Liquid holding apparatus for insertion of a test device into a test liquid

Abstract

A liquid holding apparatus has a liquid holding device and a backing attached to the liquid holding device. The liquid holding device has a front wall and a rear wall and includes a periphery wherein the front wall and the rear wall are sealed together. The upper section of the liquid holding device has an access section where the front wall can be detached from the rear wall to allow access for a test device. At least a portion of the front wall is substantially transparent. The backing is stiffer than both the front wall and the rear wall.

1 . A liquid holding apparatus for insertion of a test device into a test liquid, the liquid holding apparatus comprising:
 a) a liquid holding device for holding the test liquid, the liquid holding device having an upper section and a lower section, the liquid holding device comprising a front wall with a forward facing surface and a rear wall with a rearward facing surface, the liquid holding device having a periphery wherein the front wall and the rear wall are sealed together at the periphery, the upper section of the liquid holding device having an access section where the front wall can be detached from the rear wall to allow access for the test strip test device, at least a portion of the front wall being substantially transparent or translucent to allow visual inspection of a test device inserted into the liquid holding device;   b) test liquid in the liquid holding device; and   c) a backing attached to at least a portion of the rearward facing surface of the rear wall, the backing being stiffer than both the front wall and the rear wall.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the test liquid is test urine control and the test device is a urine test strip. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the liquid holding device is sufficiently long that all active portions of the strip test device can be immersed in the test liquid in the liquid holding device, and wherein the amount of test liquid in the liquid holding device is sufficient small that no test liquid flows out of the liquid holding device when the test device is inserted into the liquid holding device a sufficient distance that all active portions of the strip test device are in contact with the test liquid. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the front wall is attached to the rear wall at the access section by a first lamination and the front wall is attached to the rear wall below the access section by a second lamination, the peel strength of the second lamination being greater than the peel strength of the first lamination. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the access section provides an access opening which is wider than the liquid holding device below the access section. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the width of the liquid holding device is tapered below the access opening. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the liquid holding device is sufficiently long that a urine reagent strip which is 146 mm (5¾ inches) long, 5 mm (0.2 inch) wide, and 1 mm (0.04 inch) thick and having active portions, with the section having the active portions being 81 mm (4 3/16 inches) long, can be dipped in the liquid holding device with all of the active portions in contact with test liquid, and, optionally, wherein the liquid holding device  16  is at least 90 mm in length from the access section to the bottom of the liquid holding device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the volume of test liquid in the liquid holding device is sufficiently small that the urine reagent strip can be dipped therein without any test liquid leaking out of the liquid holding device, and, optionally, wherein the liquid holding device contains test liquid in an amount of no more than about 80% the total capacity of the liquid holding device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the backing has a rear face and a forward face facing the liquid holding device, and wherein the forward face of the backing has an adhesive thereon adhering the backing to the liquid holding device. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the backing extends above the upper section of the liquid holding device to provide a holding tab. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the front wall is attached to the rear wall at the access section by a first lamination, and the front wall is attached to the rear wall below the access section by a second lamination, the peel strength of the second lamination being greater than the peel strength of the first lamination. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the backing is formed of cardboard. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the cardboard is a 10 point cardboard. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the rearward facing surface of the cardboard is coated with a polymer. 
     
     
         15 . A method of testing a test strip comprising the steps of:
 a) holding the apparatus of  claim 10  by the tab extending above the liquid holding device;   b) opening the access opening to the second lamination; and   c) inserting the test strip test device into the test liquid.   
     
     
         16 . A method of forming the apparatus of  claim 1  comprising the steps of:
 a) laminating the front wall to the rear wall except at the access section by a first lamination to form the liquid holding device; 
 b) placing test liquid into the liquid holding device through the access section; 
 c) laminating the front wall to the rear wall at the access section by a second lamination; and 
 d) laminating the front wall to the rear wall below the access section by a third lamination with sufficient pressure, temperature and dwell that the seal formed thereby is stronger than the seal at the access section. 
 
     
     
         17 . A liquid holding apparatus for insertion of a test device into a test liquid, the liquid holding apparatus comprising:
 a) a liquid holding device for holding the test liquid, the liquid holding device having an upper section and a lower section, the liquid holding device comprising a front wall with a forward facing surface and a rear wall with a rearward facing surface, the liquid holding device having a periphery wherein the front wall and the rear wall are sealed together at the periphery, the upper section of the liquid holding device having an access section where the front wall can be detached from the rear wall to allow access for the test strip test device, at least a portion of the front wall being substantially transparent or translucent to allow visual inspection of a test device inserted into the liquid holding device; and   b) test liquid in the liquid holding device;   wherein the front wall is attached to the rear wall at the access section by a first lamination and the front wall is attached to the rear wall below the access section by a second lamination, the peel strength of the second lamination being greater than the peel strength of the first lamination.   
     
     
         18 . The liquid holding apparatus of  claim 17  wherein second lamination is made to the entire geometry below the access section. 
     
     
         19 . The liquid holding apparatus of  claim 17  wherein second lamination is made to the entire geometry below the access section and forms vertical striations.