RACK CONFIGURED TO SUPPORT VIALS WITH IDENTIFICATION INDICIA EXPOSED
A vial storage rack for storing vials having a base. The storage rack includes a support surface and support members positioned relative to the support surface to define a plurality of vial receptacles. Each vial receptacle is sized to receive and support a respective vial base. An opening is defined through the support surface in each vial receptacle. Each opening has a size smaller than the size of the vial base.
1 . A vial storage rack for storing vials having a base, the storage rack comprising:
a support surface; and
support members positioned relative to the support surface to define a plurality of vial receptacles, each vial receptacle sized to receive and support a respective vial base,
wherein an opening is defined through the support surface in each vial receptacle, each opening having a size smaller than the size of the vial base.
2 . The vial storage rack of claim 1 further comprising interconnected side walls extending about a perimeter of the support surface.
3 . The vial storage rack of claim 1 further comprising a lid configured to engage the side walls and enclose the support surface.
4 . The vial storage rack of claim 3 wherein the lid is transparent.
5 . The vial storage rack of claim 3 wherein the side walls define a shoulder to support the lid.
6 . The vial storage rack of claim 1 wherein the support members include a plurality of post members, with a subset of post members defining each vial receptacle.
7 . The vial storage rack of claim 6 wherein each subset of post members includes four post members.
8 . The vial storage rack of claim 6 wherein each post member includes a rib extending into each respective receptacle.
9 . The vial storage rack of claim 8 wherein each rib defines a flat surface within the respective receptacle.
10 . The vial storage rack of claim 9 wherein the flat surface is slanted from top to bottom such that each vial receptacle is narrowest adjacent the support surface.
11 . The vial storage rack of claim 1 wherein each opening is concentric with the respective vial receptacle.
12 . The vial storage rack of claim 1 wherein each opening has a stepped configuration with a wider portion along an upper surface of the support surface and a narrower portion along a bottom surface of the support surface.
13 . The vial storage rack of claim 12 wherein the wider portion has a size larger than a size of the vial base and the narrower portion defines the size smaller than the size of the vial base.
14 . The vial storage rack of claim 1 wherein the opening has a minimum size larger than a size of an identification indicia on a vial configured to be received in the respective vial receptacle.