Microstructured device for removable storage of small amounts of liquid and a process for removal of the liquid stored in this device

Abstract

Microstructured device for removable storage of small amounts of liquid with the following features: the device has a carrier; the device has a first cavity with at least one first section for storage of a small amount of liquid; the first section of the first cavity is molded into the carrier; the first section is closed with a cover element and a blocking element; the device has a means for transmission of a force from the cover element to the blocking element which destroys the connection between the blocking element and the carrier or destroys the blocking element itself so that the amount of liquid can be removed from the first section of the cavity.

1 . A microstructured device for removable storage of small amounts of liquid comprising: 
 a carrier;    a first cavity with at least one first section for storage of a small amount of liquid;    the at least one first section of the first cavity is molded into the carrier;    the at least one first section is closed with a cover element and a blocking element;    the device has a means for transmission of a force from the cover element to the blocking element which destroys the connection between the blocking element and the carrier or destroys the blocking element itself so that the small amounts of liquid can be removed from the first section of the cavity.    
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is one piece.  
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking element and the carrier are connected in one piece to one another.  
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking element and the carrier are cemented or braced to one another.  
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein A connection between the carrier and the blocking element has a scored site.  
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking element and the carrier are positively connected to one another.  
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the blocking element is moved into a release position relative to the carrier by means of a force.  
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the blocking element is a ball.  
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover element is a membrane or film.  
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover element is connected to the carrier by lamination, sealing or cementing.  
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover element is metal-coated.  
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein when the force is applied to destroy a connection between the blocking element and the carrier or to destroy the blocking element the cover element, cannot be destroyed.  
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the device has an element for securing the cover element, with which the cover element can be kept in a deflected position when the force is applied.  
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in one of  claim 1 , wherein when the minimum force is applied to destroy the connection between the blocking element and the carrier or to destroy the blocking element, the cover element is destroyed at, at least one scored site.  
     
     
         15 . The device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one scored site in the cover element borders an area of the cover element which is smaller than an area bordered by the scored site between the carrier and the blocking element.  
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the device comprises means for destroying the cover element with which the cover element can be destroyed when a minimum force is applied.  
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device has means for destroying the cover element.  
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cover element is a ball.  
     
     
         19 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device has elements for securing the blocking element, with which the blocking element can be kept in a deflected position when minimum force is applied.  
     
     
         20 . The device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the element for securing the blocking element is a catch projection on the blocking element which locks on a projection of the carrier in the deflected position of the blocking element.  
     
     
         21 . The device as claimed in  claim 19 , the element for securing the blocking element is a conical recess on the device.  
     
     
         22 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for transmission of the force comprises a liquid which is stored in the first section of the cavity.  
     
     
         23 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for transmission of the force comprises a plunger which is attached to the cover element and/or the blocking element.  
     
     
         24 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the plunger is mounted in the middle of the cavity on the blocking element.  
     
     
         25 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the plunger is mounted outside the center of the cavity on the blocking element.  
     
     
         26 . The device as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein a scored site between the blocking element and the carrier surrounds A mounting area of the plunger on the blocking element with the exception of a hinge area.  
     
     
         27 . The device as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein the hinge area is an area between the carrier and the blocking element which has a greatest possible distance to the plunger.  
     
     
         28 . The device as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein there is a catch projection on the blocking element opposite the hinge area.  
     
     
         29 . The device as claimed in  claim 23 , wherein the plunger is mounted on the cover element and has a tip on the end which is pointed at the cover element.  
     
     
         30 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the device on the side of the blocking element facing away from the first section of the cavity comprises a spike which is pointed at the blocking element.  
     
     
         31 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first section of the cavity is made cylindrical.  
     
     
         32 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first section of the cavity is made in the shape of a truncated cone.  
     
     
         33 . The device as claimed in claim, wherein the first section of the cavity is adjoined by a second section or a second cavity which IS separated from the first section by the blocking element.  
     
     
         34 . The device as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein the second section of the cavity or the second cavity has a removal opening.  
     
     
         35 . The device as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein there is a removal opening in a wall of the second section of the cavity or a wall of the second cavity which directly adjoins the scored site between the carrier and blocking element.  
     
     
         36 . The device as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein a channel is connected downstream of the removal opening.  
     
     
         37 . The device as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein in the second section of the cavity or in the second cavity and/or in the channel there are capillary force-enhancing means.  
     
     
         38 . The device as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein the capillary force-enhancing means is formed by microstructure elements such as trenches, stelae, columns, or a nonwoven fabric insert.  
     
     
         39 . The device as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein a feed channel discharges into the second section of the cavity or into the second cavity.  
     
     
         40 . The device as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein at least one wall of the second section is set back at least in sections relative to at least one bordering wall of the first section.  
     
     
         41 . A process for removing a liquid which is stored in a device as claimed in  claim 1 , the process comprising the following steps: 
 a force is applied to the cover element;    the means for transmitting force transfers the force to the blocking element;    as a result of the action of a force on the blocking element a material connection between the blocking element and the carrier is destroyed or the blocking element is destroyed;    after the action of the force in the area of the blocking element a release opening is formed so that the amount of liquid can be removed from the first section of the cavity.