Transport assembly for transport of a biological sample by mail

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport assembly for transport of a biological sample by mail. The assembly comprises a postal box and a bag mounted in the box. The bag is a sealable bag. The box is provided with an insert opening at the top of the box, to enable a nonprofessional user to insert a sample holder into the bag and box. The box is provided with tear lines extending along edges of a flap section or along edges of flap portions integral with the flap section. The tear lines, when activated, allow for the flap section to be folded into an open position and thus provide a backward facing extraction opening. The sealable bag is at the bottom provided with a tear initiator for creating an extraction opening to enable removal of the sample holder form the bag and the box.

Description

[0001] Title: transport assembly for transport of a biological sample by mail

[0002] The invention relates to a transport assembly for transport of a sample holder with a biological sample by mail, to a home sampling kit for transporting a biological sample by mail and to a method for using such a home sampling kit.

[0003] In recent times, home sampling has become more common. Home sampling is for example used in screenings for medical examination of parts of the population. The use of home sampling kits enables a nonprofessional person to take the sample and thus reduces the workload of professionals in the testing field, e.g. General Practitioners.

[0004] With home sampling, a home sampling kit is provided to a person for collecting a biological sample at home. The person provided with the kit, i.e. the test subject, uses it to collect a sample, for example a sample of a bodily fluid, e.g. a saliva sample or a blood sample. The sample is collected in a sample holder, and is subsequently sent by post to a testing facility. Thus, a nonprofessional person receives the home sampling kit, uses it to take a sample, and to send the sample in a sample holder to a testing facility. At the testing facility a professional, i.e. a person that runs tests as a profession, retrieves the sample holder and runs a test on the biological sample.

[0005] It is known to transport sample holders, for example vials, holding biological content by mail using a transport assembly. The transport assembly for transporting the sample holder may for example comprises a plastic envelope provided with air cushions. Plastic envelopes fit standard mail slots and thus allow for transport by standard mail. To protect the sample holder during transport, the envelope is on the inside provided with protective means in the form of for example air cushions, foam rubber etc. Also, the sample holder may be held in a sealed bag and / or may be wrapped in liquid absorbing material to reduce leakage in case of breakage of the sample holder. These transport assemblies are expensive to produce and often comprise multiple components which makes them complicated to use.

[0006] Further drawback is that the test subjects, i.e. the persons receiving the home sampling kit, taking the sample and returning the kit with the biological sample, are not professionals. The test subjects typically have no, or only a limited, experience in sending biological samples. However, the kits for returning a test sample often comprise multiple components that are to be combined and / or used in a specific sequence to successfully take and return a sample.

[0007] Also, in for example exploratory screenings, groups of test subjects may be invited to provide a biological sample on a voluntary basis. With these kind of screenings, a significant percentage of the kits may not be returned, which makes them rather expensive.

[0008] The aim of the invention is to provide an alternative transport assembly for transport by mail of a biological sample from a nonprofessional user to a professional user, which transport assembly preferably can be provided at low costs. Furthermore, the assembly preferably is simple to use for nonprofessional users, and preferably can be used efficiently by professional users.

[0009] According to a first aspect, the invention therefore provides a transport assembly according to claim 1.

[0010] A transport assembly, for transport of a sample holder with a biological sample by mail, according to the invention comprises a postal box and a sealable bag mounted in the postal box; wherein the postal box is a flat and preferably elongated box, the postal box having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the box, wherein the postal box has a front panel and a back panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, and a flap comprising a top panel and a flap panel, the flap panel being hingeable connected to the top panel, wherein the left side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a left side thereof and the right side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a right side thereof, and wherein the flap is with the top panel hingeable connected to the back panel, wherein the side panels of the box have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a depth perpendicular to their height, the front panel and the back panel of the box have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a width perpendicular to their height, and the top panel and the flap panel of the flap have a width parallel to the width of the back panel and a height perpendicular to their width and, when the flap is positioned such that it, in the longitudinal direction, forms an extension of the back panel, parallel to the height of the front panel, side panels and back panel, wherein the box has at the top end a sample holder insert opening that can be closed with the flap, the insert opening preferably facing the front and the top of the box, wherein the flap panel of the flap is provided with an adhesive, e.g. a strip of adhesive material, for attaching the flap panel to the front panel, to close the insert opening of the box, and wherein the back panel comprises at the bottom end a flap section, and wherein the box is provided with tear lines extending along edges of the flap section and / or along edges of flap portions integral with the flap section, and preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box, and wherein the tear lines, when activated, allow for the flap section to be folded, about a fold line that is parallel to the width of the back panel, from a closed position into an open position that provides the box with a backward facing extraction opening, wherein the sealable bag preferably is an elongated bag, the sealable bag having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the bag, wherein the sealable bag has a front panel and a back panel, that preferably are connected to each other along their left side, bottom side and right side, wherein the front panel and the back panel of the bag have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sealable bag and a width perpendicular to their height, wherein the sealable bag has at the top end a sample holder insert opening and a seal, preferably provided on an inside surface of the front panel and the back panel of the bag, for sealing the insert opening of the sealable bag, and wherein the sealable bag is at the bottom end provided with at least one tear initiator for creating an extraction opening at the bottom end of the bag by tearing open the bag, and wherein the sealable bag is mounted inside the postal box, preferably is fixed to an inside surface of the box, for example the rear panel of the sealable back is fixed to an inside surface of the rear panel of the box, with the top end of the sealable bag at, preferably aligned with, the top end of the box, so that the insert opening of the box provides access to the insert opening and to the seal of the sealable bag, and with the bottom end of the sealable bag at, preferably aligned with, the bottom end of the box such that when the flap section of the back panel is folded into the open position, the extraction opening of the box provides access to the at least one tear initiator of the bag.

[0011] The box according to the invention is a postal box, i.e. is a flat box that fits through a standard postal slit, to enable the sample to be send by regular post. The box has a large front panel and a large back panel, and comparatively small side panels. According to the invention, the box is provided with an insert opening at the top end of the box to enable a nonprofessional user to insert a sample holder into the bag and box. The bag is sealable bag such that, when the bag is sealed, no liquid can escape the bag.

[0012] In an embodiment, the sealable bag has at the top end a seal that is provided on an inside surface of the front panel and the back panel of the bag, for sealing the insert opening. In an alternative embodiment a seal is provided that can be applied on the outside of the bag, for example the bag is provided with a clip that is to be clipped on the outside of the bag at the top end thereof to seal the insert opening of the bag.

[0013] The insert opening of the box can be closed by attaching the flap of the box to the outside surface of the front panel of the box. The box is furthermore configured to provide an extraction opening at the bottom end of the box, to enable a professional user to open the box and the sealable bag at the bottom end thereof, and to retrieve the sample holder.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the invention, both the insert opening and the extraction opening of the box are single use openings. Once the nonprofessional user has attached the flap to the front panel to close the box, to close the inset opening of the box, the flap can no longer be opened without damaging the flap or box. The adhesive for attaching the flap to the front panel does not easily release the flap, and the flap is not provided with tear lines or other features that enable the flap to be opened or to be partially removed. Also, once the professional user has activated the tear lines of the box, folded the flap section into the open position, and torn open the bag at the bottom end thereof, the box and bag can not again be closed and sealed.

[0015] The insert opening of the box is single use to prevent the nonprofessional user from reopening the flap once it has been closed. Furthermore, the single-use option allows for a simple design of the insert opening and flap, which reduces the chance of the nonprofessional user incorrectly using the box. According to the invention, the insert opening is positioned at the front and the top of the box and the extraction opening is positioned at the bottom and the back of the box. The use of a flap for closing the insert opening provides the nonprofessional user with a cue for using the insert opening for inserting the sample holder. The use of tear lines for creating the extraction opening, provides the extraction opening with a stealthy appearance compared to the entry opening. This in combination with the extraction opening being located at the back of the box helps to direct the focus of the nonprofessional user towards the entry opening of the box and bag, for inserting the sample holder inside the box.

[0016] Furthermore, both the entry opening and the extraction opening being single use openings provide the box with a temper evidence device. Once a sample has been put in the box, it can only be opened once. Thus, if the professional user, or end user, receives the closed box, he or she knows that the box has not been re-opened by anyone after the sample has been put in the box.

[0017] Furthermore, a partially front facing insert opening of a box according to the invention provides the user with easy access to the top end of the bag, and more in particular to the seal in the top end of the bag. Thus, the bag can be fixed inside the box with its top end close to the top end of the back panel of the box, and a relatively small bag can be used. Furthermore, due to providing frontal access to the bag, it is not necessary to remove it from the box to be sealed. In case the bag is fixed inside the box, the chance of incorrect use of the assembly by the user is reduced. For example, the chance of the user returning the sample holder in the box without the sealable bag is reduced. Also, the user inserting the sealed bag upside down in the box is prevented,

[0018] Also, because the top panel is also part of the flap, it can be folded away, and it is therefore easy to insert an oblong sample holder into the bag inside the box. This facilitates the use of a test tube as sample holder.

[0019] A box according to the invention furthermore allows for an at least partially backward facing extraction opening. Such an opening provides the professional user, or end user, with access to the bottom end of the bag, and thus to the tear initiators provided on the bag. These would not be accessible via a bottom facing opening, i.e. via an opening that does not extend into the back panel. Providing the box with a partially back facing opening allows for the bag to be fixed inside the box, because the bag does not need to be removed from the box to provide the user with access to the tear initiators. Due to the combination of a partially forward facing insert opening and a partially backward facing extraction opening, the bag can be fixed inside the box and be of the same length, or even smaller, than the length of the box, while still providing the user as well as the end user with optimal access to the respective top end and bottom end of the bag, i.e. for closing the seal and for tearing open the bag. Thus a relatively small bag can be used, which reduces the costs of the assembly.

[0020] Furthermore, with a postal box according to the invention, the insert opening is provided at the top end of the box and an extraction opening at the bottom end of the box, wherein the top end and the bottom end are situated at the comparatively narrow sides of the box. In contrast, known postal boxes typically have one of the larger panels being hingeable connected to one of the smaller side panels, to provide an wide insert opening. Furthermore, known postal boxes typically have an insert opening that doubles as both an insert opening and an extraction opening.

[0021] The use of a postal box with openings at a narrow top side and a narrow bottom side, i.e. the insert opening and the extraction opining respectively comprising the top side and the bottom side of the postal box, allows for a postal box that fits a standard mail slot, but at the same time provides sufficient protection for the sample holder during transport. The postal box allows for omitting protective means in the form of cushions or foam rubber. Thus, the invention allows for a compact but protective transport kit.

[0022] It is submitted that the height of the flap is parallel to the height of the front panel and the back panel, when the flap is folded open, i.e. when the panels of the flap are in the same plane as the back panel of the postal box.

[0023] The sealable bag that according to the invention is provided inside the postal box may be provided with a reusable seal, i.e. a seal that allows for sealing, opening and resealing the bag, or may be a single use seal, i.e. a seal that can not be reopened without damaging the bag once the bag is sealed. The bag can for example be a zip-bag. As an alternative, the bag is a single use bag and for example is provided with an adhesive, for example a strip of adhesive material with a cover material to be removed to activate the adhesive, on the inside surface of the bag, or on a flap of the bag, that allows for permanently sealing the bag.

[0024] The postal box according to the first aspect of the invention has a body section that comprises the front panel, the back panel and the two side panels, which side panels can also be referred to as lateral panels, that connect the front panel to the back panel. When the flap is open, i.e. is not attached to the front panel of the body, the body section can be folded into a flat, compact configuration, with the side panels substantially parallel to the front panel and the back panel, by moving the front panel towards the back panel, and can be folded into an upstanding, transport configuration, with the side panels substantially perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel, by moving the front panel away form the back panel. In an embodiment, the postal box is to be presented to the nonprofessional user in the compact configuration, and the nonprofessional user folds the postal box into the transport configuration prior to inserting the sample into the bag. By subsequently closing the postal box by attaching the flap panel of the flap to the front panel, the postal box is fixed in the transport configuration.

[0025] In an embodiment of a box according to the invention, the top panel of the flap has a height that is larger than the depth of the side panels, preferably has a height that is at least two times preferably at least three times, for example has a height that is four times the height of the side panels, and wherein the side panels have a slanted edge, the slanted edge extending between the back panel and the front panel and having a length similar to the height of the top panel, such that when the flap is folded into the closed position and the flap panel is attached to the front panel, the top panel lies along its height against the top ends of the left and right side panels. Furthermore, in such an embodiment, the height of the front panel is smaller than the height of the back panel.

[0026] Thus, in such an embodiment, the box with the flap in the closed position is wedge shaped, and the top panel and the back panel enclose a sharp angle, the sharp angle preferably being less than 40 degrees, for example being 25 degrees. When the flap is attached to the font panel, this wedge shaped configuration provides the box with enhanced rigidity.

[0027] In an embodiment of a transport assembly according to the invention, the flap panel of the flap, at a distance of at least the height of top panel of the flap away from a fold line between the flap panel and the top panel, has a width similar to the width of the front panel, to facilitate correctly positioning the flap onto the front panel when closing the insert opening, and preferably to facilitate correctly positioning the flap onto the front panel to fix the box in the transport configuration. Thus, the flap has a fold line between the top panel and the flap panel. Furthermore, the flap panel of the flap has a width similar to the width of the front panel, at least at a distance of two times the height of the top panel away from a fold line between the flap panel and the top panel.

[0028] Thus, in such an embodiment, the section of the flap extending from the fold line up to a distance of at least the heigh of the top panel has a width that is similar to the width of the front panel. Thus, when the flap is attached to the font panel this section of the flap panel covers the front panel over the entire width thereof, i.e. from the left side of the front panel up to the right side of the font panel

[0029] In such an embodiment, the front panel of the box can be correctly positioned relative to the flap panel by aligning the sides of the flap panel with the sides of the front panel. This is in particular beneficial when the box is presented to the user in a compact configuration, i.e. with the side panels, or lateral panels, of the box positioned substantially parallel to the back panel and the front panel of the box. In such a case the user, or test subject, has to fold the box into a transport configuration prior to inserting the sample holder into the box. Once the body of the box, and thus the box, is folded into the transport configuration, the box can be fixed in that position by fixing the flap panel of the flap to the front panel of the box.

[0030] Once the sample holder has been inserted into the bag inside the box, the box is to be secured in the transport position, i.e. a position wherein the side panels are perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel, by fixing the flap panel to the front panel of the box. In an embodiment wherein the flap panel has a width similar to the width of the front panel, the flap panel provides the user with information on how to correctly position the front panel relative to the flap panel, when moving the front panel to bring the body of the box, and thus the box, into the transport configuration. In the correct position, the sides of the flap panel are parallel and adjacent to the sides of the front panel of the postal box. This cue facilitates correct usage of the assembly according to the invention.

[0031] In an embodiment of a transport assembly according to the invention, the flap panel has a height of at least 25% the height of the front panel, preferably has a height of at least 35% the height of the front panel, for example has a height of at least 45% the height of the front panel. In a further preferred embodiment, the flap panel is provided with adhesive at a distance from a fold line between the top panel and the flap panel, of at least the height of the top panel. It is submitted that, in addition, in the area between the adhesive and the fold line, additional adhesive may be provided.

[0032] In an embodiment of a transport assembly according to the invention, the box has an open bottom, the open bottom being part of the extraction opening when the flap section is folded into the open position, and wherein the open bottom enables a person to engage an inside surface of the flap section of the back panel, and to enable that person to pull the flap section of the back panel in a direction away from the front panel, to thus activate the tear lines and allow for the flap section to be moved into the open position. Thus, such a configuration provides the end-user with a way to engage the underside of the flap section, while not providing the box with an option, such as an aperture in a panel of the box or a tab for pulling a tear away strip, that might draw the attention of the nonprofessional user to the possibility of opening the box at the bottom end. When the box has an open bottom, more in particular has an open bottom when in the transport configuration, i.e. when the bag is sealed and the insert opening of the box is closed with the flap, the box can also be referred to as an open bottom box, or as an open bottom postal box.

[0033] In an alternative embodiment, the box is provided with a bottom panel for, during transport, providing additional protection of the sample holder inside the box, and to provide the box with additional rigidity. In a preferred embodiment, that bottom panel is part of the flap section, e.g. is hingeable attached to the flap section, and is removed when the box is torn open, to provide part of the extraction opening of the box. This provides an at least partially downward facing extraction opening, to facilitate removing the sample holder from the box and the bag, in combination with a box that is closed at the bottom end during transport.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment, the box comprises a bottom panel, and the tear lines of the box extend over the bottom panel and / or the side panels, and the bottom panel is part of the flap section when the box is torn open.

[0035] In an embodiment of a transport assembly according to the invention, the tear lines of the box are provided in the folds between the back panel and the side panels. This to obscure the presence of the tear lines from the nonprofessional user.

[0036] In addition, or as an alternative, tear lines of the flap section are provided in the back panel, in folds between the back panel and the side panels and / or in the side panels, and for example extend parallel to the side panel. In such an embodiment, the flap section, when folded open, may comprises parts of the side panels.

[0037] In an embodiment, a postal box according to the invention the side panels of the box comprise flap portions that are connected to the flap section of the back panel. In such an embodiment, the flap portions are integral with the flap section, and the tear lines, that when activated allow for the flap section to be folded about the fold line that is parallel to the width of the back panel from the closed position into the open position, extend at least partially along edges of the flap portions. Thus, when the flap section is moved into the open position, the flap portions move with it, providing an extraction opening that partially faces sideways. In a further embodiment, in addition to a flap section provided in the back panel of the box, the box is provided with a similar flap section in the front panel of the box to provide the box with an extraction opening that partially faces forward. The flap section provided in the front panel of the box is provided with tear lines extending along edges of that flap section and / or along edges of flap portions integral with that flap section. These tear lines preferably extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box. The tear lines, when activated, allow for the flap section to be folded, about a fold line that is parallel to the width of the front panel, from a closed position into an open position that provides the box with an extraction opening that partially faces forward,

[0038] Furthermore, when the box in addition to a flap section in the back panel is provided with a flap section in the front panel, each side wall of the box preferably is provided with at least one flap portion connected to either the flap section of the back panel or to the flap section of the front panel to connect the backward facing extraction opening enabled by the flap section in the back panel with the forward facing extraction opening created by the flap section in the front panel. Preferably each side wall is provided with two flap portions, one flap portion connected to, and integral with, the flap section of the back panel and one flap portion connected to, and integral with, the flap section of the front panel. Because the one or more flap portions of the side walls are connected to, or integral with, flap sections, they move with the flap sections with these are moved into the open position, and thus create a partially sideways facing extraction opening. Preferably, the flap portions are dimensioned such that when the flap section, or flap sections, are moved into the open position, the extraction opening extends along the side of the box, preferably extends along the side of the box from the backward facing extraction opening to the forward facing extraction opening, such that the extraction opening extends over 360 degrees.

[0039] In an embodiment, the flap section of the rear panel in combination with the flap portions of the side panels connected thereto, and the flap section of the front panel, in combination with the flap sections of the side panels connected thereto, are mirror opposites of each other relative to a plane that is parallel to the front panel and the back panel of the box.

[0040] Furthermore, in an embodiment the flap portions integral with the flap section in the back panel partially border the flap portions integral with the flap section in the front panel of the box, and the flap portions share a tear line that extends along both flap portions.

[0041] The side panels provided with flap portions connected to, and integral with, a flap section of the font panel or to a flap section of the front panel can be combined with a postal box according to a first aspect of the invention and with a postal box according to a second aspect of the invention.

[0042] In an embodiment, the sealable bag is fixed inside the box, preferably is fixed to an inside surface of the front panel or to an inside surface of the back panel, and the height of the bag, when sealed, is similar to, or smaller than, the height of the back panel of the box. A box according to the invention allows for fixing the bag in the box, even when the box is subsequently to be folded into the compact configuration. By fixing the bag in the box, the correct position of the bag in the box, more in particular the correct position of the sample insert opening and the at least one tear initiator of the bag relative to respectively the insert opening and extraction opening of the box, is guaranteed.

[0043] In an embodiment of a transport assembly according to the invention, the box in the transport configuration and with the flap folded into a closed position and with the flap panel fixed to the front of the front panel, has a height in the range of 80-150 mm, a width in the range of 40-80 mm, and a depth in the range of 15-25 mm. In such an embodiment, the box can hold one or more vials.

[0044] In an embodiment of a transport assembly according to the invention, fluid retaining means, for example a fluid absorbing material, are provided inside the sealable bag.

[0045] In an embodiment of a transport assembly according to the invention, the box can be folded from an compact configuration, in which compact configuration the side panels are substantially parallel to the front panel and the back panel, into an transport configuration, wherein the side panels are substantially perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel, in a single movement, and preferably wherein the flap of the box is configured to fix the box in the transport configuration.. Such an embodiment allows for the box to be presented to the nonprofessional user in a flat folded configuration. This facilitates sending the assembly to the nonprofessional user and / or storage of the box prior to it being used. In such an embodiment, the box is secured into the transport configuration by fixing the flap onto the front panel. It is submitted that by attaching the flap to the front surface of the front panel, the flap provides the box with additional rigidity.

[0046] Thus, in such an embodiment, the box can be folded between the compact configuration for facilitating transport and storage and the transport configuration for transport of a sample holder, wherein in the compact configuration the front panel and one of the left side panel and the right side panel are positioned against the back panel and the other one of the left side panel and the right side panel, and wherein the flap preferably is positioned such that it, in the longitudinal direction, forms an extension of the back panel, and in the transport configuration the left side panel and the right side panel are positioned perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel and preferably the flap is folded with the flap panel positioned against the front panel. It is noted that the box comprises the sealable bag, which is sandwiched between the front panel and the back panel when the box is folded into the compact configuration.

[0047] Providing the assembly with a box that can be folded between the compact configuration and the transport configuration allows for a compact box that can therefore more easily be distributed to test subjects. The test subjects fold the box into the transport configuration, insert the biological sample, and fix the box in the transport configuration. The latter preferably by attaching the flap panel, using the adhesive, to the front panel, thus also closing the insert opening of the box at the same time. Closing the box by attaching the flap panel of the flap to the front panel of the box enables using the flap for securing the box in the transport configuration using the flap. Preferably, the flap, more in particular the flap panel of the flap, has a length of two or more times the height of the top panel of the flap, and the adhesive is provided at least at the end of the flap panel of the flap, i.e. away from the end of the flap panel that is hingeable connected to the top panel of the flap, to extra reliable fix the box in the transport configuration.

[0048] It is submitted that to enable the user to fold the box from the compact configuration into the transport configuration, the left side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a left side thereof and the right side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a right side thereof. The front panel, back panel, left side panel and a right side panel form a body section that is foldable to provide the box with the compact configuration, with the side panels substantially parallel to the front panel and the back panel, and the transport configuration with the side panels are substantially perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel, The left side panel connecting the front panel and the back panel at a left side thereof and the right side panel connecting the front panel and the back panel at a right side thereof furthermore makes that the box differs from a blank.

[0049] In an embodiment of a transport assembly according to the invention, the sealable bag is fixed inside the box, preferably is fixed to an inside surface of the front panel or to an inside surface of the back panel, and preferably the height of the bag, when sealed, is similar to or smaller than the height of the back panel of the box. Thus a compact bag is used, which may lower production costs. The box of an assembly according to the invention allows for the use of relatively small bags because it is provided with a preferably partially front facing insert opening and with an a partially back facing extraction opening

[0050] A box according to the invention allows for fixing the bag in the box, even when the box is subsequently to be folded into the compact configuration. By fixing the bag in the box, the correct position of the bag in the box, more in particular the correct position of the sample insert opening and the at least one tear initiator of the bag relative to respectively the insert opening and extraction opening of the box, is guaranteed.

[0051] The invention furthermore provides a blank for folding a box according to the invention.

[0052] The invention furthermore provides kit, preferably a home sampling kit, for transport of a biological sample by mail, the kit comprising the assembly according to the invention and a sample holder, e.g. a vial, for containing the biological sample.

[0053] It is submitted that the depth of the side panels of a box according to the invention preferably is at least as large, or larger than, the width or diameter of a standard vial, or test tube, to enable a standard test tube to be received inside the sealable bag inside the box, and to be send by regular post using the assembly of bag and box according to the invention.

[0054] The invention furthermore provides a method for using a kit according to the invention, the method comprising:

[0055] - folding the box, preferably with the sealable bag inside it, from a compact configuration, with the side panels substantially parallel to the font panel and the back panel, into a transport configuration, with the side panels substantially perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel;

[0056] - insert the sample holder into the sealable bag and into the box;

[0057] - preferably seal the bag with the sample holder inside it;

[0058] - folding the flap into the closed position and attaching the flap panel of the flap to the front panel of the box; and

[0059] - optionally: passing the assembly through a standard mail slot.

[0060] The invention furthermore provides a method for using a kit according to the invention wherein the box is in the transport configuration and the sample holder is received in the sealed bag and in the box, the method comprising:

[0061] - activating the tear lines of the box at the bottom end thereof and folding the flap section of the back panel into the open position; - activating the at least one tear initiator of the bag and tearing open the bag at the bottom end thereof; and

[0062] - extracting the sample holder from the sealable bag and the box.

[0063] It is submitted that a box of an assembly according to the invention is a postal box, i.e. is a box that, in the transport configuration, is a flat box that fits through a standard postal slit, to enable the sample to be send by regular post.

[0064] With a box according to the invention, the sample holder can be inserted and removed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box. This is in particular beneficial when the sample holder is a vial or similarly shaped, i.e. elongate, container. Thus, the box can be a flat box with separate input opening and extraction opening, located at opposite ends of the box, which configuration is beneficial for enabling the box to be send by regular post.

[0065] The flap of the box according to the invention is hingeably connected to the top end of the back panel, and can be folded between an open position, in which the top panel and the flap panel are parallel to the rear panel, and a closed configuration, wherein the flap panel is parallel to the front panel, and sides of the top panel are adjacent to top edges of the side panels. In the closed position, the top panel and the flap panel of the flap close off the insert opening of the box.

[0066] With an assembly according to the invention, the sealable bag preferably is mounted, more in particular is fixed, inside the box, for example is glued to an inside surface of the box, with the insert opening of the bag aligned with the insert opening of the box, to enable inserting the sample holder into the bag and box, and with the extraction opening of the bag aligned with the extraction opening of the box, when the extraction opening of the box and the extraction opening of the bag are torn open. In an embodiment, the sealable bag is fixed to an inside surface of the box for example a rear panel of the sealable back is fixed, preferably glued, to an inside surface of a rear panel of the box.

[0067] With an assembly according to the invention, the front panel, or a part thereof, preferably has a height that is smaller than the height of the back panel, to define a front facing insert opening. Thus, a top edge of the front panel is positioned below a top edge of the back panel, when the box is positioned on its bottom end with its longitudinal axis in an upright position, i.e. parallel to the vertical. The invention furthermore provides a transport assembly for transport of a sample holder with a biological sample by mail, the transport assembly comprising a postal box and a sealable bag mounted in the postal box, wherein the postal box is a flat and elongated box, the box having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the box, wherein the box has a front panel and a back panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, and a flap comprising a top panel and a flap panel, the flap panel being hingeable connected to the top panel, wherein the left side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a left side thereof and the right side panel connects the front panel and the back panel on at a right side thereof, and wherein the flap is with the top panel hingeable connected to the back panel, wherein the side panels of the box have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a depth perpendicular to their height, the front panel and the back panel of the box have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a width perpendicular to their height, and the top panel and the flap panel of the box have a width parallel to the width of the back panel and a height perpendicular to their width and parallel to the height of the front and side panels and, when the flap is positioned such that it, in the longitudinal direction, forms an extension of the back panel, parallel to the height of the front panel, side panels and back panel, wherein the box has at the top end a sample holder insert opening that can be closed with the flap, the insert opening facing the front and the top of the box, wherein the flap panel of the flap is provided with an adhesive, e.g. a strip of adhesive material, for attaching the flap panel to the front panel, to close the insert opening of the box, and wherein the back panel comprises at the bottom end a flap section, and wherein the box is provided with tear lines extending along edges of the flap section, and preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box, and wherein the tear lines, when activated, allow for the flap section to be folded, about a fold line that is parallel to the width of the back panel, from a closed position into an open position that provides the box with a backward facing extraction opening, wherein the sealable bag is at the bottom end provided with at least one tear initiators for creating an extraction opening at the bottom end of the bag by tearing open the bag, and is fixed to an inside surface of the box for example the rear panel of the sealable back is fixed to an inside surface of the rear panel of the box, with the top end of the bag at, preferably aligned with, the top end of the box, so that the insert opening of the bag box provides access to the seal and to the insert opening and to the seal of the bag, and wherein the front panel has a height smaller than the height of the back panel and wherein the side panels have a slanted edge, the slanted edge having a length similar to the height of the top panel of the flap, such that when the flap is folded into the closed position and the flap panel is attached to the front panel, the top panel lies along its height against the top ends of the left and right side panels.

[0068] The invention furthermore provides a transport assembly for transport of a sample holder with a biological sample by mail, the transport assembly comprising a postal box and a sealable bag mounted in the postal box; wherein the postal box is a flat and preferably elongated box, the postal box having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the box, wherein the postal box has a front panel and a back panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, and a flap comprising a top panel and a flap panel, the flap panel being hingeable connected to the top panel, wherein the left side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a left side thereof and the right side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a right side thereof, and wherein the flap is with the top panel hingeable connected to the back panel, wherein the side panels of the box have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a depth perpendicular to their height, the front panel and the back panel of the box have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a width perpendicular to their height, and the top panel and the flap panel of the box have a width parallel to the width of the back panel and a height perpendicular to their width and parallel to the height of the front and side panels and, when the flap is positioned such that it, in the longitudinal direction, forms an extension of the back panel, parallel to the height of the front panel, side panels and back panel, wherein the box has at the top end a sample holder insert opening that can be closed with the flap, the insert opening facing the front and the top of the box, wherein the flap panel of the flap is provided with an adhesive, e.g. a strip of adhesive material, for attaching the flap panel to the front panel, to close the insert opening of the box, and wherein the back panel comprises at the bottom end a flap section, and wherein the box is provided with tear lines extending along edges of the flap section, and preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box, and wherein the tear lines, when activated, allow for the flap section to be folded, about a fold line that is parallel to the width of the back panel, from a closed position into an open position that provides the box with a backward facing extraction opening, wherein the sealable bag has a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the bag, wherein the sealable bag has a front panel and a back panel, that preferably are connected to each other along their left side, bottom side and right side, wherein the front panel and the back panel of the bag have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sealable bag and a width perpendicular to their height, wherein the sealable bag has at the top end a sample holder insert opening and a seal, preferably provided on an inside surface of the front panel and the back panel of the bag, for sealing the insert opening of the sealable bag, and wherein the sealable bag is at the bottom end provided with at least one tear initiator for creating an extraction opening at the bottom end of the bag by tearing open the bag, wherein the sealable bag is mounted inside the postal box, preferably is fixed to an inside surface of the box for example the rear panel of the sealable back is fixed to an inside surface of the rear panel of the box, with the top end of the sealable bag at, preferably aligned with, the top end of the box, so that the insert opening of the box provides access to the insert opening and to the seal of the sealable bag, and with the bottom end of the sealable bag at, preferably aligned with, the bottom end of the box such that when the flap section of the back panel is folded into the open position, the extraction opening of the box provides access to the at least one tear initiator of the bag.

[0069] According to a second aspect, the invention furthermore provides a postal box that is foldable between an compact configuration, in which it is flat folded for being stored and / or transported, and an transport configuration, in which it is folded into a box for transporting an item.

[0070] It is known to send the user a blank of a box, i.e. a lay-out of the box that is cut form a single sheet of cardboard, and that is to be folded into a box by the user. Providing the user with a blank instead of a fully folded box, allows for storing and / or transporting the box in a flat, space saving configuration. However, the process of folding a box from a blank comprises many steps, most of which have to be made in a particular sequence. Therefore, some user may experience difficulties with folding the blank into a box.

[0071] It is an object of the second aspect of the invention to provide an alternative to providing a user with a blank that is to be folded into a box. It is a further object to provide a postal box that can be provided to a user in a space saving configuration, but that is easy to fold into a box.

[0072] According to a second aspect, the invention furthermore provides a postal box, wherein the postal box is a flat and preferably elongated box, the postal box having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the box, and comprises a body section provided with a bottom flap and a top flap, wherein the body section comprises a front panel and a back panel that are connected to each other via a left side panel and a right side panel; wherein the body section is foldable between a compact configuration, with the side panels substantially parallel to the front panel and the back panel, for being stored and / or transported, and a transport configuration, with the side panels substantially perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel, for transporting an item, wherein the side panels have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a depth perpendicular to their height, and wherein the front panel and the back panel have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a width perpendicular to their height, wherein the bottom flap comprises a bottom panel and a bottom flap panel, wherein the bottom flap panel is connected to the back panel via the bottom panel, and wherein the top flap comprises a top panel and a top flap panel, wherein the top flap panel is connected to the back panel via the top panel, wherein the bottom panel and the bottom flap panel of the bottom flap and the top panel and the top flap panel of the top flap each have a width parallel to the width of the back panel and each have a height perpendicular to their width, said height extending in the longitudinal direction when the flaps are folded open and the flaps extend in the longitudinal direction of the box, wherein the height of the bottom panel and the top panel preferably is similar to the depth of the left side panel and the right side panel, and wherein the height of the bottom flap panel and the top flap panel is at least three time the depth of the left side panel and the right side panel, and wherein the bottom panel and the top panel each have a fold line between the bottom panel and the bottom flap panel and between the top panel and the top flap panel respectively, and each have width that is similar to the width of the front panel; and wherein the bottom flap panel of the bottom flap and the top flap panel of the top flap each are provided with an adhesive, e.g. a strip of adhesive material, for attaching the flap panel to the front panel, to fix the body section in the transport configuration.

[0073] According to the second aspect, the invention provides a postal box that is foldable between an compact configuration, for being stored and / or transported, and an transport configuration, for transporting an item. The postal box is partially foldable. The box has a body section that comprises the back panel, the front panel, and the side panels. The left side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a left side thereof and the right side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a right side thereof. In the compact configuration, the front panel and the back panel are positioned adjacent to each other, and the side panels are parallel to the front panel and the back panel, while in the transport configuration the front panel and the back panel are spaced apart by the side panels, and the side panels are perpendicular to the front panel and the side panel.

[0074] According to the second aspect, the box furthermore comprises two flaps that are configured to fix the postal box, more in particular the body section of the postal box, in the transport configuration. The flaps have relatively large flap panels, that have a width similar to the width of the front panel and a height that is at least three times the depth of the side panels that connect the respective flap panels to the back panel. To secure the box in the transport configuration, the flap panels are to be fixed to the front side of the front panel. Due to the width of the flap panels being similar to the width of the front panel, and the height of the flap panels being at least three times the depth of the side panels, the user is assisted in correctly securing the flaps to the body section, and thus to correctly fix the box in the transport configuration.

[0075] Thus, the second aspect of the invention provides a postal box that is easy to fold from an compact configuration into a transport configuration, and that is easy to fix in that transport configuration. Assembling the box, i.e. folding the box from the compact into the transport configuration, requires three simple steps: firstly folding the body section into an transport configuration in which the front panel and the back panel are spaced from each other by the side panels, secondly folding the two flaps into a closed position, and finally attaching the flaps to a front facing side of the font panel.

[0076] Furthermore, the postal box according to the second aspect invention when in the compact configuration has a relatively small footprint compared to a blank of the same box, in particular when the flaps are folded onto the body. Therefore, a box according to the invention is in particular useful for being send to a user by post. Due to the configuration of the box, having a body section with the back panel and front panel being connected to each other via relatively small left side panel and right side panel, the foot print of the box in the compact configuration is small, in particular is small compared to the footprint of a blank. To provide the box with a further reduced foot print, the flaps may be folded onto the body section when the latter is in the compact configuration.

[0077] In an embodiment, at least one of the flaps, preferably the flap panel of the respective flap, is provided with one or more tear lines that can be activated, i.e. that can be torn, to open the box after the flap has been fixed to the front panel of the body section. This to enable opening the box by folding the flap, or part thereof, into the open position.

[0078] In an embodiment, the postal box according to the second aspect of the invention comprises a sealable bag, which is fixed inside the box. In a further embodiment, the sealable bag is a flat and elongated bag, the bag having a longitudinal axis extending between a top end and a bottom end of the bag, wherein the sealable bag has a front panel and a back panel that are connected to each other along their left side, bottom side and right side, wherein the front panel and the back panel of the bag have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bag and a width perpendicular to their height, wherein the bag has at the top end an item insert opening that can be closed with a seal provided on an inside surface of the front panel and the back panel of the bag.

[0079] In yet a further embodiment, the sealable bag is at the bottom end provided with at least one tear initiator for creating an extraction opening at the bottom end of the bag by tearing open the bag. In such an embodiment, the postal box is provided with one or more tear lines at the bottom end of the box, to enable the box to be opened to provide access to the bottom end of the bag.

[0080] In an embodiment, the flaps, more in particular the flap panels of the flaps, have a height that is such that when the flaps are fixed to the front panel, the ends of the flaps touch, or nearly touch each other. In a further preferred embodiment, the ends of the flap panels that face each other have complementary forms to promote them to be correctly positioned relative to each other when attached to the front panel of the body section. For example, the edges of the panels that face towards each other can be provided with complementary wave forms or saw tooth forms. In such an embodiment, when the flaps are closed, the complementary forms intertwine with each other, e.g. similar to the teeth of a zipper.

[0081] In an embodiment, the flaps and optionally the front panel of the box, are provided with visual markers that indicate to the user the correct position of the flaps on the front panel. For example, circular pictogram can be printed on the flaps and front panel of the box, such that only when the flaps are correctly positioned the pictogram forms a correct circle.

[0082] In an embodiment of a box according to the second aspect of the invention, the top panel of the top flap and / or the bottom panel of the bottom flap have / has a height that is larger than the depth of the side panels, preferably have / has a height that is at least two times preferably at least three times, for example has a height that is four times the depth of the side panels, and the side panels have a slanted edge, the slanted edge extending between the back panel and the front panel and having a length similar to the height of the top panel and / or bottom panel, such that when the flaps are, or the flap is, folded into the closed position and the respective flap panels are, or the flap panel is, attached to the front panel, the top panel and / or the bottom panel lies along its height against the slanted edges of the left and right side panels.

[0083] Thus, in such an embodiment, the box with the flaps or flap in the closed position has at least one wedge shaped end, and the back panel and the top panel of the respective flap enclose a sharp angle, the sharp angle preferably being less than 40 degrees, for example being 25 degrees. When the flaps are, or the flap is, attached to the font panel, this wedge shaped configuration provides the box with enhanced rigidity.

[0084] In an embodiment of a box according to a second aspect of the invention, the bottom flap is provided with tear lines or other features that enable the flap to be opened or to be partially removed to provide an extraction opening. In addition or as an alternative, the back panel of the box can be provided with a flap section and tear lines, wherein the tear lines, when activated, allow for the flap section to be folded into the open position to provide access to the inside of the box, preferably provide access to a bottom end of a bag mounted in the box, preferably provide a backward facing extraction opening that enables removal of content from the box and / or from a bag that is mounted in the box. In a further embodiment, tear lines are provided between the flap section and the bottom panel of the panel, and activation of these tear lines at least partially, preferably fully, separates the bottom panel from the flap section.

[0085] In an embodiment of a box according to the second aspect of the invention, the box is provided with a sealable bag mounted in the postal box. The sealable bag preferably is an elongated bag. The sealable bag has a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the bag, The sealable bag has a front panel and a back panel, that preferably are connected to each other along their left side, bottom side and right side, The front panel and the back panel of the bag have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sealable bag and a width perpendicular to their height,

[0086] The sealable bag has at the top end a sample holder insert opening and a seal, preferably provided on an inside surface of the front panel and the back panel of the bag, for sealing the insert opening of the sealable bag, and preferably is at the bottom end provided with at least one tear initiator for creating an extraction opening at the bottom end of the bag by tearing open the bag.

[0087] The sealable bag is mounted inside the postal box, preferably is fixed to an inside surface of the box, for example the rear panel of the sealable back is fixed to an inside surface of the rear panel of the box, with the top end of the sealable bag at, preferably aligned with, the top end of the box, so that the insert opening of the box provides access to the insert opening and to the seal of the sealable bag, and with the bottom end of the sealable bag at, preferably aligned with, the bottom end of the box such that when the bottom flap of the box is folded into the open position, the extraction opening of the box provides access to the at least one tear initiator of the bag. The flaps of the boxes discussed herein are provided with an adhesive to enable the boxes to be secured in their transport configuration by attaching the flap to a front panel of the respective box. It is submitted that the adhesive is provided with a cover, to be removed by the person that is fixing the box in the transport configuration. Providing the adhesive with such a cover allows for distributing the boxes in the compactly configuration, with the adhesive already present on the flaps. Thus, the person that is going to fix the box in the transport configuration, typically the test subject, only has to remove the cover to enable the adhesive to fix the flap to the front panel of the box. It is noted that the adhesive, and the cover, are preferably provided on the flap panel of the flap, but can in addition or as alternative also be provided on the front panel of the box

[0088] The invention furthermore provides a transport assembly for transport of a sample holder with a biological sample by mail, the transport assembly comprising a postal box and a sealable bag mounted in the postal box; wherein the postal box is a flat and preferably elongated box, the postal box having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the box, wherein the box has a front panel and a back panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, and a flap comprising a top panel and a flap panel, the flap panel being hingeable connected to the top panel, wherein the left side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a left side thereof and the right side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a right side thereof, and wherein the flap is with the top panel hingeable connected to the back panel, wherein the side panels of the box have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a depth perpendicular to their height, the front panel and the back panel of the box have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a width perpendicular to their height, and the top panel and the flap panel of the box have a width parallel to the width of the back panel and a height perpendicular to their width and parallel to the height of the front and side panels and, when the flap is positioned such that it, in the longitudinal direction, forms an extension of the back panel, parallel to the height of the front panel, side panels and back panel, wherein the box has at the top end a sample holder insert opening that can be closed with the flap, the insert opening facing the top and preferably the front of the box, wherein the flap panel of the flap is provided with an adhesive, e.g. a strip of adhesive material, for attaching the flap panel to the front panel, to close the insert opening of the box, and wherein the back panel comprises at the bottom end a flap section, and wherein the box is provided with tear lines extending along edges of the flap section and / or along edges of flap portions integral with the flap section, and preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box, and wherein the tear lines, when activated, allow for the flap section to be folded, about a fold line that is parallel to the width of the back panel, from a closed position into an open position that provides the box with a backward facing extraction opening, wherein the sealable bag has a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the bag, wherein the sealable bag has a front panel and a back panel, that preferably are connected to each other along their left side, bottom side and right side, wherein the front panel and the back panel of the bag have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bag and a width perpendicular to their height, wherein the bag has at the top end a sample holder insert opening and a seal provided on an inside surface of the front panel and the back panel of the bag for sealing the insert opening, and wherein the sealable bag is at the bottom end provided with at least one tear initiator for creating an extraction opening at the bottom end of the bag by tearing open the bag, wherein the sealable bag is mounted inside the postal box, preferably is fixed to an inside surface of the box for example the rear panel of the sealable back is fixed to an inside surface of the rear panel of the box, with the top end of the bag at, preferably aligned with, the top end of the box, so that the insert opening of the box provides access to the insert opening and to the seal of the bag, and with the bottom end of the bag at, preferably aligned with, the bottom end of the box such that when the flap section of the back panel is folded into the open position, the extraction opening of the box provides access to the at least one tear initiator of the bag.

[0089] The invention furthermore provides a postal box for use in a transport assembly according to the invention, wherein the postal box is a flat and elongated box, the box having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the box, and comprises a body section provided with a bottom flap and a top flap, wherein the body section is foldable between an compact configuration, for being stored and / or transported, and an transport configuration, for transporting an item, wherein the body section comprises a front panel and a back panel that are connected to each other via a left side panel and a right side panel, wherein the side panels have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a depth perpendicular to their height, and wherein the front panel and the back panel have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a width perpendicular to their height, wherein the bottom flap comprises a bottom panel and a bottom flap panel, wherein the bottom flap panel is connected to the back panel via the bottom panel, and wherein the top flap comprises a top panel and a top flap panel, wherein the top flap panel is connected to the back panel via the top panel, and wherein the top panel and the flap panel of the top flap and the bottom panel and the flap panel of the bottom flap each have a width parallel to the width of the back panel and each have a height perpendicular to their width, said height extending in the longitudinal direction when the flaps are folded open and the flaps extend in the longitudinal direction of the box.

[0090] It will be appreciated by the skilled person that a technical feature discussed herein as required or as optional with respect to one embodiment of the invention may be equally applicable to one or more other embodiments described herein, with the feature performing its designation function. Also, features of a box according to the first aspect of the invention can also be combined with a box according to the second aspect of the invention, and vice versa. Such combinations are all envisaged herein unless a combination would result in a technical impossible solution and / or not meet the desired functionality. It is submitted that the dimensions of the panels of the postal boxes of the first aspect of the invention and the postal boxes of the second aspect of the invention, e.g. the depth of the side panels, the height of the panels of the flaps, etc, are measured in the same directions.

[0091] It is submitted that the combination of an upward faxing insert opening and a forward facing insert opening provides a partially forward facing insert opening. The combination of a downward faxing extraction opening and a backward facing extraction opening provides a partially backward facing insert opening.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment of a postal box according to the invention, the top panel of the flap has a height that is larger than the depth of the side panels and the side panels have a slanted edge extending between the back panel and the front panel and having a length similar to the height of the top panel, to provide the box with a partially forward facing insert opening.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment of a postal box according to the invention, the box has no bottom panel, and activating the tear lines of the flap section and folding the flap section of the back panel into an open position provides the box with a partially backward facing extraction opening.

[0094] The invention is by no means limited to the exemplary embodiment described herein above, but comprises various modifications hereto, in so far as they fall within the scope of the following claims. Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

[0095] Whilst primarily presented for illustrative purposes with reference to one or more of the figures, any of the technical features addressed below may be combined with any of the independent claims of this application either alone or in any other technically possible combination with one or more other technical features.

[0096] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0097] In the drawings Fig. 1 shows a perspective frontal view of an assembly according to the invention with a flap in an open position and a closed bag;

[0098] Fig. 2 shows a perspective frontal view of the assembly of Fig. 1 with the flap in a closed position;

[0099] Fig. 3 shows a perspective back view of the assembly of Fig. 1 with the flap in a closed position;

[0100] Fig. 4 shows a perspective back view of the assembly of Fig. 1 with a flap section in an open position;

[0101] Fig. 5 shows a perspective back view of the assembly of Fig. 1 with a flap section in an open position and with the bag torn open;

[0102] Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of a box according to a second aspect of the invention, with two flaps in an open position;

[0103] Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the of fig. 6, with the two flaps in a closed position;

[0104] Fig. 8A shows a perspective frontal view of another exemplary embodiment of an assembly according to the invention;

[0105] Fig. 8B shows the assembly of Fig. 8A with an opened extraction opening;

[0106] Fig. 9A shows a perspective frontal view of another exemplary embodiment of an assembly according to the invention; and

[0107] Fig. 9B shows the assembly of Fig. 9A with an opened extraction opening.

[0108] Further objects, embodiments and elaborations of the assembly and the method according to the invention will be apparent from the following description, in which the invention is further illustrated and elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments, with reference to the drawings.

[0109] Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a transport assembly 1 for transport of a sample holder 2 with a biological sample by mail according to the invention.

[0110] The transport assembly comprises a postal box 3 and a sealable bag 30. The bag is sealable such that, when sealed, no liquid can escape the bag. The sealable bag 30 is mounted in the postal box. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the sealable bag 30 is with adhesive fixed to an inside surface of the postal box 3.

[0111] The postal box 3 is a flat and elongated box. The box has a longitudinal axis 4 extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end 5 and a bottom end 6 of the box 3. The box 3 has a front panel 7 and a back panel 8, a left side panel 9 and a right side panel 10. The left side panel 9 connects the front panel 7 and the back panel 8 at a left side thereof and the right side panel 10 connects the front panel 7 and the back panel 8 on a right side thereof.

[0112] The side panels, i.e. the left side panel 9 and the right side panel 10, of the box 3 have a height 14 parallel to the longitudinal axis 4 of the box 3 and have a depth 15 perpendicular to their height. The front panel 7 and the back panel 8 of the box 3 have a height 16 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a width 17 perpendicular to their height.

[0113] The box 3 is provided with a single flap 11 . The flap comprises a top panel 12 and a flap panel 13. The flap panel is connected to the back panel via the top panel. The top panel of the flap is hingeable connected to the back panel of the box and the flap panel of the flap is hingeable connected to the top panel of the flap. The top panel 12 and the flap panel 13 of the box have a width 18 parallel to the width of the back panel and a height 19 perpendicular to their width. The flap 11 furthermore has a fold line 23 between the top panel and the flap panel, to enable the flap panel to be folded against the front panel of the box, see figure 2. When the flap 11 is positioned such that it, in the longitudinal direction, forms an extension of the back panel, see figure 1, the height of the top panel 12 and the flap panel 13 of the flap 11 furthermore extend in a direction parallel to the height of the front and side panels, and thus parallel to the longitudinal axis 4 of the postal box 3.

[0114] The box 3 has at the top end 5 a sample holder insert opening 20 that can be closed with the flap 11. In the embodiment shown, the insert opening 20 faces the front and the top of the box.

[0115] In the embodiment shown, the flap panel 13 of the flap 11 is provided with an adhesive, in the embodiment shown a strip of adhesive material 21 , for attaching the flap panel to the front panel 7 of the box, to close the insert opening 20 of the postal box 3. Figure 2 shows the postal box 3 with the flap 11 in the closed position.

[0116] Back panel 8 of the postal box 3 comprises at the bottom end a flap section 22, see figure 3 and figure 4. The box 3 is furthermore provided with tear lines 23 extending along edges of the flap section 22, in the embodiment shown parallel to the longitudinal axis 4 of the box 3, and in the folds between the back panel and the side panels. The latter to obscure the presence of the tear lines from the nonprofessional user. The tear lines 23, when activated, allow for the flap section 22 to be folded, about a fold line 24 that is parallel to the width of the back panel, from a closed position into an open position. The tear lines are activated by pulling the flap section of the back panel towards the open position. In the open position, the flap section 22 of the back panel 8 provides the postal box 3 with a backward facing extraction opening 25. Figure 4 shows the postal box 3 with the tear lines 23 activated and the flap section 22 in the open position. In the embodiment shown, the extraction opening is a combination of a downward facing opening and a backward facing opening, creating a partially facing extraction opening.

[0117] The sealable bag 30 is an elongated bag that has a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and 31 a bottom end 32 of the bag. The longitudinal axis of the bag 30 is parallel to the longitudinal axis 4 of the postal box, when the bag is inside the postal box as shown in figure 1. In the embodiment shown, the bag is fixed inside the box 3 to an inside surface of the back panel. In the preferred embodiment shown, the height of the bag 3 is similar to the height of the back panel of the box.

[0118] The sealable bag 30 furthermore has a front panel 33 and a back panel 34, that are connected to each other along their left side, bottom side and right side. The front panel 33 and the back panel 34 of the bag 30 have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bag and a width perpendicular to their height.

[0119] The bag 30 has at the top end 31 a sample holder insert opening 35 that can be closed with a seal 36 provided on an inside surface of the front panel 33 and the back panel 34 of the bag 30. In figure 1, the sealable bag is shown with the sample holding insert opening closed.

[0120] Furthermore, the sealable bag 30 is at the bottom end 32 provided with a tear initiator 36 for creating an extraction opening 37 at the bottom end of the bag by tearing open the bag. The postal box 3 is shown in figure 5 with the sealable bag 30 torn open at the bottom end

[0121] According to the invention, the sealable bag 30 is mounted inside the postal box 3. In the embodiment shown, the sellable bag 30 is fixed to an inside surface of the box 3, in particular, the rear panel of the sealable back 30 is fixed to an inside surface of the back panel 8 of the box 3, with the top end of the bag at the top end of the box, so that the insert opening of the box provides access to the seal and to the insert opening of the bag, see figure 1 , and with the bottom end of the bag at the bottom end of the box, see figure 3, such that when the flap section of the box is folded into the open position, the extraction opening 25 provides access to the tear initiator 36 of the bag 30. The box 3 is a postal box, i.e. is a flat box that fits through a standard postal slit. Thus the box enables the sample to be send by regular post. The box 3 has a large front panel and a large back panel, and comparatively small side panels. The insert opening 20 at the top end of the box enables a nonprofessional user to insert the sample holder 2 into the insert opening 35 of bag 30 and thus into the insert opening 20 of the box 3. Once the sample holder is inserted in to the sellable bag 30, the sealable bag is sealed and the postal box is closed by attaching the flap of the box to the outside surface of the front panel of the box. The assembly now allows for the biological sample to be send by post to a testing and analysing facility.

[0122] According to the invention, the box 3 is furthermore configured to provide a extraction opening 25 at the bottom end of the box, to enable a professional user to open the box and bag, and to retrieve the sample holder.

[0123] Furthermore, according to the invention, both the insert opening and the extraction opening of the box are single use openings. Once the nonprofessional user has attached the flap to the front panel to close the box, the flap can no longer be opened without damaging the flap or box. The adhesive for attaching the flap to the front panel does not easily release the flap, and the flap is not provided with tear lines or other features that enable the flap to be opened or partially removed. Also, once the professional user has activated the tear lines of the box, folded the flap section into the open position, and torn open the bag at the bottom end thereof, the box and bag can not again be closed and sealed.

[0124] In the embodiment according to the invention shown, the insert opening 20 is positioned at the front and the top of the box 3 and the extraction opening 25 is positioned at the bottom and the back of the box 3. The use of a flap for closing the insert opening provides the nonprofessional user with a cue for using the insert opening for inserting the sample holder. The use of tear lines for the extraction opening, provides the extraction opening with a stealthy appearance compared to the entry opening. This in combination with the extraction opening being located at the back of the box helps to direct the focus of the nonprofessional user towards the entry opening of the box and bag, for inserting the sample holder inside the box.

[0125] Figure 1 shows that a box according to the invention is provided with a partially front facing insert opening. Such an insert opening provides the user with easy access to the top end of the bag, and more in particular facilitates sealing the bag. Thus, the bag can be fixed inside the box with its top end close to the top end of the back panel of the box, and a relatively small bag can be used. Furthermore, due to providing frontal access to the bag, it is not necessary to remove it from the box to be sealed. Because the bag is fixed inside the box, the chance of incorrect use of the assembly by the user is reduced. For example, the chance of the user returning the sample holder in the box without the sealable bag is reduced. Also, because the top panel is also part of the flap, it can be folded away, see figure 1. Thus it is easy to insert an oblong sample holder into the bag and box.

[0126] Also, the box 3 has an at least partially backward facing extraction opening. Such an opening provides the professional user, or end user, with access to the bottom end of the bag, see figure 4. This in turn provides access to the tear initiator provided on the bag.

[0127] Figure 1 shows box 3 in a transport configuration, and with the sample holder received in the sealed bag. When the flap of the box is folded into the closed position, and the flap is attached to the front panel of the box, see figure 2, the box is secured in the transport configuration and the assembly is ready for transporting the biological sample.

[0128] Once the assembly is received, a professional will extract the biological sample from the assembly. The professional will activate the tear lines 23 of the flap section of the box at the bottom end thereof and fold the flap section of the back panel into an open position, see figure 4. Subsequently, the professional will activate the at least one tear initiator 36 of the bag and thus tear open the bag at the bottom end thereof, see figure 5, such that the sample holder can be extracted from the sealable bag and the box. Once the sample holder is retracted from the box, the biological sample can be tested.

[0129] It is submitted that the box 3 shown in figure 1 , has a body section 26 that comprises the front panel, the back panel and the two side panels that connect the front panel to the back panel. Due to the open bottom, when the flap is in the open position, the body section 26 can be folded into a flat, compact configuration by moving the front panel towards the back panel. In this compact configuration the side panels are substantially parallel to the front panel and the back panel. Furthermore, in this compact configuration, the flap preferably is positioned such that it, in the longitudinal direction, forms an extension of the back panel, as is the case in figure 1 . It is noted that the sealable bag is sandwiched between the front panel and the back panel when the box is in the compact configuration.

[0130] The box 3 can be folded from the compact configuration into the transport configuration shown in figure 1 by moving the front panel away from the back panel such that the side panels are positioned substantially perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel. The box 3 is secured in the transport configuration by folding the flap into the closed position and subsequently fixing the flap onto the front panel.

[0131] When a test subject wants to send a biological sample by post, using the assembly 1, first the box 3, with the sealable bag inside it, is folded from the compact configuration, with the side panels substantially parallel to the font panel and the back panel, into a transport configuration, with the side panels substantially perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel. Then, the sample holder is inserted into the sealable bag and thus into the box. Subsequently, the flap is folded into the closed position and the flap panel of the flap is attached to the front panel of the box. Once the box is fixed in the transport configuration, the box can be send by post, for example by passing the assembly through a standard mail slot.

[0132] The flap 11 of the box 3 has a fold line 23 between the top panel and the flap panel, to enable the flap panel to be folded against the front panel of the box.

[0133] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the height of the front panel is smaller than the height of the back panel, and the left side panel 9 and the right side panel of the box 3 each have a slanted top edge 27. These slanted edges 27 extend between the back panel 8 and the front panel 7 and each have a length similar to the height of the top panel 12 of the flap 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the top panel 12 of the flap 11 therefore has a height that is larger than the depth 15 of each of the side panels.

[0134] In the embodiment shown, the height of the top panel 12 is at least two times the height of the side panels. Thus, when the flap 11 is folded into the closed position and the flap panel 13 is attached to the front panel 7, the top panel lies along its height against the top ends of the left and right side panels, see figure 2. The wedge shaped configuration provides the box with enhanced rigidity.

[0135] As a consequence, the box 3 with the flap in the closed position, is wedge shaped, more in particular the top end of the box 3 is wedge shaped, and the top panel 12 and the back panel 8 enclose a sharp angle 29. In the embodiment shown, the sharp angle 29 is less than 40 degrees.

[0136] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the flap panel of the flap, at a distance of at least the height of top panel of the flap away from a fold line 28 between the flap panel and the top panel, has a width similar to the width of the front panel, to facilitate correctly positioning the flap onto the front panel when closing the insert opening. Thus, when the user, or test subject, has to fold the box into an transport configuration prior to inserting the sample holder into the box, by aligning the flap section of the flap with the front panel of the box, the box is correctly brought into the transport configuration.

[0137] In the embodiment shown, the box 3 has an open bottom 38, i.e. there is no bottom panel, see figure 3. The open bottom 38 is part of the extraction opening 25 when the flap section 22 is folded into an open position, see figure 4. The open bottom enables a person to engage an inside surface of the flap section of the back panel, and to pull the flap section of the back panel in a direction away from the front panel, to thus activate the tear lines and allow for the flap section to be moved into the open position.

[0138] Figure 6 shows a postal box 40 according to the second aspect of the invention.

[0139] The postal box 40 shown is a flat and elongated box. The postal box 40 has a longitudinal axis 41 extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and 42 a bottom end 43 of the box, and comprises a body section 44 provided with a bottom flap 45 and a top flap 46,

[0140] The body section 44 comprises a front panel 47 and a back panel 48 that are connected to each other via a left side panel 49 and a right side panel 50.

[0141] The body section 44 is foldable between an compact configuration, with the left side panel 49 and the right side panel 50 substantially parallel to the front panel 47 and the back panel 48, for being stored and / or transported, and an transport configuration, with left side panel 49 and the right side panel 50 substantially perpendicular to the front panel 47 and the back panel 48, for transporting an item. Figure 6 and figure 7 show the postal box 40 with the body section 44 in the transport configuration.

[0142] The left side panel and the right side panel have a height 51 parallel to the longitudinal axis 41 of the box and a depth 52 perpendicular to their height. The front panel 47 and the back panel 48 have a height 53 parallel to the longitudinal axis 41 of the box and a width 54 perpendicular to their height.

[0143] The bottom flap 45 comprises a bottom panel 55 and a bottom flap panel 56. The bottom flap panel 56 is connected to the back panel 48 via the bottom panel 55. The top flap 46 comprises a top panel 57 and a top flap panel 58. The top flap panel 58 is connected to the back panel 48 via the top panel 57, The bottom panel 55 and the bottom flap panel 56 of the bottom flap 45 and the top panel 57 and the top flap panel 58 of the top flap 46 each have a width 59 parallel to the width 54 of the back panel and each have a height 60 perpendicular to their width, said height extending in the longitudinal direction when the flaps are folded open and the flaps extend in the longitudinal direction of the box.

[0144] In the embodiment shown, the height of the bottom panel 55 and the top panel 57 is similar to the depth 52 of the left side panel and the right side panel. The height of the bottom flap panel 56 and the top flap panel 58 is at least three time the depth 52 of the left side panel and the right side panel. Furthermore, the bottom panel 55 and the top panel 57 each have a fold line 61 between the bottom panel and the bottom flap panel and between the top panel and the top flap panel respectively, and each have width that is similar to the width of the front panel.

[0145] The bottom flap panel 56 of the bottom flap and the top flap panel 58 of the top flap each are provided with an adhesive, In the embodiment shown a strip of adhesive material 62 provided with a removable cover, for attaching the flap panel to the front panel, to fix the body section in the transport configuration.

[0146] Thus, the postal box 40 is foldable between an compact configuration, for being stored and / or transported, and an transport configuration, for transporting an item. The postal box is partially foldable, i.e. the box has a body section 44 comprising a back panel 48 and a front panel 47, that are attached to each other via the side panels 49,50. In the compact configuration, the front panel and the back panel are positioned adjacent to each other and the side panels are parallel to the front panel and the back panel. In the transport configuration, the front panel and the back panel are spaced apart by the side panels and the side panels are perpendicular to the front panel and the side panel, see figure 6 and figure 7.

[0147] According to the second aspect, the postal box 40 furthermore comprises two flaps that can be folded between an open position, in which the top panel and the flap panel are parallel to the back panel of the box, and a closed configuration, wherein the flap panel is parallel to the front panel and sides of the top panel are adjacent to top edges of the side panels. The latter is shown in figure 7.

[0148] The flaps are provided with an adhesive for attaching the respective flap panel to the front panel of the body section when the flaps are in the closed position. The flaps are thus configured to fix the postal box, more in particular the body section of the postal box, in the transport configuration, see figure 7. According to the second aspect of the invention, the flap panels are relatively large, and have a width similar to the width of the front panel. The height of the top flap panel and the bottom flap panel is at least three times the depth of the side panels that connect the respective flap panels to the back panel.

[0149] To secure the box in the transport configuration, the flaps are to be fixed to the front side of the front panel. Due to the width of the flaps being similar to the width of the front panel, and the height of the top flap panel and the bottom flap panel being at least three times the depth of the side panels, the user is assisted in correctly securing the flaps to the body section, and thus to correctly fix the box in the transport configuration.

[0150] Thus, the second aspect of the invention provides a postal box that is easy fold from an compact configuration into an transport configuration, and is easy to fix in that transport configuration. Assembling the box, i.e. folding the box from the compact into the transport configuration, requires three simple steps: firstly folding the body section into an transport configuration in which the front panel and the back panel are space from each other by the side panels, secondly folding the two flaps into a closed position, and finally attaching the flaps to a front facing side of the font panel.

[0151] In the embodiment shown, the flaps and front panel of the box are provided with visual markers in the form of a circular pictogram that indicates to the user the correct position of the flaps on the front panel. The circular pictogram is printed on the flaps and front panel of the box such that only when the flaps are correctly positioned the pictogram forms a correct circle, see figure 6 and figure 7.

[0152] Figure 8 shows part of a postal box 103 of a transport assembly according to the invention, the box is an open bottom box. Figure 8A shows the box with a closed extraction opening, while figure 8b shows the box with the extraction opening opened.

[0153] The left side panel 109 and the right side panel 110 of the box shown in figure 8 each comprise a flap portion 163 that is connected to the flap section 122 of the back panel 108. Tear lines 123 extend along an edge of the flap portions. The flap portions 163 are integral with the flap section 122, i.e. are not separated by tear lines.

[0154] The tear lines 123, that when activated allow for the flap section 122 to be folded about a fold line that is parallel to the width of the back panel from a closed position into an open position, extend at least partially along edges of the flap portions. Thus, when the tear lines 123 are activated and the flap section 122 is moved into the open position, the flap portions 163 move with it, providing an extraction opening 125 that partially faces sideways.

[0155] Figure 9 shows part of a further embodiment of a postal box 203 of a transport assembly according to the invention. The box is an open bottom box. Figure 9A shows the box with a closed extraction opening, while figure 9b shows the box with the extraction opening opened.

[0156] Similar to the embodiment shown in figure 8, the postal box 203 shown in figure 9 is provided with flap portions 263 in the left side panel 209 and in the right side panel 210 that are connected to, and integral with, a flap section 222 of the back panel 208.

[0157] In addition to the flap section 222 provided in the back panel of the box, the box 203 shown in figure 9 is provided with a similar flap section 274 in a front panel 207 of the box 203. Tear lines 275 are provided that at least partially extend at least partially along edges of that flap section 274. These tear lines partially extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box 203. The tear lines 275, when activated, allow for the flap section 274 to be folded, about a fold line 276 that is parallel to the width of the front panel 207, from a closed position into an open position, shown in the figure, that provides the box 203 with a partially forward facing extraction opening 225.

[0158] Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown in figure 9, the left side panel 209 and the right side panel 210 each comprise a flap portion 277 that is connected to, and integral with, the flap section 274. Similar to the flap portions 263 connected to the panel 222, they move with the flap section 274 when the tear lines are activated and the flap section is moved into the open position. In combination with the flap section 222 in the back panel and the flap portions 263 connected thereto, the flap section 274 in the front panel and flap portions 277 connected thereto enable an extraction opening 225 in the front panel, side panels and back panel, and thus extends over 360 degrees.

[0159] In the embodiment shown in figure 9, the flap section of the rear panel in combination with the flap portions of the side panels connected thereto, and the flap section of the front panel, in combination with the flap sections of the side panels connected thereto, are mirror opposites of each other relative to a plane that is parallel to the front panel and the back panel of the box. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in figure 9, the flap portions 263 integral with the flap section 222 in the back panel partially border the flap portions 275 integral with the flap section 274 in the front panel of the box. Thus, they share a tear line that extends along both flap portions.

[0160] Reference signs

[0161] 01 transport assembly

[0162] 02 sample holder

[0163] 03 postal box

[0164] 04 longitudinal axis of box

[0165] 05 top end of box

[0166] 06 bottom end of box

[0167] 07 front panel box

[0168] 08 back panel box

[0169] 09 left side panel box

[0170] 10 right side panel box

[0171] 11 flap

[0172] 12 top panel of flap

[0173] 13 flap panel of flap

[0174] 14 height side panel

[0175] 15 depth side panel

[0176] 16 height front and back panel

[0177] 17 width front and back panel

[0178] 18 width top panel and flap panel

[0179] 19 height top panel and flap panel

[0180] 20 insert opening box

[0181] 21 strip of adhesive material

[0182] 22 flap section back panel

[0183] 23 tear lines flap section

[0184] 24 fold line flap section

[0185] 25 extraction opening box

[0186] 26 body section box

[0187] 27 slanted top edge side panels

[0188] 28 foldline flap between flap panel and top panel

[0189] 29 sharp angle between top panel and back panel

[0190] 30 sealable bag

[0191] 31 top end bag

[0192] 32 bottom end bag

[0193] 33 front panel bag

[0194] 34 back panel bag

[0195] 35 sample insert opening bag

[0196] 36 tear initiator bag 37 extraction opening bag

[0197] 38 open bottom

[0198] 39 seal

[0199] 40 postal box

[0200] 41 longitudinal axis

[0201] 42 top end box

[0202] 43 bottom end box

[0203] 44 body section

[0204] 45 bottom flap

[0205] 46 top flap

[0206] 47 front panel

[0207] 48 back panel

[0208] 49 left side panel

[0209] 50 right side panel

[0210] 51 height side panels

[0211] 52 depth side panels

[0212] 53 height front panel and back panel

[0213] 54 width front panel and back panel

[0214] 55 bottom panel

[0215] 56 bottom flap panel

[0216] 57 top panel

[0217] 58 top flap panel

[0218] 59 width of panels of flaps

[0219] 60 height of panels of flaps

[0220] 61 fold line between panels flaps

[0221] 62 adhesive

[0222] 103 postal box

[0223] 108 back panel box

[0224] 109 left side panel box

[0225] 110 right side panel box

[0226] 122 flap section back panel

[0227] 123 tear lines flap section

[0228] 125 extraction opening

[0229] 163 flap portion of side panel

[0230] 203 postal box

[0231] 207 front panel box

[0232] 208 back panel box 209 left side panel box

[0233] 210 right side panel box

[0234] 222 flap section back panel

[0235] 223 tear lines flap section 225 extraction opening box

[0236] 263 flap portions

[0237] 274 flap section front panel

[0238] 275 tear lines front panel

[0239] 276 fold line front panel 277 flap portions

Claims

CLAIMS1. T ransport assembly for transport of a sample holder with a biological sample by mail, the transport assembly comprising a postal box and a sealable bag mounted in the postal box; wherein the postal box is a flat and preferably elongated box, the postal box having a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the box, wherein the postal box has a front panel and a back panel, a left side panel and a right side panel, and a flap comprising a top panel and a flap panel, the flap panel being hingeable connected to the top panel, wherein the left side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a left side thereof and the right side panel connects the front panel and the back panel at a right side thereof, and wherein the flap is with the top panel hingeable connected to the back panel, wherein the side panels of the box have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a depth perpendicular to their height, the front panel and the back panel of the box have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a width perpendicular to their height, and the top panel and the flap panel of the flap have a width parallel to the width of the back panel and a height perpendicular to their width and, when the flap is positioned such that it, in the longitudinal direction, forms an extension of the back panel, parallel to the height of the front panel, side panels and back panel, wherein the box has at the top end a sample holder insert opening that can be closed with the flap, the insert opening facing the top and preferably the front of the box, wherein the flap panel of the flap is provided with an adhesive, e.g. a strip of adhesive material, for attaching the flap panel to the front panel, to close the insert opening of the box, and wherein the back panel comprises at the bottom end a flap section, and wherein the box is provided with tear lines extending along edges of the flap section and / or along edges of flap portions integral with the flap section, and preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box, and wherein the tear lines, when activated, allow for the flap section to be folded, abouta fold line that is parallel to the width of the back panel, from a closed position into an open position that provides the box with a backward facing extraction opening, wherein the sealable bag has a longitudinal axis extending in a longitudinal direction between a top end and a bottom end of the bag, wherein the sealable bag has a front panel and a back panel, that preferably are connected to each other along their left side, bottom side and right side, wherein the front panel and the back panel of the bag have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sealable bag and a width perpendicular to their height, wherein the sealable bag has at the top end a sample holder insert opening and a seal, preferably provided on an inside surface of the front panel and the back panel of the bag, for sealing the insert opening of the sealable bag, and wherein the sealable bag is at the bottom end provided with at least one tear initiator for creating an extraction opening at the bottom end of the bag by tearing open the bag, wherein the sealable bag is mounted inside the postal box, preferably is fixed to an inside surface of the box, with the top end of the sealable bag at, preferably aligned with, the top end of the box, so that the insert opening of the box provides access to the insert opening and to the seal of the sealable bag, and with the bottom end of the sealable bag at, preferably aligned with, the bottom end of the box such that when the flap section of the back panel is folded into the open position, the extraction opening of the box provides access to the at least one tear initiator of the bag.

2. T ransport assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the top panel of the flap has a height that is larger than the depth of the side panels, preferably has a height that is at least two times, preferably at least three times, for example has a height that is four times, the height of the side panels, and wherein the side panels have a slanted top edge, the slanted edge extending between the back panel and the front panel and having a length similar to the height of the top panel, such that when the flap is folded into the closed position and the flap panel is attached to the front panel, the top panel lies along its height against the slanted top edges of the left and right side panels.

3. Transport assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flap panel of the flap, at a distance of at least the height of top panel of the flap away from a fold line between the flap panel and the top panel, has a width similar to the width of the front panel, to facilitate correctly positioning the flap onto the front panel to fix the box in a transport configuration.

4. T ransport assembly according to any of the preceding claim, wherein the flap panel has a height of at least 25% the height of the front panel, preferably has a height of at least 35% the height of the front panel, for example has a height of at least 45% the height of the front panel.

5. T ransport assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the box has an open bottom, the open bottom being part of the extraction opening when the flap section is folded into the open position, and wherein the open bottom enables a person to engage an inside surface of the flap section, and to pull the flap section of the back panel in a direction away from the front panel, to thus activate the tear lines and allow for the flap section to be moved into the open position.

6. T ransport assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the tear lines are provided in the folds between the back panel and the side panels.

7. transport assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the box, with the flap folded into a closed position and with the flap panel fixed to the front of the front panel, has a height in the range of 80-150 mm, a width in the range of 40-80 mm, and a depth in the range of 15-25 mm.

8. Transport assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein fluid retaining means, for example a fluid absorbing material, are provided inside the sealable bag;9. T ransport assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the box can be folded from an compact configuration, in which compact configuration the side panels are substantially parallel to the front panel and the back panel, into an transport configuration, wherein the side panels are substantially perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel, in a single movement, and preferably wherein the flap of the box is configured to fix the box in the transport configuration.

10. Transport assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bag is fixed inside the box, preferably is fixed to an inside surface of the front panel or to an inside surfaceof the back panel, and preferably the height of the bag is similar to or smaller than the height of the back panel of the box.

11. Postal box for use in a transport assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the postal box is a flat and elongated box, and comprises a body section provided with a bottom flap and a top flap, wherein the body section is foldable between a compact configuration, for being stored and / or transported, and a transport configuration, for transporting an item, wherein the body section comprises the front panel and the back panel that are connected to each other via the left side panel and the right side panel, wherein the side panels have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a depth perpendicular to their height, and wherein the front panel and the back panel have a height parallel to the longitudinal axis of the box and a width perpendicular to their height, wherein the bottom flap comprises a bottom panel and a bottom flap panel, wherein the bottom flap panel is connected to the back panel via the bottom panel, and wherein the top flap comprises a top panel and a top flap panel, wherein the top flap panel is connected to the back panel via the top panel, and wherein the top panel and the flap panel of the top flap and the bottom panel and the flap panel of the bottom flap each have a width parallel to the width of the back panel and each have a height perpendicular to their width, said height extending in the longitudinal direction when the flaps are folded open and the flaps extend in the longitudinal direction of the box.

12. Blank for folding a box according to any of the preceding claims.

13. Home sampling kit for transporting a biological sample by mail, the kit comprising the assembly according to one or more of the claims 1-10, and a sample holder, e.g. a vial, for containing the biological sample;14. Method for using a kit according to claim 13, the method comprising:- folding the box, with the sealable bag inside it, from a compact configuration, with the side panels parallel to the font panel and the back panel, into a transport configuration, with the side panels perpendicular to the front panel and the back panel;- insert the sample holder into the sealable bag and into the box;- folding the flap into the closed position and attaching the flap panel of the flap to the front panel of the box; and- optionally: passing the assembly through a standard mail slot.

15. Method for using a kit according to claim 13 wherein the box is in the transport configuration and the sample holder is received in the sealed bag and in the box, the method comprising:- activating the tear lines of the box at the bottom end thereof and folding the flap section of the back panel into the open position;- activating the at least one tear initiator of the bag and tearing open the bag at the bottom end thereof; and- extracting the sample holder from the sealable bag and the box.

Images