EP1678508A2 - Automation for opening and closing tubes provided with a tiltable plug - Google Patents

Automation for opening and closing tubes provided with a tiltable plug

Info

Publication number
EP1678508A2
EP1678508A2 EP04787383A EP04787383A EP1678508A2 EP 1678508 A2 EP1678508 A2 EP 1678508A2 EP 04787383 A EP04787383 A EP 04787383A EP 04787383 A EP04787383 A EP 04787383A EP 1678508 A2 EP1678508 A2 EP 1678508A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plug
tube
plate
arm
tubes
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP04787383A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Philippe Lare
Sébastien CALVO
Michel Gazeau
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Genomic
Original Assignee
Genomic
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Genomic filed Critical Genomic
Publication of EP1678508A2 publication Critical patent/EP1678508A2/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N35/00—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
    • G01N35/02—Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor using a plurality of sample containers moved by a conveyor system past one or more treatment or analysis stations
    • G01N35/04—Details of the conveyor system
    • G01N2035/0401—Sample carriers, cuvettes or reaction vessels
    • G01N2035/0403—Sample carriers with closing or sealing means
    • G01N2035/0405—Sample carriers with closing or sealing means manipulating closing or opening means, e.g. stoppers, screw caps, lids or covers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of automated systems for processing samples, in particular but not exclusively biological or chemical samples for the purpose of carrying out an analysis protocol.
  • the samples and, where appropriate, the reagents are contained in tubes fitted with a stopper.
  • These tubes are introduced into a support, for example the rotor of a centrifuge, or a support of an agitator. They can be introduced directly into housings intended to receive the tubes to be treated, or by means of a basket conferring a degree of angular freedom.
  • the tubes are fitted with a stopper which prevents the contents from being projected during agitation or centrifugation operations. Generally, the plug is screwed or pressed onto the end of the tube.
  • this plug is fixed to the tube by a hinge allowing the opening or closing of the plug by tilting around this hinge.
  • These tubes are for example marketed under the trade name of Cap-Lo®Two-Step Locking Cap by the company Robbins.
  • Cap-Lo®Two-Step Locking Cap by the company Robbins.
  • the use of tubes fitted with such caps is advantageous for automatic sample processing because, unlike screw caps, they remain attached to the tube. This speeds up the opening and closing process, decreases the risk of product dissemination in the machine and cross contamination between samples.
  • the object of the present invention is to remedy this problem by proposing an improved automaton, comprising means making it possible to mechanize the closing and opening of tubes known or adapted specifically for such an automaton.
  • the invention relates, in its most general sense, to an automaton for the treatment of samples placed in tubes provided with a tilting plug secured to the body of the tube by a hinge, characterized in that it comprises an uncapping means comprising an arm having a shoulder capable of engaging under a rim of the stopper of a tube, and means for actuating said arm in a direction substantially tangential to the trajectory of said rim during opening by tilting said plug.
  • the automatic device according to the invention comprises a centrifugation rotor having housings for positioning said tubes.
  • the automaton comprises nacelles for receiving said tubes.
  • the uncapping means comprises a plate or an arm pivoting with respect to an axis substantially parallel to the hinge connecting between the stopper and the body of the tube, the end of said arm having a means of engagement with the edge of the stopper. opposite to said hinge.
  • the uncapping means comprises a plate extended by at least one tab extending perpendicularly to said plate, the tab being elastically deformable and having a claw capable of coming into engagement with a projecting part of the plug of a tube.
  • the uncapping means according to the invention can be adapted to open series of tubes positioned symmetrically. For this, it is provided with two arms or plates pivoting on axes substantially parallel to the connecting hinge between the plug and the body of the tube.
  • FIG. 1 represents a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of an uncapping means
  • FIG. 2 represents a front view, in decomposed movement, of the uncapping means
  • - Figures 3 and 4 show two views of an alternative embodiment
  • Figures 5 to 7 show views of another alternative embodiment
  • Figures 1 and 2 show a first alternative embodiment of the uncapping means.
  • the machine comprises pods (1) in which are housed tubes (2, 3) closed by plugs (4, 5) having protrusions (6, 7) in the shape of an arc at the opposite end of the hinges. a circle a few tenths of a millimeter wide, extending over approximately 40 °.
  • An arm (8) movable vertically and horizontally, actuating a tilting plate whose inner face is flat or curved (9) is capable of coming into contact with the surface of the plugs to ensure their closure.
  • the arm (8) is driven transversely along a guide rail (11).
  • the uncapping means further comprises a plate (20) extended perpendicularly by two tabs
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 represent an alternative embodiment.
  • the plate has on its lower surface two buffers of elastically deformable foam These pads come to bear on the surface of the stopper during the stopper hooking phase.
  • FIG. 5 represents a view of the device at rest. It comprises a jack (30) fixed on the automaton. This jack actuates a movable plate (31) guided laterally. by two rods (32, 33) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the jack (30). These rods (32, 33) have grooves ensuring the locking of the movable plate (31) in the high position and in the low position. To this end, the plate includes pressure balls which are received in the grooves when the plate occupies one of the extreme positions.
  • the tilting plate (35) has two articulated claws (35, 36) for hanging the edge of the cap and two pads (38, 39) bearing on the cap when the plate is in the low position, to ensure opening and closing easier.
  • the tilting plate (35) is connected to the mobile plate (30) by connecting rods (40, 41).
  • the operational mechanism of the tool comprising the tilting plate (35), the articulated hooks (36, 37) and the connecting rods (40, 41) is temporarily made integral with the two axes (32, 33) by means of pressure balls carried by the plate (31) cooperating with circular grooves machined on the axes (32, 33).
  • a fixed plate (42) supports a pushing spring cylinder (43) ensuring the opening and closing of the articulated claws (35, 36).
  • Figure 6 shows the device in the engagement position on the plugs (50, 51).
  • the plate (31) When the jack reaches the end of the pulled position r the plate (31) is in the high position and ensures the rotation of the tilting plate (35) in a position where it rests on the plugs (50, 51).
  • the extension of the jack (43) ensures the gripping of the edges of the plugs (50, 51) by the claws (36, 37).
  • the tilting plate (35) is in a horizontal position. The tool descends until the tilting plate (35) comes to bear on the upper face of the plugs.
  • the jack (30) pushes back down to the low position determined by the grooves formed on the rods (32, 33), the movable plate (31) which drives the entire mechanism that it supports.
  • the hooks are in the raised position thanks to a pulling cylinder (53) and engage on the plugs only after an action of the pushing cylinder (43).
  • the tilting plate (35) is pushed down, and it then switches to the vertical position. The hooks open the caps. The tool can then be reassembled.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Devices For Opening Bottles Or Cans (AREA)
  • Centrifugal Separators (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to an automation for treating samples placed in tubes provided with a tiltable plug connected to the tube body by a hinge and is characterised in that said automation is provided with a bottle opener consisting of an arm or a plate provided with shoulder interlocking under the flange of the tube plug and means for actuating said arm in a substentially tangential direction with respect to the trajectory of the flange during the opening of said plug by tilting

Description

AUTOMATE POUR L'OUVERTURE ET LA FERMETURE DE TUBES MUNIS D'UN BOUCHON BASCULANT AUTOMATON FOR OPENING AND CLOSING TUBES PROVIDED WITH A TILTING PLUG
La présente invention concerne le domaine des automates pour le traitement d'échantillons, en particulier mais non exclusivement d'échantillons biologiques ou chimiques en vue de la réalisation d'un protocole d'analyse. Les échantillons et le cas échéant les réactifs sont contenus dans des tubes munis d'un bouchon. Ces tubes sont introduits dans un support, par exemple le rotor d'une centrifugeuse, ou un support d'un agitateur. Ils peuvent être introduit directement dans des logements destinés à recevoir les tubes à traiter, ou par l'intermédiaire de nacelle conférant un degré de liberté angulaire. Les tubes sont munis d'un bouchon qui évite les projections du contenu lors des opérations d'agitation ou de centrifugation. Généralement, le bouchon est vissé ou enfoncé sur l'extrémité du tube. Pour certains tubes, ce bouchon est fixé sur le tube par une charnière permettant l'ouverture ou la fermeture du bouchon par basculement autour de cette charnière. Ces tubes sont par exemple commercialisés sous le nom commercial de Cap-Lo ®Two-Step Locking Cap par la société Robbins . L'utilisation de tubes munis de tels bouchons est intéressante pour des automates de traitement d'échantillons car, contrairement aux bouchons vissés, ils restent attachés au tube. Ceci accélère le processus d'ouverture et de fermeture, diminue les risques de dissémination de produits dans l'automate et de contamination croisée entre échantillons . L'automatisation complète d'un traitement avec les tubes munis d'un bouchon à basculement, selon un protocole nécessitant l'introduction d'un réactif entre deux étapes de centrifugation par exemple, ou le transfert du contenu du tube après une étape d'agitation ou de centrifugation, n'est pas possible avec les automates selon l'état de la technique. Le but de la présente invention est de remédier à ce problème en proposant un automate amélioré, comprenant des moyens permettant de mécaniser la fermeture et l'ouverture de tubes connus ou adaptés spécifiquement à un tel automate. À cet effet, l'invention concerne, selon son acception la plus générale, un automate pour le traitement d'échantillons placés dans des tubes munis d'un bouchon basculant solidaire du corps du tube par une charnière, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un moyen de décapsulage comprenant un bras présentant un épaulement apte à s'enclencher sous un rebord du bouchon d'un tube, et un moyen d' actionnement dudit bras selon une direction sensiblement tangentielle à la trajectoire dudit rebord lors de l'ouverture par basculement dudit bouchon. Avantageusement, l'automate selon l'invention comprend un rotor de centrifugation présentant des logements pour positionner lesdits tubes . Selon une variante, l'automate comprend des nacelles pour recevoir lesdits tubes. Avantageusement, le moyen de décapsulage comprend une platine ou un bras pivotant par rapport à un axe sensiblement parallèle à la charnière de liaison entre le bouchon et le corps du tube, l'extrémité dudit bras présentant un moyen d'engagement avec le bord du bouchon opposé à ladite charnière. Selon une variante, le moyen de décapsulage comprend une platine prolongée par au moins une patte s 'étendant perpendiculairement par rapport à ladite platine, la patte étant déformable élastiquement et présentant une griffe apte à venir en engagement avec une partie saillante du bouchon d'un tube. Selon une autre variante, le moyen de décapsulage selon 1 ' invention peut être adapté pour ouvrir des séries de tubes positionnées de façon symétrique. Pour cela, il est doté de deux bras ou platines pivotants sur des axes sensiblement parallèles à la charnière de liaison entre le bouchon et le corps du tube. l'invention sera mieux comprise à la lecture de la description qui suit, se référant à un exemple non limitatif de réalisation où : la figure 1 représente une vue partielle d'un exemple de réalisation d'un moyen de décapsulage, la figure 2 représente une vue de face, en mouvement décomposé, du moyen de décapsulage, - les figures 3 et 4 représentent deux vues d'une variante de réalisation, les figures 5 à 7 représentent des vues d'une autre variante de réalisation. Les figures 1 et 2 représentent une première variante de réalisation du moyen de décapsulage. L'automate comporte des nacelles (1) dans lesquelles sont logés des tubes (2, 3)fermés par des bouchons (4, 5) présentant à l'extrémité opposé des charnières des protubérances (6, 7) en forme d'arc de cercle d'une largeur de quelques dixièmes de millimètres, s 'étendant sur 40° environ. Un bras (8) mobile verticalement et horizontalement, actionnant une platine basculante dont la face intérieure est plate ou bombée ( 9 ) est apte à venir en contact avec la surface des bouchons pour assurer leur fermeture . Le bras (8) est entraîné transversalement le long d'un rail de guidage (11). Le moyen de décapsulage comprend en outre une platine (20) prolongée perpendiculairement par deux pattesThe present invention relates to the field of automated systems for processing samples, in particular but not exclusively biological or chemical samples for the purpose of carrying out an analysis protocol. The samples and, where appropriate, the reagents are contained in tubes fitted with a stopper. These tubes are introduced into a support, for example the rotor of a centrifuge, or a support of an agitator. They can be introduced directly into housings intended to receive the tubes to be treated, or by means of a basket conferring a degree of angular freedom. The tubes are fitted with a stopper which prevents the contents from being projected during agitation or centrifugation operations. Generally, the plug is screwed or pressed onto the end of the tube. For certain tubes, this plug is fixed to the tube by a hinge allowing the opening or closing of the plug by tilting around this hinge. These tubes are for example marketed under the trade name of Cap-Lo®Two-Step Locking Cap by the company Robbins. The use of tubes fitted with such caps is advantageous for automatic sample processing because, unlike screw caps, they remain attached to the tube. This speeds up the opening and closing process, decreases the risk of product dissemination in the machine and cross contamination between samples. The complete automation of a treatment with the tubes fitted with a tilting stopper, according to a protocol requiring the introduction of a reagent between two centrifugation stages for example, or the transfer of the contents of the tube after a stage of restlessness or centrifugation is not possible with state-of-the-art machines. The object of the present invention is to remedy this problem by proposing an improved automaton, comprising means making it possible to mechanize the closing and opening of tubes known or adapted specifically for such an automaton. To this end, the invention relates, in its most general sense, to an automaton for the treatment of samples placed in tubes provided with a tilting plug secured to the body of the tube by a hinge, characterized in that it comprises an uncapping means comprising an arm having a shoulder capable of engaging under a rim of the stopper of a tube, and means for actuating said arm in a direction substantially tangential to the trajectory of said rim during opening by tilting said plug. Advantageously, the automatic device according to the invention comprises a centrifugation rotor having housings for positioning said tubes. According to a variant, the automaton comprises nacelles for receiving said tubes. Advantageously, the uncapping means comprises a plate or an arm pivoting with respect to an axis substantially parallel to the hinge connecting between the stopper and the body of the tube, the end of said arm having a means of engagement with the edge of the stopper. opposite to said hinge. According to a variant, the uncapping means comprises a plate extended by at least one tab extending perpendicularly to said plate, the tab being elastically deformable and having a claw capable of coming into engagement with a projecting part of the plug of a tube. According to another variant, the uncapping means according to the invention can be adapted to open series of tubes positioned symmetrically. For this, it is provided with two arms or plates pivoting on axes substantially parallel to the connecting hinge between the plug and the body of the tube. the invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, referring to a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment where: FIG. 1 represents a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of an uncapping means, FIG. 2 represents a front view, in decomposed movement, of the uncapping means, - Figures 3 and 4 show two views of an alternative embodiment, Figures 5 to 7 show views of another alternative embodiment. Figures 1 and 2 show a first alternative embodiment of the uncapping means. The machine comprises pods (1) in which are housed tubes (2, 3) closed by plugs (4, 5) having protrusions (6, 7) in the shape of an arc at the opposite end of the hinges. a circle a few tenths of a millimeter wide, extending over approximately 40 °. An arm (8) movable vertically and horizontally, actuating a tilting plate whose inner face is flat or curved (9) is capable of coming into contact with the surface of the plugs to ensure their closure. The arm (8) is driven transversely along a guide rail (11). The uncapping means further comprises a plate (20) extended perpendicularly by two tabs
(21, 22) déformables élastiquement . Ces pattes présentent chacune une griffe (23, 24) s' étendant vers l'intérieur. Ces griffes (23, 24) forment un épaulement Un vérin (12) assure le déplacement vertical du bras, entre une position dans laquelle l'epaulement (9) vient accrocher la protubérance (6, 7) d'un bouchon, et une position relevée dans laquelle l'epaulement (9) entraîne le basculement du bouchon. Cette platine (20) est mobile en rotation autour d'un pivot (25) parallèle à la charnière du tube. Elle est actionnée par un mouvement de translation horizontale du bras (8) assurant le basculement de la platine. Dans un premier temps, l'avant (par opposition au pivot (25) de la platine est basculé vers le bas, afin de permettre l'accrochage de la partie saillante (6, 7) du bouchon par les griffes (23, 24) formées sur les pattes (21, 22). Ensuite, la platine est basculée en sens inverse pour entraîner l'ouverture du bouchon. Il est possible d'ajouter une deuxième platine symétrique par rapport à la première, qui est actionnée par le même bras ( 8 ) et qui permet 1 ' ouverture de bouchons de tubes positionnés dans l'automate symétriquement par rapport aux premiers . Les figures 3 et 4 représentent une variante de réalisation. La platine présente à sa surface inférieure deux tampons de mousse déformable élastiquement (31, 32). Ces tampons viennent en appui sur la surface du bouchon lors de la phase d'accrochage de bouchons. Dans la variante précédemment décrite, le fonctionnement du décapsuleur automatique nécessite un mouvement selon deux axes . Une autre variante permet un fonctionnement avec un mouvement selon un seul axe vertical. La figure 5 représente une vue du dispositif au repos. Il comporte un vérin (30) fixé sur l'automate. Ce vérin actionne une platine mobile (31) guidée latéralement. par deux tiges (32, 33) parallèle à l'axe longitudinal du vérin (30) . Ces tiges (32, 33) présentent des gorges assuran-t le blocage de la platine mobile (31) en position haute e-t en position basse. À cet effet, la platine comporte des billes de pression venant se loger dans les gorges lorsque la platine occupe l'une des positions extrêmes. La platine basculante (35) présente deux griffes articulées (35, 36) pour accrocher le bord du bouchon e-t deux coussinets (38, 39) venant en appui sur le bouchon lorsque la platine est en position basse, pour assurer une ouverture et une fermeture plus facile. La platine basculante (35) est reliée à la platine mobile (30) par des bielles (40, 41). Le mécanisme opérationnel de l'outil comprenant la platine basculante (35), les crochets articulés (36, 37) et les bielles (40, 41) est rendu temporairement solidaire des deux axes (32, 33) au moyen de billes de pressions portées par la platine (31) coopérant avec des gorges circulaires usinées sur les axes (32, 33). Un plateau fixe (42) support un vérin à ressort poussant (43) assurant l'ouverture et la fermeture des griffes articulées (35,, 36) . La figure 6 représente le dispositif en position d'engagement sur les bouchons (50, 51). Lorsque le vérin arrive en fin de position tirée r la platine (31) est en position haute et assure la rotation de la platine basculante (35) dans une position où elle s'appuie sur les bouchons (50, 51). L'extension du vérin (43) assure 1 ' agrippage des bords des bouchons (50, 51) par les griffes (36, 37). Pour l'ouverture des bouchons, la platine basculante (35) est en position horizontale. L'outil descend jusqu'à ce que la platine basculante (35) vienne en appui sur la face supérieure des bouchons . À cet effet, le vérin (30) repousse vers le bas, jusqu'à la position basse déterminée par les gorges formées sur les tiges (32, 33), la platine mobile (31) qui entraîne l'ensemble du mécanisme qu'il supporte. Les crochets sont en position relevée grâce à un vérin tirant (53) et ne s'engagent sur les bouchons qu'après une action du vérin poussant (43). Dans un deuxième temps, représentée en figure 7, la platine basculante (35) est repoussée vers le bas, et elle bascule alors en position verticale. Les crochets entraînent l'ouverture des bouchons. L'outil peut alors être remonté. (21, 22) elastically deformable. These tabs each have a claw (23, 24) extending inward. These claws (23, 24) form a shoulder A jack (12) ensures the vertical movement of the arm, between a position in which the shoulder (9) hooks the protuberance (6, 7) of a plug, and a position in which the shoulder (9) causes the plug to tilt. This plate (20) is rotatable around a pivot (25) parallel to the hinge of the tube. It is actuated by a horizontal translational movement of the arm (8) ensuring the tilting of the plate. At first, the front (as opposed to the pivot (25) of the plate is tilted down, in order to allow the protrusion (6, 7) of the plug to be hooked by the claws (23, 24) formed on the legs (21, 22). Then the plate is tilted in the opposite direction to cause the opening of the cap. It is possible to add a second plate symmetrical with respect to the first, which is actuated by the same arm (8) and which allows the opening of tube stoppers positioned in the automaton symmetrically with respect to the former. FIGS. 3 and 4 represent an alternative embodiment. The plate has on its lower surface two buffers of elastically deformable foam These pads come to bear on the surface of the stopper during the stopper hooking phase. In the previously described variant, the operation of the automatic bottle opener requires movement along two axes. a operation with movement along a single vertical axis. FIG. 5 represents a view of the device at rest. It comprises a jack (30) fixed on the automaton. This jack actuates a movable plate (31) guided laterally. by two rods (32, 33) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the jack (30). These rods (32, 33) have grooves ensuring the locking of the movable plate (31) in the high position and in the low position. To this end, the plate includes pressure balls which are received in the grooves when the plate occupies one of the extreme positions. The tilting plate (35) has two articulated claws (35, 36) for hanging the edge of the cap and two pads (38, 39) bearing on the cap when the plate is in the low position, to ensure opening and closing easier. The tilting plate (35) is connected to the mobile plate (30) by connecting rods (40, 41). The operational mechanism of the tool comprising the tilting plate (35), the articulated hooks (36, 37) and the connecting rods (40, 41) is temporarily made integral with the two axes (32, 33) by means of pressure balls carried by the plate (31) cooperating with circular grooves machined on the axes (32, 33). A fixed plate (42) supports a pushing spring cylinder (43) ensuring the opening and closing of the articulated claws (35, 36). Figure 6 shows the device in the engagement position on the plugs (50, 51). When the jack reaches the end of the pulled position r the plate (31) is in the high position and ensures the rotation of the tilting plate (35) in a position where it rests on the plugs (50, 51). The extension of the jack (43) ensures the gripping of the edges of the plugs (50, 51) by the claws (36, 37). To open the caps, the tilting plate (35) is in a horizontal position. The tool descends until the tilting plate (35) comes to bear on the upper face of the plugs. To this end, the jack (30) pushes back down to the low position determined by the grooves formed on the rods (32, 33), the movable plate (31) which drives the entire mechanism that it supports. The hooks are in the raised position thanks to a pulling cylinder (53) and engage on the plugs only after an action of the pushing cylinder (43). Secondly, shown in FIG. 7, the tilting plate (35) is pushed down, and it then switches to the vertical position. The hooks open the caps. The tool can then be reassembled.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1 — Automate pour le traitement d'échantillons placés dans des tubes munis d'un bouchon basculant solidaire du corps du tube par une charnière, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte un moyen de décapsulage comprenant un bras ou une platine présentant un épaulement apte à s'enclencher sous un rebord du bouchon d'un tube, et un moyen d' actionnement dudit bras selon une dir/ection sensiblement tangentielle à la trajectoire dudit rebord lors de l'ouverture par basculement dudit bouchon.1 - Automate for the treatment of samples placed in tubes provided with a tilting plug secured to the body of the tube by a hinge, characterized in that it comprises a decapping means comprising an arm or a plate having a shoulder capable of snap under a rim of the stopper of a tube, and means for actuating said arm in a direction / ection substantially tangential to the path of said rim during opening by tilting of said stopper.
2 - Automate selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un rotor de centrifugation présentant des logements pour positionner lesdits tubes .2 - Automate according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a centrifugation rotor having housings for positioning said tubes.
3 - Automate selon la revendication 1 ou 2 , caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des nacelles pour recevoir lesdits tubes.3 - A machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises nacelles for receiving said tubes.
4 - Automate selon l'une au moins des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le moyen de décapsulage comprend un bras pivotant par rapport à un axe sensiblement parallèle à la charnière de liaison entre le bouchon et le corps du tube, l'extrémité dudit bras présentant un moyen d'engagement avec le bord du bouchon opposé à ladite charnière.4 - Automate according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the uncapping means comprises a pivoting arm relative to an axis substantially parallel to the connecting hinge between the plug and the body of the tube, the end of said arm having a means of engagement with the edge of the stopper opposite said hinge.
5 - Automate selon l'une au moins des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le moyen de décapsulage comprend une platine (20) prolongée par au moins une patte (21) s 'étendant perpendiculairement par rapport à ladite platine, la patte (21) étant déformable élastiquement et présentant une griffe (23) apte à venir en engagement avec une partie saillante (6) du bouchon d'un tube.5 - A machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the uncapping means comprises a plate (20) extended by at least one tab (21) extending perpendicularly to said plate, the tab (21 ) being elastically deformable and having a claw (23) capable of coming into engagement with a projecting part (6) of the plug of a tube.
6 - Automate selon la revendication précédente, caractérisé en ce que ladite platine (20) est mobile en basculement par rapport à un axe parallèle à la charnière assurant la liaison entre le bouchon et le tube.6 - Automate according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said plate (20) is movable in tilting relative to an axis parallel to the hinge ensuring the connection between the plug and the tube.
7 - Automate selon l'une au moins des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte en outre un bras ( 8 ) mobile perpendiculairement à l'axe du tube, entre une position d'appui sur la surface du bouchon, et une position de libération. 8 - Automate selon l'une au moins des revendications 5 à 7, caractérisé en ce que ladite platine (20) présente à sa surface inférieure au moins un tampon de mousse (31) déformable élastiquement. 9 - Automate selon l'une au moins des revendications précédentes, cauractérisé en ce qu'il comporte deux bras ou platines basculantes symétriques actionnées par un même bras ( 8 ) pour ouvrir ou fermer deux séries de tubes positionnés symétriquement.7 - Automate according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises an arm (8) movable perpendicular to the axis of the tube, between a support position on the surface of the plug, and a release position. 8 - A machine according to at least one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that said plate (20) has at its lower surface at least one foam pad (31) elastically deformable. 9 - Automate according to at least one of the preceding claims, cauractérisé in that it comprises two symmetrical arms or tilting plates actuated by the same arm (8) to open or close two series of symmetrically positioned tubes.
10 - Automate selon l ' une au moins des revendications précédentes , caractérisé en ce qu ' il comporte un moyen d ' actionnement selon un axe unique pour 1 ' ouverture et la fermeture des bouchons des tubes . 10 - A machine according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an actuation means along a single axis for opening and closing the caps of the tubes.
EP04787383A 2003-09-15 2004-09-15 Automation for opening and closing tubes provided with a tiltable plug Withdrawn EP1678508A2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0310799A FR2859789B1 (en) 2003-09-15 2003-09-15 AUTOMATE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING TUBES HAVING A TILTING STOPPER
PCT/FR2004/002339 WO2005029094A2 (en) 2003-09-15 2004-09-15 Automation for opening and closing tubes provided with a tiltable plug

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1678508A2 true EP1678508A2 (en) 2006-07-12

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP04787383A Withdrawn EP1678508A2 (en) 2003-09-15 2004-09-15 Automation for opening and closing tubes provided with a tiltable plug

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US20070110624A1 (en)
EP (1) EP1678508A2 (en)
JP (1) JP2007511420A (en)
FR (1) FR2859789B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2005029094A2 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP2007511420A (en) 2007-05-10
FR2859789A1 (en) 2005-03-18
WO2005029094A3 (en) 2007-04-26
WO2005029094A2 (en) 2005-03-31
US20070110624A1 (en) 2007-05-17
FR2859789B1 (en) 2007-07-06

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