Linear cuvette array, a two-dimensional cuvette array built therewith and a system comprising such two-dimensional cuvette arrays

摘要

An integrally built, linear array of cuvettes made of a plastic material, every cuvette of the array having the same shape and dimensions, and neighboring cuvettes being connected to each other by a single web. In the linear array of cuvettes each of said single webs (15, 16) has a curved shape, each cuvette (12) has means (19, 29) forming integral part thereof and serving for accurately positioning said cuvette (12) into an opening of a cuvette holder and means (21, 22) for removably connecting said cuvette (12) to said cuvette holder. Each cuvette (12) has an upper chamber (17) and a lower chamber (18) having a common symmetry axis (Y-Y) passing through the centers of both chambers. Each of the upper and lower chambers (17, 18) has a substantially cylindrical shape. The cross-section of said upper chamber (17) at the central part thereof is larger than the cross-section of the lower chamber (18). The lower chamber (18) has an open lower end (23). The upper chamber (17) has an open top end (24) and an annular bottom wall (25) having a central circular opening (26) which connects the upper chamber (17) with the lower chamber (18). The inner surface (27) of the bottom wall (25) of the upper chamber (17) is part of a conical surface the cross-section of which forms an angle of about 80 degrees with the symmetry axis (Y-Y) of the cuvette (12), so that there is an abrupt change of cross-section between the upper chamber (17) and the lower chamber (18). A two-dimensional array of cuvettes (31, 41) comprises a plurality of linear cuvette arrays (11) inserted into a cuvette holder (32, 42) having a matrix array of cuvette receiving openings (34). A system of two-dimensional cuvette arrays is built by stacking two or more of such two-dimensional arrays (31, 41) of cuvettes. Foil shaped layers serving, e.g. as a filter, are adapted to be attached to each cuvette to cover at least one opening thereof.