Receptacle holders, systems, and methods for capacitive fluid level detection
AssigneeGen-Probe Incorporated
InventorsTrung Q. Pham, Jerry W. Jeffers, II, David Buse, Steven G. Grubbs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A receptacle holder for supporting at least one fluid-containing receptacle includes a body and an RFID transponder. The body includes an electrically conductive portion defining a first recess configured to receive at least a first fluid-containing receptacle, and an electrically non-conductive portion attached to the electrically conductive portion. The RFID transponder is disposed on the electrically non-conductive portion of the body, and stores information about the receptacle holder. The receptacle holder can also include the first fluid-containing receptacle received within the first recess.
Claims28
A receptacle holder for supporting at least one fluid-containing receptacle, comprising:
- a body comprising:
- an electrically conductive portion comprising:
- an upper portion defining an exterior upper surface of the body and a first recess extending from the exterior upper surface, the upper portion comprising an upper flange extending outward from the exterior upper surface,
- a bottom portion defining an exterior bottom surface of the body, the bottom portion comprising a bottom flange disposed below the upper flange,
- wherein the upper flange and the bottom flange define a side recess opened through lateral side surfaces of the electrically conductive portion, and
- an electrically non-conductive portion received in the side recess of the electrically conductive portion and attached to the electrically conductive portion;
- an RFID transponder disposed on the electrically non-conductive portion of the body, and storing information about the receptacle holder;
- and
- a first fluid-containing receptacle received within the first recess.
A receptacle holder for supporting at least one fluid-containing receptacle, comprising:
- a body comprising:
- an electrically non-conductive portion defining an upper section of a first recess;
- an electrical conductor comprising:
- a first electrically conductive portion disposed within the electrically non-conductive portion and defining a lower section of the first recess configured to receive a closed end portion of the first fluid-containing receptacle, and
- a second electrically conductive portion electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive portion, and configured to be electrically coupled to an electrical ground or voltage source separate from the receptacle holder;
- an RFID transponder disposed on the electrically non-conductive portion, and storing information about the receptacle holder;
- and
- a first fluid-containing receptacle received within the first recess,
- wherein the upper section of the first recess defined in the electrically non-conductive portion and the lower section of the first recess defined in the first electrically conductive portion collectively conform to the shape and the dimensions of the first fluid-containing receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.