Multiple tube rack

Claim 2

A rack for holding a plurality of tubes comprising; a substantially planar support member having a center portion and a side portion along each side of the center portion, all of said portions extending substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of said support member, said center portion having an upper surface raised above the upper surfaces of said side portions; and a plurality of holes for receiving tubes therein in each of the aforementioned portions, all of said holes arranged in staggered fashion in said portions so that no adjacently lying holes are aligned on an axis substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said support member.

Claim 3

The rack of Claim 1 wherein said holes extend partially through said respective portions thereby forming closed bottoms thereof.

Claim 4

The rack of Claim 2 wherein said holes are tapered toward the bottom surfaces thereof within the respective portions.

Claim 5

The rack of Claim 1 wherein said center portion has a lower surface raised above the lower surfaces of said side portions to provide a clearance when said rack is resting on a lab bench surface or the like.

Claim 6

The rack of Claim 1 wherein each of said side portions has a single row of holes therein extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 7

The rack of Claim 5 wherein said center portion has a double row of staggered holes therein extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis.

Claim 8

The rack of Claim 1 which further includes a slot adjacent each hole and communicating therewith, each of said slots extending partially through said respective portions to provide a view into the interior of its associated hole.

Claim 9

The rack of Claim 1 which further includes indicia associated with said holes for designation of tube location within said rack.

Claim 10

The rack of Claim 1 wherein said support member is made of thermoformed material.

Claim 11

The rack of Claim 9 wherein said material is expandable polystyrene.

Claim 12

The rack of Claim 10 wherein said polystyrene has a high density and is substantially free of debris.

Claim 13

A rack for holding a plurality of tubes comprising: a support member having a raised center portion and including a plurality of holes distributed therein arranged in staggered fashion along the transverse axes of said member.

Claim 14

A rack for holding a plurality of tubes comprising: a support member having a raised center portion and including a plurality of holes distributed therein arranged in staggered fashion along the transverse axes of said member.

Claim 15

A rack for holding a plurality of tubes comprising: a substantially planar support member made of thermoformed material having a center portion and a side portion along each side of the center portion, all of said portions extending substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of said support member, said center portion having an upper surface raised above the upper surfaces of said side portions and having a lower surface raised above the lower surfaces of said side portions; a plurality of holes for receiving tubes therein in each of the aforementioned portions, said holes extending partially through said respective portions thereby forming closed bottoms thereof, said holes being tapered toward said bottom surfaces within the respective portions, all of said holes arranged in staggered fashion in said portions so that no adjacently lying holes are aligned on an axis substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said support member; and a slot adjacent each hole and communicating therewith, each of said slots extending partially through said respective portions to provide a view into the interior of its associated hole.

Claim 16

A rack for holding a plurality of tubes comprising: a substantially planar support member made of thermoformed material having a center portion and a side portion along each side of the center portion, all of said portions extending substantially parallel to each other along the longitudinal axis of said support member, said center portion having an upper surface raised above the upper surfaces of said side portions and having a lower surface raised above the lower surfaces of said side portions; a plurality of holes for receiving tubes therein in each of the aforementioned portions, said holes extending partially through said respective portions thereby forming closed bottoms thereof, said holes being tapered toward said bottom surfaces within the respective portions, all of said holes arranged in staggered fashion in said portions so that no adjacently lying holes are aligned on an axis substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of said support member; and a slot adjacent each hole and communicating therewith, each of said slots extending partially through said respective portions to provide a view into the interior of its associated hole.

Claim 17

A tube rack assembly comprising: a support member having a raised center portion and including a plurality of holes distributed throughout in staggered fashion along the transverse axes of said member; and a tube removably positioned in a plurality of said holes including said center portion, the tubes in said center portion terminating in ends raised above the respective ends of tubes in the remainder of said support member.

Claim 18

A tube rack assembly comprising: a support member having a raised center portion and including a plurality of holes distributed throughout in staggered fashion along the transverse axes of said member; and a tube removably positioned in a plurality of said holes including said center portion, the tubes in said center portion terminating in ends raised above the respective ends of tubes in the remainder of said support member.

Claim 19

A tube rack assembly comprising: a support member having a raised center portion and including a plurality of holes distributed throughout in staggered fashion along the transverse axes of said member; and a tube removably positioned in each of said holes.

Claim 20

A tube rack assembly comprising: a support member having a raised center portion and including a plurality of holes distributed throughout in staggered fashion along the transverse axes of said member; and a tube removably positioned in each of said holes.

Claim 21

The assembly of Claim 15 wherein the tubes in the center portion of said support member terminate in ends raised above the respective ends of tubes in the remainder of said support member.