Remote immersed tube

Abstract

A self-standing centrifuge tube for use in cell culture, centrifugation, cell storage, etc. is provided. [Solution] A centrifuge tube 1 includes a cap 2 and a container 3. The container has a cylindrical body 31, a generally truncated conical bottom 32 with an apex at the bottom 321, and self-supporting legs 33 extending from the body. The lower part of the body is connected to the bottom, the outer wall of the upper part of the body has a threaded portion 311 onto which the cap screws, and the bottommost part of the bottom is flat. The ratio h / φ of the overall height h of the centrifuge tube to the maximum diameter φ of the container is 2.2 or less. Conventional centrifuge tubes have a high center of gravity, which makes them unstable when standing on their own. The centrifuge tube of the present invention has a lower center of gravity by setting the ratio h / φ of the height to the maximum diameter of the container to 2.2 or less, thereby improving the stability of the centrifuge tube when standing on its own, making it less likely to tip over during storage, and allowing it to be stored appropriately even in places with limited height.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a self-standing centrifuge tube used for cell culture, centrifugation, cell storage, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Centrifuge tubes used for cell culture, centrifugation, cell storage, etc. have conical bottoms, and some cannot stand on their own without a holder such as a stand, while others have legs that allow them to stand on their own (e.g., Patent Document 1).

[0003] However, even for those that can stand on their own, the slender shape of the containers means that they are unbalanced and prone to tipping over. Furthermore, in recent years, advances in regenerative medicine and cultured meat research have led to a growing need for mass cultivation and storage. Storing large quantities can make it difficult to secure storage space. Furthermore, the number of items that need to be stored at low temperatures, such as frozen or refrigerated, is on the rise, and there are also issues with storage difficulties, such as height limitations when storing in freezers or refrigerators. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-150797 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a centrifuge tube that has the same capacity as conventional ones, is highly stable when standing upright, and can be stored appropriately even when the height of the storage location is limited. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The centrifuge tube of the present invention is a centrifuge tube comprising a cap and a container, wherein the container has a cylindrical body, a substantially truncated conical bottom with the bottom at an apex, and self-supporting legs extending from the body, the lower part of the body is connected to the bottom, the outer wall of the upper part of the body has a threaded portion onto which the cap screws, and the lowest part of the bottom is flat, and the ratio h / φ of the overall height h of the centrifuge tube to the maximum diameter φ of the container is 2.2 or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The centrifuge tube of this invention has a lower center of gravity and is significantly more stable than conventional products when standing upright, thanks to the smaller ratio h / φ (the total height h of the centrifuge tube to the maximum diameter φ of the container). It can also be stored appropriately even in places with limited height. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are front and rear views of a freestanding centrifuge tube according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a side view of a freestanding centrifuge tube according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA′ of the freestanding centrifuge tube according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a plan view of a freestanding centrifuge tube according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the freestanding centrifuge tube according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are front and rear views of a freestanding centrifuge tube container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a side view of a freestanding centrifuge tube container according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA′ of the container of the freestanding centrifuge tube according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a plan view of a freestanding centrifuge tube container according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the freestanding centrifuge tube container according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 1 is a reference photograph of a freestanding centrifuge tube according to Example 1 of the present invention. [Figure 12] 1A and 1B are front and rear views of a freestanding centrifuge tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a side view of a freestanding centrifuge tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA′ of a self-standing centrifuge tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a freestanding centrifuge tube according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the freestanding centrifuge tube according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are front and rear views of a freestanding centrifuge tube container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 1 is a side view of a freestanding centrifuge tube container according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA′ of the container of the freestanding centrifuge tube according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a freestanding centrifuge tube container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the freestanding centrifuge tube container according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] 1 is a reference photograph of a freestanding centrifuge tube container according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The configuration of the centrifuge tube of the present invention will be described below.

[0010] The centrifuge tube 1 of the present invention comprises a cap 2 and a container 3.

[0011] The cap 2 is formed separately from the container 3. The cap 2 has a cylindrical structure, is closed at the top, and has a helical thread portion 21 formed inside to be threadedly engaged with the container 3.

[0012] The container 3 comprises a cylindrical body 31, a bottom 32 having a generally truncated cone shape with the bottommost part at the apex, and self-supporting legs 33 extending from the upper sidewall.

[0013] The diameter of the body 31 may be the same from the top to the bottom, or may decrease.

[0014] The upper part of the outer wall of the body 31 has a helical threaded portion 311 that screws onto the cap 2 , and screws onto the threaded portion 21 formed inside the cap 2 .

[0015] The body 31 is connected to the bottom 32. The bottom 32 has a generally truncated cone shape with the lowest part 321 as the apex, and the lowest part 321 of the bottom 32 is flat.

[0016] The leg portion 33 extends from the body portion 31 or is formed by joining a separate piece so as to extend from the body portion 31, and is configured to surround the bottom portion 32. One or more notches 331 may be formed in a part of the leg portion 33. Forming the notches 331 makes it easier to observe what has settled on the bottom portion 32.

[0017] The overall height h of the centrifuge tube 1 (hereinafter referred to as height h) refers to the distance from the top surface of the cap 2 to the bottom of the leg 33 when the cap 2 is attached to the container 3 of the centrifuge tube 1. The maximum diameter φ of the container 3 (hereinafter referred to as maximum diameter φ) refers to the largest diameter of the container 3.

[0018] The height h and maximum diameter φ can be adjusted appropriately to suit the desired capacity, but if the ratio h / φ of the height h to the maximum diameter φ is 2.2 or less, the center of gravity will be lowered and stability will be improved. This reduces the risk of leakage or contamination of the contents due to tipping over when the cap 2 is not attached or when the cap is loosely fastened. h / φ is preferably 2.0 or less, and more preferably 1.80 or less. Centrifuge tubes generally come in capacities of 10 ml, 15 ml, 25 ml, 30 ml, 40 ml, 50 ml, 70 ml, 100 ml, and larger capacities exceeding 100 ml.

[0019] The materials for forming the cap 2 of the centrifuge tube 1 and the container 3 are not limited, but can be appropriately selected from polyethylene (PE) resin, polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polymethylterpene (TPX), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), vinyl chloride, acrylic resin, polyethersulfane, Nalgae Nunc International's resin material "Permanox" (a registered trademark of Nalgae Nunc International), glass, metal, ceramics, etc. The cap 2 and the container 3 may be made of different materials, or if the body 31, bottom 32, and / or legs 33 of the container 3 are made separately, they may be made of different materials and then joined together.

[0020] The container 3 of the centrifuge tube 1 may be transparent or colored. Transparent containers are preferable for ease of observation and confirmation of the contents, but if light blocking is desired, they may be partially or entirely dark in color. The color may be achieved by mixing a pigment (e.g., carbon for black, titanium oxide for white) into the material forming the container, by coating, or by combining with another colored material.

[0021] The cap 2 of the centrifuge tube 1 may be transparent or colored. Transparent is preferable for ease of observation and confirmation of the contents, but if light blocking is desired, some or all of the cap may be dark in color. When using multiple centrifuge tubes 1 to handle different cells, caps 2 of different colors may be prepared to allow identification so that the contents are not mixed up. A light color may be used in consideration of the possibility of writing culture conditions, cell type, etc. on the cap 2 with a marker or the like. The color may be obtained by mixing a pigment (e.g., carbon for black, titanium oxide for white) into the material forming the cap 2, or by applying the color, or by combining it with another colored material.

[0022] The method for manufacturing the centrifuge tube 1 is not particularly limited, but may be appropriately selected from injection molding, press molding, vacuum molding, blow molding, and the like. [Example]

[0023] The configuration of the centrifuge tube of Example 1 is shown in Figures 1 to 5 and 11. The configuration of the container 3 alone is shown in Figures 6 to 10. The centrifuge tube 1 of Example 1 has a capacity of 40 ml, a cap 2 made of HDPE, and a container 3 made of PP, and has a height h of 57.5 mm, a maximum diameter φ of 45 mm, an h / φ ratio of 1.28, and a shape with a low center of gravity. [Example]

[0024] The configuration of the centrifuge tube of Example 2 is shown in Figures 12 to 16 and 22. The configuration of the container 3 alone is shown in Figures 17 to 21. The centrifuge tube of Example 2 has a capacity of 70 ml, a height h of 77.5 mm, a maximum diameter φ of 45 mm, h / φ of 1.72, and a shape with a low center of gravity. The other configurations are the same as those of Example 1. Comparative Example 1

[0025] The centrifuge tube of Comparative Example 1 has a capacity of 100 ml, a height h of 104 mm, a maximum diameter φ of 45 mm, an h / φ ratio of 2.31, and a shape with a high center of gravity. The other configurations are the same as those of Example 1. Comparative Example 2

[0026] The centrifuge tube of Comparative Example 2 has a capacity of 25 ml, a height h of 75 mm, a maximum diameter φ of 29 mm, an h / φ ratio of 2.59, and a shape with a high center of gravity. The other configurations are the same as those of Example 1.

[0027] Comparing the centrifuge tubes of Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the values ​​of h / φ of Examples 1 and 2 are smaller than those of Comparative Examples 1 and 2, and the center of gravity is lower, so that the tubes are more stable when left standing. [Industrial Applicability]

[0028] The centrifuge tubes of this invention can be widely used in various research institutions, medical institutions, testing organizations, pharmaceutical companies, etc. that perform cell culture, centrifugation, or cell preservation. The balance between the height and maximum diameter of the centrifuge tubes of this invention has been adjusted to improve stability when standing upright, preventing tipping and spillage during operation and contributing to improved work efficiency and safety. Furthermore, because they are shorter than conventional products of the same capacity, they can be stored even in storage locations with limited height, and two or more can be stacked for storage. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 1 Centrifuge tube 2 Caps 21 Threaded section 3 containers 31 Torso 311 Threaded part 32 Bottom 321 Bottom 33 Legs 331 Notch

Claims

[Claim 1] A centrifuge tube comprising a cap and a container, wherein the container has a cylindrical body, a substantially truncated cone-shaped bottom with the bottommost part as an apex, and self-supporting legs extending from the body, the lower part of the body is connected to the bottom, the outer wall of the upper part of the body has a threaded part onto which the cap screws, and the lowest part of the bottom is flat, and the ratio h / φ of the overall height h of the centrifuge tube to the maximum diameter φ of the container is 2.2 or less.

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