Pierceable, flexible device for covering containers for liquids

1 - 18 . (canceled)

19 . A device fir preventing evaporation from a container, comprising:

an elastic membrane configured to cover the container containing a liquid,

wherein the elastic membrane includes at least two incisions disposed in a radiating formation,

wherein the elastic membrane is pierceable by a rod-shaped object, and

wherein upon the removal of the rod-shaped object, the elastic membrane is configured to return to its original configuration.

20 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the elastic membrane includes between three and twelve incisions.

21 . The device of claim 20 , wherein the elastic membrane includes between four an ten incisions.

22 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the elastic membrane includes six incisions.

23 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the at least two incisions are disposed at equal angles to each other.

24 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the elastic membrane includes an opening disposed at an apex of the radiating formation,

wherein the opening includes a circular shape or a polygonal shape.

25 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the at least two incisions form an angle,

wherein the angle is between about 10 degrees and about 180 degrees.

26 . The device of claim 25 , wherein the angle is between about 20 degrees and about 120 degrees.

27 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the angle is between about 45 degrees and about 90 degrees.

28 . The device of claim 19 , wherein each of the at least two incisions have the same length.

29 . The device of claim 19 , wherein at least two of the at least two incisions have different lengths.

30 . The device of claim 19 , further comprising a container configured to contain liquid,

wherein the container includes an opening, and

wherein the elastic membrane is disposed over the opening.

31 . The device of claim 30 , wherein the opening is defined by an edge, and

wherein the elastic membrane is fixed to the edge by mechanical adhesion or chemical adhesion.

32 . The device of claim 30 , further comprising a screw-on cap including a substantially circular opening configured to accommodate the passage of a rod-shaped object through the opening,

wherein the elastic membrane is fixed to the container via the screw-on cap.

33 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the elastic membrane has a thickness of between about 40 micrometers and about 150 micrometers.

34 . The device of claim 33 , wherein the elastic membrane has a thickness of between about 40 micrometers and about 100 micrometers.

35 . The device of claim 34 , wherein the elastic membrane has a thickness of between about 50 micrometers and about 80 micrometers.

36 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the elastic membrane is made out of a vapor-tight material.

37 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the elastic membrane is made of at least one of the following materials: polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terethalate, polystyrene, polyamide, polybutylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polyimides, natural rubber, silicone rubber, bromobutyl rubber, and chlorobutyl rubber.

38 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the elastic membrane includes at least two layers.

39 . The device of claim 38 , wherein one of the at least two layers is made from a first material and the other of the at least two layers is made of a second material different from the first material.

40 . The device of claim 19 , wherein one side of the elastic membrane includes a self-adhesive surface.

41 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the container is a reagent container.

42 . The device of claim 19 , further comprising a reagent container including an opening,

wherein the elastic membrane is disposed over the opening.

43 . A device for preventing evaporation from a container, comprising:

an elastic membrane configured to cover the container;

at least two incisions in the elastic membrane configured to permit access to an interior of the container by a rod-shaped object and configured to prevent evaporation from the container upon removal of the rod-shaped object;

wherein the at least two incisions radiate from an apex.

44 . A device for preventing evaporation from a container, comprising:

an elastic membrane configured to cover the container to prevent evaporation from the container;

at least two incisions in the elastic membrane, the at least two incisions radiating from an apex in the elastic membrane;

wherein the at least two incisions are configured to permit a portion of the elastic membrane to open upon piercing by a rod-shaped object, and

wherein the at least two incisions are configured to close upon removal of the rod-shaped object.