HK40000008A - Removable cap with seal designed to be opened by piercing in a diagnostic analyzer - Google Patents

Description

Removable cap with seal designed to be opened by piercing a diagnostic analyzer

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application serial No. 62/357,912, filed on 1/7/2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a lid and seal for a container used in a diagnostic analyzer, and more particularly to a container having a removable lid with a conductive bond seal to conceal the mouth of a reagent container used in a diagnostic analyzer.

Background

Caps, especially injection molded screw caps, are commonly used to seal containers such as bottles. The main function of the lid is to keep the container closed and leak-free until the contents of the container are to be used.

Screw caps are known to operate satisfactorily when mounted on containers sealed by induction sealing membranes. Such a snap seal projection on the interior of the cap may be used to apply pressure to a particular top contact area or interior of the top surface of the throat of the container. Such a cap and container assembly may include an outer sleeve surrounding the cap and container interface. The sleeve may prevent leakage and provide a visual indication of prior access to the container contents.

Other designs include a sealing film that includes an aluminum foil layer between two polymer layers. The bottom polymer layer is sealed to the opening of the container by induction heating of the aluminum foil layer, thus melting the bottom polymer layer and bonding it to the container. The seal serves to protect the contents of the container and to form a leak-proof enclosure for the container. Access to the container contents is performed by removal of the lid and manual peeling or puncturing of the induction sealing membrane. However, when used in automated processes requiring high throughput, such as diagnostic analyzers, manual removal of the lid and peeling/puncturing of the film is undesirable due to the amount of time required for the operator to incur and the opportunity to introduce cross-contamination.

Accordingly, there is a need to provide access to the contents of a container in an automated manner in a diagnostic analyzer while reducing the possibility of cross-contamination and spillage.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments relate to a removable lid having a conductive seal enclosure for sealing an opening of a container.

In one embodiment, an apparatus for covering reagent containers for use in a diagnostic analyzer in an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) environment, comprises: a lid comprising a side wall, a top wall having an open access aperture on and through the top wall, and a flat upper portion surrounding the open access aperture, the lid configured to attach to a throat of a reagent container, the throat comprising an opening; and a conductive seal for sealing the open access aperture of the lid. The conductive seal includes: a first polymeric sealing layer configured to be heat sealed to the planar upper portion of the lid; an aluminum foil layer disposed on top of the first polymeric sealant layer and configured to heat seal the first polymeric sealant layer to the planar upper portion of the lid by conductive heating; and a second polymer layer disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer and configured to protect the aluminum foil layer and the first polymer layer. The conductive seal is configured to be opened by the piercing device and to maintain an open shape when pierced while remaining attached to the flat upper portion of the lid so as to provide access to the contents of the container via the open shape, the open access aperture of the lid, and the throat opening of the container.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus for storing one or more fluids in a diagnostic analyzer in an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) environment, comprising: a container comprising one or more storage sections, each storage section comprising a throat having a throat sidewall, an opening, and an open outer surface; one or more lids, each of the one or more lids corresponding to a respective one of the one or more storage sections, each lid comprising a side wall, a top wall having an open access aperture on and through the top wall, and a flat upper portion surrounding the open access aperture, the lid configured to attach to a throat of the storage section of the container; and one or more conductive seals, each of the one or more conductive seals corresponding to a respective one of the one or more covers for sealing the open access aperture of the cover. Each conductive seal includes: a first polymeric sealing layer configured to be heat sealed to the planar upper portion of the lid; an aluminum foil layer disposed on top of the first polymeric sealant layer and configured to heat seal the first polymeric sealant layer to the planar upper portion of the lid by conductive heating; and a second polymer layer disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer and configured to protect the aluminum foil layer and the first polymer layer. The conductive seal is configured to be opened by the piercing device and to maintain an open shape when pierced while remaining attached to the flat upper portion of the lid so as to provide access to contents of the container via the open shape, the open access aperture of the lid, and the throat opening of the storage portion of the container.

Drawings

The foregoing and other aspects of the invention are best understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings embodiments that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific instrumentalities disclosed. Included in the drawings are the following figures:

FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting views of a lid and a seal, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram depicting aspects of a cover, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating aspects of a multilayer seal, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary container, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary container attached with a lid having a seal according to an embodiment;

fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary container attached with a lid having a seal, wherein the seal is punctured, in accordance with an embodiment;

fig. 7 is a layout of an example system architecture within which embodiments of the present invention may be used, according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Embodiments relate to a removable lid having a conductive seal enclosure for sealing an opening of a container. Advantageously, according to embodiments provided herein, when used in a diagnostic analyzer, the cap with the seal need not be removed to access the contents of the container with the probe, thus eliminating an operator step of cap removal and/or seal peeling or puncturing. However, the cap with the seal can be removed without compromising the integrity of the seal.

According to an embodiment, the automatic opening of the lid and seal combination is provided by piercing the seal without removing the lid and seal from the container. The seal advantageously maintains its open shape required for clear non-contact probe access to the contents of the container. Cross-contamination and level sensing problems are addressed by preventing the probe from inadvertently coming into contact with a surface other than the contents of the container.

Although the embodiments have been described with respect to reagent containers for use in diagnostic or clinical analyzers, the invention is not so limited. The lids and seals provided herein may be used in any type of environment where it is desirable to open the seal on a container to access the contents contained in the container.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, features of a lid 100 are illustrated according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 also includes an illustration of a seal 150 according to an embodiment. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the lid 100 and seal 150, and fig. 2 provides a bottom side perspective view of the lid 100.

The lid 100 is comprised of side walls 110 and a top wall 120. The side walls 110 and the top wall 120 define an interior portion 130 of the lid 100 (see fig. 2).

As shown in the embodiment of fig. 1 and 2, a portion of the side wall 110 and top wall 120 may have a series of ridges 112 on their outer surfaces to assist in gripping the lid 100. The lid 100 is not limited to this configuration and the side walls 110 and/or top wall 120 may instead have a smooth outer surface or other surface texture.

With continued reference to fig. 1 and 2, an open access aperture 122 is formed in the top wall 120 of the lid 100 and through the top wall 120. In an embodiment, the open access aperture 122 is a central aperture in the top wall 120. The portion of the top wall 120 surrounding the open access aperture 122 is comprised of an upper flat 124 (see fig. 1), an aperture sidewall 126 (see fig. 1 and 2), and a pawl seal 128 (see fig. 2). In an embodiment, as shown in fig. 1, the upper flat 124 is a recessed portion relative to the surrounding area of the top wall 120.

As shown in fig. 2, the interior sidewall 140 of the lid 100 may include threads 142 and/or one or more tabs or 144 for connecting the lid 100 to a container, as described below. The lid 100 is not limited to this configuration of the interior sidewall 140 and other designs may instead be used, such as, for example, an interior sidewall 140 having features for snap-fitting the lid 100 onto a container.

In an embodiment, the cover 100 is formed of polypropylene (such as high density polypropylene) or other polymer material, but the cover 100 is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the upper planar portion 124 of the lid 100 is formed of polypropylene, while the remainder of the lid 100 may be formed of another material.

As shown in fig. 1, the seal 150 is generally circular in shape. The circular shaped seal 150 is sized to fit within the upper flat 124 of the lid 100 so as to conceal the open access aperture 122 of the lid 100. The open access aperture 122 and seal 150 are not limited to circular shapes and other shapes may be used. According to an embodiment, the seal 150 is sized to hide a substantial (i.e., greater than 50%) portion of the open access aperture 122 and the upper planar portion 124 of the lid 100. In an embodiment, the seal 150 is sized to hide substantially the entire upper flat 124 of the lid 100 when sealed to the lid 100 according to embodiments described herein.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating additional aspects of the seal 150, according to an embodiment. According to an embodiment, the seal 150 is composed of three layers: a first (bottom) polymeric sealing layer 160, the first (bottom) polymeric sealing layer 160 comprising a heat sealable polymer capable of being heat sealed to the upper planar portion 124 of the lid 100; an aluminum foil (middle) layer 170, the aluminum foil (middle) layer 170 being arranged on top of the first polymeric sealing layer 160, comprising aluminum foil for heat sealing the first polymeric sealing layer 160 by conductive heating of the aluminum; and a second (top) polymer layer 180, the second (top) polymer layer 180 being disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer 170, configured to protect the aluminum foil layer 170 and the first polymer sealant layer 160.

In an embodiment, the first polymeric sealing layer 160 comprises polypropylene and the second polymeric layer 180 comprises polyethylene terephthalate. In an embodiment, second polymer layer 180 comprising polyethylene terephthalate forms a laminate with aluminum foil layer 170.

According to embodiments herein, the first polymeric sealing layer 160 performs a seal adhesive function by applying thermal energy (conductive heating from the aluminum foil layer 170) and contact pressure to cause molecular bonding of the two matching material components of the polypropylene first polymeric sealing layer 160 and the polypropylene lid 100.

According to embodiments herein, the aluminum foil layer 170 performs the following functions: transferring heat to the polypropylene first polymeric sealing layer 160 for molecular heat seal bonding of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 to the upper planar portion 124 of the lid 100; the formable and "memory" forming characteristics of the aluminum foil layer 170 introduce shape retention capabilities and thus the ability to "hold open" the first and second polymeric sealing layers 160, 180.

According to an embodiment, the second polymer layer 180 is exposed to the external environment surrounding the lid 100, seal 150, and container 200, thus providing a protective layer for the first polymer sealant layer 160 and the aluminum foil layer 170 from degradation associated with the surrounding environment or external exposure to contamination. Thus, the second polymer layer 180 is a seal against the ambient environment, steam and water.

Fig. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary container 200 that may be used with the lid 100 having the seal 150. Other types of containers or variations of the container 200 may also be used, and the lid 100 and seal 150 combination is not limited to the use of the example container 200 described herein. Detailed features of exemplary reagent containers are provided in PCT patent application serial No. PCT/US14/019078, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

According to an embodiment, as shown in fig. 4, the container 200 is comprised of two storage portions (or packs) 210, 220, for example, the two storage portions (or packs) 210, 220 are configured to hold a fluid (e.g., a reagent fluid) or other material (e.g., a powder) for performing a particular on-board diagnostic test on a diagnostic analyzer. The clamping portion 230 may extend between the two storage packs 210, 220 and in embodiments is a substantially planar surface that may have one or more protrusions or clamping portions provided thereon.

According to embodiments provided herein, each storage portion 210, 220 includes a throat 211, 221, respectively, to which a lid 100 with a seal 150 may be attached. Throat 211 includes an opening 212, a throat sidewall 213, and a top surface 214 of throat sidewall 213 (i.e., an outer surface of opening 212). Throat sidewall threads 215 may be formed on throat sidewall 213 for mating with threads 142 of interior sidewall 140 of cap 100. As noted above, the container 200 and the lid 100 are not limited to a threaded configuration, and instead each may have other features or characteristics (e.g., snap-fit features, etc.) for mating the lid 100 and the container 200 together. The pawl seal 128 of the lid 100 enables the lid 100 to act as a seal between the top surface of the throat sidewall 213 and the lid 100.

Similar to throat 211, throat 221 includes an opening 222, a throat sidewall 223, and a top surface 224 of throat sidewall 223 (i.e., an outer surface of opening 222). Throat sidewall threads 225 may be formed on throat sidewall 223 for mating with threads 142 of interior sidewall 140 of cap 100.

Of course, the container 200 shown and described herein with reference to fig. 4 is merely exemplary and is not limited to the lid 100 with the seal 150 disclosed herein. In embodiments, for example, a container to be used with the lid 100 and seal 150 combination may have a single storage portion in accordance with embodiments provided herein. Moreover, the container 200, or a variation thereof, need not be used to store reagent fluid for use in a diagnostic analyzer.

FIG. 5 depicts an exemplary container 200 having caps and seals 100a-150a, 100b-150b attached to throat sidewalls 213, 223, respectively, to cover openings 212, 222, according to an embodiment. As shown in fig. 5, a portion of the flat upper portion 124a, 124b of each lid 100a, 100b is shown surrounding the respective seal 150a, 150 b.

Fig. 6 illustrates an exemplary container 200 having a lid 100a, 100b with a pierced seal 155a, 155b attached to a throat 211, 221. As shown in fig. 6, the pierced seals 155a, 155b (seals 150a, 150b pierced via the piercing tool) provide access to the contents of the container 200 via the openings 156a, 156b of the pierced seals 155a, 155 b. As shown, the openings 212, 222 of the container 200 are accessible through the open access apertures 122a, 122b of the lids 100a, 100b via the openings 156a, 156b of the puncture seals 155a, 155b (i.e., full open access to the contents of the container 200). According to embodiments, this access is achieved without a probe or instrument in contact with the pierced seals 155a, 155 b.

According to an embodiment, the heat-induced adhesion (i.e., holding) force (power) of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 to the lid 100 is greater than the force of the peel force between the forces of the first layer 160 to the second layer 170 and the second layer 170 to the third layer 180.

In an embodiment, the holding force of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 is greater than the shear force required to pierce the aluminum foil layer 170 and the second polymeric layer 180.

In an embodiment, the melting temperature of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 is higher than the melting temperature of the second polymeric layer 180.

In an embodiment, the corresponding holding force of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 to the lid 100 is obtained by combining the force direction with the heat applied to the seal 150 through the flat upper portion 124 of the lid 100 during the conductive sealing process of the seal 150 to the lid 100.

In an embodiment, the second polymer layer 180 and the aluminum foil layer 170 have a difference in release force compared to the first polymer sealing layer 160 conductively bonded to the upper planar portion 124 of the cover 100 based on a difference in their respective materials.

According to an embodiment, when the lid 100 is coupled to (e.g., screwed to) the container 200 and the seal 150 is placed within and centered within the upper planar portion 124 of the lid 100, the lid 100 and seal 150 are exposed to a conductive heat source according to methods known to those of ordinary skill in the art, wherein the heat is transferred to the meltable layer (i.e., the first polymeric sealing layer 160) by heating the aluminum foil layer 170. The thermal conduction is such that the attachment of the first polymeric sealing layer 160 is continuous and void free, such that the first layer 160 is molecularly bonded by the mixing of materials from both surfaces (i.e., the upper planar portion 124 of the lid 100 and the underside of the first polymeric sealing layer 160). Application of heat to the aluminum foil layer 170 causes the polymer surface of the seal 150 (i.e., the first polymer sealing surface 160) to melt, thereby causing the first polymer sealing layer 160 to molecularly bond to the lid 100. Removal of the lid 100 after heat conduction does not leave the sealing surface of the lid 100 free or compromise and the sealed enclosure remains until it is pierced or punctured by the puncturing device. Penetration of the seal 150 by an opener or piercing device creates a bottom side curl shape of the seal 150 (i.e., pierced seals 155a, 155b and seal openings 156a, 156b as shown in fig. 6), the seal 150 remaining open due to the tension of the aluminum foil layer 170 of the seal laminate. The penetration or piercing of the seal 150 may be accomplished by automation, but may also be accomplished manually with a hand tool used by an operator.

According to embodiments provided herein, the lid 100 acts as a seal by virtue of the claw seal contact 128 with the top surface 214, 224 of the vessel throat 211, 221. The top cap surface (i.e., upper planar portion 124) surrounding the open access aperture 122 is used for the pressure/heat conduction sealing process of applying the multi-layer seal 150. A central open access aperture 122 in the lid 100 is provided for the automatic (piercing) seal 150 to open to facilitate automatic or manual access to the contents of the container 200. In accordance with embodiments provided herein, removal (e.g., for addition of additives) proximate to the sealing lid (100-150), access to the contents of the container 200, and reclosing of the lid 100 are provided. Common materials between the polymeric cover 100 and the first polymeric sealing layer 160 enable the cover 100 conduction process to adhere the seal 150 to the cover 100. The cap 100 also restricts the size of the piercing tool to the central throat region (i.e., throats 211, 221) of the container 200 via the open access aperture 122. This piercing action introduces an opening "shape retention" caused by the piercing of ductile aluminum foil layer 170 that impinges on layers 160, 180 and retains the protrusion of aluminum foil layer 170 into the container throat 211, 221. According to embodiments provided herein, the following capabilities are provided: access to the interior contents of the container 200 is provided by a combined unscrewing and removing of the cap 100 plus seal 150, reinstalling the cap 100 while the outer seal 150 remains intact, and automatic opening by puncturing the seal 150. According to embodiments provided herein, although it is not necessary to pierce the seal 150, once the piercing through the seal 150 is performed, the aluminum foil layer 170 maintains the pierced shape of the opening 156 so as to facilitate continuous access to the contents of the container 200. Penetration of the seal 150 results in the formation and control of the size of the access aperture 156. Limited only by the size of the open access aperture 122, crimping the access flange then becomes a physical method for maintaining the opening and preventing the probe from breaking contact with the seal (see FIG. 6). These aluminum protrusions maintain separation of the seal 150 and prevent retraction or reclosing of the seal opening 156, thus eliminating contact contamination of the probe with air entrainment and atomized particles deposited on the seal 150. The seal 150 remains attached to the lid 100 even if the lid 100 is subsequently removed. The problem of contact of the proximity probe with the seal material protrusion is prevented and the aluminum and polymer seal 150 remains open and in place on the container 200. Repeated probe access to the container 200 (including emptying the container 200) is provided without the seal 150 interfering with the access probe.

As disclosed herein, the combination of the lid 100 and the seal 150 to cover the container 200 and provide access to the contents contained therein has several advantages: the cap 100 with the sealing member 150 prevents the contents from being wasted and spilled; reducing operator-induced spillover; reducing pollution incidents; increasing ease of use and operability. In addition, instrumental errors due to contact of the probe with unintentional contamination are prevented, thereby improving reliability and performance to the customer. In diagnostic analyzer embodiments in which the container 200 is used for reagents, the automatic opening and preparation of the container seal 150 for the reagent probe may add value to the performance of the instrument by creating a large number of access targets (i.e., punctured seal openings 156a, 156 b) without seal obstruction during a single or full cycle loading of the reagent probe. The observed non-use time due to the contact of the probe with the sealing material is eliminated. Customer interest is increased due to improved reliability of reagent probe access and elimination of the current large operator time.

Fig. 7 provides a layout of an example system architecture 700 within which embodiments of the invention may be implemented, according to an embodiment. Shown in fig. 7 are: a plurality of transfer arms 710 (710 a, 710b, 710c, and 710 d) with corresponding probes; a dilution carousel 720, the dilution carousel 720 comprising a plurality of dilution containers arranged in one or more dilution rings; a reaction carousel 730, the reaction carousel 730 comprising a plurality of reaction vessels arranged in one or more reaction rings; and reagent storage areas 740a and 740b dedicated to storing and supplying respective reagents, each reagent storage area 740a and 740b including a space for a plurality of reagent containers 200. In operation, transfer arm 710a and its corresponding probe may be operated to transfer a sample from an access location to one or more dilution containers on dilution carousel 720 in order to produce a dilution therein. Transfer arm 710b and its corresponding probe may operate to transfer dilution from the dilution vessel to a reaction vessel on reaction carousel 730. Transfer arms 710c and 710d and their corresponding probes can operate to transfer reagents from reagent storage areas 740a and 740b, respectively, to reaction vessels on reaction carousel 730. The multiple transfers occur through the use of a pumping mechanism (not shown), such as, for example, a reciprocating pump attached to the transfer arm 710. In addition, the system architecture 700 includes one or more controllers (not shown) for controlling the operation of the various components, including the transfer arm 710, the probe, and the turntable.

Also included in the system architecture 700 is a reagent handling system 750 for transferring one or more containers 200 to and/or from the reagent storage areas 740a and 740 b. According to an embodiment, the reagent handling system 750 includes a reagent server module 755, which in an embodiment, is a refrigerated storage enclosure including one or more indexing rings for storing reagent containers 200.

The tray 760 is configured to hold one or more containers 200 for transfer to and from the reagent server module 755. An operator may access the tray 760 to manually load and unload the containers 200 to and from the tray 760, and the tray 760 may move on the rails.

In an embodiment, the gripper assembly 765 is configured to automatically transfer the container 200 (the container 200 has a lid 100 and a seal 150 according to embodiments disclosed herein) between the tray 760 and the reagent server module 755. The gripper assembly 765 moves along the horizontal transfer arm 770 while gripping the container 200 in order to transfer the container 200. In an embodiment, the gripper assembly 765 includes a pair of gripper fingers oriented vertically and opposite each other for gripping a portion of the container 200 and for piercing or piercing the seal 150 of the lid 100 attached to the container 200 without removing the lid 100 with the seal 150.

The system architecture 700 of fig. 7 and the accompanying description are merely exemplary and are not limited to the lid 100 and seal 150 disclosed herein. The system architecture 700 is merely one example system in which the lid 100 and seal 150 may be used.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many changes and modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments of the present invention and that such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit of the invention. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus for covering reagent containers for use in a diagnostic analyzer in an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) environment, the apparatus comprising:

a lid comprising a side wall, a top wall having an open access aperture on and through the top wall, and a flat upper portion surrounding the open access aperture, the lid configured to attach to a throat of the reagent container, the throat comprising an opening; and

a conductive seal for sealing the open access aperture of the cover, the conductive seal comprising:

a first polymeric sealing layer configured to be heat sealed to the planar upper portion of the lid;

an aluminum foil layer disposed on top of the first polymeric sealant layer and configured to heat seal the first polymeric sealant layer to the planar upper portion of the lid by conductive heating; and

a second polymer layer disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer and configured to protect the aluminum foil layer and the first polymer sealant layer;

wherein the conductive seal is configured to be opened by a piercing device and to maintain an open shape when pierced while remaining attached to the flat upper portion of the lid so as to provide access to contents of the container via the open shape, the open access aperture of the lid, and the throat opening of the container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the aluminum foil layer transfers conductive heat to the first polymeric sealant layer and the second polymeric layer for molecular heat seal bonding of the first polymeric sealant layer to the planar upper portion of the lid; and wherein the physical properties of the aluminum foil layer provide the first polymeric sealing layer and the second polymeric layer with a shape so as to retain the open shape when pierced.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first polymeric sealing layer and the lid are comprised of the same material.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first polymeric sealing layer comprises polypropylene.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second polymer layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the open access aperture comprises an aperture sidewall and a pawl seal within an interior portion of the lid, wherein the pawl seal provides contact pressure with the throat opening of the container to seal the lid to the container.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein a heat-induced adhesion force of the first polymeric sealant layer to the flat upper portion of the lid is greater than a peel force between forces of the first polymeric sealant layer to the aluminum foil layer and the aluminum foil layer to the second polymeric layer.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a holding force of the first polymeric sealing layer is greater than a shear force required to pierce the aluminum foil layer and the second polymeric layer.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second polymer layer is comprised of a different material than the lid, wherein the second polymer layer and the aluminum foil layer have a difference in release force as compared to the first polymer sealant layer to the lid based on the difference in their respective materials.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first polymeric sealing layer has a melting temperature higher than a melting temperature of the second polymeric layer.

11. An apparatus for storing one or more fluids in a diagnostic analyzer in an In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) environment, the apparatus comprising:

a container comprising one or more storage sections, each storage section comprising a throat having a throat sidewall, an opening, and an outer surface of the opening;

one or more lids, each of the one or more lids corresponding to a respective one of the one or more storage portions, each lid comprising a side wall, a top wall having an open access aperture on and through the top wall, and a flat upper portion surrounding the open access aperture, the lid configured to attach to the throat of the storage portion of the container; and

one or more conductive seals, each of the one or more conductive seals corresponding to a respective one of the one or more covers for sealing the open access aperture of the cover, each conductive seal comprising:

a first polymeric sealing layer configured to be heat sealed to a planar upper portion of the lid;

an aluminum foil layer disposed on top of the first polymeric sealant layer and configured to heat seal the first polymeric sealant layer to the planar upper portion of the lid by conductive heating; and

a second polymer layer disposed on top of the aluminum foil layer and configured to protect the aluminum foil layer and the first polymer sealant layer;

wherein the conductive seal is configured to be opened by a piercing device and to maintain an open shape when pierced while remaining attached to the flat upper portion of the lid so as to provide access to contents of the container via the open shape, the open access aperture of the lid, and the throat opening of the storage portion of the container.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the throat further comprises throat sidewall threads formed on the throat sidewall, wherein the cap further comprises cap threads formed on an interior sidewall thereof, wherein the throat sidewall threads and the cap threads are configured to mate with one another to attach the cap to the throat of the storage portion of the container.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the aluminum foil layer transfers conductive heat to the first polymeric sealant layer and the second polymeric layer for molecular heat seal bonding of the first polymeric sealant layer to the planar upper portion of the lid; and wherein the physical properties of the aluminum foil layer provide the first polymeric sealing layer and the second polymeric layer with a shape so as to retain the open shape when pierced.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first polymeric sealing layer and the cover are comprised of the same material.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first polymeric sealing layer comprises polypropylene, and wherein the second polymeric layer comprises polyethylene terephthalate.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the open access aperture comprises an aperture sidewall and a pawl seal within an interior portion of the lid, wherein the pawl seal provides contact pressure with the throat opening of the storage portion of the container to seal the lid and the container.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein the amount of thermally induced adhesion of the first polymeric sealant layer to the planar upper portion of the lid is greater than the amount of peel force between the amounts of the first polymeric sealant layer to the aluminum foil layer and the aluminum foil layer to the second polymeric layer.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein a holding force of the first polymeric sealing layer is greater than a shear force required to pierce the aluminum foil layer and the second polymeric layer.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the second polymer layer is comprised of a different material than the lid, wherein the second polymer layer and the aluminum foil layer have a difference in release force as compared to the first polymer sealant layer to the lid based on the difference in their respective materials.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first polymeric sealing layer has a melting temperature higher than a melting temperature of the second polymeric layer.