Container for small quantities of liquids

Claim 1

A micro-container adapted for use in an automated clinical analyzer, said clinical analyzer having a sample holder for acceptance of a blood collection tube and equipped with a device for sensing the meniscus level of a fluid sample in said micro-container, said micro-container comprising: an elongated cylindrical housing having an open end, the overall dimensions of such housing being essentially the same as the collection tube; a fluid receptacle disposed within and, integral with said housing through a common interface, said receptacle having an essentially elongated cylindrical sidewall, an open top-end and a closed bottom-end, the open top-end of said receptacle being substantially smaller in cross-sectional area than the open top-end of said housing and at essentially the same level as the open top-end of said housing; and said interface supporting the fluid receptacle within said housing, said interface consisting essentially of support means positioned below a design level of the meniscus of the fluid sample to be stored in such receptacle.