US3477822A - Chemical package - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 11, 1969 0. A. HAMILTON CHEMICAL PACKAGE Filed Dec. 26, 19s? DETECTION MEANS LIGHT SOURCE INVENTOR. DONALD AHAMLTON M I AT7JZRNEYS FIG. 4-

United States Patent 3,477,822 CHEMICAL PACKAGE ,7 Donald A. Hamilton, Pasadena, Calif., assignor to Xerox Corporation, Rochester, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 693,629 Int. Cl. B01l 3/00 U.S. Cl. 23-253 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to automatic chemical analysis and, more, particularly, to the automatic chemical analysis of body fluids, such as blood, urine, etc.

In copending application Ser. No. 602,025 filed Dec. 15, 1966, there is disclosed an automated chemical analytical system including a plurality of different disposable reaction containers, a magazine for the storage of the plurality of different reaction containers, a station for the addition of sample material to the reaction container, a mixing and incubation station wherein the reaction mixture is maintained in the disposable container for a period of time suflicient to culminate the chemical reaction, a detection station wherein the analytical data is obtained by monitoring one or more of the physical properties of the reaction mixture, a disposal station wherein the disposable reaction container is eliminated from the system, and means to transport the disposable reaction container from its storage area in the magazine through the system to thedisposal station. The heart of the system is the disposable reaction container which, in its broadaspects, has at least one lower compartment for the admixing and reaction of reagents and sample, and an upper section having a plurtlity of reagent storage chambers in communication with each reaction compartment. At least one wall or end portion of the reaction compartment may be optically transparent so that upon completion of the desired chemical reaction the compartment can be utilized as a cuvette for optical analysis. Optionally, none of the walls need be optically transparent as a'probe photometer such as the one disclosed in Gale 3,164,663, may be inserted into the reaction mixture and electromagnetic radiation from a source passed through a radiation conductor, the reaction mixture and back through the radiation conductor to a detection means, without the necessity of passing through the compartment walls.

In copending application Ser. No. 602,018 (also filed Dec. 15, 1966) there is disclosed a similar, though conceptually and structurally different, analytical apparatus and system. The disposable reaction container in this application has a flexible lower compartment, i.e. one having at least one flexible wall, so that during analysis a light source and a detection means pressed against the flexible wall or walls defining the lower cuvette(s) will cause the walls to yield a distance sufiicient to define a fixed optical path between the light source and the detection means 3,477,822 Patented Nov. 11, 1969 through the reaction mixture. The automatic analytical apparatus includes monitoring means including a light source and a means responsive to the variations in light transmittance caused by diiferent concentrations of a known constituent in the reaction mixture. The light source and the responsive means are pressed against opposite sides of the reaction compartment or cuvette during analysis to define a fixed optical path through the reaction mixture. Thus, there is provided an automatic analytical apparatus having the optical path defining means built into a detection station. Production requirements for the disposable reaction container are less severe than when the fixed optical path is defined by the rigid walls of the reaction compartment. The reaction container can be mass produced and disposed of after use without significant cost.

In copending application Ser. No. 645,665, filed June 13, 1967, there is disclosed a disposable reaction container of improved design. Specifically, the lower section of the the disposable reaction container comprises positioned walls adapted to channel the material added thereto to a portion of the lower compartment defined by a substantially rectangular volume. Optionally, a still lower compartment can be provided for the storage therein of a magnetic stirring bar so that thorough mixing of added materials can be achieved through use of urging means magnetically coupled to said magnetic stirring bar.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Now, in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a further disposable reaction container for use with the aforementioned analytical apparatus and systems. As with prior designs, the disposable reaction container of this invention has a plurality of lower compartments for the admixing and reaction of reagents and sample material added thereto, and an upper section for the storage of prepackaged reagents. However, for each lower reaction compartment there is only provided a single storage chamber in communication therewith for the storage of a plurality of reagent tablets. This is in contrast to prior designs which specified a plurality of storage chambers for the storage of a plurality of reagent tablets.

In the design of the present invention, each storage chamber in the upper section has a plurality of means in the form of ribs or detents which encircle the storage chamber and hold the reagent tablets therein. The ribs are so positioned as to maintain a small gapbetween the reagent tablets whereby each tablet is maiutained in a separate zone within the storage chamber. The reagent tablets are snapped into place and snugly held by said means to prevent premature movement of the prepackaged reagents from their respective storage chambers. By this design, it is possible to store a plurality of tablets within a single storage chamber and the previously required restraining layer (for example, layer 16 as shown in FIGURE 1 of Ser. No. 645,665) can be omitted without undesirable effects. As an additional advantage, less force is necessary to dislodge the reagent tablet from its storage chamber as no force is required to break the re straining layer as such layer is omitted.

In a further embodiment, the walls of each storage chamber are inclined to the vertical so that it can accommodate a larger diameter tablet at the bottom portion thereofthan at the top portion thereof. Viewed from the outside or in cross-section, the storage chamber. looks like a truncated cone having a hollow interior. The restraining means in the form of the encircling ribs or detents section the storage chamber into various zones which are adapted for the storage of reagent tablets of different diameters.

At least two walls on opposite sides of each reaction compartment are inclined to the vertical whereby material added to the reaction compartment is caused to flow into the bottom portion thereof. The inclined walls terminate at a point intermediate the open top portion of the lower section and the bottom wall of the reaction compartment, the walls continuing in a plane perpendicular to a plane passing through the flange portion extending about the outer perimeter of the lower section to define a substantially rectangular volume having substantially perpendicular and parallel sides, said volume adapted for use as a cuvette for optical analysis of the material held therein.

The walls of the reaction compartment can be transparent and rigid, the distance between one pair of opposite walls defining a fixed optical path through the reaction mixture. This fixed optical path or fixed distance between the pair of opposite walls is equal, within certain tolerances, for each disposable reaction container representing a single chemical analysis whereby uniformity and reliability of analytical data and results can be achieved.

In a diflerent design, at least one pair of opposite walls are flexible so that a fixed optical path to the reaction mixture can be defined by pressing a light source against one wall and a detection means against the other wall. The walls yield a distance sufficient to define a fixed optical path between the light sources and the detection means through the reaction mixture. Alternately, higher than atmospheric pressure means can be positioned over the upper storage section so that a relatively inert gas, such as nitrogen, can be admitted to the reaction compartments through holes made in the upper section during sample addition. The side walls will be bowed outwardly and can be made to press up against accurately positioned optical path defining means. Thus, in each instance, there is provided within each detection station means to define an optical path which will be maintained constant for each disposable reaction container representing like chemical testing units.

Optionally, a small circular compartment can be provided in the lower portion of each reaction compartment for the storage of a magnetic stirring bar which can be rotated during incubation, by means magnetically coupled thereto, to thoroughly mix the materials added to the reaction compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The nature of the invention will be more easily understood when it is considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded side view of an exemplary disposable reaction container of the present invention, the top. portion of FIGURE 1 being taken along the section line 1-1 on FIGURE 2;

.FIGURE 2 is a top view of the disposable container of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of the disposable container of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a top view of the lower section of the disposable container of FIGURE 1; 1

FIGURE 5 is an end view of an alternative disposable container of the present invention during one form of optical analysis, an alternative embodiment storage chamber in the upper section being shown in cross-section; and

. FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional top view of an alternative disposable container showing a set of detents with each storage chamber.

Referringto FIGURES 14, there is seen a disposable reaction container 10 including a lower section 12 having two separate lower compartments 24 and 26 and an upper section 14 having a single storage chamber 16 and 18,

respectively, associated with each lower compartment.

Each lower compartment has a bottom wall 28, exterior side walls 30, 32 and 34 and interior wall 36.'The wall portions of compartments 24 and 26 terminate in a horizontal'flange 38 which encircles the outer perimeter of the two compartments and holds them together as a dis tinct unit. Bottom wall 28 is parallel with horizontal flange 38 with walls 30, 32, 34 and 36 being perpendicular thereto, the five walls thus defining a rectangular volume having slightly rounded edges and corners. The rectangular volume does not extend all the way from bottom wall 28 to flange 38 but terminates intermediate these two elements. The lines of termination of the rectangular solid along each wall define a plane which is parallel to'the plane of horizontal flange 38. From-this plane the walls diverge upwardly and outwardly as at 30', 32, 34' and 36' until they intersect with horizontal flange 38 to define a rectangular opening beneath the plurality of reagent storage chambers when upper section 14 is in position on flange 38. As shown walls 32' terminate in a short leg 32" just prior to its intersection with flange 38, leg 32" being perpendicular to flange 38. If desired this leg can be omitted whereby walls 32 will diverge upwardly and outwardly from the plane at the top of the rectangularvolume until they intersect with flange 38. The shape of the opening is not critical as long as it will not interfere with the introduction of sample and reagents into the lower compartment. The sloping walls channel all materials downward toward the bottom of the reaction compartment. Interior walls 36 extend to the plane of horizontal flange 38 and are connected to each other at line 40 thereby forming a distinct barrier between c0mpartments 24 and 26.

Resting on flange 38 and barrier line 40 is an upper storage section 14 which comprises a unitary member 42 having formed therein a plurality of reagent storage chambers 16 and 18 in the form of top-hats. In the present invention, however, only a single reagent storage chamber adapted to store a plurality of reagent tablets therein is provided for each lower compartment. A cut-away view of upper section 14 is shown in FIGURE 1 wherein reagent tablets T can be seen as they are held in place within the storage chamber. Application of force on the top of the chambers will cause inversion of the top-hat with the resultant deposition of the stored tablet or tablets into the lower compartment.

Upper section 14 has a flange 44 which encircles the lower perimeter thereof. One side of flange 44 which extends the length of the disposable reaction container is slightly wider than the border which encircles the re mainder of the upper storage section 14. This widerportion is indicated at 45. Flange 38 which encircles the upper perimeter of the lower section is also wider along this side. Thus, the rectangles with slightly rounded edges formed by flange 38 encircling the upper perimeter of lower section 12 and flange 44 encircling the lower perimeter of upper section 14 are of equal size and dimension so that the two members can be suitably joined to provide a unitary disposable container. Preferably, each member is formed out of a plastic material which can be heat sealed to the other member to provide an exceptionally strong bond which cannot be broken under normal use. Flanges 38 and 44 are sufficiently wide along thewider portions 45 so that a code area 46 can be provided hetween inner bond 48 and outer bond 40. Any suitable action container, patient number, instructions for the associated automatic analytical apparatus and system, analyticalresults, etc. Typical codes include binary codingin the form of light and dark areas, magnetic coding, etc.

In the embodiment of FIGURES 1-4, the storage cham.

bers 16 and 18 are shown withmeans in the form of ribs whichfencircle each storage chamber and holdthe reagent tabletstherein. The ribs are so positioned as .to maintain a small gap between the reagent tablets. This prevents tablet contact which might, over a long period of storage. result in a chemical reaction which might adversely affect the chemical properties of the stored reagents. Any number of reagent tablets can be stored in this manner.

The tablets are merely snapped into place and remain there until the application of force to the top of the storage chamber causes the tablets to be dispensed therefrom. In the embodiment as shown in FIGURE 1, by properly applying force to the storage chamber the first or lower tablet can be dispensed without having to dispense the upper tablet. That is, the force must be just sufiicient to displace the upper tablet from its storage zone within the chamber and transfer it to the storage zone previously occupied by the lower tablet. Simultaneously, the lower tablet is ejected from its storage zone into the lower compartment in lower section 12. Optionally, both tablets can be ejected simultaneously.

In operation, container is taken from a supply magazine and passed to a sample addition station where the proper amount of sample diluted with distilled water is accomplished by injecting the sample solution through a needle which has been inserted through upper section 14. Preferably, this insertion is made at a point which will not cause undue rotation of the supported container. The sample-holding container is then passed to a reagent addition station where the application of a pushing force on each storage chamber causes the reagent tablet or tablets stored therein to be emptied into the appropriate compartments. Reagent addition can be done in one opera tion or it can be done sequentially as is necessary to complete the analytical procedure. If done sequentially, the addition can be done during or after incubation. In essence, reagents can be added any time prior to final detection as determined by the particular analytical procedure utilized. Container 10 is passed to a mixing station where it is maintained for a time sufiicient to ensure the dissolution of all solid materials in the liquid contained in the lower compartments. The container next passes to an incubation station where appropriate reaction conditions are imposed upon the materials within the container for a time sufficient to complete the desired reaction which is then measured at a detection station. It is not necessary that the mixing and incubation stations be separate and distinct as it is contemplated that these operations may be performed in a single station.

At a detection station, light of appropriate wavelength is passed from a light source through the reaction mixture to detection means situated on the opposite side of the reaction mixture from the light source. The amount of light transmitted (or, conversely, the amount of light absorbed) at the testing wavelength will be representative of the amount of the constituent under analysis in the test solution.

Preferably, the disposable container as shown in the drawings is used in conjunction with a double-beam detection mechanism. In one compartment there is providing a solution of the material being tested with all the reagents which will bring the reaction mixture to the desired point for analysis. The other compartment contains a solution of the material being tested in the absence of reagents. In certain instances, one or more reagents can be added to this latter solution, provided the reagents do not carry the reaction to completion or do not adversely aifect, in any other way, the optical analysis. This latter solution is called a critically incomplete blan and will enable the analytical system to compensate for the effects of the sample and the reagents added thereto. To maintain the detection mechanism in calibration, standard solutions are passed through the detection mechanism at intervals so that the latter can adjust for deviations which occur during operation.

To dispense with the necessity of passing standard solutions through the detection mechanism at regular intervals a disposable container having three compartments, and the plurality of storage chambers associated with each compartment where reagents need be added, is provided for use with a triple-beam detection mechanism. The standard solution can be injected into the disposable container at any point in the system prior to optical analysis and will obviate the need for passing distinct disposable container holding standards through the system. Alternatively, standard-containing tablets can be stored in the upper section, dispersed into the lower compartment and diluted to give the desired concentration. The detection mechanism will analyze the standard and adjust for deviations from the known value. The analysis of the materials in the other two compartments is conducted in accordance with the teachings of both. If one wishes to conduct an extremely precise analysis and take into consideration every possible influencing factor, additional lower compartments can be built into the disposable container for the introduction of such factors and the analysis thereof. Thus, adjustments can be made which will compensate for the efiect which these materials have upon the particular analysis.

Optionally, light from the light source and light which has passed through the reaction mixture can be conducted to the disposable container and the detection means, respectively, through light conduits which are pressed against an opposite pair of rigid walls which comprise a portion of the lower compartment. In this embodiment, the optical path is defined by the distance between the opposite walls of the lower compartment against. which the light conduits are pressed. Since it is preferred to maintain this optical path constant for all like analytical procedures, strict production requirements must be met in the produc tion of disposable containers having rigid lower compartment walls.

This optional form of optical analysis is shown in FIGURE 5 wherein a disposable reaction container 60 having flexible walls 30 and 34 has light source means and detection means pressed against opposite walls of the lower reaction compartment. Thus, in the detection station as illustrated in FIGURE 5, light conduits 62 and 64 are pressed against walls 30 and 34, respectively, of each lower compartment. Conduit 62 is connected at the opposite end to a light source (not shown) which can be filtered to provide light of a desired wavelength or wavelengths. Conduit 64, directly opposite conduit 62, is connected to an appropriate detection means (not shown) for monitoring the intensity of the light passed through the liquid mixture in the lower compartment. During the actual analysis, conduits 62 and 64 are moved toward each other whereby the flexible walls of the compartment will deform and assume the position as shown by the dotted lines thus defining a fixed optical path L between the interior sides of deformed walls 30 and 34 and through the reaction mixture. By providing a fixed optical path L in this manner, it is easier to mass produce the disposable container as a certain critical feature, the optical path, has been eliminated as a strict production requirement. The optical path defining means is now built into the detection station and, as would be expected, significantly less detection stations should be produced than disposable containers. Since a fixed optical path is defined by the detection station and will be the same for each container passing therethrough, highly accurate and reliable data can be obtained with this system.

It is also contemplated that the disposable reaction container 10 as shown in FIGURE 5 can be used in conjunction with a double-beam detection mechanism, as described above in relation to FIGURES 1-4.

Alternatively, higher than atmospheric pressure means can be positioned over the upper storage section so that a relatively inert gas, for example nitrogen, can be admitted to the reaction compartment through holes made in the upper section during sample addition. The side walls will be bowed outwardly and can be made to press up against accurately positioned optical path defining means. Thus, in this embodiment as in the preceding embodiment, there is provided within each detection station means to define an optical path which will be maintained constant for each disposable reaction container representing like chemical testing units.

A further embodiment of the storage chamber and upper section of the present invention is shown in crosssection in FIGURE wherein upper section 14 has a storage chamber 66 having three tablets T therein. As with the embodiment Shown in FIGURES 1-4, there are means in the form of ribs which encircle each storage chamber and hold the reagent tablet in place. Such ribs are shown at 68. This embodiment differs from the earlier embodiment, however, in that the wall of the storage chamber 66 is tapered so that larger diameter tablets can be stored in the lower portion of the storage chamber than at the middle or upper portion. With prior designs, it was always necessary to store tablets of the same diameter. Yet, for many of the difficult-to-tablet recipes there is an optimum thickness-to-diameter ratio. Thus, when dealing with a disposable container having uniform diameter pods, some tablets would have to be made very thin, others would be brittle, some flaky or crumbly because the optimum thickness-to-diameter ratio could not be obtained. This problem is overcome with the embodiment herein disclosed as tablets having different thickness-to-diameter ratios can now be stored within the storage chamber. However, unless intricate apparatus is provided to prevent the dislodgement of the upper tablets, it is necessary to simultaneously dispense all the tablets into the lower compartment. That is, the application of force to the top of storage chamber 66 will dislodge the upper tablet from its storage zone and drop it onto the next lower tablet but without necessarily dispensing it into the lower compartment. Further force, dislodges the middle table, and the upper tablet resting thereon, from the intermediate zone and drops it onto the lower tablet. If suflicient force is applied, all three tablets are dispensed into the lower compartment. That is not necessarily undesirable and in most instances is the general case. As with the earlier embodiment, the ribs are so positioned as to maintain a small gap between the reagent tablets. This prevents tablet contact which might result in a chemical reaction which would adversely affect the chemical properties of the stored reagents.

Referring to FIGURE 6, there is shown an alternative upper section for the disposable container wherein each storage chamber 70 and 72 has a set of detents or fingers 74 and 76, respectively. These detents are adapted to maintain a reagent tablet in position in a storage zone within the storage chamber. As many sets of detents can be provided as are necessary to store the desired plurality of tablets within the storage chamber. With the exception of the substitution of the detents for the encircling ribs, the upper section of FIGURE 6 is otherwise similar to the upper section of FIGURES 1-3.

As previously indicated, a magnetic stirring bar may be disposed within the reaction compartment for thorough mixing of materials added thereto through magnetic coupling with properly positioned urging means. If desired the compartment for storage of the magnetic stirring bar can be in the upper storage section, appropriate means being provided to hold the stirring bar in place until needed. Optionally, a cylindrical recess can be provided below the bottom wall 66 of each lower compartment and in communication with each reaction compartment for the storage of such a magnetic stirring bar. The shape of the storage recess is not critcial as long as the magnetic stirring bar can easily drop into the recess when the bar is not in use. With the reaction mixture in the lower compartment, the disposable container is moved to a mixing station where an external magnetic field is applied, such as by a rotating magnetic bar. The rotation of the magnetic bar within the disposable container creates a vortex and by regulating the rotational speed of the magnetic stirring bar it is possible to thoroughly mix all the reagents with the sample as well as to clean the walls of the reaction compartment and the storage chambers of undissolved reagents. This insures that all reagents are present in the reaction mixture in proper amounts. Upon completion of the mixing operation, the stirring bar will settle into its storage recess out of the way of optical analysis which proceeds through the side walls forming the rectangular volume of each reaction compartment. An exemplary stirring bar comprises a small cylindrical section of stainless steel Wire. Should the magnetic material have a deleterious effect on the assay, then the stirring bar should be entirely covered with a material which will not. interfere in the analytical procedure, such as a complete coating of glass or inert plastic.

While the invention has been described with reference to its preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teaching of the invention without departing from its essential teachings.

What is claimed is:

1. A disposable reaction container comprising a lower section having at least one compartment for the admixing of materials added thereto, an upper section securely mounted on said lower section and having .a single reagent storage chamber adjacent each of said compartments, each of said storage chambers being adapted for the storage of a plurality of reagent tablets, restraining means to prevent the premature movement of tableted reagents from each of said storage chambers.

2. The disposablereaction container of claim 1 wherein said restraining means comprise a plurality of ribs encircling each storage chamber, said ribs adapted to define separate storage zones within each storage chamber wherein separate reagent tablets may be stored spaced from other tablets stored therein.

3. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein each storage chamber is substantially cylindrical.

4. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein each storage chamber is in the form of a truncated cone, the lower portion of which has a greater diameter than the upper portion thereof.

5. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein said restraining means comprises a plurality of sets of detents extending into said storage chamber, each set adapted to support a reagent tablet spaced from other reagent tablets stored therein.

6. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein thelower section has a plurality of separate admixing compartments.

7. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein said upper section and said lower section are heat sealed together.

. 8. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein said lower section has a flange which encircles the upper perimeter thereof, said upper section has a flange which encircles the lower perimeter of said reagent storage chambers and is wider along one longitudinal portion, the area circumscribed by said upper section flange being substantially rectangular and substantially equal to the area circumscribed by said lower section flange; said upper section and said lower section being securely mounted together; and said wider portion being adapted for the storage of information thereon.

9. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein said upper section has a flange which encircles the lower perimeter of said upper section and surrounds the reagent storage chambers, said upper section flange being wider along one longitudinal portion and adapted for the storage of information thereon.

10. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein said restraining means comprise a plurality of r1 s.

11. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein at least one set of opposite walls defining a portion of each compartment is optically transparent so that upon completion of the desired chemical reaction each compartment can be utilized as a cuvette for optical analysis.

12. The disposable reaction container of claim 11 wherein each set of optically transparent opposite walls is parallel to the longitudinal axis of said container.

13. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein the side Walls of each admixing compartment are suificiently flexible so they will yield when pressed against by cooperating members in a detection station to define a fixed optical path between a light source and a detection means through a reaction mixture within said admixing compartments.

14. The disposable container of claim 13 wherein said side walls are parallel to the longitudinal axis of said container.

15. The disposable reaction container of claim 1 wherein the side walls of each admixing compartment are sufiiciently flexible so they will yield when greater than atmospheric pressure is applied to the internal portion of each admixing compartment.

16. The disposable container of claim 15 wherein said side walls are parallel to the longitudinal axis of said container.

17. The disposable reaction container comprising a lower section having at least one compartment for the admixing of materials added thereto, an upper section securely mounted on said lower section and having a single reagent storage chamber adjacent each of said admixing compartments, and restraining means to prevent the premature movement of tableted reagents from each of said storage chambers, said restraining means encircling each storage chamber and sectioning each storage chamber into a plurality of storage zones, each zone adapted for the storage of at least one reagent tablet.

18. The disposable reaction container of claim 17 wherein said restraining means comprises a plurality of sets of detents extending into said storage chamber.

19. A disposable reaction container comprising a lower section having a plurality of separate compartments for the admixing of materials added thereto, said lower section having a flange which encircles the upper perimeter of said plurality of admixing compartments, the lower portion of each compartment comprising a bottom wall and parallel and perpendicular side walls which define a substantially rectangular volume, said rectangular volume terminating in a plane parallel to said flange, each of said parallel and perpendicular side walls diverging upwardly and outwardly from said plane substantially until each of said walls intersect with said flange, an upper storage section securely mounted on said lower section, said upper section having a single reagent storage chamber in communication with each of said plurality of admixing compartments and adapted for the storage of a plurality of reagent tablets therein, and restraining means encircling each of said, storage chambers to section each chamber into a plurality of storage zones and prevent the premature movement of tableted reagents the'i efrom.

20. The disposable reaction container of claim 19 wherein said restraining means comprise a plurality of ribs.

2 1. The disposable reaction container of claim 19 wherein said restraining means comprises a plurality of sets'of detents extending into each of said storage chambers.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,036,894 5/1962 Forestiere 23-230 3,145,838 8/1964 Van Deusen 20647 3,326,636 6/1967 Bennett et al. 20647 MORRIS 0. WOLK, Primary Examiner R. E. SERWIN, Assistant Examiner U.S. C1. X.R.

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