EP0885063A1

EP0885063A1 - Receiving container for stackable consumable units

Info

Publication number: EP0885063A1
Application number: EP97903141A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Franz Konrad
Original assignee: Greiner & Soehne C A; CA Greiner and Soehne GmbH
Current assignee: Greiner Bio-One GmbH
Priority date: 1996-03-07
Filing date: 1997-02-28
Publication date: 1998-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 2017-02-28
Also published as: AU1759297A; CA2248217A1; US6079593A; DE59707862D1; ATE221415T1; WO1997032665A1; JP2000506064A; EP0885063B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a receiving container (7), a slide, particularly for a shaft-shaped receiving container (7) and a distributing device for distributing palettes stacked on each other, in particular perforated palettes for pipette tips (5). The receiving container (7) is used to accommodate a plurality of stackable consumable units (1) such as palettes (2) with small parts, and has a square shaft housing adapted to the basic outline of the consumable units (1), and a bottom opening (18). At least two opposing side walls (12, 13) of the receiving container (7) also have openings (15, 16) at the same height adjacent the bottom, the height (33) of said openings (15, 16) being greater in the direction of the stack than a height distance (34) between the supporting edges (6) of two consumable units (1) stacked on each other.

Description

Storage container for stackable consumption units

The invention relates to a receptacle, a delivery device and a slide for separating pallets, as described in the preambles of claims 1, 2, 14 and 29.

Dispensing devices and receptacles of this type are used to load consumer units, e.g. Objects provided on pallets, for example pipette tips inserted into perforated pallets and the like, can be removed individually from the receiving container on pallets.

This requires careful handling to protect the pipette tips from contamination, while the receptacle also serves as shipping packaging. Such a device for providing a large number of objects, in particular pipette tips, and a method for providing it are known from DE 44 19 291 A1. In this device or according to this method, the pipette tips stacked in a row in a package due to their conicity are dispensed singly by means of a device, the device having a bottom plate provided with openings on which the shipping carton opened on the bottom is placed. The openings in the base plate are adjustable in size or position for the passage of the pipette tips or to retain them in the packaging. A disadvantage here is the undefined position of the pipette tip rods in the packaging and the associated difficulty of assigning them to the openings of the removal device when the packaging is open.

The object of the invention is to provide a receptacle, a slide and a dispensing device for separating, in order to achieve a product-friendly and environmental-protecting shipment and to simplify handling for dispensing the products directly from the receptacle.

This object of the invention is achieved by the characterizing features of claims 1 and 2. The surprising advantage of this is that the receptacle can properly accommodate a stack of consumption units predetermined by the receptacle height, with the stack being inserted into the bottom and also the lid Receptacle or a placement of the receptacle on a stack automated and thus also sterile packaging is possible. To remove individual consumable units, only the associated slide needs to be pushed onto the receptacle, which is pushed back and forth relative to the receptacle after opening or removing the bottom opening allows the individual delivery of the consumption units from the bottom of the stack. Due to its simple shape, the receptacle is efficient and can also be produced from a wide variety of materials, preferably also from cardboard or plastic. The result is an easily manageable and functionally reliable receptacle, which is suitable for holding and dispensing a wide variety of consumption units, in particular also delicate and sterile packaging units. The combination of a holding arm which can be adjusted perpendicularly to a bottom opening of a receiving container with a limiting stop which is connected to this movement and which can be adjusted between the holding and release positions forms a very simple, functionally reliable dispensing device which, in each case, discharges the lowest of a stack of pallets simultaneous storage of the pallets protected from environmental influences during the separation and output enables.

The advantageous further development according to claim 3 enables the insertion of a separation device on the receiving container at any time, so that no additional equipment is required for the individual removal of pallets from the receiving container.

By arranging different openings in the side walls according to claim 4, the individual removal of pallets can be achieved with different separating processes.

A simple configuration of the separation device and the separation process can be achieved by the embodiment variant according to claim 5.

Through the development according to claim 6, the fill level of the receptacle can be continuously checked in a simple manner.

The preferred embodiment according to claim 7 enables a controlled movement of the individualization device without the slide being able to be released from the guide region of the receptacle.

Due to the configuration according to claim 8, the receptacle can also be used as a magazine for the delivery of the pallets.

The embodiment variant according to claim 9 not only simplifies the filling of the receptacle, but also enables the same to be refilled or refilled with pallets which have been accidentally removed from the receptacle in excessive numbers. However, an embodiment according to claim 10 is also advantageous, since as a result, without additional measures, pallets can also be used in the receptacle, which are exceeded by the parts inserted into them in the direction of the bottom opening.

The features according to claim 11 enable the receptacle to be manufactured inexpensively.

However, a further development according to claim 12 is also advantageous, since it is possible to find the length with only one slide for separating the pallets.

The embodiment according to claim 13 is also advantageous, since the receptacle can thus also be used simultaneously for transporting the pallet and for subsequent individual removal.

The object of the invention can also be solved independently by the slide according to claim 14. It is advantageous here that the consumption units can be retained in the receptacle only by pushing the slide on the outside of the receptacle by means of limit stops arranged on the receptacle, and when the limit stops or the holding arms are deformed by the resulting release of the pallets or Consumption units can be removed individually from, for example, a receptacle, the elastic resilience of the holding arms reliably preventing a further consumption unit or pallet from falling out.

A simple production from elastically resettable materials and a longer period of use is achieved by the features according to claim 15.

However, an embodiment according to claim 16 is also advantageous, since consumption units that slide down thereby can be held back before they can still pass through the bottom opening until the consumption unit or pallet previously released for dispensing has passed through the bottom opening through a receptacle.

If an embodiment according to claim 17 is also advantageously carried out, it is ensured that only one consumption unit or one pallet can be discharged individually each time the slide is moved.

A further lifespan and a higher retention force can be achieved through further training Claim 18 can be achieved.

However, further development according to claim 19 is also possible, by means of which a simplified construction of the slide can be achieved.

A user-friendly solution for the slide is characterized in claim 20. It is advantageous if the guide sleeve is designed according to claim 21.

A simple manufacture from a uniform material for the slide is made possible by the further configuration according to claim 22, an optically favorable configuration being achieved with a solution according to claim 23.

A reliable separation and exact guidance of the packaging units can be achieved by the further development according to claim 24.

However, the embodiment according to claim 25 is also advantageous, since a precise guiding of the holding arms also ensures a superior service life.

A high load-bearing slide is achieved by the configuration according to claim 26.

Through the designs of the slide according to claims 27 and 28, simplified operation in the separation can be achieved.

The object of the present invention is also achieved by the output device

Claim 29 solved independently. Due to the interaction of the limit stops projecting through the openings into the interior of the receptacle, a displacement unit can be released for dispensing by displacing the slide in one position in which it is pushed out of the openings, and in the other position the consumption units can be released in the receptacle be held back.

Through the further embodiment according to claim 30, the simultaneous output of several consumption units is reliably avoided.

A distribution of the holding and release forces between the pallets or consumption units is favored by the embodiment variant according to claim 31. Simple operation is made possible by the features of claims 32 and 33.

An undisturbed function of the individual holding arms is achieved by the training according to claims 34 to 36.

For consumption units with low weight, however, an embodiment variant according to claim 37 or 38 is also recommended.

The designs according to claims 39 to 44 prevent incorrect operation of the receptacle and ensure an exact separation of the consumption units even when inoperative.

The adjusting force for the slide and thus the load on the receptacle due to the separating process is achieved primarily by the design variants according to claims 45 to 51.

The period of use of the slide can finally be extended by the embodiment according to claim 52.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings.

Show it:

1 shows a receptacle according to the invention in a partially sectioned front view;

FIG. 2 shows a slide for the receptacle according to FIG. 1, also in a partially sectioned front view;

Fig. 3 is a slider for the receptacle of Figure 1 in bottom view.

Fig. 4 position of the dispenser before releasing the first consumption unit;

5 position of the dispensing device after the first consumption unit has been released;

6 position of the dispensing device before dispensing the second consumption unit; 7 shows a dispensing device according to the invention with a receptacle for a stack of pallets in a partially sectioned view;

8 shows a section of the receptacle with the dispensing device in the holding position, sectioned;

FIG. 9 the partial area according to FIG. 8 in the release position of the holding device;

10 shows another embodiment of the dispensing device according to the invention with the receptacle in view

11 shows the dispensing device with the receptacle, sectioned, according to the lines XI-XI in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows the output device according to FIG. 11 in the release position for the individual delivery of a pallet;

13 shows a further embodiment of a dispensing device with a receptacle in view, partially in section;

14 shows the dispenser with the receptacle in a top view;

15 shows a further embodiment of the receptacle according to the invention with a U-shaped slide in view;

16 shows a detailed illustration of another embodiment of the separating device with a receptacle, cut.

As an introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals or the same component names, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component names. Furthermore, individual features from the different exemplary embodiments shown can also represent independent solutions according to the invention.

To - as shown in Fig. 1 - stackable consumption units 1, for example pallets 2, which have an essentially rectangular plan, with holes 3, in the small parts 4, such as For example, pipette tips 5 are used and form cantilevered retaining edges 6 along the sides of the rectangle, so that they can be packed in stack form, there is a cuboid-shaped receptacle 7 which is adapted to the layout of the consumer units 1 and is designed as a shaft housing and has a removable bottom closure designed as a bottom insert 8, which has towering side parts 9 designed as support walls for supporting the stack of consumption units 1 within the receptacle 7. The receptacle 7 forms a magazine for the consumption units, is closed with a lid 10 and is provided with a viewing opening 11 designed as a viewing window for content control. On all four side walls 12, 13 there are openings 15, 16 designed as engagement openings at a distance adapted from the required free space below the holding edges 6 of the consumption units 1 from an end edge 14 of the receiving container 7 which forms a bottom edge, in order for a Output device to provide access to an interior 17 of the receptacle 7.

As a dispensing device for dispensing the consumable units 1 through the opened bottom opening 18, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a slide 19 which can be pushed onto the receptacle 7 is arranged, e.g. is designed as a casing sleeve, and which forms on all four sleeve sides 20, 21 in the lower edge region, towards the bottom, flexible, designed as holding tongues holding arms 22, 23 with inwardly angled, hook-leg-like limit stops 24, 25. These limit stops 24, 25 have protruding holding parts 27, 28 adapted in width 26 to the openings 15, 16 and widened support parts 29, 30 with respect to the engagement openings, so that when the casing sleeve or slide 19 is pushed onto the receptacle 7 as a function of the respective relative height to the openings 15, 16, the limit stops 24, 25 engage with their holding parts 27, 28 in the openings 15, 16 and engage with the support parts 29, 30 on the side walls 12, 13 of the receptacle 7 support, the other times above or below the openings 15, 16 the holding parts 27, 28 have slipped out of them and are supported on the side walls 12, 13. The width 26 of the holding parts 27, 28 can correspond to a width 31 of the openings 15, 16 or be smaller than that of the openings 15, 16.

The limit stops 24, 25 lie opposite each other in pairs corresponding to the side walls 12, 13, the limit stops 24 or 25 lying opposite each other being arranged at the same height as the two holding parts 27 or 28. However, the limit stops 24 or their holding arms 27 are Compared to the limit stops 25 or the holding arms 28 against each other by a height offset 32 in height and which is smaller than the height 33 of the openings 15, 16 and also smaller than the height distance 34 of the retaining edges 6 of two stacked consumption units 1 To limit the relative displaceability between the receptacle 7 and the slide 19 there is a lower slide stop 35 and an upper slide stop 36, the lower slide stop 35 consisting of downwardly projecting sleeve tabs 37 of the slide 19 and the upper slide stop 36 consisting of side tabs 38 of the receptacle 7.

If the receptacle 7 is used as packaging, it receives, as indicated in FIG. 1, a stack of consumable units 1 and is closed with the bottom closure 8, this bottom closure 8 with its side parts 9 properly supporting and securing the stack of consumable units within the receptacle 7 also covers the openings 15, 16.

If consumption units 1 are now to be dispensed individually from the receptacle 7, the slide 19 is pushed as an output device from below onto the receptacle 7 up to the upper slide stop 36, so that the limit stops 25 of the holding arms 23 lie in the area of the openings 16, which are still due to the towering Side parts 9 of the bottom closure 8 are covered.

If the bottom closure 8 is now pulled downward to open the receptacle 7, the side parts 9 release the openings 15, 16 and the inwardly projecting limit stops 25 snap into the openings 16, where they hold the retaining edges 6 of the ones in the stack reach under the bottom consumption unit 1 and take over the supporting function of the bottom closure 8, so that it can now be removed freely. The shaft base is thus also completely open and the receptacle 7 can be placed on a suitable base 39 for transferring the individual consumption units 1, which takes over the individual consumption units 1 discharged through the open housing base. For this purpose, after the receptacle 7 has been placed on the base 39, the slide 19 is pushed down relative to the receptacle 7 until the lower limit stops 25 or their holding parts 28 and also the upper limit stops 24 or their holding parts 27 into the openings 15 , 16 intervene, so that the bottom last consumption unit 1 is held by the lowest limit stops 25 or its holding parts 28 and the penultimate consumption unit 1 is held by upper limit stops 24 or its holding parts 27 by reaching under their holding edges 6 (FIG. 4 ).

If the slide 19 is now pushed further down, the lower limit stops 25 abut against a lower edge 40 of the openings 16, which is designed as a lower opening edge, and are pushed outwards when pushed further, so that they slide onto the outside of the side walls 13 and the holding edge 6 release last consumption unit 1. This falls therefore due to gravity in the base 39, as shown in dashed lines, where there is a corresponding recording and support (Fig. 5). The lower slide stop 35 prevents the slide 19 from being pushed further downward relative to the receptacle 7 by its abutment on the base 39, which also prevents the upper limit stops 24 from being pushed out of the openings 15 extending between an upper and lower edge 41, 42 .

Pushing up the slide 19 then lifts the consumption units 1 remaining in the receptacle 7, which are attached to the upper limit stops 24 or their holding parts 27, upwards until the upper limit stops 24 abut the upper edge 41 of the opening 15 and are pushed outward when pushed further with which these upper limit stops 24 release the consumption unit stack, which thereby slips due to the force of gravity, until the lower limit stops 25, which snap back into the openings 16 when the slide 19 is pushed up, which are delimited at the top by an upper edge 43, underhold the holding edge 6 of the lowest consumption unit 1 (FIG. 6).

The stack now hangs instead of on the upper limit stops 24 or their holding parts 27 on the lower limit stops 25 or their holding parts 28, the upper sliding stop 36 pushing the slide 19 further upward relative to the receiving container 7 and thus also pushing out the lower ones Limit stops 25 prevented from the associated breakthroughs 16

The base 39 with the individually dispensed consumption unit 1 can be removed from the receptacle 7 and the consumption unit 1 can be removed. In order to dispense a consumption unit 1 again, the base or another base 39 is again placed on the bottom of the receptacle 7, so that when the slide 19 is pushed downward again, the limit stops 24 also engage in the opening 15 and the now last consumption unit 1 is engaged grasp the holding edge 6 (FIG. 4) so that the dispensing process can be carried out again.

The receptacle 7 according to the invention is characterized by its simplicity, rational manufacturability and functionally reliable and easy handling.

7 shows a receptacle 102 designed as an outer packaging 101, e.g. out

Cardboard, shown. It has a cuboid shape and is formed by four side walls 103 arranged at right angles to one another and is at one end by means of, for example, through overlapping cover flaps formed cover 104 completed. The further front end forming a bottom opening 105 is closed off by a cup-shaped bottom part 106, which overlaps the side walls 103 in an interior 107 of the receptacle 102 with side parts 108 and is detachably connected to them, for example by means of a punctiform adhesive

The receptacle 102 is used to hold pallets 111 equipped with parts 110, e.g. Perforated pallets for receiving pipette tips 112, the pallets 111 being stacked parallel to one another in the direction of a height 113 of the receiving container 102, in that the pipette tips 112 of the individual layers are arranged one inside the other as a result of their taper.

At least in two mutually opposite side walls 103, at a distance 114 from front edges 115 defining the bottom opening 105 of the side walls 103 are arranged approximately parallel to the end edges 115 in approximately rectangular openings 116 which extend over part of a width 117 of the side wall 103. An upper edge 118 of the opening 116 facing away from the front edge 115 is at a distance 119 from the front edge 115 which corresponds approximately to a length 120 by which the pipette tips 112 protrude from an underside 121 of the pallets 11. The distance 114 by which a lower edge 122 is spaced from the end edges 115 is smaller than a height distance 123 between the pallets 111 stacked on one another. The side parts 108 of the base part 106 overlap the side walls 103 up to the height of the upper edge 118, end surfaces 124 of the side parts 108 facing the interior 107 form support surfaces 125 for the underside 121 of the lowermost pallet 111 of the stack of pallets in the closed state of the receptacle 102.

In at least one of the side walls 103 there is also a slit-shaped viewing opening 126 which extends in the direction of the height 113 in order to be able to check the filling state of the receptacle 102.

In the area of the bottom part 106, the end walls 103 have recesses 127 which extend from the end edge 115 in the direction of the height 113 and which make it possible to remove the bottom part 106 from the interior 107 of the receptacle 102.

The receptacle 102 is also provided with a separating device 128, which is adjustable in a guide device 129, which is preferably arranged on two opposite side walls 103, for a guiding device 129 in the direction perpendicular to the bottom opening 105

Slider 130 is guided with a guide extension 131. The guide extension 131 has a retaining protrusion 132 protruding in the direction of the front edges 115 and one in the direction of the Sidewall 103 protruding hook-shaped limit stop 133. The holding arm 132 is resiliently biased in the direction of the side wall 103, the limit stop 133 projecting through the side wall 103 in the opening 116 and in the case of the receptacle 102 closed with the bottom part 106, its movement in the direction of the interior 107 is inhibited by this .

If the bottom part 106 is now removed from the receptacle 102 to open the bottom opening 105, the limit stop 133 passes through the opening 116 as a result of the spring force - according to arrow 134 - of the holding arm 132 and thus projects into the interior 107, the lowest of which Pallets 1 1 1 with the underside 121 comes to rest on an upper side 135 of the limiting stop 133 and the stack of pallets 111 is retained in the receiving container 102. The slider 130 can be sleeve-shaped and comprise the receptacle 102 on the outside and preferably be made of transparent material so that the observation of the interior 107 is not hindered by the viewing opening 126. Furthermore, it is possible to provide the side walls 103 with one or more stops 136 with which a displacement path 137 of the slide 130 is limited.

FIGS. 8 and 9 schematically show the isolated output of the pallets 111 equipped with the pipette tips 112 from the receptacle 102. The stack of pallets 111 is retained by the opposite side walls 103 through openings 116 in the interior 107 projecting limit stops 133. The receptacle 102 is placed with its bottom opening 105 on a carrier housing 138 which has a cover plate 139 facing the pallets 111, which is provided with bores 140 arranged concentrically with the pipette tips 112. To output a pallet 111, the slide 130 and thus the holding arms 132 are now moved in the direction of the bottom opening 105 - in accordance with an arrow 141. As shown in dashed lines, the lower edge 122 of the opening 116 forms a slide track for the holding arm 132 or the limit stop 133 fixedly connected to this movement, which causes the holding arm 132 and thus the limit stop 133 to move against the spring force of the holding arm 132 in the opposite direction to the interior 107 into a release position, in which the limit stops 133 on a The outer surface 142 of the side walls 103 slide open and the interior space 107 is released, whereby the stack of the pallets 111 lowers until the lowest of the pallets 111 rests on the cover plate 139 of the carrier housing 138. The distance 114 of the lower edge 122 of the opening 116 is selected from a support surface 143 of the carrier housing 138 for the front edges 115 such that a distance 144 greater than is left between the lower edge 122 and the underside 121 of the pallet 111 lying thereover a thickness 145 of the limit stop 133. Now there is a movement of the slide 130 and thus the Holding arms 132 in the opposite direction to the bottom opening 105, the limit stop 133 slides into the interior 107 after reaching the opening 116 and thus assumes a retention position for the further pallets 111 of the stack. When the slide 130 continues to move until the upper side 135 of the limit stop 133 bears against the upper edge 118 of the opening 116, the pallets 111 remaining in the receptacle 102 are lifted off the pallet 111 stored in the carrier housing 138 If the upper edge 118 and the upper side 135 do not cause the limit stop 133 to be pushed out of the opening 116, it is expedient to provide the stop 136 for the slide 130, which limits the displacement path.

Of course, an embodiment is possible in which the slide 130 is designed as a sleeve encompassing the side walls 103 on all sides, as a result of which perfect guidance is provided on the outer surfaces 142 of the receptacle 102. With such an embodiment, it is also possible in all four sides 103 to provide the openings 116 and thus to carry out the separation of the pallets 111 from all four sides via holding arms 132 and limit stops 133 arranged on the sleeve and thus to achieve a secure support and retention of the stack of pallets 111. Such a design with holding arms 132 acting on all four sides is to be provided for higher weights.

Another embodiment of the receptacle 102 and the separating device 128 is shown in FIGS. 10 to 12. The same reference numerals are used in the description for elements already described in the previous figures. The slider 130 surrounding the side walls 103 in the form of a sleeve has, in the direction of the bottom opening 105, the holding arm 132 with the limit stop 133, which in the holding position has the opening 116 in the side wall 103 of the receptacle 102 and protrudes into the interior 107 and which has a holding part 27 The stack of pallets 111 is thus securely held in the receptacle 102 before being dispensed. A further retaining arm 147 is formed on the slide 130 and projects in the direction of the bottom opening 105 and is tongue-like through a U-shaped punching 146. The retaining arm 148 is designed as a retaining part 28 and projects in the direction of the side wall 103. Compared to the limit stop 133, the retaining extension 148 is offset in the opposite direction to the bottom opening 105 by a height offset 149 which is smaller than the height distance 123 between two stacked pallets 111. A height 150 of the opening 116 is equal to the height offset 149.

If, in this embodiment, the slide 130 is moved in the direction of the bottom opening 105 for the individual delivery of a pallet 111, the limit stop 133 is moved in the direction of the release position by the lower edge 122 of the opening 116 acting as a slide track. tion, in which the limit stop 133 releases the interior 107, is adjusted by the elastic adjustability of the holding arm 132. At the same time, the retaining extension 148, which is biased with the slider 130 via the holding arm 147 in the direction of the interior 107, reaches the upper edge 118 of the opening 116 and, when the slide 130 continues to move, penetrates into the interior 107 between the pallet 111 released by the limit stop 133 and thus a retention of the stack of pallets 111 located above. The released lowest pallet 111 is delivered to the carrier housing 138 on which the receptacle 102 for placing the pallets 111 is placed.

If the slide 130 is now moved in the opposite direction, that is to say away from the bottom opening 105, the upper edge 118 of the opening 116 acts as a slide track for the retaining extension 148 and moves it with the retaining arm 147 into a release position in which the retaining extension 148 releases the interior 107. At the same time, the holding arm 132 pivots with the limit stop 133 after exceeding the lower edge 122 of the opening 116 as a result of the elastic pretension into the interior 107. The stack of the pallets 111 located in the interior 107 is thus lowered to the level of the limit stop 133 and is for the individual Delivery of a wide range 1 11 prepared.

The previously delivered pallet 111 with the pipette tips 112 can be removed with the carrier housing 138 for further treatment and a prepared further carrier housing or the same carrier housing 138 after the removal of the pallet 111 with the pipette tips 112 for the delivery of a further pallet 11 1 the receptacle 102 are set.

In order for the separating device 128 to function properly, it is necessary to adjust a height offset 149 between the limit stop 133 and the retaining extension 148 to a height 150 of the opening 116. The height 150 is smaller than the height distance 123 between the stacked pallets 111. The height offset 149, including the thickness 145 of the retention extension 148 or the limit stop 133, is to be made slightly smaller than the height 150 of the opening 116.

In order to prevent the slide 130 from being moved too far in the direction of the bottom opening 105 and thus sliding onto the carrier housing 138 in the lowermost end position of the limit stop 133, the slide 130 has the sleeve tab 37 projecting in the direction of the bottom opening 105 independently of the holding arm 132 which is approximately aligned with the end edge 151 facing the bottom opening 105 and with an underside 152 of the limit stop 133. The displacement path 137 between the stop 136 and the carrier housing 138 is thus limited since the front edge 151 touches a front edge 153 of the carrier housing 138 facing it during the singling process and thus prevents further displacement.

As already described above, in this embodiment it is also possible to form the holding arms 132, 147 with the limit stop 133 and the retaining extension 148 on at least two opposite side walls 103 with the corresponding arrangement of openings 116, but also on all four side walls 103.

13 and 14 is another embodiment of the receptacle 102 with the

Separating device 128 shown. The receptacle 102 is encompassed by the slide 130 on its four side walls 103. The holding arms 132, 147 projecting in the direction of the bottom opening 105 are arranged on the slide 130, with the limit stops 133 and retention extensions 148 which are hook-shaped in the direction of the receptacle 102 two holding arms having the limit stops 133

132, the holding arms 147 with the retaining projections 148 are provided on opposite side walls 103 and on the other opposite side walls 103. This results in a paired interaction of the opposing limit stops 133 and retaining projections 148 for the safe storage of the stack of the pallet 111 and in the manipulation of their individual output. From the front edges 115 arranged in the plane of the bottom opening 105, the openings 116 are arranged at a distance 114 in all four side walls 103, which, depending on the position of the slide 130, along the displacement path 137, alternate with the limit stops 133 or retention extensions 148 are penetrated, which have a height offset 149 to each other, which is smaller than the height distance 123 between adjacent and stacked pallets 111. In this embodiment, the height-offset arrangement of the limit stops 133 and the retaining extensions 148, the function in the isolated output of Pallets 111, as already described in the previous figures, reached.

If pallets 111 are to be discharged individually from the receiving container 102, the separating device 128 formed from the slide 130 with the holding arms 132, 147 and limiting stops 133 and retaining extensions 148 is pushed from below onto the receiving container 102 up to the stop limiting the upper position 136 postponed. The limit stops 133 are arranged in the area of the openings 116, which are still covered by the protruding side parts of the base part, as can be seen in FIG. 7. If the bottom part is now removed downward, the resilient prestressing of the holding arms 132 causes the limiting stops 133, which have holding parts 27, to enter the interior space 107 Bottom 121 of the bottom of the pallets 111 and hold the stack of pallets 111 in the interior 107. If the slide 130 is now moved in the direction of the bottom opening 105, the limit stops 133 on the lower edge 122 of the opening 116, which acts as a sliding track, are pressed outwards. At the same time, the retention extensions 148 reach the opening 116 and snap into the interior 107 immediately below the underside 121 of the penultimate of the pallets 111 as a result of the spring action of the holding arms 147 with holding parts 28. The remaining stack of pallets 11 1 is thus retained in interior space 107, while the lowest pallet 111 is released and falls due to gravity onto the provided carrier housing 138. During the subsequent upward movement of slide 130, the stack of pallets remaining in interior space 107 becomes 111 lifted by the retention projections 148 projecting into the interior 107. After reaching the upper edge 118 of the opening 11, the retaining projections 148 are pressed out of the interior 107 against the action of the spring force of the holding arms 147, while at the same time the limit stops 133 snap into the interior 107 after the lower edge 122 has been exceeded. As a result of the force of gravity, the stack of pallets 111 is lowered from the level of the retaining projections 148 to the level of the limit stops 133, so that the separating device 128 is ready for a repetition of the dispensing process.

To achieve a sufficient spring force of the holding arms 132, 147, which causes the limit stops 133 or restraining extensions 148 to engage securely through the opening 116 in the interior space 107, a configuration is possible as already described in FIG. 3. In this case, the support parts 29, 30 are provided on the side of the limit stop 133 or the retaining extension 148, via which the holding arms 132, 147 are held under prestress in the direction of the receiving container 102, even if the limiting stops 133 or retaining extensions 148 are penetrated by the opening 116 protrude, in which these support parts 29, 30 are supported on the outside of the side walls 103 to the side of the openings 116 and the holding arms 132, 147 in one with respect to the slide 130 in one, causing a bias in the direction of the receptacle 102, with respect to the slide Hold 130 angled position.

In order to limit the displacement path 137 and to fix an upper and lower end position 130 of the slide, in this embodiment variant, a through a fixed stop 154, for example a bolt 155 which is fixedly connected to the receptacle 102 and an elongated hole 156 arranged in the slide 130 in the direction of movement formed by the bolt 155, stop arrangement 157 is provided. The bolt 155 furthermore forms a guide member 158 and can furthermore be provided with a mushroom-shaped head 159 which covers the elongated hole 156 and which is detachably connected to the bolt 155. 15, the receptacle 102 is shown placed on the carrier housing 138. On opposite side walls 103, guide arrangements 160 for the slides 130 are arranged, which enable displacement in the longitudinal direction of the receptacle 102. In this exemplary embodiment, the slides 130 are U-shaped and encompass the receptacle 102 from the top in the direction of the bottom opening 105, the guide arrangement 160 being outstanding, the sliders 130 holding the arms 132 with the limit stops 133 and holding arms 147 with the Have retention projections 148 which, forming a preload, are supported on the side walls 103 and project through the openings 116 in the respective slide position through the openings 116. In this embodiment, the slides 130 with the holding arms 132 and the limit stops 133 and the holding arms 147 with the retaining projections 148 are provided on side walls 103 which are opposite each other in pairs. The slide 130 having the limit stops 133 and the slide 130 having the retention extensions 148 can be actuated independently of one another in this embodiment. Through the successive actuation of the slide 130 with the limit stops 133 and the slide 130 with the retention extensions 148, the isolated output is possible, as already described in the previous figures.

16 shows a further embodiment for singly discharging the pallets 111 from the receptacle 102. In this embodiment, one of the side walls 103 has a tab strip 161 projecting into the interior space 107 in the direction of the opposite side wall 103, which is connected to an in Support surface 162 which is inclined in the direction of the bottom opening 105 is provided. The side wall 103 opposite the catch bar 161 has the opening 116 for the limit stop 133. From the upper edge 118 of the opening 116 extends in the opposite direction to the bottom opening 105 a coulisse path 163 forming projection 164 projecting from the side wall 103 into the interior 107, which projects beyond an inner surface 165 by a distance 166 is equal to a distance 167 by which the detent bar 161 projects beyond the opposite side wall 103. In this embodiment, an inner width 168 of the receptacle 102 corresponds approximately to a length 169 of the pallet 111 plus the distance 166 or distance 167.

When the holding arm 132 having the limit stop 133 is actuated, for example via the slide in the direction of the bottom opening 105, when the lower edge 122 of the opening 116, which is designed as a slide track 163, the limit stops 133 are pressed out of the interior space 107 by the spring-elastic design of the holding arm 132. The pallet 111 is released from the limit stop 133 after overcoming the positioning shoulder 164 which is offset as far as possible from the detent bar 161 and overcomes the obliquely inclined support surface 162 of the detent bar 161 due to gravity and is thus attached to the carrier housing 138 delivered. A distance 170 between the top edge 118 and the bottom opening 105 is slightly smaller than the height distance 123 between the stacked pallets 111.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, a counter-stop 174, which is fixedly connected to the side wall 103 and projects through a slot-shaped recess 171 in the holding arm 132 and acts with a spacer element 172 on an outer surface 173 of the holding arm 132, causes this in connection with the inclined inclination of the holding arm 132 during the upward movement an additional force component supporting the spring elasticity in the direction of the interior 107 or a movement-dependent insertion of the limit stop 133 into the interior 107.

Of course, the technical details and the described components, in particular the receptacle 7, 102 and the slide 19, 130 with the holding arms 22, 23, 132, 147 and the limit stops 24, 25, 133 and retaining extension 148, can be carried out within the scope of the person skilled in the art can be modified as desired. For a better understanding of the invention, individual parts have been distorted or enlarged to scale.

Finally, individual features of the combinations of features shown and described in the individual exemplary embodiments can also form the subject of independent solutions according to the invention.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 consumption unit 41 top edge

2 pallets 42 bottom edge

3 hole 43 top edge

4 small parts

5 pipette tip

6 Retaining edge 101 outer packaging

7 receptacles 102 receptacles

8 bottom lock 103 side wall

9 side panel 104 cover

10 lid 105 bottom opening

11 Viewing opening 106 base 12 side wall 107 interior

13 side panel 108 side panel

14 timed edge 109

15 breakthrough 110 part

16 Breakthrough 111 pallet

17 Interior 112 pipette tip

18 bottom opening 113 height 19 slide 114 distance

20 sleeve side 115 front edge

21 sleeve side 116 breakthrough

22 holding arm 117 width

23 holding arm 118 upper edge

24 limit stop 119 distance 25 limit stop 120 length

26 width 121 bottom

27 holding part 122 lower edge

28 holding part 123 height distance

29 support part 124 end face 30 support part 125 support surface

31 Width 126 viewing opening

32 Height offset 127 recess

33 heights 128 separating device

34 Height distance 129 guide device

35 slide stop 130 slide

36 sliding stop 131 guide extension 37 sleeve tab 132 holding arm 38 side tab 133 limit stop 39 base 134 arrow

40 lower edge 135 top 136 stop

137 shift

138 carrier housing

139 cover plate 140 hole

141 arrow

142 outer surface

143 outer surface 144 distance

145 thickness

146 die cut

147 holding arm 148 restraining extension

149 height offset

150 height

151 front edge 152 underside

153 front edge

154 fixed stop

155 bolts 156 elongated hole

157 stop arrangement

158 management body

159 head

160 guide arrangement

161 notch bar

162 support surface

163 backdrop

164 positioning shoulder 165 inner surface

166 distance

167 distance

168 inside width 169 length

170 distance

171 recess

172 spacer 173 outer surface

174 counterstop

Claims

Patent claims

1. receptacle for a plurality of stackable consumption units, such as small-part-loaded pallets, with a cuboid-shaped shaft housing adapted to the layout of the consumption units and a bottom opening, characterized in that the receptacle (7, 102) on all four side walls (12 , 13, 103) has openings (15, 16, 116) at the same height near the ground and the height (33) of the openings (15, 16, 116) in the stacking direction is greater than the height distance (34, 123) from the holder edges ( 6) two consumption units (1) stacked one on top of the other.

2. receptacle for a plurality of stackable consumable units, such as pallets with small parts, with a cuboid-shaped shaft housing adapted to the layout of the consumable units and a bottom opening, characterized in that the receptacle (7, 102) on at least two opposite side walls ( 12, 13, 103) has openings (15, 16, 116) at the same ground level and the height (33) of the openings (15, 16, 116) in the stacking direction is greater than the height distance (34, 123) from the holder edges (6 ) of two stacked consumption units (1).

3. receptacle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that on the outer sides of at least the openings (15, 16, 116) provided side walls (12, 13, 103) of the receptacle (7, 102) at least one guide device (129) for a separating device (128) is arranged, which has limit stops (24, 25, 133) and / or retaining projections (148) through openings (15, 16, 116) in at least one side wall (12, 13, 103) into the interior (17, 107) of the receptacle (7, 102) protrude, is formed.

4. receptacle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that mutually independent openings (15, 16, 116) for the limit stops (24, 25, 133) and / or retaining extensions (148) in a side wall (12 , 13, 103) or an opening (15, 16, 116) in each of one of two directly adjacent side walls (12, 13, 103).

5. Receptacle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that opposite top and bottom edges (40 to 43, 118, 122) of the openings (15, 16, 116) slide tracks for the limit stop (24, 25, 133 ) and / or the retaining extension (148).

6. Receptacle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a preferably slot-shaped viewing opening (11, 126) is arranged in at least one of the side walls (12, 13, 103).

7. receptacle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the receptacle (7,102) and a guide element of the separating device (128) or the slide (19, 130) a the displacement path (137) in to the bottom opening (18, 105), the sliding stop (36) or stop (136) limiting the vertical direction is arranged.

8. receptacle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bottom opening (18, 105) of the receptacle (7, 102) with a with the side walls (12, 13, 103) detachably connected bottom part (8, 106) from closable ¬ is formed.

9. Receptacle according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the bottom opening (18, 105) is arranged opposite filling opening with a lid (10, 104) is closable

10. receptacle according to one or more of the preceding claims, da¬ characterized in that the receptacle (7, 102) is provided with a removable bottom closure (8) or bottom part (106) which in the interior (17, 107) until the side portions (9, 108) projecting above the openings (15, 16, 116) for supporting the stack of consumption units (1)

11. receptacle according to one or more of the preceding claims, da¬ characterized in that the receptacle (7, 102) is made of cardboard, plastic, etc.

12. receptacle according to one or more of the preceding claims, da¬ characterized in that in the interior (17, 107) of the receptacle (7, 102) on the slide (19, 130) opposite side wall (12, 13, 103) one Detent bar (161) is arranged with a support surface for the pallets (2, 111) which extends in the direction of the base opening (18) and extends to the interior (17, 107).

13. Receiving container according to one or more of the preceding claims, da¬ characterized in that the receiving container (7, 102) as a transport container for the pallets (2, 111) is formed.

14. Slide, in particular for a shaft-shaped receptacle, for the individual delivery of stacked pallets for parts, in particular perforated pallets for pipette tips, in particular according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the slide (19, 130) has at least one holding arm ( 22, 23, 132, 147) for guiding on an outer surface of a side wall (12, 13, 103) of the receptacle (7, 102) in the direction perpendicular to the bottom opening (18, 105) and that it has at least one projecting be ¬ limit stop (24, 25, 133) and / or a restraining extension (148) which is movement-related and which can preferably be adjusted together with the holding arm (22, 23, 132, 147) in an elastically resettable manner.

15. Slider according to claim 14, characterized in that the limit stop (24, 25, 133) or the retaining extension (148) suitable for engaging in an opening (15, 16, 116) holding part (27, 28) and one opposite the holding parts (27, 28) widened support part (29, 30).

16. Slider according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that on the holding arm (22, 23, 132, 147) or a guide element thereof, a limiting stop (24, 25, 133) or a retaining extension (148 ) is arranged, which has a projecting holding part (27; 28).

17. Slide according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the holding part (27) of a limit stop (24) or retaining extension (148) in the stacking direction a height offset (32, 149) to a holding part (28) of a limit ¬ stop (24) or a retaining extension (148) which is smaller than a height distance (34, 123) between stacked pallets (2, 111).

18. Slider according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the limit stop (24) or the retaining extension (148) is arranged on a further additional holding arm (22, 147) which, in addition to the limiting element stop (24, 133) having a holding arm (23, 132) is provided and can be adjusted together with it in a plane parallel to the plane of the bottom opening (18, 105)

19. Slider according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the holding arm (23, 132) with the limit stop (25, 133) and / or the holding arm (22, 147) with the limit stop (24) or with the retention continuum (148) is arranged on a common slide (19, 130).

20. Slider according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the slide (19, 130) is formed by a guide sleeve.

21. Slider according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the guide sleeve is designed as a hollow cuboid.

22. Slider according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the holding arms (22, 23, 132, 147) and / or the guide sleeve made of an elastically resilient material, e.g. made of plastic or metal

23. Slider according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the slide (19, 130) is formed from a semi-rigid transparent film, in particular from plexiglass.

24. Slide according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that on at least two opposite side walls (12, 13, 103) of the slide (19, 130) each have a holding arm (23, 132) with a limit stop (25th , 133) and / or a holding arm (22, 147) with a limiting stop (24) or retaining extension (148) is arranged.

25. Slide according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the holding arm (22, 23, 132, 147) with the limit stop (24, 25, 133) and / or retaining extension (148) with a transverse to this protruding support part (29, 30) is designed for resilient bias.

26. Slider according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the slide (19, 130) forming guide sleeve on all four sleeve sides (20, 21) in the lower edge region directed towards the bottom flexible elastic holding arms (22, 23, 132, 147 ) having.

27. Slider according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized gekenn¬ characterized in that the opposite sleeve sides (20) associated limit stop (24) or retaining projections (148) in the same, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the slide (19, 130th ) extending first level and that the holding arms (23, 132) assigned to the two perpendicular sleeve sides (21) with the limiting connections gene (25, 133) in a longitudinal direction of the slide (19, 130) spaced to the first plane parallel second plane.

28. Slider according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a height offset (32, 149) between the two levels of the longitudinal direction of the slide (19, 130) arranged offset in height, which the limitation and / or restraining extensions (24, 133, 25, 148), is smaller than the height distance (34, 123) of the holding edges (6) of two consumption units (1) to be separated and stacked.

29. Output device for the individual output of stacked pallets, in particular perforated pallets for pipette tips, characterized in that on a receptacle (7, 102) according to one or more of claims 1 to 12 at least one slide (19, 130) according to one or more of claims 13 to 27 is arranged.

30. Output device according to claim 29, characterized in that the limit stop (24) or the retaining extension (148) is arranged in the stacking direction in a height offset (32, 149) to the limit stop (25, 133) which is smaller than one Height distance (34, 123) between the stacked pallets (2, 111).

31. Dispensing device according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that at least one opening (15, 16, 116) of the receptacle (7, 102) has a limiting stop (24, 25, 133) projecting through the side wall (12, 13, 103) ) and / or retention extension (148) is assigned.

32. Dispenser according to one or more of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that the slide (19, 130) is adjustably mounted in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the bottom opening (18, 105) on the receptacle (7, 102) .

33. dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 32, characterized in that the slide (19, 130) with its guide sleeve comprises the side walls (12, 13, 103) of the receiving container (7, 102)

34. Dispensing device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 33, characterized in that the limit stops (24, 25, 133) and / or retention extensions (148) in at least one side wall (12, 13, 103) of the receiving container ( 7, 102) different openings (15, 16, 116) are assigned.

35. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 34, characterized in that the holding arms (22, 23, 132, 147) for the limit stops (24, 25, 133) and / or retaining extensions (148) by boundary cuts along its circumferential line is separated from the surrounding parts of the slide (19, 130) or the sleeve side (20, 21) for relative adjustment relative to the receptacle (7, 102) and in at least one partial area with the guide sleeve or the slide (19, 130 ) connected is.

36. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 35, characterized in that the holding arm (22, 23, 132, 147) or the limit stop (24, 25, 133) and / or retaining extensions (148) is one of the Bottom opening (18, 105) facing end of the slide (19, 130) or the sleeve side (20, 21) forms

37. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 36, characterized in that the slide (19, 130) is U-shaped and the two holding arms (22, 23, 132, 147) two parallel to each other opposite each other ¬ lying side walls (12, 13, 103) of the receptacle (7, 102) facing and guided along the same.

38. dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 37, characterized in that a receiving container (7, 102) having several U-shaped cross sections slider (19, 130) for the limit stops (24, 25, 133) and / or Restraint extensions (148) are assigned.

39. dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 38, characterized in that the slide (19, 130) is assigned an upper stop (36, 136).

40. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to

39, characterized in that the slide (19, 130) is assigned a lower stop (35)

41. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to

40, characterized in that the lower stop (35) is formed by a receiving part for the pallet to be separated (2, 111) and with stop parts of the slide (19, 130) projecting towards the holding arms (22, 23, 132, 147). or the guide sleeve is formed.

42. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 41, characterized in that the slide (19, 130) on the lower stop (35) at the latest when the upper limit stops (24) or retention extensions (148) abut on the lower edge (42, 122) of the associated openings (15, 1 16 ) is present.

43. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to

42, characterized in that the upper stop (36, 136) the displaceability of the slide (19, 130) or the guide sleeve at the latest when the limit stop (25, 133) is applied to the upper edge (43) of the associated opening (16th , 116) limited.

44. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to

43, characterized in that opposite end faces of a recess in the slide (19, 130) or a sleeve side (20, 21) of the guide sleeve interact with a fixed stop (154) arranged on the receptacle (7, 102).

45. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to

44, characterized in that the guide device (129) is formed by an elongated hole (156) in the slide (19, 130) or the guide sleeve.

46. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 45, characterized in that the limit stops (24, 25, 133) and / or Rückhalt¬ continuations (148) by bent parts of the slide (19, 130) or the guide sleeve or the holding arms (22, 23, 132, 147) are formed.

47. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 46, characterized in that lower edges (40, 42, 122) and / or upper edges (41, 43,

118) of the openings (15, 16, 116), in particular transversely to the direction of advance of the slide (19, 130) or the direction of the guide sleeve, widen outwards from the interior (17, 107), in particular are designed obliquely or conically.

48. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to

47, characterized in that by the upper edges (40, 42, 122) and / or lower edges (41, 43, 118) extending perpendicular to the feed direction of the slide (19, 130), end faces of the openings (15, 16, 116) each run at an angle run towards each other in the direction of the interior (17, 107).

49. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to

48, characterized in that the guide arrangement for the slide (19, 130) or Guide sleeve in the sliding direction from the limit stops (24, 25, 133) and / or retaining projections (148) is arranged at a distance on the receiving container (7, 102).

50. dispenser according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 49, characterized in that the limit stops (24, 25, 133) and / or Rückhalt¬ continuations (148) in a perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the receptacle (7, 102) fenden level are arranged.

51. output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to 50, characterized in that the limit stops (24, 25, 133) and / or Rückhalt¬ continuations (148) when in contact with the side walls (12, 13, 103) of the Holding arms (22, 23, 132, 147) project beyond the side walls (12, 13, 103) and the bottom opening (18, 105) is arranged to overlap from the outside.

52. Output device according to one or more of the preceding claims 29 to

51, characterized in that a guide member in the opening of the holding arm (22, 23, 132, 147) or the slide (19, 130) or the guide sleeve in a distance perpendicular to the side wall of the receptacle (7, 102) corresponding to the support part (29, 30) is formed from the side wall as an end stop