DE202021106939U1 - container for sample tubes - Google Patents

Abstract

Container (2) for sample tubes (34), which has a base body (4) with a multiple arrangement of compartments (10) arranged in a plane (36), which each receive one of the sample tubes (34) with a diameter of the sample tubes (34) adapted opening (38), the compartments (10) being formed within a frame (12) of the base body (4) by a plurality of side walls (14, 16) arranged parallel to the frame (12) and crossing one another, which have a centering pin (18) projecting beyond the side walls (14, 16) at at least one of their crossing points, which is designed with a rounded upper side (20) at its end protruding from the plane of the opening (38) of the compartments (10).

Description

The invention relates to a container for test tubes.

It is known from the general state of the art to keep biological samples refrigerated for a longer period of time. For this purpose, lockable containers were developed that can accommodate a large number of sample tubes in different sizes and can be closed with a lid. Systems of this type have proven their worth, particularly in the case of automated storage and retrieval. In this context, it is particularly important that the loading of a sample container by means of a robot arm can take place without problems, since intervention by a user is very complex in automatic storage systems, particularly at low temperatures.

Known sample containers have a chessboard-like pattern, which is separated by webs and each forms a space for a sample tube. In order to keep the distance between the sample tubes as small as possible, it is provided that the robot arm must release the sample tube when inserting it before reaching the rest position, in order not to come into contact with the side walls of the adjacent sample tubes. In particular when it hits the ridges, it is possible that a sample tube occasionally does not reach its intended place due to tilting, so that storage has to be interrupted until manual reworking has taken place. Since the sorting of biological samples is often automated overnight, an interruption of the automatic sorting can result in long downtimes.

Such containers are often also referred to as “racks” or “tube racks” in English usage, and the sample tubes are also known by their English name “tubes”.

From the WO 01/47640 A2 a sample rack is known which comprises a base body with a multiple arrangement of vertical openings. The vertical openings are configured and dimensioned in such a way that they can accommodate a large number of sample tubes. The body includes sidewalls each having a coaxial post extending from the associated sidewall. The sample rack also includes a removable cover that can be lowered onto the base body. Each of the openings includes a plurality of support surfaces positioned within the opening to vertically support the tube within the associated opening. Each support surface includes a tapered concave surface that rests against the tube.

From the NL 1 018 898 C2 a rack is known in which sample tubes are held on their underside by openings through which the bottoms of the sample tubes are visible.

From the US 5,651,941A a carrier for test tubes is known which has a longitudinally symmetrical, vertically oriented, polygonal body with two orthogonally arranged, opposite vertical surfaces and under a horizontal lower sliding surface. The top of the body is provided with a central bore opening into a vertical cavity suitable for receiving and holding a plurality of sample tubes in a stable vertical orientation.

From the US 3,643,812A a storage rack for sample tubes is known, which is vacuum-formed from a plastic material such as polypropylene and comprises two separably connected elements, one of which is a box-like element with upright peripheral walls and a bottom with a plurality of recesses in which the lower end of Sample tube is added and held against lateral displacement. The other detachably connected element is in the form of a lid or cap which can be detachably attached to the top edge of the upstanding peripheral walls.

From the DE 2 116 895 A1 discloses a cuboid transport box for vials or the like with a trough having longitudinal side walls and transverse side walls approximately perpendicular thereto, in which a latticework is present to form chambers, with at least some of the partial upper edges of the partition walls being designed as guide edges for feeding in the sample vials used.

Proceeding from this state of the art, it is now the object of the invention to create a container for sample tubes which, in comparison to known containers or racks, has a lower probability of incorrect placement during automatic assembly.

This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Further advantageous configurations of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims. These can be combined with one another in a technologically sensible manner. The description, in particular in connection with the drawing, additionally characterizes and specifies the invention.

According to the invention, a container for sample tubes is created which has a base body with a multiple arrangement of compartments arranged in one plane, each of which is designed to accommodate one of the sample tubes with an opening adapted to the diameter of the sample tube, the compartments being within a frame of the Base body are formed by several parallel to the frame and intersecting side walls which have at least one of their crossing points a centering pin projecting beyond the side walls, which is designed with a rounded upper side at its end protruding from the plane of the opening of the compartments.

Accordingly, in the case of the invention, the insertion of the sample tubes is facilitated in that the centering pins ensure that the sample tubes are pre-centered so that they cannot tilt when inserted into a compartment of the container by means of a robot arm. A centering pin ensures that the sample tube is deflected in the event that the sample tube is incorrectly placed off-centre by the gripper of the robot arm before it is dropped. The sample tube slides into its intended position thanks to the rounded top. In this way, the probability of misplacement is significantly reduced.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the centering pin has a round cross section. The distance between the end of the centering pin protruding from the plane of the opening of the compartments and the plane of the opening of the compartments can be selected to be less than the depth of the compartments. The centering pin can be arranged at each of the crossing points. In addition, the centering pin can be arranged at the transition to the frame.

The probability of misplacement is further reduced in the embodiment of the container according to the invention in that each compartment is designed with a centering pin at all four corners at the crossing points of the side walls. Due to the symmetrical design of the centering pin in a circular shape, all compartments are formed in the same way, so that there are no differences over the surface of the container with regard to the possibility of incorrect placement. The outboard compartments located adjacent to the frame can also be provided with a centering pin at all four corners.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the side walls have a non-planar upper side at least in a central section along a transition to an adjacent opening. The non-planar upper side of the side walls can be formed completely between two crossing points or between a crossing point and the frame. The non-planar upper side is preferably rounded. Alternatively, the non-planar top is a roof slope.

When placing using the gripper of the robotic arm, the centering pin initially supports the correct placement of the sample tube. As soon as the gripper releases the sample tube, it falls the intended drop distance until the bottom of the tube hits the bottom of the compartment assigned to it. The upper side of the side walls is preferably rounded off between two adjacent openings, so that if the sample tube hits the frame, which is not desired per se, the sample tube does not bounce off, but is guided into the correct position. Since test tubes usually have a circular cross-section, it is to be expected that the test tube will hit the side wall in a central area of the latter. However, it is preferred to form the side wall completely with the rounded top.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the side walls are formed at least in sections with a concave contour line in a wall area between two crossing points or between a crossing point and the frame. In this case, the concave contour line can be formed completely along the wall area. Preferably, the concave contour line is arcuate.

The concept of rounding in one direction to the adjacent opening, already described above, is now extended to the contour line of the side wall, so that a preferably concave or arcuate geometry of the side wall also arises in a direction perpendicular thereto. Because the side wall has its deepest point between two centering pins, sliding into the correct compartment when it hits the side wall is additionally supported.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the tops of the side walls are saddle-shaped.

As already mentioned above, a rounded shape can be formed in two directions. It is therefore preferred that the side wall is saddle-shaped, so that both measures to reduce incorrect placement are implemented simultaneously.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the base body can be closed with a cover.

The cover prevents the sample tubes from accidentally falling out when handling the container.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the cover has a rocker for opening or closing the container. The rocker can be designed so that it is pressed to open or close the container.

Such containers are often stored at low temperatures, for example between minus 120° C. and minus 196° C., so that operating personnel can only enter the storage room with protective clothing. Since the container can be opened or closed by pressing, the risk of incorrect operation when wearing protective gloves is lower and the risk of the locking mechanism icing up is significantly reduced.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the container has 24, 48 or 96 compartments.

The values given are established standard values for the storage of biological samples. It is of course also possible to provide other formats.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the container is made of cold-stable plastic material.

Biological samples are often stored for many years at very low temperatures, so that the container must be made of a suitable plastic material that does not become brittle at low temperatures, so that the container can have a long service life.

• 1 einen erfindungsgemäßen Behälter in einer perspektivischen Seitenansicht,
• 2A den Behälter aus 1 mit geöffnetem Deckel,
• 2B ein Detail des Behälters aus 1,
• 3 den Behälter aus 1 in einer Draufsicht,
• 4A und 4B jeweils Schnittansichten durch den Behälter,
• 5A und 5B die Schnittansichten aus den 4A und 4B beim Einsetzen eines Probenröhrchens, und
• 6 ein Schnitt durch den Verschlussmechanismus des Behälters.

Some exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. Show it:

• 1 a container according to the invention in a perspective side view,
• 2A out the container 1 with the lid open,
• 2 B a detail of the container 1 ,
• 3 out the container 1 in a top view,
• 4A and 4B sectional views through the container,
• 5A and 5B the sectional views from the 4A and 4B when inserting a sample tube, and
• 6 a section through the locking mechanism of the container.

In the figures, identical or functionally identical components are provided with the same reference symbols.

In 1 a container 2 is shown, inside which sample tubes can be accommodated. The container 2 comprises a base body 4 and a cover 6. The cover 6 closes the base body 4 so that the sample tubes located inside cannot accidentally fall out. In order to open the container 2, actuating elements 8 are provided on the cover 6 at opposite ends. The container 2 is made of a plastic material that is resistant to low temperatures.

In 2A and 3 the container 2 is off 1 shown after cover 6 has been removed. 2A shows the container 2 in a perspective side view, 3 accordingly in a plan view. It can be seen that the container 2 has a multiple arrangement of compartments 10, each of which can hold a sample tube. The multiple arrangement of compartments 10 forms the shape of a rectangle, with each compartment 10 having a square base. Towards the outside, the multiple arrangement of compartments 10 is delimited by a frame 12 which is part of the base body 4 . The compartments 10 are formed by a plurality of side walls 14 and 16 arranged parallel to the frame 12 and crossing one another. In the 3 Horizontally running side walls are provided with the reference numeral 14, those running vertically with the reference numeral 16. At the crossing points of the side walls 14 and 16 each centering pins 18 are attached. Centering pins 18 are also provided at the transition to the frame 12 .

The design of the side walls 14 and 16 and the centering pins 18 will be described with reference to FIG 2 B explained again in more detail. In the 2 B only a single crossing point with a centering pin 18 and a side wall 14 or a side wall 16 is shown.

It can be seen that the centering pin 18 has a round cross section. Furthermore, the depth of the compartments 10, which corresponds to the height of the side walls 14 and 16, is selected to be greater than the protruding end of the centering pin 18. Thus, within a compartment 10, the majority of the outside of a sample tube is surrounded by the side walls. When inserting a sample tube into the container 2, the centering pin corrects the position of the sample tube, if this does not correspond to the position of the compartment. Thus, a slight misalignment of a sample tube during the automatic filling of the container 2 cannot lead to a misalignment and the sample tube is shifted to the desired position via the centering pin 18 . This is additionally further improved in that the upper side 20 of the centering pin 18 is designed to be rounded towards the compartments 10 .

However, when inserting a sample tube into a compartment 10, it can also come into contact with the side walls 14 or 16, which would also lead to a canting. In order to remedy this, two further measures are provided according to the invention, which are described below.

Both sidewall 14 and sidewall 16 are configured with a non-planar top surface 22 along a transition to an adjacent opening. The top 22 is the transition between a front 24 and a back 26 of the side wall 14 or the side wall 16. The non-planar top 22 is preferably rounded. As in 2 B is shown, this rounding can be provided over the entire upper side 22, in which case it would also be sufficient to attach the non-planar upper side 22 at least in a central area of the side wall 14 or the side wall 16 in order to avoid incorrect placement.

As a further measure, the non-planar upper side 22 is designed with a concave contour line 28 between two crossing points of the side walls 14 and 16 , so that the deepest point of the upper side 22 lies in the middle between two centering pins 18 .

The non-planar upper side 22 and the configuration with the concave contour line 28 significantly reduce the probability of a sample tube being placed incorrectly. The side walls 14 or 16 of all compartments 10 of the container 2 are therefore preferably designed with the shown saddle-shaped form of the upper side 22 .

However, it is also possible to provide the measures according to the invention only individually or as an alternative, or to apply only some of the measures according to the invention for individual compartments 10 . In the case of individual compartments, for example, the concave contour line 28 could be omitted or no centering pin 18 could be provided. However, such a configuration would also be covered by the invention. A guide 30 is arranged on the underside of a compartment 10, which as a protruding element corresponds to a corresponding recess on the sample tube.

Based on 4A and 4B , which cuts along lines A and B, respectively 3 represent, both the centering pins 18 and the concave contour line 28 and the marked with the reference numeral 32 rounding on the top 22 can be seen again.

Insertion of a sample tube 34 is described with reference to FIG 5A and 5B , which correspond to the sectional representations 4A and 4B, are shown again in more detail. By avoiding edges and bearing surfaces inside the container 2, the probability of the sample tube 34 being placed incorrectly is significantly reduced. Furthermore, it can be seen that the level 36 of the openings 38 of the compartments 10 together with the protruding end of the centering pin 18 is selected such that the sample tube 34 protrudes upwards so that it can be inserted or removed by a gripper of a robot arm can. After the cover 6 has been applied, the sample tubes 34 are safely stored in the container 2 .

In industrial practice, designing the container 2 with 24, 48 or 96 compartments 10 has become established. However, other formats can also be chosen.

Closing with the cover 6 is described with reference to FIG 6 explained again below. It can be seen that a rocker 40, which is fastened to the cover 6 on a rotary axis 42, can engage in a recess 46 via a latching lug 44. The recess 46 is in 2A to be seen more clearly. Thus, opening or closing of the container 2 can be achieved in each case by pressing the rocker 40 . This is particularly advantageous when the operator of the container 2 is wearing protective clothing such as gloves. The risk of a locking mechanism icing up is also significantly reduced.

The features specified above and in the claims, as well as the features that can be inferred from the illustrations, can be advantageously implemented both individually and in various combinations. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described, but can be modified in many ways within the scope of specialist knowledge.

Reference List

2

container

4

body

4

body

6

cover

8th

actuators

10

academic subject

12

frame

14

Side wall

16

Side wall

18

Centering

20

top

22

top

24

front

26

back

28

contour line

30

guide

32

rounding off

34

Sample Tube

36

level

38

opening

40

seesaw

42

axis of rotation

44

detent

46

recess

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• WO 0147640 A2 [0005]
• NL 1018898 C2 [0006]
• US5651941A [0007]
• US3643812A [0008]
• DE 2116895 A1 [0009]

Claims (18)

Container (2) for sample tubes (34), which has a base body (4) with a multiple arrangement of compartments (10) arranged in a plane (36), which each receive one of the sample tubes (34) with a diameter of the sample tubes (34) adapted opening (38), the compartments (10) being formed within a frame (12) of the base body (4) by a plurality of side walls (14, 16) arranged parallel to the frame (12) and crossing one another, which have a centering pin (18) projecting beyond the side walls (14, 16) at at least one of their crossing points, which is designed with a rounded upper side (20) at its end protruding from the plane of the opening (38) of the compartments (10). container after claim 1 , in which the centering pin (18) has a round cross-section. container after claim 1 or 2 , in which the distance from the plane (36) of the opening (38) of the compartments (10) protruding end of the centering pin (18) to the opening (38) level of the compartments (10) is selected to be less than the depth of the compartments ( 10). container after one of the Claims 1 until 3 , in which the centering pin (18) is arranged at each of the crossing points. container after one of the Claims 1 until 4 , in which the centering pin (18) is also arranged at the transition to the frame (12). container after one of the Claims 1 until 5 wherein the side walls (14, 16) have a non-planar upper surface (22) along a transition to an adjacent opening (38) at least in a central portion. container after claim 6 wherein the non-planar upper surface (22) of the side walls (14, 16) are rounded completely between two crossing points or between a crossing point and the frame (12). container after claim 6 or 7 , wherein the non-planar upper surface (22) is a fillet (30). container after claim 6 or 7 , where the non-planar top is a roof-shaped slope. container after one of the Claims 1 until 9 , in which the side walls (14, 16) are formed at least in sections with a concave contour line (28) in a wall region between two crossing points or between a crossing point and the frame (12). container after claim 10 wherein the concave contour line (28) is formed entirely along the wall portion. container after claim 10 or 11 , in which the concave contour line (28) is arcuate. container after claim 7 and 10 , wherein the upper side (22) of the side walls (14, 16) are saddle-shaped. container after one of the Claims 1 until 13 , in which the base body (4) can be closed with a cover (6). container after Claim 14 In which the cover (6) has a rocker (40) for opening or closing the container (2). container after claim 15 , in which the rocker (40) is designed so that it is pressed to open or close the container (40). container after one of the Claims 1 until 16 , which has 24, 48 or 96 compartments (10). container after one of the Claims 1 until 17 , which is made of cold-resistant plastic material.

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