BR112017018124B1 - TUBE RACK TOOLS - Google Patents

Abstract

TOOLS FOR TUBE RACK. The present invention relates to tools and methods for removing a plurality of tubes from a tube rack. Tube rack tools include a base and/or top piece to receive the tube rack. The base has a bearing surface for engaging the closed bottom of the plurality of tubes. The bearing surface may be curved such that the rack of tubes can be moved around the bearing surface of the bends to dislodge the plurality of tubes from the rack. The top piece can be configured to engage the rack so that pressure on the top piece toward the support surface exerts pressure on the rack without applying pressure to the tubes. The tubes are dislodged from the rack by applying pressure. Tube Rack Tool Elements are also configured to secure tubes inside the rack or caps on tubes.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED ORDERS

[0001] This application claims priority to and benefit from the U.S. Serial Number Patent Application. 62/120,173, filed on February 24, 2015, entitled "Tube Removal Tool", which application is incorporated, by way of reference, into this application in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

[0002] The embodiments of the present description generally relate to tube rack tools for dislodging a plurality of tubes from a tube rack and more specifically to synchronously dislodging a plurality of tubes from a tube rack and methods for using it.

2. Background and Relevant Art

[0003] A microtiter plate is a flat plate with multiple "wells" used as small test tubes or used to receive tubes in them. The microtiter plate has become a standard tool in analytical research and clinical diagnostic laboratories. A microtiter plate typically has 6, 24, 96, 384, 1536, 6144, or 24576 sample wells arranged in a 2:3 rectangular array. Some microtiter plates have been manufactured with 3456 or even 9600 wells, although 96 wells, provided in an 8 x 12 array, are the most common.

[0004] Depending on the size, each well is typically capable of holding from a few nanoliters to several hundred milliliters of liquid or an equivalent amount of a solid sample, such as a dry powder. Consequently, some dishes have closed-bottomed wells. In certain embodiments, the plates may be provided with racks to support glass or plastic tubes. In such embodiments, the wells may alternatively be open-bottomed. Illustrative wells can be circular (including cylindrical or conical) or square in cross section. Pipettes (eg, multichannel pipettes) are designed to pipette liquids measured in an entire row of wells at a time. PCR devices and other instruments for a wide variety of laboratory applications are designed to receive standard sized microtiter plates and process samples contained in existing wells. Some companies have even developed robots specifically configured to handle microtiter plates.

[0005] Often, microtiter plates are provided with wells formed in the plate. The most common manufacturing process is injection molding, typically used for polystyrene, polypropylene and cycloolefin. However, microplates can be made from a variety of polymers, as is appropriate to withstand a wide range of temperatures and provide chemical resistance.

[0006] More recently, plates have become available that include a rack and a plurality of individual strips or tubes, a common configuration being twelve strips of eight tubes (or eight strips of twelve tubes). Such an arrangement can make it easier to use a portion of a plate or to prepare small groups of reactions within a single plate. Tube spacing often results in standard well spacing of a 96-well microtiter plate, and the racks, once assembled, are compatible with a multitude of tools and instrumentation that have been developed for use with microtiter plates.

[0007] An example of a rack and tubes is the Loborack-96 (Micronic North America, McMurray, PA). The Loborack-96 can contain, for example, 96 individual tubes (eg 0.50 ml or 0.75 ml tubes), eight twelve-tube strips, or twelve eight-tube strips, in a 96-well configuration. Each tube can be covered individually, or each strip can be capped with a strip of eight or twelve caps, respectively. While the tubes are disposable and intended as single-use items, the rack is reusable. However, it can be difficult to remove tubes from the rack manually and tubes often open as they are removed, potentially contaminating the tube contents or spilling hazardous materials or contaminants. While Micronic sells a tool to remove one tube at a time, a tool that removes rows of tubes or all tubes quickly and easily is desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0008] In one aspect of the present description, a tube rack tool is provided, the tube rack tool comprises a base for receiving a tube rack (the tube rack illustratively comprises a rack and a plurality of tubes arranged in the rack), the base has a surface for engaging the tubes, whereby pressure on the rack dislodges a plurality of tubes from the rack. For example, in some embodiments, the plurality of tubes may be simultaneously, concurrently, synchronously and/or immediately sequentially (e.g., instantaneously) dislodged from the rack. In at least one embodiment, the tube rack may be positioned on the surface such that the surface engages a bottom (e.g., a closed end) of the plurality of tubes, optionally without engaging at least a portion of the tube rack. so that substantially or at least partially the downward force (e.g., pressure) on the rack dislodges the plurality of tubes from the rack. In certain embodiments, the rack tool may further comprise an upper part configured to provide force on at least a portion of the rack. Various surface and/or other configurations are provided for the tube rack tool.

[0009] In another aspect, a tube rack tool is provided which comprises an upper part for receiving a tube rack therein, and a base having a surface for fitting a plurality of tubes to the tube rack, wherein the pressure on the top piece (e.g. towards the surface) dislodges the plurality of tubes from the rack.

[0010] In yet another aspect, a method is provided for removing a plurality of tubes from a tube rack with a rack and a set of tubes, the method comprising placing the tube rack on a base, the base having a surface for engaging the plurality of tubes in the tube rack and providing pressure on the rack to dislodge the plurality of tubes from the rack.

[0011] Additional features and advantages of the embodiments of the present description will be set forth in the following description or may be learned by practicing such embodiments. The characteristics and advantages of such modalities can be realized and obtained by means of instruments and combinations particularly highlighted in the appended claims. These and other features will become more apparent from the following description and the appended claims, or may be learned by practicing such embodiments, as set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] To describe the manner in which the above-mentioned advantages and other advantages and features of the present disclosure may be obtained, a more particular description of the description briefly described hereinafter will be made with reference to their specific embodiments which are illustrated in the attached drawings. . Understanding that these drawings only represent typical embodiments of the disclosure and, therefore, should not be considered as limiting its scope, the description will be described and explained with specificity and additional detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a base for an illustrative tube rack tool.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a top piece for use with the base of Fig. 1.

[0015] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a tube rack inserted between the base of Fig. 1 and the upper part of Fig. two.

[0016] Fig. 4 is a sectional view of a tube rack inserted between the base of Fig. 1 and the upper part of Fig. two.

[0017] Fig. 5 is similar to figure 4 except that pressure has been exerted on the top piece and some of the tubes are being removed from the rack.

[0018] Fig. 6 is similar to figure 1, except it shows a base for a different illustrative tube rack tool.

[0019] Fig. 7 is similar to figure 2, except it shows a top piece for an alternate illustrative tube support tool.

[0020] Fig. 8 is similar to figure 5, except it shows a base and top piece for an alternative illustrative pipe support tool.

[0021] Fig. 9 is a top view of the base and top of Fig. 8.

[0022] Fig. 10 shows a row of tubes with caps, and a top piece positioned to apply pressure to the caps.

[0023] Fig. 11 is similar to figure 10, except that the covers are in the process of being seated by pressure from the top piece.

[0024] Fig. 12 is a sectional view of a row of tubes with caps, and an inverted base positioned to apply pressure to the caps.

[0025] Fig. 13 is similar to figure 12 except that the covers are in the process of being seated by the pressure of the inverted base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Before describing the exemplary implementations in detail, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the parameters of the systems, methods, apparatus, products, processes, compositions and/or kits, particularly exemplified, which may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is only to describe particular implementations of the present disclosure and is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the disclosure and/or the invention in any way. Thus, while the present description will be described in detail with reference to specific embodiments, the descriptions are illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claimed invention. For example, certain implementations may include smaller or additional components than those illustrated in the accompanying drawings and/or described in the description. Furthermore, various modifications may be made to the illustrated configurations without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Thus, while various aspects, modalities and/or implementations of the description are described and/or disclosed herein, other aspects, implementations and modalities are also contemplated.

[0027] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure relates. While a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice of the present disclosure, only a few exemplary materials and methods are described herein.

[0028] Various aspects of the present description, including devices, systems, methods, and so on, may be illustrated with reference to one or more exemplary implementations. As used herein, the term "exemplary" means "to serve as an example, model or illustration" and should not necessarily be interpreted as preferred or advantageous over other implementations described herein. Furthermore, reference to an "implementation" of the present description or invention includes a specific reference to one or more embodiments thereof, and vice versa, and is intended to provide illustrative examples without limiting the scope of the invention, which is indicated by the appended claims and not by the following description.

[0029] Note that, as used in this report and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", "the" and "a" include their corresponding plurals, unless the content clearly states otherwise. . Thus, for example, reference to a "tube" includes one, two or more tubes. Likewise, reference to a plurality of correspondents shall be interpreted as comprising a single correspondent and/or a plurality of correspondents, unless the content and/or context states otherwise. Thus, the reference to "tubes" does not necessarily require a plurality of tubes. Rather, it will be appreciated that regardless of conjugation; one or more tubes are contemplated here.

[0030] As used throughout this report, the words "shall" and "may" are used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning to have the potential to), rather than in the obligatory sense (i.e., meaning to) . Furthermore, the terms "including", "having", "involving", "containing", "characterized by", their variants (e.g., "includes", "has" and "involves", "contains", etc. .), and similar terms as used herein, including the claims, must be inclusive and/or open-ended, have the same meaning as the word "comprising" and its variants (e.g., "comprises" and "comprise") and do not exclude additional, uncited elements or method steps, illustratively.

[0031] As used here, directional and/or arbitrary terms such as "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "up", "down", "top", "bottom", " internal" "external", "internal", "external", "proximal", "distal" and the like may be used only to indicate relative directions and/or guidance and may not be intended to limit the scope of disclosure, including the report , drawings and/or claims.

[0032] Various aspects of the present description can be illustrated by describing components that are bonded, coupled, bonded, connected and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms "linked", "coupled", "attached", "connected" and/or "joined" are used to indicate a direct association between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect association with each other through components. intermediaries or interference. In contrast, when a component is referred to as "directly linked", "directly coupled", "directly attached", "directly connected" and/or "directly joined" to another component, no intermediate elements are present or contemplated.

[0033] It is also understood that various implementations described herein may be used in combination with any other implementation described or disclosed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, products, members, elements, devices, apparatus, systems, methods, processes, compositions and/or kits according to certain implementations of the present description may include, incorporate or otherwise contain properties, characteristics, components, members, elements , steps and/or the like described in other implementations (including systems, methods, apparatus and/or the like) disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, reference to a specific resource in relation to an implementation should not be interpreted as limited to applications only within that implementation.

[0034] It will also be appreciated that when multiple possibilities of values or ranges of values are presented or recited (e.g. less than, greater than, at least, or up to a certain value, or between two quoted values), any specific value or the range of values that fall within the range of values disclosed is also disclosed and contemplated here.

[0035] Titles used herein are for organizational purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of description or claims. To facilitate understanding, reference numbers have been used, whenever possible, to designate similar elements common to the figures. In addition, whenever possible, numbering elements were used in various figures. In addition, alternate configurations of a particular element may include separate letters appended to the element number.

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a base 10 of an illustrative tube rack tool 8 (see Fig. 3) in accordance with an embodiment of the present description. The base has a bearing surface 12 and four walls 15, 16, 17, 18 which surround a rack receiving area 11 for receiving a rack of tubes. In the illustrative embodiment, bearing surface 12 is curved along an axis extending from wall 18 to wall 17. In some embodiments, bearing surface 12 may (also or alternatively) be curved along a axis extending in the direction of wall 16 to wall 15. As discussed later, however, bearing surface 12 need not have a curved configuration in certain embodiments. Also in the illustrative embodiment, two spacings 13, 14 are provided between the support surface 12 and the walls 17, 18, respectively. The spacings 13, 14 comprise openings through the base 10, although optionally the openings 13, 14 may be provided with bottoms to result in recesses. Opposite recesses 20 are also arranged between support surface 12 and walls 15, 16, respectively. It is understood that walls 15, 16, 17 and 18, as well as spacings 13, 14 and recesses 20 are provided to aid in the placement and retention of a rack (of tubes) within the rack receiving area 11, and that any or all of these walls, spacings and/or recesses are optional and may be omitted. Likewise, the walls do not need to fully enclose the rack receiving area 11 in some embodiments.

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a top piece 50 that can be used with the base 10 (for example, to form the tube rack tool 8 of Fig. 3). The top piece 50 has a top 52 and two legs 60, 61 extending downwardly from the top 50. The legs 60, 61 are spaced apart to receive a rack of tubes therebetween. In alternative embodiments, the top piece 50 may have a single leg or more than two legs extending downwardly therefrom. For example, a single leg may extend (fully or partially) over the top piece 50 and/or extend downward therefrom. Alternatively, three or four legs can be arranged at the corners of the top piece 50.

[0038] In the illustrative representation shown, leg 60 is provided with leg extensions 63, 64 and leg 61 is provided with leg extension 65 (and a second leg extension not shown in Fig. 2). As best seen with the leg extension 63, the leg extensions are projected into each leg (eg, away from the leg). Leg extensions may be provided to assist in the containment and/or proper positioning of the tube rack between the legs 60, 61 and/or to prevent the tube rack from sliding laterally off the top piece 50. As discussed in further detail below , o Leg extensions can also assist in the correct positioning of the pipe rack on the support surface 12 of the base 10 (Fig. 1). Optionally, instead of or in addition to the leg extensions, the top piece 50 can be provided with side walls that extend between the legs 60 and 61 to contain the tube rack. Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a tube removal tool assembly 40 comprising a tube rack 78, including rack 80 and ninety-six tubes 82 being inserted between base 10 and top 50. It is understood that while Illustrative rack 80 includes space for ninety-six tubes, any other rack and tube number or arrangement can be used. Furthermore, while the illustrative tube rack 78 is filled, the illustrative embodiments may be used with a partially filled tube rack. As discussed above, walls 15, 16, 17, 18 of base 10 are sized to receive tube rack 78, thereby supporting tube rack 78 on bearing surface 12. As top piece 50 is placed on top of tube rack 78, tubes 78, legs 60, 61 of top piece 50 extend at least partially around tubes 82, fit inside walls 15, 16, 17, 18 and help maintain the orientation of rack 80 and tubes 82 with respect to each other. to the base 10 and/or its support surface 12.

[0039] In this illustrative example, rack 80 is provided with twelve rows 85 of eight tubes 82, although other configurations are understood to be within the scope of this description. Each tube 82 has an open upper portion 88 and an opposite, closed lower portion 90 (see Fig. 4) inserted into its respective well 84 in rack 80. The wells 84 comprise openings in a surface portion 81 of rack 80 and each tube 82 or a lower part 90 thereof (see Fig. 4) extends below the surface portion 81. As best seen in the sectional view of Fig. 4, a skirt 89 functions as a support for the rack 80, extending beneath any bottom 90 of the tubes 82. Thus, when the rack 80 is placed on a laboratory bench or other flat surface, the tubes 82 are spaced apart therefrom. surface to prevent tubes 82 from inadvertently moving from rack 80.

[0040] It is understood that while only two walls of the skirt 89 are visible in Fig. 3, rack 80 may have a skirt 89 with two, three or four walls, or may have feet or other lower projections to function to hold the tubes 82 elevated. The tubes 82 can be of any configuration, illustratively with flat bottoms, rounded bottoms or conical bottoms. Tubes 82 may fit into rack 80, or may be held in place by pressure. Although not shown in Figures 3 to 5, tubes 82 may be provided with caps, illustratively, which may be screw caps, snap-fit caps, strip or film caps adhered or heat-sealed to tubes 82. For example, in at least one embodiment, as shown in Figures 10 to 11, the tubes 82 may have one or more sealing caps (83) disposed over and/or joined thereto (e.g., sealing the upper open portions). 88 of these). Other configurations are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.

[0041] Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of a tube removal tool assembly 40, including a tube rack 78 inserted into the base 10 and the top piece 50 mounted on top of the tube rack 78, with legs 60, 61 interlocking. engage the rack 80 in the upper surface portion 81. Due to the curvature of the bearing surface 12, only a portion of the rows 85 of the tubes 82 are in contact with the bearing surface 12. In this illustrative embodiment, the ends 86, 87 of the rack 80 are recessed over openings 13, 14. Shown in Figures 1 and 3, a recess 20 between bearing surface 12 and wall 15 allows skirt 89 of rack 80 to extend beneath bearing surface 12. A recess A similar (not shown) may be provided between the bearing surface 12 and the wall 16. According to at least one embodiment, the bearing surface 12 of the base 10 couples a plurality of tubes 82 (or lower portions thereof), but do not couple to and/or contacts at least a portion of the skirt (89) of the base (80).

[0042] The downward pressure (e.g. from above) on the upper part 50 causes one or more rows 85 of the tubes 82 (or the lower parts thereof) to engage the bearing surface 12 of the base 10, the which in turn causes one or more (rows 85 of) tubes 82 to begin to dislodge from rack 80, as shown in Fig. 5. Consequently, a plurality of tubes 82 (e.g. at least one row 85) can be dislodged from the support simultaneously, concomitantly and/or synchronously. In an illustrative embodiment, a rocking back and forth movement around or along the curvature of the bearing surface 12, as indicated by arrows X-X, causes additional rows 85 of tubes 82 to engage the bearing surface 12 of the base 10, which in turn causes additional rows 85 of tubes 82 to dislodge from rack 80. As pressure is placed more directly on leg 60, pressure is placed more directly on recessed end 86, which can deflect into the opening 13 (e.g. without engaging the support surface 12 of the base 10), thus releasing the row 85 closest to the end 86. As the upper part 50 is moved in the other direction and pressure is placed more directly on the leg 61, the pressure is placed more directly on the recessed end 87, which can divert to the opening 14 (e.g. without coupling the support surface 12 to the base 10, thus releasing the row 85 more p close to end 87. The continuous back and forth movement causes all tubes 82 to detach from rack 80, ultimately dislodging all tubes 82 from rack 80. Therefore, a plurality of tubes 82 and/or the rows 85 of tubes 82 can be simultaneously, concurrently and/or synchronously and/or immediately sequentially (e.g. instantaneously) dislodged from rack 80. Rack 80 and tubes 82 can then be removed from base 10 and part top 50.

[0043] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 and 3 to 5, the support surface 12 is curved. While the illustrative curvature is an arc of a circle with a radius of approximately 20 inches (50.8 cm), it is understood that this is illustrative only, and that other curvatures would be operational, having a radius of 15 inches to 25 inches ( 38.1 cm to 63.5), 10 to 30 inches (25.4.1 cm to 76.2), or 7 inches to 40 inches (17.7 to 101.6). While circular curvatures are used in certain embodiments herein, it is understood that other shapes are within the scope of this description, including parabolic and two-dimensional curved. In an illustrative embodiment, the bearing surface 12 may be flat as long as the bearing surface 12 is smaller than the skirt 89. It is understood that flatter support surfaces may dislodge more tubes at once, but may require more pressure, while more curved support surfaces can dislodge fewer pipes at the same time, but may also require less pressure. Also, bending in one direction can dislodge tubes by row, while bending in both directions can allow dislodgement of a single tube or a small group of tubes.

[0044] It is understood that, in some embodiments, the upper part 50 may be optional and the insertion of the rack 80 in the base 10 may allow the removal of the tubes 82 by manual pressure directly on the ends 86, 87 of the rack 80 or on the skirt 89 (e.g. pressure on surface 81 towards bearing surface 12). For example, in at least one embodiment, pressure may be applied to surface 81, illustratively by one or more fingers or hands of an operator or any suitable pressure applicator.

[0045] Returning to figure 2, in this illustrative embodiment, an upper portion 52 of the upper part 50 is provided with an opening 53. As best shown in figures 10 to 11, the upper portion 52 is also provided with a curved edge 55, molded for pressing tube caps 83 (e.g. to seal opening 88 with cap 83) and configured to cap a row 85 of tubes 82 with a force (downward) and/or rocking motion, as indicated by the arrows YY in Fig. 11. It is also noted that the curved edge 55 may be molded and/or configured to seat (a row 85 of) tubes 82 on rack 80 (not shown) with a force (pressing) or with the rocking motion indicated by the arrows YY in Fig. 11. The opening 53 may optionally be provided with handles 54 to comfortably hold the top piece 50 during this closing operation.

[0046] Alternatively, the base 10 can be inverted and the support surface 12 positioned over the tubes 82 of the row 85 according to figure 12. A similar rocking motion, indicated by arrows YY in figure 13, and/or force (downward) can be applied to press down on tube caps 83 (e.g. to seal opening 88 with cap 83). It is also noted that the inverted base 10 and/or its bearing surface 12 can be used to seat part or all of the tubes 82 of a tube rack 78 on the rack 80 (see Fig. 3), or to cover one or more tubes 82 or part or all of one or more rows 85 of tubes 82 on a tube rack 78 putting pressure on the base 10 (e.g. using the YY rocking motion).

[0047] Figures 6 and 7 show a base 110 and an upper part 150 of an alternative embodiment of a tube removal tool 140, where like reference numerals indicate similar components or components that have similar functions. The base 110 has a bearing surface 112 and two walls 115, 116 that define a space for receiving a rack of tubes. Unlike base 10 in Fig. 1, in this illustrative embodiment, the bearing surface 112 is much narrower and is configured to contact a single row of tubes 85. It is understood that the bearing surface 112 may be provided in any shape to contact any number of tubes. tubes or rows of tubes. For example, support surface 112 may be curved along an axis extending from wall 116 to wall 115. Fig. 7 shows a top piece 150 that can be used with the base 110 to form a pipe support tool 140, as shown in Fig. 8. Top piece 150 has a top 152 and four legs 158, 159, 160, 161 that extend downwardly from top 150. Legs 158, 159, 160, 161 are spaced apart to receive a tube rack 78 between them. It is understood that four legs are merely illustrative and that any or all of these legs may be omitted. An embodiment with leg extensions, as in Fig. 2, is also contemplated. It is understood that the top 150 is not limited to the use of the base 110 and that the various tops described herein can be used with any compatible base as desired for a specific application. Additionally, various tops described here can be used without a base. For example, in at least one embodiment, a rack of tubes may be received by or within a portion of an upper part (e.g., between its legs) and a plurality of tubes dislodged from the rack by pressure at (the bottom of) tubes (e.g. with one hand or by another device, apparatus or element).

[0048] In this illustrative example, only two walls 115, 116 are provided on the base 110. The omission of the side walls allows the base 80 and top piece 150 to be moved linearly along the base 110. Several guides 128 are also provided. Alignment rack 80 or top piece 150 with one of guides 128 will position a specific row of tubes 85 over bearing surface element 112. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, align top piece 150 even with second guide 128 positions the fifth row of tubes 85 from the end of the top piece 150 over the bearing surface element 112. As best seen in Fig. 8, the row of tubes 85 which is positioned on the bearing surface element 112 is dislodged under pressure from the rack 80 by the upper part 150 towards the bearing surface element 112. As with other embodiments, it is understood that top piece 150 is optional and pressure may be applied by hand or other means directly to rack 80 to apply pressure to rack 80 to dislodge any tubes 82 that are positioned on bearing surface member 112.

[0049] It is understood that the guides 128 may be provided with markings to indicate which row of tubes 85 would be removed when the top piece 150 or rack 80 is aligned with each guide. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the bearing surface element 112 may be movable within the base 110. For example, the bearing surface 112 may be arranged or connected to a movement mechanism configured to allow the bearing surface 112 is positioned and/or secured in a plurality of positions within the base 110. The movement mechanism may comprise a plurality of depressions configured to receive a (removable) bearing surface element 112, a track or slide element configured to allow the movement of the bearing surface element 112 thereon or any other means for moving the bearing surface element 112 and/or changing its position with the base 110. Various modifications and/or changes to the features of the invention illustrated herein, and the Additional applications of the principles illustrated herein, which would occur to a person versed in the relevant art and in possession of such a description, may be made in the illustrative modalities. treated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the claims, and should be considered within the scope of this disclosure. Thus, while several aspects and modalities have been disclosed here, other aspects and modalities are contemplated. While a number of methods and components similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to carry out the embodiments of the present disclosure, only a few components and methods are described herein.

[0050] It will also be appreciated that systems, processes and/or products according to certain embodiments of the present description may include, incorporate or even comprise characteristics of properties (e.g. components, parts, elements, parts and/or portions) described in other embodiments described and/or disclosed herein. Accordingly, the various features of certain embodiments may be compatible, combined, included, and/or incorporated into other embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, the disclosure of certain features in relation to a specific embodiment of the present disclosure should not be construed as limiting or inclusive application of said features in the specific embodiment. Rather, it will be appreciated that other embodiments may also include said features without necessarily departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, unless a feature is described as requiring another feature in combination with it, any feature contained herein may be combined with any other feature of the same or different embodiment described herein. Furthermore, various well-known aspects of illustrative systems, processes, products, and the like are not described in particular detail herein to avoid obscure aspects of the exemplary embodiments. Such aspects are, however, also contemplated here.

[0051] The present disclosure may be incorporated in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The modalities described are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is therefore indicated by the appended claims, and not by the description given above. While certain embodiments and details have been included herein and in the accompanying description for the purpose of illustrating the embodiments of the present description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes to the methods and apparatus described herein may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. , which is defined in the appended claims. All changes that fall within the meaning and equivalence ranges of the claims must be covered within their scope.

Claims (12)

1. Tube removal system, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a) a tube rack (78) comprising: i) a rack having a plurality of wells (84) and an upper surface portion (81) arranged around of the plurality of wells (84), the plurality of wells (84) comprising openings in the upper surface portion; and ii) a plurality of tubes (82) arranged in the wells; and b) a tube rack tool (40) configured to receive the tube rack (78), the tube rack tool (40) comprising: i) a base (10) having a receiving area sized to receive the rack of tubes (78), the base (10) having a surface (12) for engaging the plurality of tubes (82) disposed in the wells (84) of the rack when the tube rack (78) is arranged in the receiving area; and j)) a top piece (50) configured to retain the tube rack (78) in engagement with the base surface (12), wherein the top piece (50) has one or more legs (60, 61) configured to engaging the top surface portion of the rack such that pressure applied to the top piece (50) toward the base surface (12) dislodges the plurality of tubes (82) from the rack, the top piece (50) configured to retain the tube rack (78) in engagement with the base surface (12) while exerting pressure on the rack (80). 2. Tube removal system, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the upper part (50) is configured to engage the upper surface portion of the rack without engaging an upper surface of the plurality of tubes (82) when the plurality of tubes (82) are arranged in the wells (84), the cremador further having a skirt (89) disposed around the plurality of wells (84), the skirt (89) extending from the upper surface portion. 3. Tube removal system, according to claim 2, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the base surface (12) is smaller than an area defined by the skirt (89) and is configured to receive the tube rack (78) without fitting into the skirt (89). 4. Tube removal system, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the rack comprises 96 wells. 5. Tube removal system, according to claim 4, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the tube rack tool (40) is sized to receive the 96-well rack. 6. Tube removal system, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the surface (12) is curved. 7. Tube removal system, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the plurality of wells are arranged in rows, the base surface (20) being sized to fit all the tubes (82 ) arranged in a row. 8. Tube removal system, according to any one of claims 1 to 7, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the base surface (20) is configured to fit a lower surface of the plurality of tubes (82) when the rack of tubes (78) is received by the base. 9. Tube removal system, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that the tubes (82) are aligned with a guide and/or markings (128) on the base. 10. Method for removing a plurality of tubes from the tube removal system as defined in claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a) placing the tube rack (78) on a base (10), the base having a surface ( 12) for engaging the plurality of tubes (82) in the tube rack, and b) providing pressure on the rack (80) towards the surface of the base (10) to dislodge the plurality of tubes from the rack (78), wherein: c) providing the pressure step includes placing an upper part (50) on the tube rack (78) and applying pressure to the upper part (50) to provide pressure on the rack (80), engaging the surface of the base (10) in the plurality of tubes (82), and thus dislodging the plurality of tubes (82). 11. Method according to claim 10, CHARACTERIZED in that the surface of the base (12) is curved and the provision of the pressure step includes swinging the upper part (50), thereby dislodging the entire set of tubes (82) ). A method as claimed in either of claims 10 or 11, CHARACTERIZED in that the plurality of tubes (82) is a row of tubes (85), the surface of the base (12) is molded to remove the row of tubes (85), and the pressure application step dislodges the row of tubes (85).

Images