the middle tube 4 are detachably connected to the upper tube 2 and the lower tube 3, respectively, so that the upper tube 2 can be removed after the centrifugation is completed and the storage tube is composed of the middle tube 4, the lower tube 3 and the top cover 1 or an additional top cover. The middle tube and the upper tube are connected by a first threaded structure. One of the middle tube 4 and the upper tube 2 is provided with a first external thread, and the other is provided with a first internal thread that matches the first external thread. In this embodiment, the upper end of the middle tube 4 is provided with a first internal thread 7, and the lower end of the upper tube 2 is provided with a first external thread 6 that matches the first internal thread 7. The height of the first external thread 6 and the first internal thread 7 can be between 15mm and 30mm. An O-ring can be used between the middle tube 4 and the upper tube 2 to improve the sealing of the connection between the two. Specifically, the first internal thread 7 and the second internal thread 9 have the same specifications. Therefore, the top cover 1 can be adapted to both the upper tube 2 and the middle tube 4, so that the upper tube 2 can be removed after the centrifugation is completed. Figure 3 As shown, the middle tube 4, the lower tube 3 and the top cover 1 are directly used to form a storage tube, and there is no need to additionally produce a top cover that is compatible with the middle tube 4, thereby reducing the use cost.

[0027] The middle tube 4 and lower tube 3 are connected via a third threaded structure. One of the middle tube and lower tube is provided with a third external thread, and the other is provided with a third internal thread that matches the third external thread. In this embodiment, the lower end of the middle tube 4 is provided with a third external thread 10, and the upper end of the lower tube 3 is provided with a third internal thread 11 that matches the third external thread 10. The height of the third external thread 10 and the third internal thread 11 can be between 15 mm and 30 mm. An O-ring can be provided at the third threaded structure between the middle tube 4 and lower tube 3 to improve the sealing of the connection between the two. Specifically, the third internal thread 11 has the same specifications as the second internal thread 9. Therefore, the top cover 1 can also be adapted to fit the lower tube 3. During use, when only the sediment in the lower tube 3 is needed, the upper tube 2 and middle tube 4 are removed, and the lower tube 3 and top cover 1 directly form a storage tube. This eliminates the need to produce a separate top cover that matches the lower tube 3, reducing costs and facilitating use.

[0028] like Figure 1-3 As shown, the middle tube 4 includes an insertion section 41 that extends into the lower tube 3 with a gap between the insertion section 41 and the inner wall of the lower tube 3. The insertion section 41 can be fully inserted into the lower tube 3 and is located below the third external thread 10. The filter membrane 5 is disposed on the middle tube 4. In this embodiment, the filter membrane 5 is located at the lower end of the insertion section 41. Specifically, the filter membrane 5 is integrally formed with the middle tube 5 to ensure the stability of the position of the filter membrane 5 during centrifugation. During use, by changing the pore size of the filter membrane 5, precipitates of different particle sizes can be analyzed to obtain the desired precipitate.

[0029] In addition, the length of the middle tube 4 is shorter than the length of the upper tube 2. Specifically, the length of the middle tube 4 is less than half of the length of the upper tube 2 and greater than one third of the length of the upper tube 2. Therefore, the length of the storage tube composed of the middle tube 4, the lower tube 3 and the top cover 1 is shorter than the length of the storage tube composed of the upper tube 2, the lower tube 3 and the top cover 1, thereby reducing the space occupied by the storage tube and facilitating storage.

[0030] When using: Figure 2As shown, the top cover 1, the upper tube 2, the lower tube 3 and the middle tube 5 are connected as a whole to form a complete centrifuge tube, and the centrifuge liquid is injected into the centrifuge tube; after the centrifugation is completed, the smaller precipitates that can pass through the filter membrane 5 are gathered at the bottom of the lower tube 3, and the larger precipitates are gathered on the filter membrane 5; the clear liquid in the upper tube 2 is discarded, specifically, it can be directly poured out, and then the upper tube 2 is removed; next, the clear liquid in the middle tube 4 is discarded. At this time, if only the precipitate on the filter membrane 5 needs to be retained, the middle tube 4 and the lower tube 3 can be disassembled, and the liquid and precipitate in the lower tube 3 are completely discarded. Then the middle tube 4 and the lower tube 3 are connected together, and the top cover 1 is connected to the upper end of the middle tube 4 so that the desired precipitate is retained in the centrifuge tube. At this time, the middle tube 4, the lower tube 3 and the top cover 1 form a storage tube. In addition, if only the sediment in the lower tube 3 needs to be retained, the clear liquid in the middle tube 4 and the upper tube 2 can be discarded, and the middle tube 4 and the upper tube 2 can be removed, and the top cover 1 can be connected to the lower tube 3, so that the lower tube 3 and the top cover 1 form a storage tube; if both the sediment on the filter membrane 5 and the sediment in the lower tube 3 need to be retained, at this time, the clear liquid in the upper tube 2 can be discarded, and the upper tube can be removed, and the top cover 1 can be connected to the middle tube 4. At this time, the storage tube can be composed of the middle tube 4, the lower tube 3 and the top cover 1, and both sediments can be stored at the same time.

[0031] In other embodiments, the filter membrane may not be integrally formed with the middle tube, that is, the filter membrane and the middle tube are separately provided. In this case, the filter membrane can be adhered to the lower end of the middle tube; in other embodiments, the filter membrane can also be interference fitted at the lower end of the middle tube. In this case, the filter membrane should have a certain hardness to ensure a stable position during the centrifugation process.

[0032] In other embodiments, the thread structure on the upper end of the lower tube may not have the same specifications as the thread structure on the upper end of the upper tube. In this case, a top cover matching the thread structure on the upper end of the lower tube may be produced separately.

[0033] In other embodiments, when setting the third thread structure, the middle tube can be set to a third internal thread, and the lower tube can be set to a third external thread that is compatible with the third internal thread. In this case, the insertion section can be fixed below the first thread structure at the upper end of the middle tube. At this time, the third internal thread on the middle tube is like a sleeve on the upper end of the lower tube, and the insertion section is located on the inner side of the third internal thread and can be inserted into the lower tube. At this time, a top cover that is compatible with the external thread of the lower tube needs to be produced separately.

[0034] In other embodiments, the middle tube and the lower tube may not be connected by threads. In this case, the middle tube and the lower tube may be interference fitted together.

[0035] In other embodiments, when setting the second threaded structure, the upper tube can be set to a second external thread, and the top cover can be set to a second internal thread that matches the second external thread. At this time, the lower tube can be set to a third external thread, and the middle tube can be set to a third internal thread that matches it. The middle tube can also be set to a first external thread, and the upper tube can also be set to a first internal thread. The first external thread and the third external thread have the same specifications as the second external thread. At this time, the top cover can still be matched with the upper tube, the middle tube and the lower tube.

[0036] In other embodiments, the top cover and the upper tube may not be connected by threads. In this case, a rubber ring may be sleeved on the outside of the top cover, and the top cover is inserted into the upper tube, and the rubber ring is interference fit with the inner wall of the upper tube, so that the top cover can be fixedly connected to the upper tube; in other embodiments, a rubber ring is sleeved on the outside of the upper tube, and the upper tube is inserted into the top cover, and the rubber ring is interference fit with the inner wall of the top cover, so that the top cover can be fixedly connected to the upper tube.

[0037] In other embodiments, the first thread structure on the middle tube may not have the same specifications as the second thread structure on the upper tube. In this case, a top cover compatible with the first thread structure of the middle tube needs to be produced separately.

[0038] In other embodiments, when setting the connection method between the middle tube and the upper tube, the lower end of the upper tube can be inserted into the middle tube, and a plurality of top screws can be set at the upper end of the middle tube. By screwing the top screws to tighten the upper tube, the upper tube and the middle tube can be fixed. In order to ensure sealing, a rubber ring can be set between the middle tube and the upper tube.

[0039] In other embodiments, the extending section may not be provided. In this case, the middle tube is composed of threaded sections at the upper and lower ends, and the filter membrane may be provided at the lower end of the threaded section at the lower end of the middle tube.

[0040] In other embodiments, the length of the middle tube may be greater than half the length of the upper tube and less than the length of the upper tube, for example, two-thirds the length of the upper tube; in other embodiments, the length of the middle tube may also be less than one-third the length of the upper tube, for example, one-quarter the length of the upper tube.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments without inventive effort, or replace some of the technical features therein with equivalents. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention shall be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A centrifuge tube comprising a top cover, an upper tube, a lower tube and a filter membrane, wherein the upper end of the upper tube is detachably connected to the top cover, characterized in that: The centrifuge tube also includes a middle tube located between the upper tube and the lower tube, the filter membrane is arranged on the middle tube, the length of the middle tube is shorter than the length of the upper tube, and the upper and lower ends of the middle tube are detachably connected to the upper tube and the lower tube respectively, so that after the centrifugation is completed, the upper tube can be removed and the storage tube is composed of the middle tube, the lower tube and the top cover or the additional top cover.

2. The centrifuge tube according to claim 1, wherein The length of the middle tube is less than half of the length of the top tube and greater than one third of the length of the top tube.

3. The centrifuge tube according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The middle tube comprises an extending section which extends into the lower tube and has a gap with the inner wall of the lower tube, and the filter membrane is arranged at the lower end of the extending section.

4. The centrifuge tube according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The middle tube and the upper tube are connected through a first thread structure. One of the middle tube and the upper tube is provided with a first external thread, and the other is provided with a first internal thread adapted to the first external thread.

5. The centrifuge tube according to claim 4, characterized in that The upper tube and the top cover are connected by a second threaded structure. One of the upper tube and the top cover is provided with a second external thread, and the other is provided with a second internal thread that matches the second external thread; the middle tube is provided with a first external thread and the upper tube is provided with a second external thread of the same specification, or the middle tube is provided with a first internal thread and the upper tube is provided with a second internal thread of the same specification.

6. The centrifuge tube according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The upper tube and the top cover are connected through a second threaded structure. One of the upper tube and the top cover is provided with a second external thread, and the other is provided with a second internal thread that matches the second external thread.

7. The centrifuge tube according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The middle tube and the lower tube are connected through a third thread structure. One of the middle tube and the lower tube is provided with a third external thread, and the other is provided with a third internal thread adapted to the third external thread.

8. The centrifuge tube according to claim 7, wherein The upper tube and the top cover are connected by a second threaded structure. One of the upper tube and the top cover is provided with a second external thread, and the other is provided with a second internal thread that matches the second external thread; the lower tube is provided with a third external thread and the upper tube is provided with a second external thread of the same specification, or the lower tube is provided with a third internal thread and the upper tube is provided with a second internal thread of the same specification.

9. The centrifuge tube according to claim 3, wherein The middle tube and the upper tube are connected by a first threaded structure, one of the middle tube and the upper tube is provided with a first external thread, and the other is provided with a first internal thread adapted to the first external thread; the middle tube and the lower tube are connected by a third threaded structure, the middle tube is provided with a third external thread, and the lower tube is provided with a third internal thread adapted to the third external thread, and the extending section is located below the third external thread.

10. The centrifuge tube according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The filter membrane and the middle tube are integrally formed.

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