Sample receiving device

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to a sample receiving device for releasably storing a substance. The sample receiving device includes a lid having a reservoir for retaining the substance, and a pierceable barrier sealing the substance within the reservoir; and b) a funnel for receiving a sample and configured for closure by the lid. The funnel is configured for releasable attachment to a sample receptacle such that a sample can be provided to the funnel and travel through the channel in the funnel into the sample receptacle. Further, the funnel includes one or more cutting ribs for cutting the pierceable barrier such that upon cutting of the pierceable barrier the substance is released from the reservoir, flows through the channel in the funnel and into the sample receptacle to be mixed with the sample. The present invention also provides a kit for collecting and storing biomolecules.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A sample receiving device for releasably storing a composition, comprising:
 a) a lid comprising a reservoir for retaining said composition, and a pierceable barrier for sealing said composition within said reservoir;   b) a sample receptacle comprising a first open end for receiving a sample, said first open end configured for closure by said lid and for receiving said composition; and   c) a cutting assembly having at least one cutting rib for disestablishing the pierceable membrane when the first open end is closed by said lid.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a funnel. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the first open end releasably receives the funnel. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the funnel comprises the cutting assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising the composition in the reservoir. 
     
     
         6 . A sample receiving device for releasably storing a composition, comprising:
 a) a lid comprising a reservoir for retaining said composition, and a pierceable barrier for sealing said composition within said reservoir; and   b) a funnel comprising a first open end for receiving a sample and a channel extending from said first open end to a second open end, and said second open end being releasably or permanently attachable to a sample receptacle, wherein said funnel comprise a cutting assembly having at least one cutting rib for cutting said pierceable barrier.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said first open end configured for closure by said lid and for receiving said composition. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , further comprising the composition in the reservoir. 
     
     
         9 . A method of stabilizing a biomolecule from a biological sample using the device of  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 a) contacting the biological sample in the sample receptacle of the device with the composition to form a liquid mixture; and   b) storing the liquid mixture for at least one day at room temperature in the device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the biomolecule is DNA. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the biological sample is saliva. 
     
     
         12 . A method of stabilizing a biomolecule from a biological sample using the device of  claim 6 , the method comprising:
 a) contacting the biological sample in the sample receptacle of the device with the composition to form a liquid mixture; and   b) storing the liquid mixture for at least one day at room temperature in the device.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the biomolecule is DNA. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the biological sample is saliva. 
     
     
         15 . A sample collection kit comprising the device of  claim 1 , wherein the kit additionally comprises the composition, wherein the composition is a stabilization reagent. 
     
     
         16 . The sample collection kit of  claim 15 , wherein the stabilization reagent is a biomolecule stabilization reagent. 
     
     
         17 . The sample collection kit of  claim 15 , further comprising a funnel. 
     
     
         18 . A sample collection kit comprising the device of  claim 6 , wherein the kit additionally comprises the composition, wherein the composition is a stabilization reagent. 
     
     
         19 . The sample collection kit of  claim 18 , wherein the stabilization reagent is a biomolecule stabilization reagent.