EP0779838B1 - Device for arranging and dispensing pipettes - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/EP95/03520 Sec. 371 Date Feb. 28, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Feb. 28, 1997 PCT Filed Sep. 7, 1995 PCT Pub. No. WO96/07480 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 14, 1996The invention concerns a device for arranging a plurality of objects (1) on a support (4), the objects (1) being placed in layers (3) in apertured plates (5). These plates (5) are in turn stacked one above the other in a magazine (6) so as to save space. The respective lowermost apertured plate (5) containing objects (1) is released by the disengagement of a retaining element (7). The device is configured such that it is easy to handle and the magazines can accommodate a large number of layers (3) since the retaining element (7) can be disengaged by an actuating device which can be manipulated from the exterior of the magazine (6).

Description

The invention relates to a pipette tip preparation and removal device, wherein the pipette tips are inserted in perforated plates, which save space as layers in a magazine are stacked on top of each other.

Practically every biological or medical laboratory is used for handling and metering of the smallest liquid volumes special piston pumps, so-called pipettes. In order to avoid contamination of the liquids and solutions to be pipetted, contact with the liquid takes place via exchangeable, single use Plastic tips that are attached to the lower end of the pipettes. These will needed in large quantities in every laboratory.

The pipette tips can be purchased loosely packed in bags and must then be ordered individually be attached to the pipettes by hand. This procedure runs the risk that the Tips are touched by hand and thus contaminated. With a large number this procedure is also very complex for pipetting processes.

To make work easier, pipette tips can therefore also be made of plastic Carriers are plugged on, the carriers can be closed with a lid are. The carriers have perforated plates, with most manufacturers or suppliers Adhere to the standardized, orthogonal 8x12 or 6x10 grid, depending on the size of the pipette tips. This ensures that the pipette tips can be used with multi-channel pipettes without any problems can be removed.

Sterile pipette tips are very often required when working in the laboratory. In all As a rule, the carriers are heat-stable up to approx. 120 ° C, so that the tips before Use can be sterilized (autoclaved) by moist heat. Such carriers are called autoclave boxes below.

In practice, in addition to the pipette tips, the autoclave boxes themselves are particularly steep Disposable items, although in principle they could be used several times. Cause for that is that reinserting the tips by hand in the laboratory is too laborious and time consuming such an autoclave box is included with every delivery of inserted tips becomes. Since these must also be very stable to withstand the pressure loads Resisting when inserting the pipettes into the tips is to make them inevitably a relatively large amount of material is required. This leads to a high environmental impact in production and sales (for 96 or 60 tips each, a separate carrier must be produced and transported along with the outer packaging) and introduces the user the problem of disposing of large amounts of plastic waste, which in turn the Polluting the environment.

Pipettenspitzen von Rainin sind Spitze" der Firma Kleinfeld Labortechnik bekannt. Die Merkmale dieses Prospekts bilden den Oberbegriff von Anspruch 1. Es handelt sich dabei um eine Vorrichtung, bei der das Halteelement aus einer Verengung am unteren Ende des Magazins besteht, wobei die Freigabe dadurch erfolgt, daß von Hand in das obere Ende des Magazins hineingegriffen und gegen die übereinandergestapelten Lagen von Pipettenspitzen gedrückt wird. Dabei biegt sich die untere Lochplatte etwas durch und weicht der Verengung aus, wodurch sie freigegeben wird, oder die Verengung weicht aus. Es ist dabei notwendig, daß in das Magazin von oben mit Hand hineingegriffen wird. Dies ist insbesondere bei den letzten sich im Magazin befindenden Lagen sehr unbequem zu handhaben. Durch das Hineingreifen mit der Hand besteht zudem die Gefahr der Verschmutzung des Inneren des Magazins und damit der Pipettenspitzen. Des weiteren ist durch diese Bauweise die Anzahl der Lagen, mit denen ein Magazin beschickt werden kann, stark beschränkt. A device of the type mentioned is from the prospectus

Rainin pipette tips are known from the Kleinfeld Labortechnik company. The features of this brochure form the preamble of claim 1. It is a device in which the holding element consists of a constriction at the lower end of the magazine, the release thereby being effected that the hand reaches into the top of the magazine and is pressed against the stacked layers of pipette tips, the lower perforated plate bends slightly and evades the constriction, thereby releasing it, or the constriction evades That the magazine is reached by hand from above, which is very uncomfortable to handle, especially with the last layers in the magazine. By reaching in by hand there is also the risk of contamination of the inside of the magazine and thus of the pipette tips further by this design is the number of layers with which a magazine b can be sent, very limited.

A device of the type mentioned is also known from WO 92/01514. In this device, perforated plate-like holders are provided with retaining tabs serve to lift the holder with the uppermost layer of pipette tips and them to feed a carrier. Lifting the brackets and inserting them with the Spikes in the carrier are tedious for the large amounts of spikes needed Handicraft, which also entails the risk of contamination of the pipette tips. In addition, the pipette tips are not optimally stacked one inside the other because of the The arrangement of spacers does not mesh as much as this due to their geometry it is possible.

A device of the type mentioned is also known from DE 92 16 674 U1. In this device, carrier plates with layers of pipette tips are stacked one on top of the other and mutually locked to form a magazine. It always becomes the top carrier plate removed and placed on a tub for use in the laboratory. Opposite the WO 92/01514, this device has the advantage that the insertion of the tips into the Carrier is eliminated, but the other disadvantages described above could not be remedied will.

The invention has for its object a device of the type mentioned in such a way that convenient handling is possible, the magazines can accommodate large numbers of layers and the risk of pollution for the Pipette tips are excluded.

The task is accomplished with a pipette tip delivery and removal device initially mentioned type solved according to the invention in that the actuator can be pressed against the upper edge of the carrier such that the Widen constrictions elastically, releasing the bottom perforated plate.

The invention has the advantage that it is much easier to operate with little effort is achieved. The magazines can be built in almost unlimited height be, which makes a much more economical provision of Pipette tips, is possible. In this way, packaging material and storage space can be saved. The magazine can be closed at the top, whereby the pipette tips in the magazine against contamination and contamination are well protected.

Stops can be provided under the magazine through which a carrier can be received can be safely positioned by pipette tips. It can be lateral Stops or act as a stop that causes a vertical displacement of the carrier or the magazine to trigger the delivery process. It is possible to do this Design stops in such a way that different supports are positioned under the magazine can be. Such a carrier can be a plate in the pipette tips are inserted or around autoclave boxes on their surface have such a perforated plate-shaped configuration. These are often too the remaining housing of the autoclave box can be removed.

A stop that causes a height shift of the carrier or the magazine limited, which serves to trigger the delivery process, can be dimensioned in such a way that the lowest perforated plate equipped with pipette tips for receiving in the carrier falls by a height difference, the maximum of the height difference between two perforated plates stacked in the magazine with pipette tips. Such an arrangement is expedient for all the embodiments which the advancing plates do not keep compulsory to dispense more than two perforated plates with pipette tips to prevent.

A frame can be provided which can be attached to the lower end of the magazine and by which the magazine walls are extended. Such a framework can perform a variety of functions: the holding element can be arranged in it be, and it can also be the actuator for triggering the holding element be attached to the frame. It is also possible to make the stops on the frame to attach and so use the frame as an adapter for different carriers. On in this way it is possible that a uniformly designed magazine to the consumer is delivered and this attaches the appropriate frame to this way different types of carriers with pipette tips too to fill. Such a frame can also be provided with handles to the To facilitate placing the magazine on a carrier. However, the frame can also be attached to a wall as a wall bracket, or the magazine is with the frame can be used in such a wall bracket. Will the magazine with such a frame put together, it is useful if the magazine is closed at the top and does not need to be opened by the consumer. In contrast, at the bottom A removable cover is provided at the end of the magazine. The consumer can do the new Then turn the magazine upside down, remove the cover and the frame at the bottom Push on the end of the magazine. The magazine is turned around, possibly in a wall bracket inserted, and is ready for use. Leave the perforated plates with the pipette tips secure yourself for transportation with fork-shaped brackets, this would be a It is no longer necessary to turn the magazine.

The actuating device, which is accessible from the outside, can be configured in a wide variety of ways Be fashioned. For example a further embodiment of the actuating device is that in the area of Parts of the magazine walls that run obliquely outward are formed are. These sloping parts are when the magazine against a carrier, For example, an autoclave box is pressed through the top edges to the outside pressed, whereby the lowest perforated plate is released. This configuration has the advantage that in addition to placing the magazine on the carrier no other Handle is required, but only a slight pressure against the top edges of the carrier is sufficient for triggering. Of course, the carrier can also be viewed from below be pressed against the magazine.

The constrictions can be arranged on two opposite sides of the magazine will. In the latter training it is possible to use the intermediate ones To provide magazine walls with stretchable, elastic folds or slits, which serve for easier expansion to release the lowest perforated plate.

Another embodiment provides that the actuating device consists of at least two spring tabs arranged on opposite sides of the magazine walls exists, which have such inward-facing slopes that a counter these bevelled beams support the front ends of the spring tabs which act as a constriction serve, so apart that the bottom perforated plate is released. It can be provided two spring tabs, which are along two long sides or the extend most of these long sides, or it is also possible to have two on each side or to provide more spring tabs. The advantage of this embodiment is in the fact that it is a very simple but reliable actuator acts that can be operated without additional handles. An appropriately trained Magazine or a magazine with such a frame can be well attached to the Wall are hung, and the carrier only has to be against the magazine from below or to be pressed against the magazine with the frame in order to close the carrier fill.

In a similar way to these spring tabs just described, vertically aligned can also rocker-like levers on two opposite sides of the magazine walls be arranged, the rocker-like lever two hook-shaped, inwards have directed ends, one of which is always in the fall path of the perforated plates engages such that either the upper or the lower end is engaged, the Distance between the hook-shaped ends is such that the upper engage hook-shaped ends under the advancing perforated plate when the lower ones release the lower perforated plate. This embodiment requires no stop for the vertical movement of the carrier or the magazine, since a uncontrolled advancement of the next perforated plate with the ones on it Pipette tips are excluded from the outset. It will be this way achieved simple and very safe handling. Spring elements can be provided be the lower hook-shaped ends of the rocker-like levers in the Press the engagement position. The upper hook-shaped ends are with an operating mechanism connected, through which those can be pressed into the engagement position, the lower hook-shaped elements simultaneously being a perforated plate with pipette tips release.

A particularly useful design of the rocker-type levers described above provides that the lower hook-shaped ends of spring leaf continuations with bevels have, such that they by pushing a support against the slopes of the Spring leaf extensions pivot the rocker-like levers and remove them swing the rocker-like levers of the wearer back. This way, as another Advantage of an actuator created by pressure by means of a carrier can be triggered, requires no precise positioning on vertical stops and extremely is reliable.

Handles can be arranged on the magazine for placement on the carrier. It is however, it is also possible to insert the magazine into a wall bracket, resulting in a leads to a particularly simple handling, the magazine then becomes more similar Way, for example, operated a soap dispenser. For the bottom of the magazine can be provided a pivotable protection, the protection in the operating position the pipette tips are used to prevent contamination and can be swung away for the dispensing process is. The magazine can also be arranged in this way by means of a spring arranged at the upper end be suspended in such a way that it can be lifted slightly from the surface and against a base Let the carrier press. The spring also ensures that it stands upright.

Figur 1

ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel,

Figur 2

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel mit Federlaschen,

Figur 3

ein drittes Ausführungsbeispiel mit wippenartigen Hebeln,

Exemplary embodiments are shown in the drawing, reference being made to further advantages. Show it:

Figure 1

a first embodiment,

Figure 2

a second embodiment with spring tabs,

Figure 3

a third embodiment with rocker-type levers,

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment. Pipette tips 2 are located in a magazine 6, from which they are delivered to a carrier 4 in layers. The carrier 4 is generally designed as an autoclave box 18. In the magazine 6, the pipette tips 2 are located on perforated plates 5. These perforated plates 5 with the pipette tips 2 are stacked one above the other in many layers 3, with space-saving stacking taking place in that one layer 3 of pipette tips 2 with the tips in the bores of the Intervene in the next layer of pipette tips 2.

The bottom perforated plate 5 is held by holding elements 7, for example as Constriction 8 is formed with beads lying on two opposite sides. The delivery of the pipette tips 2 with the perforated plate 5 to the carrier 4 takes place in the illustrated Embodiment by pressing oblique to the outside extending parts 11 of the magazine walls 10 instead. These run diagonally outwards Parts 11 must have at least two opposite magazine walls 10 be arranged, namely on those where the constrictions 8 are located. they are designed such that the magazine walls 10 dodge when the magazine 6 on the autoclave box 18 is printed or vice versa - in any case press the top edges 12 against the inclined parts 11. This gives the constrictions 8 lowest perforated plate 5 with the pipette tips 2 free. The Perforated plate 5 falls with the pipette tips 2 on the carrier 4, which is equipped with holes which correspond to those of the perforated plate 5. Previously, the carrier was 4th brought into the correct position using stops, a stop 25 for the provides correct vertical positioning by which the carrier 4 is positioned such that the lowest perforated plate 5 equipped with pipette tips 2 for reception in the carrier 4 a height difference 26 falls down, the maximum of the height difference between corresponds to the perforated plates 5 with pipette tips 2 stacked in magazine 1.

The stack of pipette tips 2 with perforated plates 5 moves up and comes to rest after delivery. For the correct height difference, by which it is ensured that the subsequent perforated plate 5 again in the holding position arrives, stops 25, which act as on the inclined parts 11 sedentary noses can be formed. By lifting the magazine 6 or the Removal of the autoclave box 18 moves the magazine walls 10 again in this way together that the constriction 8 holds the next perforated plate 5 again. The arrows 19 illustrate the pressure to be exerted on the magazine 6, so that the outwards Parts 11 move in the direction of arrows 19 'and thereby the bottom perforated plate 5 release. The material of the magazine 6 is not elastic enough to be sufficient Dodge dimensions, the magazine walls 10, which between the Magazine walls 10 with the constrictions 8 lie, with slots or stretchable be elastic folds 13 which facilitate the expansion.

FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment in which spring tabs 27 serve as holding elements 7. The representation of the corresponding section from the magazine 6 and the carrier 4 is only shown on one side, since the other half is symmetrical to the one shown. Before being put into operation, the magazine 6 was provided with a frame 24 which contains the holding element 7 and the actuating device. At least two spring tabs 27 arranged on opposite sides of the magazine walls 10, 10 'are provided as the holding element 7 and the actuating device. It can either be two spring tabs 27 which extend over the length of two opposite sides or the majority of two opposite sides, or two or more spring tabs 27 can be provided on each of the opposite sides of the magazine walls 10 or 10 ' . The spring tabs 27 are equipped with inwardly facing bevels 28 such that a support 4 pressed against these bevels 28 presses apart the front ends of the spring tabs 27, which serve as constrictions 8, in such a way that the bottom perforated plate 5 is released. A stop 25 can ensure the vertical positioning of the carrier 4 already mentioned above. The introduction of the carrier 4, which can be designed as an autoclave box 18, and the release of the bottom perforated plate 5 are symbolized by arrows.

FIG. 3 shows a third exemplary embodiment with rocker-like levers 29. As already described for FIG. 6, this magazine 6 was also provided with a frame 24 which contains the holding element 7 and the actuating device. These consist of rocker-like levers 29 which are arranged on two opposite sides of the magazine walls 10, 10 '. The rocker-type levers 29 have two hook-shaped ends 30 and 31, one of which always engages in the fall path of the perforated plates 5, in such a way that either the upper 30 or the lower end 31 is engaged. The distance between the hook-shaped ends 30 and 31 is dimensioned such that the upper hook-shaped ends 30 engage under the advancing perforated plate 5 'when the lower hook-shaped ends 31 release the lower perforated plate 5. Similar to the spring tabs 27 already described above, the rocker-like levers 29 can either be configured in the length described, or two or more such levers are assigned to each of the opposite sides. In the illustrated embodiment, the hook-shaped ends 31 of the rocker-like levers 29 follow spring leaf extensions 32, which have such bevels 33 that by pushing up a carrier 4 it presses against the bevels 33 of the spring leaf extensions 32 and thereby pivot the rocker-like levers 29 so that the lower hook-shaped ends 31 are disengaged and the upper hook-shaped ends 31 are engaged. The advancing perforated plate 5 'is held and the lowest perforated plate 5 is released. If the carrier 4 is removed again, the rocker-like levers 29 pivot back again, as a result of which the upper hook-shaped ends 30 release the advancing perforated plate 5 'and falls down until it assumes the position of the dispensed perforated plate 5 before it is dispensed and there from the lower ones hook-shaped 31 is held. Of course, the magazine can also be pressed against the carrier 4.

Reference list

1

Objects

2nd

Pipette tips

3rd

Locations

4th

carrier

5

Perforated plates

5 '

advancing perforated plate

6

magazine

7

Holding element

8th

Narrowing

10, 10 '

Magazine walls

11

parts running outwards

12th

Top edge

13

stretchable elastic folds

18th

Autoclave box

19, 19 '

Arrows

24th

frame

25th

attack

27

Spring tabs

28

Slants

29

rocker-like levers

30th

upper hook-shaped end

31

lower hook-shaped end

32

Spring leaf continuations

33

Slants

Claims (12)

1. Device for arranging and dispensing pipette tips, wherein the pipette tips (2) are arranged in apertured plates (5) which are stacked above each other in layers (3) within a magazine (6) in space-saving fashion, and in each case, the lowermost layer (3) of apertured plate (5) having pipette tips (2) can be released through disengagement of a retaining element (7) to thereby position the lowermost apertured plate (5) onto a support (4) and the retaining element (7) is disengaged by means of an activation device (11, 27, 29) which is manually operatable from outside of the magazine (6) and the retaining element (7) is a narrowing (8), capable of widening, on the lower end of the magazine (6) by means of which the lowermost apertured plate (5) is held on its outer edge,
   characterized in
   that the activation device (11, 27, 29) can be pushed against the upper edge (12) of the support (4) in such a fashion that the narrowings (8) widen in an elastic fashion to thereby release the lowermost apertured plate (5).
2. Device according to claim 1,
   characterized in
   that stops (25) are provided for positioning the support (4) below the magazine (6).
3. Device according to claim 2,
   characterized in
   that the stops (25) are arranged and dimensioned in such a fashion that the lowermost apertured plate (5) having pipette tips (2) falls for reception in a support (4) in a downward direction by a height difference (26) which corresponds at most to the height difference (26) between two apertured plates (5) stacked in the magazine (1) and having pipette tips (2)
4. Device according to one or more of claims 1 through 3,
   characterized in that a frame (24) can be introduced on the lower end of the magazine (6) for extending the magazine walls (10, 10').
5. Device according to claim 4,
   characterized in
   that the retaining element (7) and the activation device (11, 27, 29) are accommodated in the frame (24).
6. Device according to claim 4 or 5,
   characterized in
   that the stop (25) is disposed on the frame (24).
7. Device according to one or more of claims 1 through 6,
   characterized in
   that the activation device (11) comprises diagonally outwardly travelling portions of the magazine walls (10, 10') disposed in the vicinity of the narrowings (8).
8. Device according to one or more of claims 1 through 7,
   characterized in
   that the narrowings (8) are disposed on two opposite sides of the magazine (6) and the intermediately situated magazine walls (10, 10') have flexible elastic joints (13).
9. Device according to one or more of the claims 1 through 6,
   characterized in
   that the activation device (7) comprises at least two spring shackles (27) disposed on opposite sides of the magazine walls (10, 10') having bevels (28) facing inwardly in such a fashion that a support (4) pushed against these bevels (28) pushes apart the front ends of the spring shackles (27), functioning as a narrowing (8), in such a fashion that the lowermost apertured plate (5) is released.
10. Device according to one or more of the claims 1 through 6,
    characterized in
    that rocker-like levers (29) are disposed on two opposite sides of the magazine walls (10, 10') and the rocker-like levers (29) have two hook-shaped ends (30, 31) one of which always engages into the dispensing path of the apertured plates (5) in such a manner that either the upper or the lower end (30, 31) is in engagement, wherein the separation between the hook-shaped ends (30, 31) is dimensioned in such a fashion that the upper hook-shaped end (30) engages below the following apertured plate (5') when the lower hook-shaped ends (31) release the lower apertured plate (5).
11. Device according to claim 10,
    characterized in
    that resilient elements push the lower hook-shaped ends (31) into the engagement position and the upper hook-shaped ends (30) can be pushed into the engagement position by means of an activation mechanism.
12. Device according to claim 10 or 11,
    characterized in
    that the lower hook-shaped ends (31) have leaf spring extensions (32) with bevels (33) which, via upward displacement of a support (4) against the bevels (33) of the leaf spring extensions (32), pivot the rocker-like levers (29) with the rocker-like levers (29) pivoting back when the support is removed (4).

Images