ERGONOMIC PIPETTE TIPS

Description

Field

[0001] While the present invention is defined by the claims the technology as generally described herein relates in part to pipette tips and methods for using them.Background

[0002] Pipette tips are utilized in a variety of industries that have a requirement for handling fluids, and are used in facilities including medical laboratories and research laboratories, for example. For example, WO 2011 / 091308 disclosed pipette tips being useful for acquiring or dispelling liquids, and including one or more design that may increase fluid delivery precision and / or accuracy, and may reduce certain repetitive motions. US D 691 282 S1 is a design patent that provides an ornament design of a pipette tip. In many instances pipette tips are used in large numbers, and often are utilized for processing many samples and / or adding many reagents to samples, for example.

[0003] Pipette tips often are substantially cone-shaped with an aperture at one end that can engage a fluid dispensing device, and another relatively smaller aperture at the other end that can receive and emit fluid. Pipette tips generally are manufactured from a moldable plastic, such as polypropylene, for example. Pipette tips are made in a number of sizes to allow for accurate and reproducible liquid handling for volumes ranging from nanoliters to milliliters.

[0004] Pipette tips can be utilized in conjunction with a variety of fluid dispensing devices, including manual dispensers (e.g., pipettors) and automated dispensers to manipulate liquid samples. A fluid dispenser is a device that, when attached to the upper end of a pipette tip (the larger opening end), applies negative pressure to acquire fluids, and applies positive pressure to dispense fluids. Typically a pipette tip is mounted onto the lower or distal portion of a fluid dispenser (typically referred to as the barrel, nozzle or mounting shaft) by either inserting the distal portion of a fluid dispenser into the interior of a pipette tip or positioning the distal portion of a fluid dispenser around the pipette tip exterior. A distal portion of a dispenser is inserted into the interior of the upper end of a pipette tip with an amount of force sufficient to cause a pipette tip wall to expand, creating a seal between an outer surface of the distal portion of the dispenser and an inner surface of a pipette tip. Alternatively, a distal portion of a dispenser is inserted around the upper end of a pipette tip with an amount of force sufficient to cause a pipette tip wall to compress, creating a seal between an inner surface of the distal portion of the dispenser and an outer surface of a pipette tip.Summary

[0005] The present invention is defined by the claims. Accordingly, the present invention relates to a pipette tip (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, a proximal region (130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630), a distal region (135, 235, 335, 435, 535, 635) and a junction between the proximal region and the distal region, which proximal region comprises: an annular flange (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) at a proximal terminus of the proximal region (105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605), a distal terminal shoulder (115, 215, 315, 415, 515, 615) at the junction, a plurality of longitudinally-oriented grooves (140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640) on the exterior surface of the pipette tip extending from the flange to the shoulder, wherein: each groove comprises a groove width (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6) and a groove floor (150, 250, 350, 450, 550, 650), a plurality of longitudinally-oriented panels (170, 270, 370, 460, 560, 660) on the exterior surface of the pipette tip, wherein: each panel is adjacent to a groove, each panel or a portion thereof extends over a sealing zone, each panel comprises a panel sidewall (145, 245, 345, 445, 545, 645), a panel face (160, 260, 360, 455, 555, 655) and a panel width (Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6), and each panel width is greater than each groove width; a distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6) , for each groove, is less than a distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face (W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6), for each panel; and which interior surface of a pipette tip defines a substantially frustum-shaped void and is substantially smooth and uniform.

[0006] In accordance with a preferred embodiment the distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor is about 0.030 cm (about 0.012 inches) or less.

[0007] In accordance with a further preferred embodiment the distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor is substantially the same for two or more of the grooves on the pipette tip.

[0008] In accordance with another preferred embodiment the two or more of the grooves are circumferentially distributed symmetrically around the proximal region.

[0009] In accordance with a preferred embodiment there are three or more grooves.

[0010] In accordance with a yet further preferred embodiment the groove width for one or more of the grooves is a linear width of 0.008 cm to 0.102 cm (0.003 inches to 0.040 inches).

[0011] In accordance with a preferred embodiment the groove width for two or more of the grooves is substantially the same.

[0012] In accordance with another preferred embodiment grooves have a latitudinal profile and two or more of the grooves have stepped, v-shaped or u-shaped latitudinal profiles.

[0013] In accordance with a further preferred embodiment each groove has a groove floor with a linear, pointed or substantially pointed or curved latitudinal profile.

[0014] In accordance with a preferred embodiment two or more of the panels are circumferentially distributed symmetrically around the proximal region.

[0015] In accordance with a preferred embodiment the panel width for two or more of the panels is substantially the same.

[0016] In accordance with another preferred embodiment panels have a latitudinal profile and two or more of the panels have a stepped or curved latitudinal profile.

[0017] In accordance with a preferred embodiment each panel width is at least two five times greater than each groove width.

[0018] In accordance with a more preferred embodiment each panel width is at least 10 times greater than each groove width.

[0019] In accordance with a preferred embodiment the distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face is 0.025 cm to 0.102 cm (0.010 inches to 0.040 inches).

[0020] In accordance with a further preferred embodiment the proximal region is capable of hoop stretching at a sealing zone upon insertion of a fluid dispensing device member into the interior of the pipette tip, and wherein the hoop stretching is 0.003 cm to 0.013 cm (0.001 inches to 0.005 inches).

[0021] The present invention also relates to a method for engaging a pipette tip with a fluid dispensing device member comprising inserting a fluid dispensing device member into a pipette tip of any one of claims 1-16 at a force sufficient to form a seal between the fluid dispensing device member and the pipette tip at a sealing zone.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] Drawings 1 to 26 illustrate certain embodiments of the invention and are not limiting. For clarity and ease of illustration, the drawings are not necessarily made to scale and, in some instances, various aspects may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of particular embodiments. FIG. 1 shows a side view of pipette tip embodiment 100. FIG. 2A shows a top perspective view, FIG. 2B shows a bottom perspective view, FIG. 3A shows a top view and FIG. 3B shows a bottom view of pipette tip embodiment 100. FIG. 4A is a sectional view through section A1-A1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the region delineated by the broken line circle in FIG. 4A. FIG. 5 is a sectional view through section B1-B1 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view through section a-a shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 shows a side view of pipette tip embodiment 200. FIG. 8 is a sectional view through section A2-A2 shown in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the region delineated by the broken line circle in FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a sectional view through section B2-B2 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 11 shows a side view of pipette tip embodiment 300. FIG. 12 is a sectional view through section A3-A3 shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the region delineated by the broken line circle in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is a sectional view through section B3-B3 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 15 shows a side view of pipette tip embodiment 400. FIG. 16 is a sectional view through section A4-A4 shown in FIG. 15, and FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of the region delineated by the broken line circle in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 is a sectional view through section B4-B4 shown in FIG. 15. FIG. 19 shows a side view of pipette tip embodiment 500. FIG. 20 is a sectional view through section A5-A5 shown in FIG. 19, and FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the region delineated by the broken line circle in FIG. 20. FIG. 22 is a sectional view through section B5-B5 shown in FIG. 19. FIG. 23 shows a side view of pipette tip embodiment 600. FIG. 24 is a sectional view through section A6-A6 shown in FIG. 23, and FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the region delineated by the broken line circle in FIG. 24. FIG. 26 is a sectional view through section B6-B6 shown in FIG. 23. TABLE 1 Identifier Feature 100pipette tip (expansion sealing)105proximal region proximal terminus110annular flange112longitudinal axis; longitudinal orientation113circumference; latitudinal orientation115proximal region distal terminus; shoulder120distal region exterior surface122proximal region exterior surface125distal region distal terminus130proximal region135distal region140groove150groove floorX 1< groove widthZ 1< distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a groove floor; pipette tip wall thickness at a groove160panel face145panel sidewall170panelY 1< panel widthW 1< distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a panel face; pipette tip wall thickness at a panel180proximal region interior surface185interior region of tip190distal region interior surface200pipette tip (expansion sealing)205proximal region proximal terminus210annular flange215proximal region distal terminus; shoulder220distal region exterior surface222proximal region exterior surface225distal region distal terminus230proximal region235distal region240groove250groove floorX 2< groove widthZ 2< distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a groove floor; pipette tip wall thickness at a groove260panel face270panel245panel sidewallY 2< panel widthW 2< distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a panel face; pipette tip wall thickness at a panel280interior surface285proximal region interior300pipette tip (expansion sealing)305proximal region proximal terminus310annular flange315proximal region distal terminus; shoulder320distal region exterior surface322proximal region exterior surface325distal region distal terminus330proximal region335distal region340groove350groove floorX 3< groove widthZ 3< distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a groove floor; pipette tip wall thickness at a groove360panel face370panel345panel sidewallY 3< panel widthW 3< distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a panel face; pipette tip wall thickness at a panel380interior surface385proximal region interior400pipette tip (expansion sealing)405proximal region proximal terminus410annular flange415proximal region distal terminus; shoulder420distal region exterior surface422proximal region exterior surface425distal region distal terminus430proximal region435distal region440groove450groove floorX 4< groove widthZ 4< distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a groove floor; pipette tip wall thickness at a groove455panel face445panel sidewall460panel comprising protrusionY 4< panel widthW 4< distance between a protrusion face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a panel face with the protrusionS 4< distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a panel face; pipette tip wall thickness at a panel462protrusion465transition surface; protrusion step from panel470protrusion faceT 4< distance between panel face and protrusion faceV 4< protrusion width480interior surface485proximal region interior500pipette tip (expansion sealing)505proximal region proximal terminus510annular flange515proximal region distal terminus; shoulder520distal region exterior surface522proximal region exterior surface525distal region distal terminus530proximal region535distal region540grooveX 5< groove widthZ 5< distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a groove floor; pipette tip wall thickness at a groove550groove floor555panel face545panel sidewall560panel comprising protrusionY 5< panel widthW 5< distance between a protrusion face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a panel face with the protrusionS 5< distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a panel face; pipette tip wall thickness at a panel562protrusion565transition surface; protrusion step from panel570protrusion faceT 5< distance between panel face and protrusion faceV 5< protrusion width580interior surface585proximal region interior600pipette tip (expansion sealing)605proximal region proximal terminus610annular flange615proximal region distal terminus; shoulder620distal region exterior surface622proximal region exterior surface625distal region distal terminus630proximal region635distal region640grooveX 6< groove widthZ 6< distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a groove floor; pipette tip wall thickness at a groove650groove floor655panel face645panel sidewallY 6< panel widthW 6< distance between a protrusion face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a panel face with the protrusionS 6< distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a panel face; pipette tip wall thickness at a panel660panel comprising protrusion662protrusion665transition surface from panel face670protrusion faceT 6< distance between panel face and protrusion faceV 6< protrusion width680interior surface685proximal region interior Detailed Description

[0023] While the present invention is defined by the claims the present disclosure generally provides in part pipette tip implementations that permit ergonomic engagement and disengagement of a pipette tip and a fluid dispensing device (i.e., reduce the amount of axial force required to engage and / or disengage a pipette tip from a fluid dispensing device).

[0024] Certain structural features of pipette tip embodiments described herein may afford particular advantages to some users. In some embodiments, one or more of the structural features described may be incorporated into a pipette tip embodiment in one or more combinations. Incorporation of a structural feature can result in an advantage described hereafter, in certain instances.

[0025] Many features of the pipette tip embodiments described herein are shared between the different pipette tip embodiments (see Table 1). Therefore, the features will be described in detail for one pipette tip embodiment and related to the similar features of other pipette tip embodiments.Ergonomic pipette tip groove and panel configurationsExpansion sealing tips

[0026] Provided in certain implementations are pipette tips that includes an exterior surface, an interior surface, a proximal region, a distal region and a junction between the proximal region and the distal region. A proximal region often includes a plurality of longitudinally-oriented grooves on an exterior surface of a pipette tip (e.g., 140 as shown in FIG. 1). A proximal region also often includes a plurality of longitudinally-oriented panels on an exterior surface of a pipette tip (e.g., 170 as shown in FIG. 1), where each of the panels is adjacent to one of the grooves. The length of longitudinally-oriented panels and grooves is larger than the width of such panels and grooves. The length of longitudinally-oriented grooves and panels typically is parallel or substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pipette tip (e.g., longitudinal axis 112 shown in FIG. 2B). The length of a groove or panel that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis can deviate from parallel by about 10 degrees or less. The longitudinally-oriented panel sidewall of adjacent panels typically define each groove there between, and there typically is an equal number of grooves and panels in a pipette tip.

[0027] In some implementations, a pipette tip comprises a set of axially extended grooves and panels circumferentially spaced around the external surface of the proximal region of the pipette tip. The term "circumferentially spaced," "circumferentially configured", "circumferentially disposed" and the like as used herein, refer to axially oriented grooves and panels disposed around a circumference of the proximal region of a pipette tip (e.g., circumference latitudinal axis 113 shown in FIG. 2B).

[0028] In some implementations, two or more panels are regularly distributed around the exterior surface of a pipette tip, and in certain implementations, all panels are regularly distributed around the exterior surface of a pipette tip (e.g., all grooves have the same groove width). In some implementations, two or more panels are asymmetrically distributed around the exterior surface of a pipette tip. In some implementations, two or more grooves are regularly distributed around the exterior surface of a pipette tip, and in certain implementations, all grooves are regularly distributed around the exterior surface of a pipette tip (e.g., all panels have the same panel width). In some implementations, two or more grooves are asymmetrically distributed around the exterior surface of a pipette tip.

[0029] The interior surface of a pipette tip typically defines a substantially frustrum-shaped void and is substantially smooth and uniform (i.e., not interrupted by a protrusion or cavity; follows the contours of a nozzle or shaft with which it seals).

[0030] A pipette tip typically includes a sealing zone. In certain implementations, the proximal region comprises a sealing zone. A terminus of a fluid dispensing device often sealingly engages an inner surface of a pipette tip at a sealing zone, which generally is located a particular distance from a proximal terminus of a pipette tip. Thus, a sealing zone in certain implementations is disposed a particular distance below the terminal opening of a pipette tip (e.g., the sealing zone is offset from the edge of the pipette tip). A sealing zone often is a point at which a fluid tight, frictional and / or sealing engagement occurs between a pipette tip and a fluid dispensing device. In some implementations, the inner surface of the proximal region of a pipette tip provides a continuous contact zone (e.g., sealing zone) for frictional and / or sealing engagement between a pipette tip and a fluid dispensing device member. Grooves and panels or portions thereof usually extends over the sealing zone.

[0031] Certain pipette tip implementations can include a flared lead-in surface at the end of a proximal region. In certain aspects, a pipette tip includes a flange (e.g., annular flange) at a proximal terminus of a proximal region. In such implementations, a flange may be flared, and a lead-in diameter of a flange can allow for dispenser engagement tolerance, which is relevant for multi-dispenser applications, for example. Such a flange can provide a larger contact zone for engaging a pipette nozzle or mounting shaft, and can increase the probability of a sealing engagement between a dispenser nozzle or mounting shaft not coaxially aligned with a pipette tip by guiding the axial center of a pipette tip to the axial center of a dispenser nozzle or mounting shaft. An annular flange also can provide pipette tip rigidity in addition to facilitating dispenser alignment. In some implementations, pipette tips described herein include an annular flange at a proximal terminus of the proximal region. An example of an annular flange 110 is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2A.

[0032] A pipette tip often includes a distal shoulder at the junction between the proximal region and the distal region (e.g., 115 as shown in FIG. 1).

[0033] Grooves and panels often extend from an annular flange (e.g., 110 as shown in FIG. 1) to a distal terminal shoulder (e.g., 115 as shown in FIG. 1).

[0034] An exterior surface of a pipette tip can include any suitable number of panels and grooves. A pipette tip sometimes includes 3 or more grooves (e.g., 3 to about 50 grooves; 3 to about 40 grooves; 4 to about 40 grooves; about 5 to about 40 grooves; about 6 to about 40 grooves; about 7 to about 40 grooves; about 8 to about 40 grooves; about 9 to about 40 grooves; about 10 to about 40 grooves; about 10 to about 30 grooves; about 8 to about 20 grooves, about 4 to about 14 grooves; about 6 to about 10 grooves; about 8 to about 10 grooves; about 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 or 40 grooves) and sometimes includes 3 or more panels (e.g., 3 to about 50 panels; 3 to about 40 panels; 4 to about 40 panels; about 5 to about 40 panels; about 6 to about 40 panels; about 7 to about 40 panels; about 8 to about 40 panels; about 9 to about 40 panels; about 10 to about 40 panels; about 10 to about 30 panels; about 8 to about 20 panels; about 4 to about 14 panels; about 6 to about 10 panels; about 8 to about 10 panels; about 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 or 40 panels). For example, FIG. 4A shows a pipette tip with 8 grooves and 8 panels.

[0035] A groove often includes a groove floor (e.g., 150 as shown in FIG. 4B) that can run the longitudinal length of the groove and a groove width X (e.g., X 1< as shown in FIG. 4B). In certain implementations, a groove is defined by adjacent panel sidewalls and a groove floor. A groove floor is determined by the latitudinal profile (see discussion below) of a groove and in certain implementations a groove floor can be a point or substantially a point, flat or curved. A curved surface sometimes includes a concave curve, sometimes includes a convex curve, sometimes is a single curve (i.e., one arc), and sometimes is a compound curve (i.e., two or more arcs). A groove floor is disposed so there is a distance Z between the groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor (e.g., Z 1< shown in FIG. 4B) (i.e., wall thickness of a pipette tip at a groove). In some implementations, Z represents the smallest distance between a groove floor or a portion thereof and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor or portion thereof. For example, for a groove having a curved groove floor, the pipette tip wall under the groove would vary in thickness across the groove floor. Z represents the distance between the lowest point of the curved surface (inflection point) and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor (e.g., see Z 3< shown in FIG. 13).

[0036] In certain implementations, a distance Z between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor, for each groove, is less than a distance W between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face (e.g., W 1< as shown in FIG. 4B), for each panel. A distance Z between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor sometimes is about 0.003 cm (0.001 inches) to about 0.030 cm (0.012 inches) (e.g., about 0.005 cm (0.002 inches) to about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches); about 0.008 cm (0.003 inches) to about 0.018 cm (0.007 inches); about (0.010 cm (0.004 inches) to about 0.015 cm (0.006 inches); about 0.010 cm (0.004 inches) to about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches); about 0.003 cm (0.001 inches), about 0.005 cm (0.002 inches), about 0.008 cm (0.003 inches), about 0.010 cm (0.004 inches), about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches), about 0.015 cm (0.006 inches), about 0.018 cm (0.007 inches), about 0.020 cm (0.008 inches), about 0.023 cm (0.009 inches), about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches), about 0.028 cm (0.011 inches) or about 0.30 cm (0.012 inches)). A distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor is often about 0.30 cm (0.012 inches) or less, about 0.028 cm (0.011 inches) or less, about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches) or less, about 0.023 cm (0.009 inches) or less, about 0.020 cm (0.008 inches) or less, about 0.018 cm (0.007 inches) or less, about 0.015 cm (0.006 inches) or less, about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches) or less, about 0.010 cm (0.004 inches) or less, about 0.008 cm (0.003 inches) or less, about 0.005 cm (0.002 inches) or less, about 0.003 cm (0.001 inches) or less.

[0037] A "minimal thickness" for a pipette tip wall at a groove floor may predominately be a reflection of the limits of current and future manufacturing and molding capabilities. Factors such as plastic viscosity and flow characteristics, as well as plastic hardeners (e.g., currently available plasticizers or hardeners, or plasticizers yet to be formulated) also may contribute to the minimal thickness attainable for pipette tips described herein. Therefore, thicknesses described herein for pipette tip walls between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove wall sometimes are at the current limit of molding and manufacturing technology, and it is possible that future molding, manufacturing and plastics technology will result in lesser thicknesses.

[0038] Two or more or all grooves in a pipette tip often have the same distance (wall thickness) between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor. Two or more grooves in a pipette tip sometimes have a different distance (wall thickness) between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor. In some implementations, the distance from an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a groove floor (e.g., Z 1< shown in FIG. 4B) (i.e., wall thickness of the pipette tip at a groove) along a longitudinal length of a groove sometimes is uniform or substantially uniform (i.e., a substantially uniform thickness changes 5% or less across the longitudinal length).

[0039] A panel often includes a panel face (e.g., 160 as shown in FIG. 4B), a panel sidewall (e.g., 145 as shown in FIG. 4B) and a panel width Y (e.g., Y 1< as shown in FIG. 4B). In certain implementations, a panel is disposed so as to have a distance W between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face (e.g., W 1< shown in FIG. 4B) (i.e., wall thickness of a pipette tip at a panel). A distance W between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face sometimes is about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches) to about 0.102 cm (0.040 inches) (e.g., about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches) to about 0.076 cm (0.030 inches), about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches) to about 0.051 cm (0.020 inches); about 0.038 cm (0.015 inches) to about 0.076 cm (0.030 inches); about 0.038 cm (0.015 inches) to about 0.051 cm (0.020 inches) about 0.046 cm (0.018 inches) to about 0.051 cm (0.020 inches); about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches), about 0.028 cm (0.011 inches), about 0.030 cm (0.012 inches), about 0.033 cm (0.013 inches), about 0.036 cm (0.014 inches), about 0.038 cm (0.015 inches), about 0.041 cm (0.016 inches), about 0.043 cm (0.017 inches), about 0.046 cm (0.018 inches), about 0.048 cm (0.019 inches), about 0.051 cm (0.020 inches), about 0.053 cm (0.021 inches), about 0.056 cm (0.022 inches), about 0.058 cm (0.023 inches), about 0.061 cm (0.024 inches), about 0.064 cm (0.025 inches), about 0.066 cm (0.026 inches), about 0.069 cm (0.027 inches), about 0.071 cm (0.028 inches), about 0.074 cm (0.029 inches), about 0.076 cm (0.030 inches), about 0.079 cm (0.031 inches), about 0.081 cm (0.032 inches), about 0.084 cm (0.033 inches), about 0.086 cm (0.034 inches), about 0.089 cm (0.035 inches), about 0.091 cm (0.036 inches), about 0.094 cm (0.037 inches), about 0.097 cm (0.038 inches), about 0.099 cm (0.039 inches) or about 0.102 cm (0.040 inches)). Two or more or all panels in a pipette tip often have the same distance (wall thickness) between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face. Two or more panels in a sealing member sometimes have a different distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face, and sometimes there are 2, 3, 4, 5 or more different panel wall thickness species in a pipette tip that can be arranged in a suitable pattern (e.g., alternating pattern or grouped pattern).

[0040] In certain implementations, the distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite a panel face (e.g., W 1< shown in FIG. 4B) (i.e., wall thickness of a pipette tip at a panel) along a longitudinal length of a panel sometimes is uniform or substantially uniform (i.e., a substantially uniform thickness changes 5% or less across the longitudinal length).

[0041] In some implementations, W (pipette tip wall thickness at a panel) can be about 2 to about 50 times greater than Z (pipette tip wall thickness under a groove), about 2 to about 40 times greater, about 2 to about 30 times greater, about 2 to about 20 times greater, about 2 to about 10 times greater (e.g., about 2 times greater; about 3 times greater; about 4 times greater; about 5 times greater; about 6 times greater; about 7 times greater; about 8 times greater; about 9 times greater; about 10 times greater, about 11 times greater, about 12 times greater, about 13 times greater, about 14 times greater, about 15 times greater, about 16 times greater, about 17 times greater, about 18 times greater, about 19 times greater, about 20 times greater, about 25 times greater, about 30 times greater, about 35 times greater, about 40 times greater, about 45 times greater or about 50 times greater).

[0042] A width of a panel (Y) or a groove (X) typically is measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (i.e., axis 112 shown in FIG. 2B) of a pipette tip and at the center point of the longitudinal panel or groove length. A width sometimes is expressed as a linear distance at a proximal region exterior surface (e.g., 122 as shown in FIG. 4A) from one side of a groove or panel to the other side. A width sometimes is expressed as a circumferential distance measured from one side of the groove or panel to the other side along a virtual circumference that contacts the panel faces. A circumferential distance sometimes is expressed in degrees (i.e., a portion of 360 degrees) and can be expressed in radians.

[0043] A groove width X is a linear or circumferential distance typically measured at a proximal region exterior surface between two panels flanking a groove (e.g., width X 1< shown in FIG. 4B). In some implementations, all of the grooves of a pipette tip have the same width. In certain implementations, one or more of the grooves of a pipette tip have different widths (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more different widths for grooves). One or more grooves of a pipette tip sometimes have a groove width (linear distance) of about 0.008 cm (0.003 inches) to about 0.102 cm (0.040 inches), about 0.008 cm (0.003 inches) to about 0.076 cm (0.030 inches) about 0.008 cm (0.003 inches) to about 0.064 cm (0.025 inches), about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches) to about 0.05 cm (0.02 inches), about 0.03 cm (0.01 inches) to about 0.038 cm (0.015 inches) (e.g., about 0.008 cm (0.003 inches), about 0.010 cm (0.004 inches), about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches), about 0.015 cm (0.006 inches), about 0.018 cm (0.007 inches), about 0.020 cm (0.008 inches), about 0.023 cm (0.009 inches), about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches), about 0.028 cm (0.011 inches), about 0.30 cm (0.012 inches), about 0.033 cm (0.013 inches), about 0.036 cm (0.014 inches), about 0.038 cm (0.015 inches), about 0.041 cm (0.016 inches), about 0.043 cm (0.017 inches), about 0.046 cm (0.018 inches), about 0.048 cm (0.019 inches), about 0.051 cm (0.020 inches), about 0.053 cm (0.021 inches), about 0.056 cm (0.022 inches), about 0.058 cm (0.023 inches), about 0.061 cm (0.024 inches), about 0.064 cm (0.025 inches), about 0.066 cm (0.026 inches), about 0.069 cm (0.027 inches), about 0.071 cm (0.028 inches), about 0.074 cm (0.029 inches), about 0.076 cm (0.030 inches), about 0.079 cm (0.031 inches), about 0.081 cm (0.032 inches), about 0.084 cm (0.033 inches), about 0.086 cm (0.034 inches), about 0.089 cm (0.035 inches), about 0.091 cm (0.036 inches), about 0.094 cm (0.037 inches), about 0.097 cm (0.038 inches), about 0.099 cm (0.039 inches) or about 0.102 cm (0.040 inches)). In some implementations, one or more grooves of a pipette tip have a groove width (circumferential distance) of about 5 degrees to about 30 degrees (e.g., about 1 degree, about 2 degrees, about 3 degrees, about 4 degrees, about 5 degrees, about 6 degrees, about 7 degrees, about 8 degrees, about 9 degrees, about 10 degrees, about 11 degrees, about 12 degrees, about 13 degrees, about 14 degrees, about 15 degrees, about 16 degrees, about 17 degrees, about 18 degrees, about 19 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 21 degrees, about 22 degrees, about 23 degrees, about 24 degrees, about 25 degrees, about 26 degrees, about 27 degrees, about 28 degrees, about 29 degrees or about 30 degrees).

[0044] A panel width Y is a linear or circumferential distance typically measured at a proximal region exterior surface from one end of a panel face to the other end of the panel face Y (e.g., width Y 1< shown in FIG. 4B). In some implementations, all of the panels of a pipette tip have the same width. In certain implementations, one or more of the panels of a pipette tip have different widths (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or more different widths for panels). In some implementations, one or more panels have a panel width (linear distance) of about 0.064 cm (0.025 inches) to about 0.445 cm (0.175 inches), about 0.127 cm (0.050 inches) to about 0.381 cm (0.150 inches), about 0.191 cm (0.075 inches) to about 0.25 cm (0.10 inches) (e.g., about 0.064 cm (0.025 inches), about 0.066 cm (0.026 inches), about 0.069 cm (0.027 inches), about 0.071 cm (0.028 inches), about 0.074 cm (0.029 inches), about 0.076 cm (0.030 inches), about 0.079 cm (0.031 inches), about 0.081 cm (0.032 inches), about 0.084 cm (0.033 inches), about 0.086 cm (0.034 inches), about 0.089 cm (0.035 inches), about 0.091 cm (0.036 inches), about 0.094 cm (0.037 inches), about 0.097 cm (0.038 inches), about 0.099 cm (0.039 inches), about 0.102 cm (0.040 inches), about 0.104 cm (0.041 inches), about 0.107 cm (0.042 inches), about 0.109 cm (0.043 inches), about 0.112 cm (0.044 inches), about 0.114 cm (0.045 inches), about 0.117 cm (0.046 inches), about 0.119 cm (0.047 inches), about 0.122 cm (0.048 inches), about 0.124 cm (0.049 inches), about 0.127 cm (0.050 inches), about 0.129 cm (0.051 inches), about 0.132 cm (0.052 inches), about 0.135 cm (0.053 inches), about 0.137 cm (0.054 inches), about 0.139 cm (0.055 inches), about 0.142 cm (0.056 inches), about 0.145 cm (0.057 inches), about 0.147 cm (0.058 inches), about 0.149 cm (0.059 inches), about 0.152 cm (0.060 inches), about 0.155 cm (0.061 inches), about 0.157 cm (0.062 inches), about 0.160 cm (0.063 inches), about 0.163 cm (0.064 inches), about 0.165 cm (0.065 inches), about 0.168 cm (0.066 inches), about 0.170 cm (0.067 inches), about 0.173 cm (0.068 inches), about 0.175 cm (0.069 inches), about 0.178 cm (0.070 inches), about 0.180 cm (0.071 inches), about 0.183 cm (0.072 inches), about 0.185 cm (0.073 inches), about 0.188 cm (0.074 inches), about 0.191 cm (0.075 inches), about 0.193 cm (0.076 inches), about 0.196 cm (0.077 inches), about 0.198 cm (0.078 inches), about 0.201 cm (0.079 inches), about 0.203 cm (0.080 inches), about 0.206 cm (0.081 inches), about 0.208 cm (0.082 inches), about 0.211 cm (0.083 inches), about 0.213 cm (0.084 inches), about 0.216 cm (0.085 inches), about 0.218 cm (0.086 inches), about 0.221 cm (0.087 inches), about 0.224 cm (0.088 inches), about 0.226 cm (0.089 inches), about 0.229 cm (0.090 inches), about 0.231 cm (0.091 inches), about 0.234 cm (0.092 inches), about 0.236 cm (0.093 inches), about 0.239 cm (0.094 inches), about 0.241 cm (0.095 inches), about 0.244 cm (0.096 inches), about 0.246 cm (0.097 inches), about 0.249 cm (0.098 inches), about 0.252 cm (0.099 inches), about 0.254 cm (0.100 inches), about 0.257 cm (0.101 inches), about 0.259 cm (0.102 inches), about 0.262 cm (0.103 inches), about 0.264 cm (0.104 inches), about 0.267 cm (0.105 inches), about 0.269 cm (0.106 inches), about 0.272 cm (0.107 inches), about 0.274 cm (0.108 inches), about 0.277 cm (0.109 inches), about 0.279 cm (0.110 inches), about 0.282 cm (0.111 inches), about 0.285 cm (0.112 inches), about 0.287 cm (0.113 inches), about 0.289 cm (0.114 inches), about 0.292 cm (0.115 inches), about 0.295 cm (0.116 inches), about 0.297 cm (0.117 inches), about 0.299 cm (0.118 inches), about 0.302 cm (0.119 inches), about 0.305 cm (0.120 inches), about 0.307 cm (0.121 inches), about 0.310 cm (0.122 inches), about 0.312 cm (0.123 inches), about 0.315 cm (0.124 inches), about 0.318 cm (0.125 inches), about 0.320 cm (0.126 inches), about 0.323 cm (0.127 inches), about 0.325 cm (0.128 inches), about 0.328 cm (0.129 inches), about 0.330 cm (0.130 inches), about 0.333 cm (0.131 inches), about 0.335 cm (0.132 inches), about 0.338 cm (0.133 inches), about 0.340 cm (0.134 inches), about 0.343 cm (0.135 inches), about 0.345 cm (0.136 inches), about 0.348 cm (0.137 inches), about 0.351 cm (0.138 inches), about 0.353 cm (0.139 inches), about 0.356 cm (0.140 inches), about 0.358 cm (0.141 inches), about 0.361 cm (0.142 inches), about 0.363 cm (0.143 inches), about 0.366 cm (0.144 inches), about 0.368 cm (0.145 inches), about 0.371 cm (0.146 inches), about 0.373 cm (0.147 inches), about 0.376 cm (0.148 inches), about 0.379 cm (0.149 inches), about 0.381 cm (0.150 inches), about 0.384 cm (0.151 inches), about 0.386 cm (0.152 inches), about 0.389 cm (0.153 inches), about 0.391 cm (0.154 inches), about 0.394 cm (0.155 inches), about 0.396 cm (0.156 inches), about 0.399 cm (0.157 inches), about 0.401 cm (0.158 inches), about 0.404 cm (0.159 inches), about 0.406 cm (0.160 inches), about 0.409 cm (0.161 inches), about 0.412 cm (0.162 inches), about 0.414 cm (0.163 inches), about 0.417 cm (0.164 inches), about 0.419 cm (0.165 inches), about 0.422 cm (0.166 inches), about 0.424 cm (0.167 inches), about 0.427 cm (0.168 inches), about 0.439 cm (0.169 inches), about 0.432 cm (0.170 inches), about 0.434 cm (0.171 inches), about 0.437 cm (0.172 inches), about 0.439 cm (0.173 inches), about 0.442 cm (0.174 inches) or about 0.445 cm (0.175 inches)). In some implementations, one or more panels of a pipette tip have a panel width (circumferential distance) of about 10 degrees to about 175 degrees, about 20 degrees to about 165 degrees, about 30 degrees to about 155 degrees, about 40 degrees to about 145 degrees, about 50 degrees to about 135 degrees, about 60 degrees to about 125 degrees, about 70 degrees to about 115 degrees, about 80 degrees to about 105 degrees, about 90 degrees to about 100 degrees (e.g. about 10 degrees, about 15 degrees, about 20 degrees, about 25 degrees, about 30 degrees, about 35 degrees, about 40 degrees, about 45 degrees, about 50 degrees, about 55 degrees, about 60 degrees, about 65 degrees, about 70 degrees, about 75 degrees, about 80 degrees, about 85 degrees, about 90 degrees, about 95 degrees, about 100 degrees, about 105 degrees, about 110 degrees, about 115 degrees, about 120 degrees, about 125 degrees, about 130 degrees, about 135 degrees, about 140 degrees, about 145 degrees, about 150 degrees, about 155 degrees, about 160 degrees, about 165 degrees, about 170 degrees or about 175 degrees) and values in between.

[0045] In some implementations, a panel width Y of a pipette tip is greater than a groove width X of a pipette tip. In certain implementations, a panel width for each panel of a pipette tip is greater than a groove width for each groove of a pipette tip. In some implementations, a panel width is more than about 2 times greater than a groove width, more than about 5 times greater than a groove width, more than about 10 times greater than a groove width; more than about 20 times greater than a groove width; more than about 25 times greater than a groove width. In some implementations, a panel width is about 1.1 to about 50 times greater than a groove width (e.g., about 1.1 times greater, about 1.1 times greater, about 1.2 times greater, about 1.3 times greater, about 1.4 times greater, about 1.5 times greater, about 1.6 times greater, about 1.7 times greater, about 1.8 times greater, about 1.9 times greater, about 2 times greater; about 3 times greater; about 4 times greater; about 5 times greater; about 6 times greater; about 7 times greater; about 8 times greater; about 9 times greater; about 10 times greater; about 11 times greater; about 12 times greater; about 13 times greater; about 14 times greater; about 15 times greater; about 16 times greater; about 17 times greater; about 18 times greater; about 19 times greater; about 20 times greater; about 21 times greater; about 22 times greater; about 23 times greater; about 24 times greater; about 25 times greater; about 26 times greater; about 27 times greater; about 28 times greater; about 29 times greater; about 30 times greater; about 31 times greater; about 32 times greater; about 33 times greater; about 34 times greater; about 35 times greater; about 36 times greater; about 37 times greater; about 38 times greater; about 39 times greater; about 40 times greater; about 41 times greater; about 42 times greater; about 43 times greater; about 44 times greater; about 45 times greater; about 46 times greater; about 47 times greater; about 48 times greater; about 49 times greater or about 50 times greater).

[0046] The sum of all groove widths and panel widths of a pipette tip equal the circumference of a pipette tip measured around the exterior surface of the pipette tip. The circumference of a pipette tip in the proximal region generally will increase as the fluid capacity of the tip increases (e.g., 10 ul, 200 ul, 300 ul, 1000 ul, 1250 ul). In some implementations this relationship is described by the following equation: C = nX + nY C is a circumference value measured at the panel faces X is the groove width Y is the panel width n is the number of panels or grooves (Assumption is that groove widths are equal and panel widths are equal).

[0047] Utilizing the above-described relationship, for pipette tips of any circumference, values for X, Y and n can be determined that in conjunction with suitable values as described for W and Z provide for enhanced wall expandability while maintaining wall stability.

[0048] Without being limited by theory, as groove widths are smaller than panel widths, grooves represent a smaller percentage of a pipette tip external surface than panels. Panels principally provide the structural integrity of a pipette tip wall, allowing the thickness of a pipette tip wall at the groove floor (distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor) to be minimized. Axial forces generated when a fluid dispensing device member (e.g., barrel, nozzle or mounting shaft) is inserted into the interior of a pipette tip are focused to the thin wall regions under grooves, as these represent the weakest portions of a pipette tip wall. Accordingly less force is required to stretch (expand) a pipette tip wall to accommodate and seal a mounting shaft or nozzle as these regions not only are structurally favorable to expansion and hoop stretching (thin walls), but also represent a small portion of the overall pipette tip wall surface. An insertion force required to cause hoop stretching (expansion) for a pipette tip having grooves and panels with the described dimensions is substantially less than the insertion force required to cause hoop stretching (expansion) for a pipette tip not having these features. Also without being limited by theory, a disengagement force (ejection force) required to disassociate a pipette tip having the described features is substantially less than the disengagement force required to disassociate a pipette tip not having the described features. Reduced insertion and disengagement forces can reduce strain on a user associated with attaching and ejecting pipette tips, and can reduce the occurrence and severity of repetitive motion conditions, for example.

[0049] A latitudinal profile is a profile across a latitudinal axis or cutting plane of a pipette tip, which latitudinal distance or cutting plane is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (e.g., axis 112 as shown in FIG. 2B). In some implementations, a latitudinal profile of one or more or all panels is stepped or curved. In some implementations, a latitudinal profile of one or more or all panel faces is linear (flat) or curved. Sometimes a latitudinal profile of one or more or all panel sidewalls of a pipette tip is stepped at about 90 degrees relative to the linear width of a panel face, sometimes is angled at a non-90 degree angle relative to the linear width of a panel face (beveled) (e.g., an angle of about 30 degrees to about 89 degrees; about 35 degrees to about 85 degrees; about 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80 degrees) and sometimes is curved. A latitudinal profile of one or more or all grooves sometimes is stepped, V-shaped or U-shaped (curved). A latitudinal profile of one or more or all groove floors sometimes is linear (flat), a point or substantially a point or curved.

[0050] One or more or all panel faces in some implementations include a protrusion (e.g., 462 as shown in FIG.17). A protrusion sometimes has a protrusion width V that extends along part, the majority of, or all of the longitudinal length of a panel (e.g., V 4< as shown in FIG.17). In certain implementations, the protrusion width for one or more of the protrusions is a linear width of about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches) to about 0.25 cm (0.10 inches) (e.g., about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches), about 0.028 cm (0.011 inches), about 0.030 cm (0.012 inches), about 0.033 cm (0.013 inches), about 0.036 cm (0.014 inches), about 0.038 cm (0.015 inches), about 0.041 cm (0.016 inches), about 0.043 cm (0.017 inches), about 0.046 cm (0.018 inches), about 0.048 cm (0.019 inches), about 0.051 cm (0.020 inches), about 0.053 cm (0.021 inches), about 0.056 cm (0.022 inches), about 0.058 cm (0.023 inches), about 0.061 cm (0.024 inches), about 0.064 cm (0.025 inches), about 0.066 cm (0.026 inches), about 0.069 cm (0.027 inches), about 0.071 cm (0.028 inches), about 0.074 cm (0.029 inches), about 0.076 cm (0.030 inches), about 0.079 cm (0.031 inches), about 0.081 cm (0.032 inches), about 0.084 cm (0.033 inches), about 0.086 cm (0.034 inches), about 0.089 cm (0.035 inches), about 0.091 cm (0.036 inches), about 0.094 cm (0.037 inches), about 0.097 cm (0.038 inches), about 0.099 cm (0.039 inches), about 0.102 cm (0.040 inches), about 0.104 cm (0.041 inches), about 0.107 cm (0.042 inches), about 0.109 cm (0.043 inches), about 0.112 cm (0.044 inches), about 0.114 cm (0.045 inches), about 0.117 cm (0.046 inches), about 0.119 cm (0.047 inches), about 0.122 cm (0.048 inches), about 0.124 cm (0.049 inches), about 0.127 cm (0.050 inches), about 0.129 cm (0.051 inches), about 0.132 cm (0.052 inches), about 0.135 cm (0.053 inches), about 0.137 cm (0.054 inches), about 0.139 cm (0.055 inches), about 0.142 cm (0.056 inches), about 0.145 cm (0.057 inches), about 0.147 cm (0.058 inches), about 0.149 cm (0.059 inches), about 0.152 cm (0.060 inches), about 0.155 cm (0.061 inches), about 0.157 cm (0.062 inches), about 0.160 cm (0.063 inches), about 0.163 cm (0.064 inches), about 0.165 cm (0.065 inches), about 0.168 cm (0.066 inches), about 0.170 cm (0.067 inches), about 0.173 cm (0.068 inches), about 0.175 cm (0.069 inches), about 0.178 cm (0.070 inches), about 0.180 cm (0.071 inches), about 0.183 cm (0.072 inches), about 0.185 cm (0.073 inches), about 0.188 cm (0.074 inches), about 0.191 cm (0.075 inches), about 0.193 cm (0.076 inches), about 0.196 cm (0.077 inches), about 0.198 cm (0.078 inches), about 0.201 cm (0.079 inches), about 0.203 cm (0.080 inches), about 0.206 cm (0.081 inches), about 0.208 cm (0.082 inches), about 0.211 cm (0.083 inches), about 0.213 cm (0.084 inches), about 0.216 cm (0.085 inches), about 0.218 cm (0.086 inches), about 0.221 cm (0.087 inches), about 0.224 cm (0.088 inches), about 0.226 cm (0.089 inches), about 0.229 cm (0.090 inches), about 0.231 cm (0.091 inches), about 0.234 cm (0.092 inches), about 0.236 cm (0.093 inches), about 0.239 cm (0.094 inches), about 0.241 cm (0.095 inches), about 0.244 cm (0.096 inches), about 0.246 cm (0.097 inches), about 0.249 cm (0.098 inches), about 0.252 cm (0.099 inches) or about 0.25 cm (0.10 inches)). In certain implementations, the protrusion width for one or more of the protrusions is a circumferential width of about 5 degrees to about 160 degrees, about 10 degrees to about 150 degrees, about 20 degrees to about 140 degrees, about 30 degrees to about 130 degrees, about 40 degrees to about 120 degrees, about 50 degrees to about 110 degrees, about 60 degrees to about 100 degrees, about 70 degrees to about 90 degrees, about 80 degrees to about 90 degrees (e.g., about, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 ,100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, 157, 158, 159 or 160 degrees).

[0051] A protrusion often includes a protrusion face (e.g., 470 as shown in FIG.17) and a distance T between a panel face and a protrusion face, protrusion thickness, (e.g., T 4< as shown in FIG.17). A protrusion thickness can be about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches) to about 0.127 cm (0.050 inches); about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches) to about 0.102 cm (0.040 inches); about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches) to about 0.076 cm (0.030 inches), about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches) to about 0.051 cm (0.020 inches); (e.g., about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches), about 0.015 cm (0.006 inches), about 0.018 cm (0.007 inches), about 0.020 cm (0.008 inches), about 0.023 cm (0.009 inches), about 0.025 cm (0.010 inches), about 0.028 cm (0.011 inches), about 0.030 cm (0.012 inches), about 0.033 cm (0.013 inches), about 0.036 cm (0.014 inches), about 0.038 cm (0.015 inches), about 0.041 cm (0.016 inches), about 0.043 cm (0.017 inches), about 0.046 cm (0.018 inches), about 0.048 cm (0.019 inches), about 0.051 cm (0.020 inches), about 0.053 cm (0.021 inches), about 0.056 cm (0.022 inches), about 0.058 cm (0.023 inches), about 0.061 cm (0.024 inches), about 0.064 cm (0.025 inches), about 0.066 cm (0.026 inches), about 0.069 cm (0.027 inches), about 0.071 cm (0.028 inches), about 0.074 cm (0.029 inches), about 0.076 cm (0.030 inches), about 0.079 cm (0.031 inches), about 0.081 cm (0.032 inches), about 0.084 cm (0.033 inches), about 0.086 cm (0.034 inches), about 0.089 cm (0.035 inches), about 0.091 cm (0.036 inches), about 0.094 cm (0.037 inches), about 0.097 cm (0.038 inches), about 0.099 cm (0.039 inches), about 0.102 cm (0.040 inches), about 0.104 cm (0.041 inches), about 0.107 cm (0.042 inches), about 0.109 cm (0.043 inches), about 0.112 cm (0.044 inches), about 0.114 cm (0.045 inches), about 0.117 cm (0.046 inches), about 0.119 cm (0.047 inches), about 0.122 cm (0.048 inches), about 0.124 cm (0.049 inches) or about 0.127 cm (0.050 inches)). A panel face that includes a protrusion often has a transition surface between the panel face and the protrusion face (e.g., 465 as shown in FIG.17). The latitudinal profile of one or more or all protrusions sometimes is stepped or curved. The latitudinal profile of one or more or all protrusion faces sometimes is flat (linear) or curved, and the latitudinal profile of one or more or all panel transition surfaces sometimes is stepped, beveled or curved. One or more or all panel faces in some implementations do not include a protrusion. Without being limited by theory, a protrusion may contribute to the overall stability of a pipette tip wall.

[0052] In some implementations, the proximal regions of a pipette tip having grooves and panels as described herein is capable of hoop stretching at a sealing zone upon insertion of a fluid dispensing device member into the interior of the pipette tip. In some implementations, the hoop stretching (expansion) is about 0.003 cm (0.001 inches) to about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches); about 0.005 cm (0.002 inches) to about 0.010 cm (0.004 inches); e.g., about 0.013 cm (0.001 inches); about 0.005 cm (0.002 inches); about 0.008 cm (0.003 inches); about 0.010 cm (0.004 inches); about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches).

[0053] In some implementations, the interior surface of the pipette tip in the proximal region is in contact with the exterior surface of a fluid dispensing device member and forms a seal between the fluid dispensing device member and the interior surface of the pipette tip in pipette tip at the sealing zone, and the proximal region of the pipette tip is in an expanded state relative to a relaxed state adopted by the proximal region of the pipette tip when the interior surface of the pipette tip is not in contact with the fluid dispensing device member and forming a seal with the fluid dispensing device member.

[0054] Non-limiting examples of expansion pipette tips having panels and grooves are illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 26. For example, FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 show a pipette tip implementation 100 having a proximal region 130 and a distal region 135 with a junction 115 between the proximal region and the distal region. The proximal region has a proximal terminus 105 and a distal terminus, shoulder 115. The distal region has a proximal terminus at junction, shoulder 115 and a distal terminus 125. A pipette tip includes an interior region 185 with a proximal region interior surface 180 and a distal region interior surface 190 and an exterior region having a proximal region exterior surface 122 (FIG. 4A) and a distal region exterior surface 120. A pipette tip includes an annular flange 110. FIG. 2B shows a pipette tip relative to a longitudinal axis; longitudinal orientation 112 and a circumference; latitudinal orientation 113.

[0055] The proximal region exterior surface includes a plurality of longitudinally-disposed grooves 140 and panels 170 as shown in FIG. 1. Groove 140 includes a groove floor 150 (as shown in FIG. 4B) as a point or substantially a point), a groove width X 1< (as shown in FIG. 4B) and a distance Z 1< between a groove floor and the interior surface of the pipette tip opposite the groove floor (wall thickness) (as shown in FIG. 4B). Groove 140 as shown in FIG. 4B presents a V-shaped latitudinal profile. Panel 170 includes a panel face 160, a panel sidewall 145, a panel width Y 1< and a distance W 1< between a panel face and the interior surface of the pipette tip opposite the panel face (wall thickness) as shown in FIG. 4B. Panel face 160 has a flat (linear) latitudinal profile. Panel sidewall 145 has a beveled (angled) latitudinal profile.

[0056] FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 show pipette tip implementation 100 having a particular groove and panel geometry. Other groove and panel geometries and configurations (e.g., numbers of grooves and panels, groove and panel profiles, groove and panel widths (X and Y) and pipette tip wall thicknesses (Z and W)) can facilitate hoop expansion of the pipette tip sealing region when a dispensing device member is inserted in the interior of a pipette tip. Non-limiting examples of alternative groove and panel geometries are illustrated for pipette tip implementation 200 shown in FIG 7 to FIG. 10 and pipette tip implementation 300 shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 14. Shown in FIG. 9 for implementation 200, groove 240 has a stepped latitudinal profile with a flat (linear) groove floor 250. Panel face 260 has a flat or linear latitudinal profile and panel sidewall 245 has a stepped latitudinal profile. The groove width is denoted X 2< and the panel width is denoted Y 2< . The distance between a groove floor and the interior surface of the pipette tip opposite the groove floor (wall thickness) is Z 2< . The distance between a panel face and the interior surface of the pipette tip opposite the panel face (wall thickness) is designated W 2< . Shown in FIG. 13 for implementation 300, groove 340 has a curved (u-shaped) latitudinal profile with a curved groove floor 350. Panel face 360 has a flat or linear latitudinal profile and panel sidewall 345 has a curved latitudinal profile. The groove width is denoted X 3< and the panel width is denoted Y 3< . The distance between a groove floor and the interior surface of the pipette tip opposite the groove floor (wall thickness) is denoted Z 3< . The distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face (thickness) is denoted W 3< .

[0057] FIG. 15 to FIG. 18 show pipette tip implementation 400 having a particular geometry of a groove and panel with a protrusion. Shown in FIG. 17 for implementation 400, groove 440 latitudinal profile is stepped and groove floor 450 is linear or flat. Panel face 455 has a flat or linear latitudinal profile and panel sidewall 445 latitudinal profile is shown as stepped. The groove width is denoted X 4< and the panel width is denoted Y 4< . The distance between a groove floor and the interior surface of the pipette tip opposite the groove floor (wall thickness) is designated Z 4< . The distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face (thickness) is designated S 4< . Protrusion 462 has a protrusion face 470 having a flat or linear profile and a transition surface 465 that is stepped. Protrusion width is denoted V 4< and the distance between a panel face and a protrusion face is denoted T 4< . The distance between protrusion 470 face and the interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face with the protrusion is denoted W 4< .

[0058] Non-limiting examples of alternative geometries of grooves and panels with a protrusion are illustrated for pipette tip implementation 500 shown in FIG. 19 to FIG. 22 and pipette tip implementation 600 in FIG. 23 to FIG. 26. Shown in FIG. 21 for implementation 500, groove 540 has a curved latitudinal profile with a curved groove floor 550. Panel face 555 has a flat or linear latitudinal profile and panel sidewall 545 has curved latitudinal profile. The groove width is denoted X 5< and the panel width is denoted Y 5< . The distance between a groove floor and the interior surface of the pipette tip opposite the groove floor is shown as Z 5< . The distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face (thickness) is designated S 5< . Protrusion 562 has a protrusion face 570 having a latitudinal profile that is flat or linear and a transition surface 565 latitudinal profile that is a stepped. Protrusion width is denoted V 5< and the distance between a panel face and a protrusion face is shown as T 5< . The distance between a protrusion face 570 and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face is denoted by W 5< . Shown in FIG. 25 for implementation 600, groove 640 latitudinal profile is v-shaped with a groove floor 650 that is a point or substantially a point. Panel face 655 latitudinal profile is flat or linear and panel sidewall 645 latitudinal profile is beveled. The groove width is labelled X 6< and the panel width is labelled Y 6< . The distance between a groove floor and the interior surface of the pipette tip opposite the groove floor is denoted Z 6< . Distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face (thickness) is denoted S 6< . Protrusion 662 has a protrusion face 670 having a latitudinal profile that is curved and a transition surface 665 latitudinal profile that is curved. Protrusion width is denoted V 6< and the distance between a panel face and a protrusion face is denoted by T 6< . The distance between protrusion face 670 and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face with the protrusion is denoted by W 6< .Annular groove

[0059] In certain implementations, the interior region of the proximal region of a pipette tip comprises an optional annular groove. As described above, annular groove is an area of increased surface area formed during the molding process that corresponds to a portion of the mold core pin. The core pin often forms the internal surfaces of the object to be molded, for example the pipette tips described herein. The distance between the core pin and the mold cavity (e.g., the part of the mold that forms the outer surface of the object) determines the thickness of the object to be molded (e.g., pipette tip). The shape of the core pin can offer an increased surface area upon which the cooling pipette tip (e.g., specifically annular groove may find purchase and therefore remain in contact with the core pin during cooling and separation from the portion of the mold that forms the pipette tip outer surface, which in tum may facilitate release and ejection of the pipette tip from the mold core after cooling of the pipette tip. Annular groove resides on the interior surface of proximal region (e.g., 180 shown in FIG. 4B). The sealing zone, which is located in the proximal region of a pipette tip, sometimes is located at a position in the pipette tip interior proximal of the annular groove, sometimes is located at a position distal to annular groove, and sometimes is located in the same region as annular groove.Methods of use

[0060] Pipette tips frequently are used in conjunction with a pipetting device (manual or automated) to take up, transport or deliver precise volumes of liquids or reagents. Provided herein is a method for engaging an expansion sealing pipette tip with a fluid dispensing device member comprising inserting a fluid dispensing device member into a pipette tip of any one of the described implementations with a force sufficient to form a seal between the fluid dispensing device member and the pipette tip at a sealing zone. In certain implementations, a proximal region of the pipette tip hoop stretches at a sealing zone. In certain implementations the amount of hoop stretching is about 0.003 cm (0.001 inches) to about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches).

[0061] Provided herein is a method for engaging a compression sealing pipette tip with a fluid dispensing device member comprising contacting a fluid dispensing device member with an exterior surface of a pipette tip of any one of the described implementations with a force sufficient to form a seal between the fluid dispensing device member and the pipette tip at a sealing zone. In certain implementations, a proximal region of a pipette tip is compressed at a sealing zone. In certain implementations the amount of compression is about 0.003 cm (0.001 inches) to about 0.013 cm (0.005 inches).

[0062] Provided herein is a method of using a pipette tip comprising (a) contacting a pipettor with a pipette tip and forming a seal between the pipettor and the pipette tip, and (b) contacting the pipette tip with a fluid, where the pipette tip comprises a proximal region and a distal region, and further where the proximal region comprises axially oriented grooves and panels.

[0063] Pipette tip implementations described herein can be of any overall geometry useful for dispensing fluids in combination with a fluid dispensing device. The pipette tips described herein also can be of any volume useful for dispensing fluids in combination with a fluid dispensing device. Non-limiting examples of volumes useful for dispensing fluids in combination with a fluid dispensing device, and described as non-limiting implementations herein, include pipette tips configured in sizes that hold from 0 to 10 microliters, 0 to 20 microliters, 1 to 100 microliters, 1 to 200 microliters, 1 to 300 microliters, and from 1 to 1250 microliters, for example. In some implementations, the volumes pipette tips described herein can manipulate are larger than the volume designation given that particular pipette tip. For example, a pipette tip designated as suitable to manipulate volumes up to 300 microliters, can sometimes be used to manipulate volumes up to about 1%, 2%, 3%, 5%, 10%, 15% or sometimes as much as up to about 20% larger than the designated pipette tip volume.Methods of manufacture

[0064] Pipette tips may be manufactured by injection molding. In some implementations, pipette tips described herein are injection molded as a unitary construct. Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing objects (e.g., pipette tips, for example) from thermoplastic (e.g., nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene and the like, for example) and thermosetting plastic (e.g., epoxy and phenolics, for example) materials. In some implementations, a polymer is chosen from low density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene (PE). Pipette tips can include, or can be manufactured from, a recyclable material and / or degradable material (e.g., a bio-degradable material), non-limiting examples of which are disclosed in International Application no. PCT / US2009 / 063762 filed on November 9, 2009 and published as WO 2010 / 054337 on May 14, 2010. Pipette tips, in some implementations, include an anti-microbial agent, non-limiting examples of which are disclosed in International Application no. PCT / US2009 / 047541 filed on June 16, 2009.

[0065] The plastic material of choice often is fed into a heated barrel, mixed, and forced into a mold cavity where it cools and hardens to the configuration of the mold cavity. The melted material sometimes is forced or injected into the mold cavity, through openings (e.g., a sprue), under pressure. A pressure injection method ensures the complete filling of the mold with the melted plastic. After the mold cools, the mold portions are separated, and the molded object is ejected. In some implementations, additional additives can be included in the plastic or heated barrel to give the final product additional properties (e.g., anti-microbial properties, anti-static properties, anti-foaming function and combinations thereof, for example).

[0066] A mold is configured to hold the molten plastic in the correct geometry to yield the desired product upon cooling of the plastic. Injection molds sometimes are made of two or more parts, and comprise a core pin. The core pin sometimes can determine the thickness of the object wall, as the distance between the core pin and the outer mold portion is the wall thickness. Molds are typically designed so that the molded part reliably remains on the core pin when the mold opens, after cooling. The core pin sometimes can be referred to as the ejector side of the mold. The molded part can then fall freely away from the mold when ejected from the core pin, or ejector side of the mold. In some implementations, ejector pins and / or an ejector sleeve push the pipette tip from the core pin.

[0067] Also provided herein is a mold for manufacturing a pipette tip by an injection mold process, which comprises a body that forms an exterior portion of the pipette tip and a member that forms an inner surface of the pipette tip, where the member comprises an irregular surface that results in a portion of the inner surface that is irregular (e.g., annular groove). In some implementations, the member is a core pin for forming the inner surface of a pipette tip.

[0068] Provided also herein is a method for manufacturing a pipette tip comprising (a) contacting a pipette tip mold with a molten polymer, and releasing the formed pipette tip from the mold after cooling, where the pipette tip comprises a proximal region and a distal region, and further where the proximal region comprises an exterior surface and an annular flange at the proximal terminus of the proximal region and the proximal region comprises axially oriented grooves and panels circumferentially spaced around the exterior surface of the proximal region. In some implementations, a pipette tip has a distal region that has a continuous taper of a pipette tip wall surface to form an edge or boundary of minimal thickness.

[0069] Provided also herein is a method for manufacturing a pipette tip comprising (a) contacting a pipette tip mold with a molten polymer, and releasing the formed pipette tip from the mold after cooling, where the pipette tip comprises a proximal region and a distal region, and further where the proximal region comprises an interior surface comprising axially oriented grooves and panels circumferentially spaced around the interior surface of the proximal region. In some implementations, a pipette tip has a distal region that has a continuous taper of a pipette tip wall surface to form an edge or boundary of minimal thickness.

[0070] The term "a" or "an" can refer to one of or a plurality of the elements it modifies (e.g., "a reagent" can mean one or more reagents) unless it is contextually clear either one of the elements or more than one of the elements is described. The term "about" as used herein refers to a value within 10% of the underlying parameter (i.e., plus or minus 10%), and use of the term "about" at the beginning of a string of values modifies each of the values (i.e., "about 1, 2 and 3" refers to about 1, about 2 and about 3). For example, a weight of "about 100 grams" can include weights between 90 grams and 110 grams. Further, when a listing of values is described herein (e.g., about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85% or 86%) the listing includes all intermediate and fractional values thereof (e.g., 54%, 85.4%).

[0071] Certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the claim(s) that follow(s).

Claims

1. A pipette tip (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) comprising an exterior surface, an interior surface, a proximal region (130, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630), a distal region (135, 235, 335, 435, 535, 635) and a junction between the proximal region and the distal region, which proximal region comprises: an annular flange (110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610) at a proximal terminus of the proximal region (105, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605), a distal terminal shoulder (115, 215, 315, 415, 515, 615) at the junction, a plurality of longitudinally-oriented grooves (140, 240, 340, 440, 540, 640) on the exterior surface of the pipette tip extending from the flange to the shoulder, wherein: each groove comprises a groove width (X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6) and a groove floor (150, 250, 350, 450, 550, 650), a plurality of longitudinally-oriented panels (170, 270, 370, 460, 560, 660) on the exterior surface of the pipette tip, wherein: each panel is adjacent to a groove, each panel or a portion thereof extends over a sealing zone, each panel comprises a panel sidewall (145, 245, 345, 445, 545, 645), a panel face (160, 260, 360, 455, 555, 655) and a panel width (Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4, Y5, Y6), and each panel width is greater than each groove width; a distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor (Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4, Z5, Z6) , for each groove, is less than a distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face (W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6), for each panel; and which interior surface of a pipette tip defines a substantially frustum-shaped void and is substantially smooth and uniform.

2. The pipette tip of claim 1, wherein the distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor is about 0.030 cm (about 0.012 inches) or less.

3. The pipette tip of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the distance between a groove floor and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the groove floor is substantially the same for two or more of the grooves on the pipette tip.

4. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-3, wherein two or more of the grooves are circumferentially distributed symmetrically around the proximal region.

5. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-4, wherein there are three or more grooves.

6. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the groove width for one or more of the grooves is a linear width of 0.008 cm to 0.102 cm (0.003 inches to 0.040 inches).

7. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the groove width for two or more of the grooves is substantially the same.

8. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-7, wherein grooves have a latitudinal profile and two or more of the grooves have stepped, v-shaped or u-shaped latitudinal profiles.

9. The pipette tip of claim 8, wherein each groove has a groove floor with a linear, pointed or substantially pointed or curved latitudinal profile.

10. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-9, wherein two or more of the panels are circumferentially distributed symmetrically around the proximal region.

11. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the panel width for two or more of the panels is substantially the same.

12. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-11, wherein panels have a latitudinal profile and two or more of the panels have a stepped or curved latitudinal profile.

13. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-12, wherein each panel width is at least two five times greater than each groove width.

14. The pipette tip of claim 13, wherein each panel width is at least 10 times greater than each groove width.

15. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the distance between a panel face and an interior surface of a pipette tip opposite the panel face is 0.025 cm to 0.102 cm (0.010 inches to 0.040 inches).

16. The pipette tip of any one of claims 1-15, wherein the proximal region is capable of hoop stretching at a sealing zone upon insertion of a fluid dispensing device member into the interior of the pipette tip, and wherein the hoop stretching is 0.003 cm to 0.013 cm (0.001 inches to 0.005 inches).

17. A method for engaging a pipette tip with a fluid dispensing device member comprising inserting a fluid dispensing device member into a pipette tip of any one of claims 1-16 at a force sufficient to form a seal between the fluid dispensing device member and the pipette tip at a sealing zone.