GB2453233A

GB2453233A - Adhesive sample recovery device

Info

Publication number: GB2453233A
Application number: GB0817415A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Patrick Haley; Gareth Rhys Stead
Original assignee: Forensic Science Service Ltd
Current assignee: Forensic Science Service Ltd
Priority date: 2007-09-24
Filing date: 2008-09-23
Publication date: 2009-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2028-09-23
Also published as: GB2453233B; GB0817415D0

Abstract

The invention provides an evidence collection device end method of evidence collection which can be used to minimise the chance of contaimination or mishandling. The device is in the form of a flexible plastics strip or tape element 4 provided with an adhesive coated area 12 to pick up evidence, and an adhesive free area 14. Prior to use a cover for the adhesive area is provided and a detachable portion intended for handling 8.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO EVIDENCE RECOVERY

This invention relates to improvements in and relating to evidence recovery, particularly, but not exclusively to recovery of DNA for use in forensic science.

Material containing DNA is frequently left at crime scenes or associated with tools, weapons or other items associated with crime or otherwise related to criminal activity. For the DNA to be analysed to give a DNA profile, it needs to be physically collected.

Conventional sticky tape has been used for this purpose, with the DNA containing material sticking to the tape in preference to sticking to the location on which it had fallen.

The applicant has found that there are potential problems with these approaches, with the quantity of DNA recovered, the ease with which it is handled and the potential for contamination by DNA from other sources, including the person collecting the sample.

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide an evidence recovery device, the device comprising an element, the element having an adhesive bearing area and having an adhesive free section.

The evidence recovery device may be a DNA evidence recovery device. The evidence * ** : recovery device may be used to recover one or more cells and/or one or more hairs and/or DNA containing residues from a location. The evidence recovery device may be used to *... recover one or more hairs and/or one or more fibres. * . *e**

* * The evidence recovery device may be substantially free of DNA before use. The evidence recovery device may be free of DNA before use to a level whereby no peak of greater than 50 random fluorescence units is detected after more than 30 cycles of *. * . amplification. The peak may be less than 30 rfu's. The consideration may be after more than 33 cycles of amplification.

The element ma be a plastics element, for instance acetate.

The element may be a planar element. The element may be a tape element. The element is preferably flexible. The element may have a long axis and may be capable of flexing around the long axis. The element may have a long axis and may be capable of flexing along that axis.

The orientation of one or more edges of the element may be defined relative to its direction of insertion into a container. The element may have a pair of parallel edges, particularly parallel to the direction of insertion into a container. The element may have a linear edge, particularly at the edge inserted last into the container. The linear edge may be perpendicular to the parallel edges. The element may have a further edge, particularly at the edge inserted into the container first. The lead edge may be pointed. The lead edge may include two edges, inclined relative to one another. The lead edge may include one or more edges which are non-perpendicular to the direction of insertion into the container.

The element may be a rectilinear element, particularly a rectangular element. The rectilinear and/or rectangular element may be provided with a triangular extension.

The element may be between 2cm and 12 cm long. The element may between 2cm and 10 cm long. The element may be between 2cm and 7cm long. More preferably the element is between 3cm and 6cm long. Still more preferably, the element is 4.8cm long +1- 20%. Ideally, the element is 4.8cm long +1-10%. The length may be considered along the long axis of the element. The length may be considered as the longest dimension of the element.

The element may be between 0.5cm and 8cm wide. The element may be between 0.5cm and 5cm wide. The element may be between 0.5cm and 3cm wide. More preferably, *.:: the element is between 1cm and 2.5cm wide. Still more preferably, the element is 2.25cm S...

**. wide +1-20%. Ideally, the element is 2.25cm wide +1-10%. The width may be measured * .** perpendicular to the long axis of the element. The width may be the intermediate dimension S...

* :: of the length and thickness.

The element may be less than 0.3cm thick, more preferably less than 0.2cm thick.

The thickness may be measured perpendicular to the long axis of the element. The thickness : may be the smallest dimension of the element.

The adhesive free section may include an adhesive free area and a detachable area.

The adhesive area may be separable from the detachable area. A line or area of weakness in the element may be provided between the two areas. One or more perforations, preferably a line of perforations may be provided between the adhesive free area and the detachable area.

The adhesive bearing area is preferably provided at one end of the element.

Preferably this is the end of the element which is inserted into the container first. The adhesive may be provided over the entire end of the element. The adhesive may be provided over the triangular end section of the element and/or over a part of the element between the parallel sides. The adhesive bearing area may extend across the full width of at least a part of the element.

The adhesive bearing area may be provided over between 30% and 60% of the area of one face of the element. The adhesive bearing area may be provided over between 35% and 55% of the area of one face of the element. The adhesive bearing area may be provided over between 40% and 50% of the area of one face of the element.

The adhesive bearing area may be provided over between 40% and 80% of the area of one face of the element, excluding the detachable area. The adhesive bearing area may be provided over between 50% and 70% of the area of one face of the element, excluding the detachable area. The adhesive bearing area may be provided over between 55% and 65% of the area of one face of the element, excluding the detachable area.

The adhesive bearing area may be between 1cm and 8cm long. The adhesive bearing area may be between 1cm and 5cm long. The adhesive bearing area may be between 1cm and 3.6cm long. More preferably the adhesive bearing area is between 1.8cm and 2.8cm long.

Still more preferably, the adhesive bearing area is 2.3cm long +1-20%. Ideally, the adhesive bearing area is 2.3cm long +1-10%. The length may be considered along the long axis of the element. The length may be considered as the longest dimension of the element.

The adhesive bearing area may be between 0.5cm and 3cm wide. More preferably, the area is between 1cm and 2.5cm wide. Still more preferably, the area is 2.25cm wide +/- 20%. Ideally, the area is 2.25cm wide +1-10%. The width may be measured perpendicular to the long axis of the element. The width may be the intermediate dimension of the length and thickness.

*. Preferably the adhesive bearing area is provided on only one face of the element.

Preferably the opposing face to an adhesive bearing face is adhesive free, ideally in its entirety. One or both edges of the sides of the element may be adhesive free areas. One or more or all end edges of the element may be adhesive free areas.

The adhesive may be provided as a continuous layer over the adhesive bearing area.

The adhesive may be provided as a dis-continuous layer over the adhesive bearing layer.

The adhesive free section may be provided at one end of the element. Preferably this is the end of the element which is not inserted into the container first. The adhesive free section may be provided over the entire end of the element. The adhesive free section may be provided over a part of the element between the parallel sides. The adhesive free section may extend across the full width of at least a part of the element.

The adhesive free section may be provided over between 40% and 70% of the area of one face of the element. The adhesive free section may be provided over between 45% and 65% of the area of one face of the element. The adhesive free section may be provided over between 50% and 60% of the area of one face of the element.

The adhesive free section may be between 1.5cm and 3.5cm long. More preferably the adhesive free section is between 2cm and 3cm long. Still more preferably, the adhesive free section is 2.5cm long +1-20%. Ideally, the adhesive free section is 2.5cm long +1-10%.

The length may be considered along the long axis of the element. The length may be considered as the longest dimension of the element.

The adhesive free section may be between 0.5cm and 3cm wide. More preferably, the area is between 1cm and 2.5cm wide, Still more preferably, the area is 2.25cm wide +1-20%.

Ideally, the area is 2.25cm wide +1-10%. The width may be measured perpendicular to the long axis of the element. The width may be the intermediate dimension of the length and thickness.

*..,* Preferably an adhesive free section is provided on both faces of the element.

*... Preferably the opposing face to the adhesive bearing face is completely an adhesive free section. * .

The adhesive free area may be provided between the adhesive bearing area and the **...

* detachable area. The adhesive free area may be provided over the middle of the element. The : * adhesive free area may be provided over a part of the element between the parallel sides. The * j adhesive free area may extend across the full width of at least a part of the element.

The adhesive free area may be provided over between 10% and 50% of the area of one face of the element. The adhesive free area may be provided over between 20% and 40% of the area of one face of the element. The adhesive free area may be provided over between 25% and 35% of the area of one face of the element.

The adhesive free area may be provided over between 20% and 60% of the area of one face of the element, excluding the detachable area. The adhesive free area may be provided over between 30% and 50% of the area of one face of the element, excluding the detachable area. The adhesive free area may be provided over between 35% and 45% of the area of one face of the element, excluding the detachable area.

The adhesive free area may be between 0.4cm and 7cm long. The adhesive free area may be between 0.4cm and 5.4cm long. The adhesive free area may be between 0.4cm and 2.4cm long. More preferably the adhesive free area is between 0.9cm and 1.9cm long. Still more preferably, the adhesive free area is 1.4cm long +1-20%. Ideally, the adhesive free area is 1.4cm long +1-10%. The length may be considered along the long axis of the element. The length may be considered as the longest dimension of the element.

The adhesive free area may be between 0.5cm and 3cm wide. More preferably, the area is between 1cm and 2.5cm wide. Still more preferably, the area is 2.25cm wide +1-20%.

The detachable area is preferably provided at one end of the element. Preferably this is the end of the element which is not inserted into the container first. The detachable area may be provided over the entire end of the element. The detachable area may be provided over a part of the element between the parallel sides. The detachable area may extend across *..,* the full width ofat least a part of the element.

The detachable area may be provided over between 5% and 45% of the area of one face of the element. The detachable area may be provided over between 15% and 35% of the * * area of one face of the element. The detachable area may be provided over between 20% and * 30% of the area of one face of the element.

The detachable area may be at least 0.5cm long. More preferably the detachable area * is at least 1cm long. Still more preferably, the detachable area is 1.1cm long +1-20%.

Ideally, the detachable area is 1.1cm long +/-10%. The length may be considered along the long axis of the element. The length may be considered as the longest dimension of the element.

The detachable area may be between 0.5cm and 3cm wide. More preferably, the area is between 1cm and 2.5cm wide. Still more preferably, the area is 2.25cm wide +1-20%.

The device may include one or more cover elements. The one or more cover elements may be removable. Preferably a cover element is provided for the adhesive bearing area.

Preferably the cover element covers at least the entire adhesive bearing area. The one or more cover elements may extend over one or more other areas of the element. The one or more cover elements may extend over at least a part of the adhesive free area and potentially the whole there of. The one or more cover elements preferable cover the element apart from the detachable area. The one or more cover elements preferably cover the whole of both faces of the element, potentially apart from the detachable area. The one or more cover elements may be peelable.

The container may be a bag, preferably a re-sealable bag. The container may be a cardboard holder, for instance a disposable cardboard holder. The container may be a tube, preferably a re-sealable tube. The tube may have a volume of less than 3m1. The tube may have a volume of more than lml. The tube may be a 2m1 or l.5m1 volume tube.

The first aspect of the invention may include any of the features, options or possibilities set out elsewhere in this document, including in the specific description and/or second aspect of the invention. * .* * q S * *.

* ::* According to a second aspect of the invention we provide a method of recovering * evidence from a location, the method comprising: ** providing an evidence recovery device, the device comprising an element, the element ***** having an adhesive bearing area and having an adhesive free section; contacting the adhesive bearing area with the location. *** S. S * . e * *5

The method may further include providing the device in a container before use and/or after use. The container may be the same or different. The container(s) may be used to prevent at least the adhesive bearing area contacting locations other than the location.

The device may be held by the operator when contacting the location. Preferably the operator wears a glove during use. The device is preferably held using the detachable area.

The operator may expose the adhesive bearing area before contacting the location, for instance by removing a cover.

Preferably the device is inserted into a container, particularly to extract DNA from the device. The container may be a re-sealable tube. The tube may have a volume of less than 3m1. The tube may have a volume of more than Imi. The tube may be a 2ml or l.5m1 volume tube.

The device may have a long axis and is preferably inserted into the container in a direction along the long axis. The device is preferably inserted without the use of a tool.

Preferably the device is held using the detachable area during insertion.

Preferably the container, such as a tube, has an axis. Preferably the device is inserted in a direction along the axis. Preferably the device is positioned to one side of the axis during insertion. Preferably at least a part of the leading edge of the device contacts a leading edge, such as a rim, of the container. Preferably one or more parts of the leading edge (s) of the device are inclined relative to the direction of insertion and/or non-perpendicular to the direction of insertion. Preferably the device flexes as it is inserted. Preferably the device bends as it is inserted. Preferably the device bends around the axis of the container.

Preferably the device flexes to enter the container. The device may assume the shape of the periphery of the container, for instance a part circle. Preferably no edge of the device overlaps with any other edge of the device once inserted. Preferably the device forms less than a complete circle once inserted.

* : : :* The adhesive bearing area preferably faces the centre of the container once inserted.

Preferably no part of the adhesive bearing area is in contact with the container. Preferably the centre of the container is free of device. Preferably a void is provided at the centre of the container with the device inserted.

-: Preferably the maximum width of the device is less than the circumference of the Container. * S S

Preferably the device is inserted into the container to leave the detachable area outside the container. Preferably all parts of the element apart from the detachable area are provided within the container. Preferably a force is applied to the element to separate the detachable area. The detachable area may break along ana rca or line of weakness. The detachable area may break from the element. The detachable element may tear away from the element.

Preferably the separation occurs along the profile of the rim of the container.

The adhesive bearing area is preferably positioned in the lower 70% of the volume of the container. More preferably it is positioned in the lower 60% and ideally lower 50% or less of the container. The lower part of the container may be that occupied by a liquid when stood on a horizontal surface.

One or more liquids may be added to the container to remove DNA from the device.

The method may include amplifying at least a part of the DNA present, for instance using PCR. The method may include analysis of the results. The method may include obtaining a DNA profile. The method may include comparing the DNA results with one or more other DNA results, for instance to establish a match or a likelihood of a match. The method may include using the results as evidence, for instance in legal proceedings.

The second aspect of the invention may include any of the features, options or possibilities set out elsewhere in this document, including in the specific description and/or first aspect of the invention.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a recovery device according to the present invention; Figure 2a is a side view of a tube for receiving an recovery device; * *.

* ** Figure 2b is a perspective view of a recovery device being introduced to a *. * tube; *** Figure 2c is a perspective view of the recovery device of Figure 2b, inserted * * further into the tube; Figure 2d is a side view of the recovery device fully inserted into the tube; and * ** Figure 3 is a view of a production approach to the recovery devices of the present invention.

Many situations in forensic science involve the recover of DNA so that it can subsequently be subjected to an analysis stage. In many cases, the recovery stage needs to be applied to a location in respect of which the presence of DNA containing material may not be readily apparent. Examples would include clothing, carpets, weapons and the like.

It is possible to use a piece of sticky tape in the recovery stage, so that the cells containing the DNA adhere to the sticky tape and can be conveyed into the analysis stage.

Such approaches can face problems in terms of the quantity of DNA recovered in the recovery stage. Such approaches can face problems in terms of the extraction of the DNA into the analysis stage. Such approaches can face problems in terms of the risk of contamination entering the analysis stage. The present invention seeks to address one or more of these or other problems.

In Figure 1, a recovery device 2 is illustrated. The recovery device 2 is in the form of a tape element 4. The tape element 4 has a perforated section 6 provided to allow the top section 8 to be separated from the tower section 10. The lower section 10 includes an adhesive bearing area 12 and an adhesive free area 14. The adhesive free area 14 is provided between the adhesive bearing area 12 and the top section 8.

The adhesive bearing area 12 is provided on only one face of the recovery device 2.

The other, rear, face is free of adhesive throughout.

The side edges 16 of the recovery device 2 are parallel throughout the length of the top section 8, adhesive free area 14 and adhesive bearing area 12. The top end edge 18 is linear and is perpendicular to the side edges 16. The bottom end edge 20 is pointed and is formed of two edges 20a, 20b which are inclined from perpendicular to the side edges 16 by an angle of around 30°.

The recovery device 2 may have a storage configuration in which the lower section 10 is protected against contact with potentially DNA containing materials. Preferably both faces * ** *. and both edges of the lower section 10 are so protected. In this way, no DNA is taken up by S...

*... and retained on any of the surfaces provided to the DNA extraction stage which precedes the analysis stage. 5.5

* :* When it is desired to use the recovery device 2, the protection is removed so as to expose the adhesive bearing area 12. Where the protection is provided by means of a cover, S...

: the cover may be peeled away to expose the adhesive bearing area 12. During this operation * the recovery device 2 may be held by the operator using the top section 8.

Gripping the top section 8, the operator can then apply the adhesive bearing area 12 to one or more locations at which DNA containing material is believed to be present. The adhesive bearing area 12 causes the DNA containing material to stick to the recovery device 2 in preference to the location. Hence, the DNA containing material is collected and recovered from the location. Once the recovery stage has been completed, the recovery device 2 is stored in a manner which prevents further DNA containing material being collected, prior to a DNA extraction stage and subsequent analysis stage. This may be through the use of a DNA free sample bag, which is sealed once the recovery device 2 is placed within it, or through the use of a sealable tube.

Once the recovery device 2 is received within a laboratory, it is necessary to extract the DNA or DNA containing material so that it can be prepared for the analysis stage. The analysis stage will normally involve preparation for PCR based amplification and contact with primers and labels sufficient to allow characteristic features of the DNA to be revealed.

The characteristic features may be based upon the short tandem repeat, STR, or single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP, approaches.

In any extraction stage, it is necessary to bring the recovery device 2 into contact with liquid chemicals. To do this, as shown in Figure 2a, a tube 100 is selected and its lid 102 is opened.

The recovery device 2 is pushed into the top of the tube 100, to one side of the central axis 104 of the tube 100, and with the adhesive bearing area 12 facing the central axis 104, Figure 2b. The angling of the bottom edges 20a, 20b means that they cooperate with the rim 102 of the tube 100 so as to cause the recovery device 2 to bend.

As the recovery device 2 is pushed further into the tube 100, the bending action on the recovery device continues, so that the recovery device 2 is position around the outside of the *.*..* be 100, but with the adhesive bearing area 12 presented to core volume 106 of the tube 100.

*... The recovery device 2 is carefully sized such that it can be introduced into a tube of 1.5m1 to 2m1 volume, bend, but avoid any overlap of the recovery device 2 with itself due to its width SS.

*: * being greater than the circumference of the tube 100 it is introduced into, Figure 2c. The positioning of the recovery device 2 around the periphery of the tube 100 also assists in S...

: providing better access for instruments and apparatus used to introduce or remove material * . * from the tube 100, without impacting upon the recovery device 2. This is particularly useful where the apparatus or instruments are automated. The angled bottom edges 20a, 20b assist in allowing the recovery device 2 into closer proximity with the inclined bottom 108 of the tube 100 than would otherwise be possible.

Once the recovery device 2 has been introduced to the tube 100 to the required extent, the top section 8 can be detached by bending or tearing so as to break the perforations. In the intended position, the perforated section 6 is aligned with the top edge 112 of the tube so as to ease the separation. Once separated, the top section 8 can be removed, Figure 2d, whilst leaving the lower section 10 in the tube 100. The design achieves this without need for a too!.

As a result of this approach, the top section 8, which is handled, is only presented to the tube for the minium amount of time and so the chance of contamination arising is reduced.

Once positioned in this way, the liquid chemicals for the extraction stage can be introduced into the tube 100. The presentation of the whole of the adhesive bearing area 12 to the liquid, without shielding by the tube 100 or other parts of the recovery device 2 maximises recovery of the DNA into the liquids. The adhesive free area 14 is beneficial in providing a degree of separation between the handled top section 8 and the adhesive bearing area 12 and so reducing the risk of accidental contact with the adhesive bearing area 12, More significantly, the length of this adhesive free area 14 is selected so as to position the adhesive bearing area within the bottom 50% of the volume of the tube 100. In this way, filling only 50% of the volume of the tube with the liquid chemicals still ensures that they contact all of the DNA or DNA containing material. The lower the volume of liquid chemicals used, the greater the concentration of the DNA within the sample provided to the analysis stage. This has particular benefits in the context of considering very small amounts of DNA.

The sizing of the recovery device 2 and the provision of the perforated section 6 * ** means that the DNA is introduced, without any undue disturbance of the adhesive. If the S...

*... adhesive bearing area needed to be cut, for instance, this could release adhesive into the liquid chemicals and impinge upon the subsequent stages.. * . **e *

**** *. * .

The recovery device 2 is provided in a form free of DNA, so that the manufacturing *e*I : process does not risk introducing DNA into the recovery stage, and hence, into the analysis *: . stage. The technique disclosed in W02005/007884 may be used for this purpose.

The adhesive is selected to be sticky to cells, hairs, and the like. It is beneficial for the adhesive not to be soluble in the liquid chemicals used for extracting the DNA from the recovery device, particularly under the temperatures encountered in extraction and amplification, for instance up to 95°C.

The recovery device 2 may be mass produced readily by forming taking a roll of the base material, for instance a plastics material 200. The adhesive 202 may then be applied to the adhesive bearing area as a strip 204 of adhesive along the roll, Figure 3. The peelable cover layer 206 may be provided by wrapping a layer around one edge of the roll so that the cover layer 206 is provided in front of and behind the base material. A zig-zag cutter, Z, may be used to form the angled bottom edges of the recovery device. A further cutter, P, may be used to introduce a line of perforations a given distance in from the other edge. Finally, a further cutter, S, may be used to cut the roll into a series of recovery devices 2. * .* * * . * ** S... * I elI. 11S * I *1lI

I

*ISIII * I 1.11

I I... S. I

I SI * I.

Claims

I. An evidence recovery device, the device comprising an element, the element having an adhesive bearing area and having an adhesive free section.
2. An evidence recovery device according to claim I in which the adhesive free section includes an adhesive free area and a detachable area.
3. An evidence recovery device according to claim 2 in which a line or area of weakness in the element is provided between the two areas.
4. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the device includes one or more cover elements, the one or more cover elements being removable, a cover element being provided for the adhesive bearing area.
5. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the element is a rectilinear element and is provided with a triangular extension.
6. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the adhesive bearing area is provided at one end of the element.

**:*
7. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the adhesive bearing area is provided over between 30% and 60% of the area of one face of the element. S*
S

, 8. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the adhesive free * area is provided between the adhesive bearing area and the detachable area.

S SS*

*
9. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the adhesive free area is provided over between 10% and 50% of the area of one face of the element.
10. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the detachable area is provided at one end of the element.
11. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the detachable area is provided over between 5% and 45% of the area of one face of the element.
12. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the detachable area is at least 1cm long.
13. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the detachable area is 1.1cm long +1-20%.
14. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the element is between 2cm and 12 cm long.
15. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the element is 4.8cm long +1-20%.
16. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the element is between 0.5cm and 3cm wide.
17. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the element is 2.25cm wide +1-20%. S... * 0

**
18. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the element is less than 0.3cm thick.

*S 555 5.
19. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the adhesive * . bearing area is between 1.8cm and 2.8cm long.
20. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the adhesive bearing area is 2.3cm long +1-20%.
21. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the adhesive free section is between 1.5cm and 3.5cm long.
22. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the adhesive free section is 2.5cm long +1-20%.
23. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the adhesive free area is between 0.4cm and 7cm long.
24. An evidence recovery device according to any preceding claim in which the adhesive free area is 1.4cm long +1-20%.
25. A method of recovering evidence from a location, the method comprising: providing an evidence recovery device, the device comprising an element, the element having an adhesive bearing area and having an adhesive free section; contacting the adhesive bearing area with the location.
26. A method according to claim 25 in which an operator exposes the adhesive bearing area before contacting the location by removing a cover.
27. A method according to claim 25 or any claim depending therefrom in which the device is *:*::* held by the operator when contacting the location, the device being held using the detachable * * area.
28. A method according to claim 25 or any claim depending therefrom in which the device is S.....

* inserted into a container to extract DNA from the device. S..

*.
29.. A method according to claim 28 in which the device has a long axis and is inserted into the container in a direction along the long axis.
30. A method according to claim 25 or any claim depending therefrom in which at least a part of the leading edge of the device contacts a leading edge, such as a rim, of the container and the device flexes as it is inserted.
31. A method according to claim 25 or any claim depending therefrom in which no edge of the device overlaps with any other edge of the device once inserted.
32. A method according to claim 25 or any claim depending therefrom in which the adhesive bearing area faces the centre of the container once inserted.
33. A method according to claim 25 or any claim depending therefrom in which a void is provided at the centre of the container with the device inserted.
34. A method according to claim 25 or any claim depending therefrom in which the device is inserted into the container to leave the detachable area outside the container.
35. A method according to claim 25 or any claim depending therefrom in which a force is applied to the element to separate the detachable area. * ** * * * * .* *I** * * **** * * *.**

S..... * . S... *. S. S * * S.