Pipette tip adapter

Abstract

An adapter for connecting an array of pipette tips having through bores with conical upper ends to a multichannel air displacement pipettor having a plurality of ports with compliant internal sealing surfaces. The adapter comprises a planar base with an array of openings extending between its top and bottom surfaces. Sealing tubes project upwardly from the top surface, and tip mounting tubes project downwardly from the bottom surface, with pairs of sealing tubes and tip mounting tubes being arranged coaxially and in communication with respective ones of the openings in the base. The tip mounting tubes are externally dimensioned and configured for insertion into the conical upper ends of the pipette tips, and the sealing tubes are externally configured and dimensioned for insertion into the ports of the pipettor and into sealing interengagement with their compliant internal sealing surfaces.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adapter for connecting a multichannel air displacement pipettor to an array of pipette tips, said pipette tips having through bores with conical upper ends, and said pipettor having a plurality of ports with compliant internal sealing surfaces, said adapter comprising:
 a planar base with an array of openings extending between top and bottom surfaces of said base; sealing tubes projecting upwardly from said top surface, and tip mounting tubes projecting downwardly from said bottom surface, pairs of sealing tubes and tip mounting tubes being arranged coaxially and in communication with respective ones of the openings in said base, said tip mounting tubes being externally dimensioned and configured for insertion into the conical upper ends of said pipette tips, and said sealing tubes being externally configured and dimensional for insertion into the ports of said pipettor and into sealing interengagement with said compliant internal sealing surfaces.   
     
     
         2 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein said base is strengthened by a network of upper reinforcing ribs on said top surface. 
     
     
         3 . The adapter of  claim 2  wherein said sealing tubes project upwardly above said upper reinforcing ribs. 
     
     
         4 . The adapter of  claim 1  or  2  wherein said base is strengthened by a network of lower reinforcing ribs on said bottom surface. 
     
     
         5 . The adapter of  claim 4  wherein tip mounting tubes project downwardly below said lower reinforcing ribs. 
     
     
         6 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein said tip mounting tubes comprise hollow truncated conical cones. 
     
     
         7 . The adapter of  claim 1  wherein said sealing tubes comprise cylindrical walls with tapered upper ends. 
     
     
         8 . An adapter for connecting a multichannel air displacement pipettor to an array of pipette tips, said pipette tips having through bores with conical upper ends, and said pipettor having a plurality of ports with compliant internal sealing surfaces, said adapter comprising:
 a planar base with an array of openings extending between top and bottom surfaces of said base, said base being strengthened by networks of upper and lower reinforcing ribs arranged respectively on said top and bottom surfaces; sealing tubes projecting upwardly from said top surface and above said upper reinforcing ribs, and tip mounting tubes projecting downwardly from said bottom surface and below said lower reinforcing ribs, pairs of sealing tubes and tip mounting tubes being arranged coaxially and in communication with respective ones of the openings in said base, said tip mounting tubes being externally dimensioned and configured for insertion into the conical upper ends of said pipette tips, and said sealing tubes being externally configured and dimensional for insertion into the ports of said pipettor and into sealing interengagement with said compliant internal sealing surfaces.   
     
     
         9 . The adapter of  claim 8  wherein said tip mounting tubes comprise hollow truncated conical cones. 
     
     
         10 . The adapter of  claim 8  wherein said sealing tubes comprise cylindrical walls with tapered upper ends. 
     
     
         11 . A pipette tip adapter comprising:
 a planar base with an array of openings extending between top and bottom surfaces of said base; sealing tubes projecting upwardly from said top surface, and tip mounting tubes projecting downwardly from said bottom surface, pairs of sealing tubes and tip mounting tubes being arranged coaxially and in communication with respective ones of the openings in said base, said tip mounting tubes being externally dimensioned and configured for insertion into conical upper ends of pipette tips, and said sealing tubes being externally configured and dimensional for insertion into ports of a multichannel air displacement pipettor.