Combination vial and test tube rack

Claim 2

A portable, invertible, multipurpose rack for orderly and systematically racking a plurality of solution containing and mixing bottle-type vials of different sizes ranging, for example, from 5 ml. to 50 ml. volume vials, comprising a box embodying a flat self-standing bottom wall, longitudinal side walls having coplanar upper lengthwise edges, and transverse end walls having like spaced parallel extensions having upper coplanar edges, said extensions constituting a pair of support legs when said rack is inverted and turned upside-down for a predetermined procedural chemistry assaying purpose, the receptacle portion of said box having interiorly fixed interconnected partitions defining rows of individual open top vial receiving and positioning compartments, a readily applicable and removable first panel having notched ends with are retentively but releasably connected with coacting portions of the respectively cooperable end wall extensions and providing longitudinal flanges resting atop and also overhanging said longitudinal side walls, said first panel having holes therein which are distributively aligned with the respectively cooperable compartments and which permit the usual stopper-closed neck portions of said vials to project through and beyond said holes, and readily accessible retaining latches pivotally mounted on upper portions of said side walls, said latches being manually actuable and retentively but releasably engageable with coacting portions of said flanges in a manner to prevent (1) displacement of said first panel from its functioning position and (2) displacement of the vials from their pocketing compartments.

Claim 3

The rack defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein that portion of the bottom wall which is aligned with each compartment is provided with an oriented and coordinating concave well-like depression which is centrally apertured for circulatiOn of bath water, that is, when the vial loaded rack is immersed in a prescribed time-controlled water bath.

Claim 4

The rack defined in and according to claim 1, and wherein that portion of the bottom wall which is aligned with each compartment is provided with an oriented and coordinating concave well-like depression which is centrally apertured for circulation of bath water, that is, when the vial-loaded-rack is immersed in a prescribed time-controlled water bath, and wherein the interior surface of said bottom wall is provided with upstanding ring-like ribs concentrically encircling the respective depressions and serving as positioning holders for bottom portions of said vials.

Claim 5

The rack defined in and according to claim 1, and, in combination, a second panel constituting a retaining slab, said extensions having selectively usable keeper slots through which end portions of said second panel are adapted to be inserted and passed, said second panel when properly located in selected slots serving to overlie the stopper-equipped necks of vials of different sizes (small, large and in-between) in a manner to prevent displacement of those vials which are accommodatingly racked when the rack is inverted and thus turned upside-down.

Claim 6

The rack defined in and according to claim 4, and wherein said second panel is provided at one transverse end portion with limit-stop abutment means and at the other transverse end with a keeper hole and an applicable and removable T-shaped keeper for retentive but releasable cooperation with said keeper slots, said slots being paired, horizontally disposed, and vertically spaced.

Claim 7

The rack defined in and according to claim 4, and wherein the interior surface of that portion of said bottom wall which is aligned with each compartment is provided with a coordinating concave well-like depression, said depression being apertured for circulatory passage of bath water when, for example, the loaded rack is immersed in a prescribed time-controlled bath water.

Claim 8

The rack defined in and according to claim 4, and wherein the interior surface of that portion of the bottom wall aligned with each compartment is provided with an oriented concave well-like depression apertured for passage of bath water, and wherein said interior surface is provided with integral upstanding ring-like ribs concentrically encircling the respective depressions.

Claim 9

A portable, invertible, multipurpose rack for systematically racking a plurality of solution containing and mixing bottle-type vials of different sizes comprising a box embodying a flat self-standing bottom wall, marginally attached longitudinal side walls having coplanar upper lengthwise edges, and transverse end walls disposed between and connecting the end portions of said side walls, said end walls having spaced parallel correspondingly constructed upstanding extensions providing a pair of complemental support legs for said box when it is intentionally turned upside down, said extensions having paired, horizontally disposed, vertically spaced and cooperatively aligned selectively usable keeper slots, the receptacle portion of said box having coacting interconnected partitions defining individual open-top receiving and positioning compartments, a readily applicable and removable first horizontal panel having transverse ends abutting and releasably but retentively connected with respectively cooperable transverse end walls and having longitudinal edge positions resting and removably seated atop the coordinating lengthwise edges of said longitudinal side walls, said first panel having holes distributively aligned with the respectively cooperable compartments, said holes permitting the usual stopper-closed neck portions of said vials to project upwardly through and beyond the holes, readily accessible retainers mounted on exterior surfaces of said side walls and normally serving to retain said first panel in its serviceable and functioning position, and a complemental second panel constituting a retaining slab aNd having opposite end portions passing through adjacent slots of a selected pair of said slots, said second panel being adapted to overlie the stopper-equipped necks of vials of different sizes in a manner to prevent displacement of already racked vials when said rack has been intentionally turned upside down.

Claim 10

A portable, invertible, multipurpose rack for systematically racking a plurality of solution containing and mixing bottle-type vials of different sizes comprising a box embodying a flat self-standing bottom wall, marginally attached longitudinal side walls having coplanar upper lengthwise edges, and transverse end walls disposed between and connecting the end portions of said side walls, said end walls having spaced parallel correspondingly constructed upstanding extensions providing a pair of complemental support legs for said box when it is intentionally turned upside down, said extensions having paired, horizontally disposed, vertically spaced and cooperatively aligned selectively usable keeper slots, the receptacle portion of said box having coacting interconnected partitions defining individual open-top receiving and positioning compartments, a readily applicable and removable first horizontal panel having transverse ends abutting and releasably but retentively connected with respectively cooperable transverse end walls and having longitudinal edge positions resting and removably seated atop the coordinating lengthwise edges of said longitudinal side walls, said first panel having holes distributively aligned with the respectively cooperable compartments, said holes permitting the usual stopper-closed neck portions of said vials to project upwardly through and beyond the holes, readily accessible retainers mounted on exterior surfaces of said side walls and normally serving to retain said first panel in its serviceable and functioning position, and a complemental second panel constituting a retaining slab aNd having opposite end portions passing through adjacent slots of a selected pair of said slots, said second panel being adapted to overlie the stopper-equipped necks of vials of different sizes in a manner to prevent displacement of already racked vials when said rack has been intentionally turned upside down.

Claim 11

The rack defined in and according to claim 8 and wherein said second panel is provided at one transverse end portion with limit-stop abutment means and is provided at an opposite end with readily applicable and removable keeper means cooperable with an adjacent exterior surface of the coacting extension whereby to retain said second panel in operating positions relative to the slotted extensions.