Receptacle holders, systems, and methods for capacitive fluid level detection
A receptacle holder for supporting at least one fluid-containing receptacle includes a body and an RFID transponder. The body includes an electrically conductive portion defining a first recess configured to receive at least a first fluid-containing receptacle, and an electrically non-conductive portion attached to the electrically conductive portion. The RFID transponder is disposed on the electrically non-conductive portion of the body, and stores information about the receptacle holder. The receptacle holder can also include the first fluid-containing receptacle received within the first recess.
1. A receptacle holder for supporting at least one fluid-containing receptacle, comprising:
a body comprising:
an electrically conductive portion comprising:
an upper portion defining an exterior upper surface of the body and a first recess extending from the exterior upper surface, the upper portion comprising an upper flange extending outward from the exterior upper surface,
a bottom portion defining an exterior bottom surface of the body, the bottom portion comprising a bottom flange disposed below the upper flange,
wherein the upper flange and the bottom flange define a side recess opened through lateral side surfaces of the electrically conductive portion, and
an electrically non-conductive portion received in the side recess of the electrically conductive portion and attached to the electrically conductive portion;
an RFID transponder disposed on the electrically non-conductive portion of the body, and storing information about the receptacle holder; and
a first fluid-containing receptacle received within the first recess.
2. The receptacle holder of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive portion further defines a second recess extending from the exterior upper surface and configured to receive a second fluid-containing receptacle.
3. The receptacle holder of claim 2 , wherein the first recess and the second recess have the same dimensions.
4. The receptacle holder of claim 1 , wherein the first recess conforms to the shape of the first fluid-containing receptacle.
5. The receptacle holder of claim 1 , wherein:
the electrically non-conductive portion defines a recess; and
the RFID transponder is disposed entirely within the recess defined by the electrically non-conductive portion.
6. The receptacle holder of claim 1 , wherein the information about the receptacle holder comprises at least one of (a) a receptacle identifier, (b) a holder identifier, and (c) an identifier of a process to be performed using fluid contained in the first fluid-containing receptacle.
7. The receptacle holder of claim 6 , wherein:
the information about the receptacle holder comprises at least one of (a) the receptacle identifier and (b) the holder identifier; and
the at least one of (a) the receptacle identifier and (b) the holder identifier indicates what process is to be performed using fluid contained in the first fluid-containing receptacle.
8. The receptacle holder of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive portion is a single unitary piece.
9. The receptacle holder of claim 1 , wherein the electrically non-conductive portion is a single unitary piece.
10. The receptacle holder of claim 1 , wherein the electrically non-conductive portion defines a channel that is (a) configured to receive a portion of the first fluid-containing receptacle, and (b) axially aligned with the first recess of the electrically conductive portion.
11. The receptacle holder of claim 1 , wherein the electrically non-conductive portion is fastened to the electrically conductive portion using at least one fastener.
12. The receptacle holder of claim 1 , wherein the upper flange comprises a surface configured to receive a user-provided indicator of a process to be performed using fluid in the first fluid-containing receptacle.
13. The receptacle holder of claim 12 , wherein:
the surface configured to receive the user-provided indicator comprises a dry-erase writing surface.
14. The receptacle holder of claim 1 , wherein lateral side surfaces of the electrically non-conductive portion are flush with the lateral side surfaces of the electrically conductive portion.
15. A receptacle holder for supporting at least one fluid-containing receptacle, comprising:
a body comprising:
an electrically non-conductive portion defining an upper section of a first recess;
an electrical conductor comprising:
a first electrically conductive portion disposed within the electrically non-conductive portion and defining a lower section of the first recess configured to receive a closed end portion of the first fluid-containing receptacle, and
a second electrically conductive portion electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive portion, and configured to be electrically coupled to an electrical ground or voltage source separate from the receptacle holder;
an RFID transponder disposed on the electrically non-conductive portion, and storing information about the receptacle holder; and
a first fluid-containing receptacle received within the first recess,
wherein the upper section of the first recess defined in the electrically non-conductive portion and the lower section of the first recess defined in the first electrically conductive portion collectively conform to the shape and the dimensions of the first fluid-containing receptacle.
16. The receptacle holder of claim 15 , wherein the second electrically conductive portion defines an exterior surface of the body.
17. The receptacle holder of claim 16 , wherein the exterior surface comprises a bottom surface of the body.
18. The receptacle holder of claim 15 , wherein the first electrically conductive portion and the second electrically conductive portion are discrete components.
19. The receptacle holder of claim 18 , wherein the first electrically conductive portion is attached to the second electrically conductive portion.
20. The receptacle holder of claim 15 , wherein the first electrically conductive portion and the second electrically conductive portion are integral components forming a single unitary piece.
21. The receptacle holder of claim 15 , wherein the electrically non-conductive portion further defines an upper section of a second recess configured to receive a second fluid containing receptacle, and the first electrically conductive portion further defines a lower section of the second recess configured to receive a closed end portion of the second fluid-containing receptacle.
22. The receptacle holder of claim 21 , wherein the first recess and the second recess have the same dimensions.
23. The receptacle holder of claim 15 , wherein:
the electrically non-conductive portion defines a recess; and
the RFID transponder is disposed entirely within the recess defined by the electrically non-conductive portion.
24. The receptacle holder of claim 15 , wherein the information about the receptacle holder comprises at least one of (a) a receptacle identifier, (b) a holder identifier, and (c) an identifier of a process to be performed using fluid contained in the first fluid-containing receptacle.
25. The receptacle holder of claim 24 , wherein:
the information about receptacle holder comprises at least one of (a) the receptacle identifier and (b) the holder identifier; and
the at least one of (a) the receptacle identifier and (b) the holder identifier indicates what process is to be performed using fluid contained in the first fluid-containing receptacle.
26. The receptacle holder of claim 15 , wherein the electrically non-conductive portion is a single unitary piece.
27. The receptacle holder of claim 15 , further comprising a surface configured to receive a user-provided indicator of a process to be performed using fluid in the first fluid-containing receptacle.
28. The receptacle holder of claim 27 , wherein:
the surface configured to receive the user-provided indicator comprises a dry-erase writing surface.