US 12,442,829 B2
Containers and caps having ket rings for enabling removal of liquid contents of a container
Roger W. Accurso, Fremont, CA (US)
Assigned to Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL (US)
Filed by Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL (US)
Filed on Feb. 8, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/436,718.
Application 18/436,718 is a continuation of application No. 17/650,607, filed on Feb. 10, 2022, granted, now 11,899,031.
Application 17/650,607 is a continuation of application No. 16/551,163, filed on Aug. 26, 2019, granted, now 11,293,936, issued on Apr. 5, 2022.
Application 16/551,163 is a continuation of application No. 15/816,763, filed on Nov. 17, 2017, granted, now 10,416,181, issued on Sep. 17, 2019.
Application 15/816,763 is a continuation of application No. 15/141,187, filed on Apr. 28, 2016, granted, now 9,823,263, issued on Nov. 21, 2017.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/155,768, filed on May 1, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2024/0264189 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 1/28 (2006.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01L 99/00 (2010.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/1002 (2013.01) [B01L 3/523 (2013.01); B01L 13/02 (2019.08); G01N 1/28 (2013.01); G01N 35/1079 (2013.01); B01L 2200/025 (2013.01); B01L 2200/04 (2013.01); B01L 2300/042 (2013.01); B01L 2300/049 (2013.01); B01L 2300/0672 (2013.01); G01N 2035/1025 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An apparatus comprising:
a container to hold a liquid to be used in a diagnostic analyzer, the container having a substantially rectangular cross-section with curved edges, the container having a tapered throat section with a mouth, the throat section having first threads, the container having an annular rib extending radially outward from the throat section, the annular rib located below the threads; and
a cap coupled to the throat section over the mouth, the cap including:
a lid having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and an opening extending between the first and second sides;
a key ring extending from the first side of the lid, the key ring having a shape corresponding to a key slot of a cradle of the diagnostic analyzer to enable the cradle to drain the liquid from the container when the container with the cap is inserted into the cradle;
an annular sidewall extending from the second side of the lid;
a flange extending radially outward from the annular sidewall, the flange to be engaged by a latch when the container with the cap is inserted into the cradle to lock the cap in the cradle; and
a lower sidewall extending from the flange in a direction opposite of the annular sidewall, the lower sidewall radially surrounding the annular rib.
 
8. An apparatus comprising:
a container to hold a liquid to be used in a diagnostic analyzer, the container having a substantially rectangular cross-section with curved edges, the container having a first opening; and
a cap coupled to the container over the first opening, the cap including:
a lid having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a second opening extending between the first and second sides; and
a key ring extending from the first side of the lid, the key ring having a shape corresponding to a key slot of a cradle of the diagnostic analyzer to enable the cradle to drain the liquid from the container when the container with the cap is inserted into the cradle;
an annular rim extending from the first side of the lid, the annular rim surrounding the second opening, the annular rim within a diameter of the key ring and concentric with the key ring;
a septum in the second opening; and
a snap ring in the annular rim to secure the septum in the second opening.