Multi vessel ring

摘要

A multi vessel ring (suitable for use with thermal cycler and PCR apparatus) comprises a ring body and a plurality of elongate tubes. Each tube has a proximal open end and a distal closed end, each elongate tube being integrally formed with the ring body, and being pivotally connected to the ring body between an initial position in which a longitudinal axis of each tube is generally parallel with an axis of rotation of the ring body, and a final position in which the longitudinal axis of each tube is inclined relative to the axis of rotation of the ring body. The multi vessel ring preferably further comprises a plurality of caps integrally formed with the ring body, and adapted to seal the proximal open end of respective tubes. A further embodiment is directed to an assembly comprising said ring and a carrier disc having a central hub adapted to be mounted to a thermal cycler, a circumferentially outer portion of the carrier disc having a plurality of grooves, each groove being adapted to support one of said tubes when the multi-vessel ring is located on the carrier disc. A yet further embodiment is directed to a capping tool adapted for use with such an assembly, comprising a loading block having a plurality of projections, each projection being insertable within an aperture formed in an underside of the ring body to push one said cap body from an initial position, in which the cap body is generally coplanar with the ring body, to an intermediate position in which the cap body has rotated more than 90 degrees relative to the ring body.