EP2848308B1 - Spacer for vertically stacked pipette tip holders - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a spacer for stacked pipette tip carrier. In chemical, biological, pharmaceutical and similar laboratories, small volumes of liquid are usually taken up and dispensed with pipettes. Frequently, automated liquid handling platforms are used which allow the simultaneous collection and / or dispensing of liquid volumes with high precision and yet high throughput rates. Such liquid handling platforms very often include pipetting robots that are equipped with disposable or disposable pipette tips to avoid contamination from one sample to another. Typically, liquid handling platforms are loaded with such disposable or disposable pipette tips by providing pipette tip loaded carrier plates or even stacks of such carrier plates. Such carrier plates usually comprise an array of pipette tips, which are arranged so that a pipetting head of a pipetting robot can receive one or more of these pipette tips. Multiple pipetting heads may include one or more rows of pipettes or an array of pipettes. Preferably, the pipettes of multi-channel pipetting heads are arranged or at least disposable such that rows or columns of wells of standard microplates can be processed simultaneously; Multiple pipetting heads are also known, with which all wells of a standard microplate can be processed simultaneously.

Standardized standard microplates (see, for example, standard ANSI_SBS 1-4 2004, American National Standards Institute, 2006) are known and have arrays of wells, for example, in a center distance of 9 mm (96 well microplate) or 4.5 mm (384 well microplate ) are arranged.

Carriers or carrier plates for disposable or disposable pipette tips and stacks of such carrier plates with inserted pipette tips are known from the prior art. This is how the document reveals EP 2 210 668 A2 a carrier (cf. Figures 1 and 2 ) comprising a four-side walls 2,3,4,5 frame 1 with a lower edge 6, a plate 21 with a plurality of holes 23 for insertion of pipette tips 36 and means for releasably connecting the frame 1 and plate 21. These means for releasably connecting the frame 1 and plate 21 have contact surfaces 8, 32 at the upper edge 7 of the frame 1 and at the lower side 24 of the plate 21. When the plate 21 is placed on the frame 1, touching these contact surfaces 8,32, wherein on frame 1 and plate 21 arranged transversely to the contact surfaces 8,32 guide elements 9,33 engage each other with lateral play. From this document, spacers 47 for stacked plates 21 with disposable pipette tips 36 are also known. These spacers 47 have four vertical side walls 48, 49, 50, 51 connected to each other at the corners and an intermediate bottom 52 having a plurality of further holes 53 corresponding to the array of a standard microplate and the matrix arrangement of the holes 23 of the plate 21 such, preferably one-piece made of plastic spacer 47 is placed with its lower edge 54 outside of the holes 23 on the top of a plate 21. This plate 21 may be placed on a frame 1 or on another spacer 47. On the upper edge 55 of the spacer 47 may outside the holes 23, a further plate 21 with its underside and above a lid 38 (not shown here) or an additional spacer 47 are placed. With a plurality of such plates 21 or pipette tip carriers, a large number of pipette tips can be kept so-called "interlocking" or "nested", because the ends of the pipette tips held in a pipette tip carrier respectively engage in the pipette tips arranged in the stack underneath. When raising the upper plate 21 prevents the intermediate bottom 52 that pipette tips 36 are taken from an underlying plate 21. All individual parts of such a pipette tip packaging can be stacked on each other and lifted off of each other, eg by a robot or by hand. After using the pipette tips 36 of the top pipette tip support 21 this and the underlying spacer 47 is lifted; then the pipette tips 36 of the second-highest pipette tip carrier 21 can be used, etc.

From the document EP 2 508 261 A1 For example, another stackable pipette tip carrier constructed essentially as a rectangular plate is known. Such a pipette tip carrier has a first array of, for example, 8x12 through holes, each of which serves to hold a pipette tip to its shaft. In addition, such a pipette tip carrier has a second array of also 8 x 12 through holes, each of which passes a leading end of a pipette tip. These two orthogonal arrays with the same lattice constant are offset from one another, this offset being half the lattice constant in both directions of the lattice. With many such, each rotated by 180 ° to each other twisted, pipette tip carriers can save a lot of pipette tips so-called "entangled" or "offset" are kept because the ends of held in a pipette tip carrier pipette tips each in the stack below arranged pipette tip. Carrier pierced next to the held there pipette tips. These pipette tip carriers typically comprise two upwardly directed handles located on the two lateral sides of the plate, which provide an interface for transporting the pipette tip carriers without having to touch the pipette tips for this transport. These handles are connected to the pipette tip carrier via a hinge flap and include a snap tab with which the pipette tip carrier can be releasably secured in a stack with a storage container. It is always the lowest pipette tip carrier fixed with its Schnapplaschen on the container; after using all the pipette tips, the empty pipette tip carrier is separated from the container and replaced with the next, lowest pipette tip carrier of the stack.

From the document US 2006/0045815 For example, another stackable pipette tip carrier is known, which is formed substantially as a rectangular plate with holes for holding pipette tips and comprises a peripheral cover and a shutter mechanism. A respective package includes a pipette tip carrier, a base for supporting the pipette tip carrier and a closure mechanism on the pipette tip carrier adapted for external engagement with a side wall of the base; this sidewall of the base supports the pipette tip carrier. Such a package may also include a removable lid for the pipette tip carrier, as well this cover may have a locking mechanism which is adapted for external engagement with the cover of the pipette tip support or on a side wall of the base. The entirety of the base, circumferential cover of the pipette tip carrier and lid provides protective packaging for the pipette tips contained in one or more (stacked) pipette tip carriers. The resilient locking mechanisms are directed downwards and accessible at any time from the outside without lifting the lid. With a plurality of such pipette tip carriers, a large number of pipette tips can be kept so-called "interlocking" or "nested" in a space-saving manner, because the ends of the pipette tips held in a pipette tip carrier respectively grip into the pipette tips arranged below in the stack.

As the closest prior art, the document DE 197 42 493 C1 be considered. This describes a magazine for pipette tips with several stacked stacking frame and in the stacking frame on brackets at half height from above used holding plates with recordings for the pipette tips. These magazines have a space-saving stacking arrangement with intermeshing pipette tip layers. By appropriate construction elements a secure stacking is possible. Essential elements are resilient tabs with hooks or locking ribs on the opposite long inner sides of the side walls of the stack frame and on the short sides of the holding plates, as well as correspondingly associated locking elements. The non-positive and / or positive connection (locking) of the uppermost stacking frame with the next lower stack frame is solved by removing the top plate (after processing the top layer pipette tips), so that then the top stack frame also lifted and exposed the next pipette tip layer can.

It is the object of the present invention to propose an alternative spacer for stacked pipette tips carrier, which causes an improved centering and stabilization of a carrier stack, without all elements of such a carrier stack must be locked together.

This object is achieved with a spacer having the features of independent claim 1. Such a frame-shaped, substantially rectangular Spacer for stacking substantially rectangular pipette tip carriers for use in a liquid handling workstation includes a horizontal pedestal, a circumferential sidewall substantially perpendicular to the pedestal, two longitudinal and lateral sides, a central, substantially rectangular opening, and a surface for positioning a pipette tip carrier on the spacer, each longitudinal and lateral side comprising an inner side. Such a spacer according to the invention is characterized in that the surface is arranged at an upper end of the side wall and extending substantially horizontally, wherein the spacer for entering a stabilizing support connection is formed with a positioned on the spacer pipette tip support that the horizontal footprint arranged at a lower end of the side wall and is designed for placing the spacer on a pipette tips carrier with horizontal play, and that the spacer arranged on the inside of the longitudinal sides and transverse sides centering spring elements with a relative to the inside of the respective side wall part spaced resilient member comprises, wherein these centering spring elements are adapted to act on a pipette tip carrier on which the spacer rests in a stack of pipette tip carriers with horizontal play, while the horizonta Minimize play between this pipette tip carrier and the applied spacer without locking this pipette tip carrier with the spacer.

Preferably, the central, substantially rectangular opening is penetrable by a first part of a pipette tip carrier positioned on the spacer and comprising a flange. In such cases, it is especially preferred that the spacer comprises, in the region of its surface, connecting elements (e.g., retaining pins) adapted to enter into a releasable support connection with the flange of this pipette tip carrier.

Alternatively it can be provided that a spacer is connected in the region of its surface inseparably connected to the flange of a substantially rectangular pipette tip carrier positioned on the spacer, or that a pipette tip carrier / spacer combination is produced in one piece.

• Pipettenspitzen-Träger und unmittelbar darüber liegende Abstandhalter sind im Stapel nicht miteinander verriegelt; dadurch können Teile dieses Stapels einfach (manuell oder robotisiert) vom Rest des Stapels abgehoben werden.
• In einem solchen Stapel sind jeweils ein Pipettenspitzen-Träger und der darunter angeordnete Abstandhalter über eine stabilisierende Tragverbindung miteinander verbunden oder werden gar in einem Stück produziert und stellen somit immer eine strukturelle Stapel-Einheit dar. Eine oder mehrere solcher strukturellen Stapel-Einheiten werden immer als Ganzes vom Stapel abgehoben.
• Die beiden Teile einer solchen strukturellen Stapel-Einheit werden bevorzugt über Haltezapfen eines Abstandhalters zusammen gehalten, wobei diese Haltezapfen vorzugsweise im Reibschluss in Zentrierlöcher eines über diesem Abstandhalter positionierten Pipettenspitzen-Trägers eingreifen. Dadurch können an sich bekannte Pipettenspitzen-Träger verwendet werden.
• Die Federkraft, welche die Zentrier-Federelemente eines Abstandhalters auf den darunter angeordneten Pipettenspitzen-Träger ausüben ist so gering, dass der von diesen Zentrier-Federelementen beaufschlagte Pipettenspitzen-Träger beim Abheben der darüber angeordneten strukturellen Stapel-Einheit liegen bleibt und nicht unbeabsichtigt angehoben wird.
• Der vertikale Kraftschluss von einer oben liegenden strukturellen Einheit zu der darunter wirkt von einem ersten Teil des oben liegenden Pipettenspitzen-Trägers über Krägen der im unten liegenden Pipettenspitzen-Träger eingesetzten Pipettenspitzen auf einen zweiten Teil des unten liegenden Pipettenspitzen-Trägers; dadurch wirken auf den dazwischen liegenden Abstandhalter keine weiteren Kräfte ausser seinem Eigengewicht. Folglich funktionieren die Zentrier-Federelemente des Abstandhalters ausschliesslich als zusätzliche Zentrierhilfe bzw. als Verdrehschutz im Stapel, sie haben jedoch keinerlei Tragfunktion.

Advantages of the spacer according to the invention include:

• Pipette tip carriers and immediately above spacers are not locked together in the stack; This allows parts of this stack to be easily lifted (manually or robotically) from the rest of the stack.
• In such a stack, a respective pipette tip carrier and the spacer arranged underneath are connected to one another via a stabilizing carrier connection or are even produced in one piece and thus always represent a structural stacking unit. One or more of such structural stacking units are always referred to as Whole lifted from the pile.
• The two parts of such a structural stacking unit are preferably held together by retaining pins of a spacer, wherein these retaining pins preferably engage in frictional engagement in centering holes of a pipette tip carrier positioned above this spacer. As a result, known pipette tip carriers can be used.
• The spring force which exert the centering spring elements of a spacer on the pipette tip carrier arranged underneath is so small that the pipette tip carrier acted upon by these centering spring elements remains lying when lifting the structural stacking unit arranged above it and is not raised inadvertently.
• The vertical frictional connection from an upper structural unit to the lower one acts from a first part of the overhead pipette tip carrier over collars of the pipette tips inserted in the lower pipette tip carrier onto a second part of the lower pipette tip carrier; As a result, acting on the intermediate spacer no further forces except its own weight. Consequently, the centering spring elements of the spacer work exclusively as an additional centering or as Verdrehschutz in the stack, but they have no support function.

Fig. 1

eine 3D-Ansicht eines aus dem Dokument EP 2 210 668 A2 bekannten, als Platte bezeichneten Pipettenspitzen-Trägers, der auf einer als Rahmen bezeichneten Basis ruht und auf den ein Abstandhalter gelegt ist;

Fig. 2

einen vertikalen Längsschnitt durch einen der Fig. 1 entsprechenden, aus dem Dokument EP 2 210 668 A2 bekannten Stapel mit mindestens drei voneinander durch einen Abstandhalter beabstandeten Pipettenspitzen-Trägern, wobei der unterste Pipettenspitzen-Träger auf der Basis aufliegt;

Fig. 3

eine erste Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Abstandhalters, mit vier Haltezapfen zum Erzielen einer Tragverbindung mit einem auf dem Abstandhalter positionierten Pipettenspitzen-Träger, der zudem an seinen Innenseiten angeordnete, als Zentrierhilfe bzw. Verdrehschutz gegenüber einem unter dem Abstandhalter positionierten Pipettenspitzen-Träger funktionierende Zentrier-Federelemente umfasst;

Fig. 4

einen vertikalen Querschnitt des Abstandhalters von. Fig. 3 zusammen mit einem darüber und einem darunter anzuordnenden, an sich bekannten Pipettenspitzen-Träger;

Fig. 5

eine Seitenansicht eines aus den in Fig. 4 gezeigten Elementen gebildeten Stapels in seiner kompakten Form;

Fig. 6

eine Seitenansicht eines kompletten Stapels, der eine Basis, vier mit Wegwerfpipettenspitzen bestückte Pipettenspitzen-Träger, drei Abstandhalter und einen Deckel umfasst;

Fig. 7

eine alternative Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Abstandhalters, der im Bereich seiner Oberfläche untrennbar mit einem auf dem Abstandhalter positionierten, im Wesentlichen rechteckigen Pipettenspitzen-Träger verbunden ist.

The inventive spacer will now be explained with reference to schematic, exemplary embodiments illustrative and not limiting the scope of the present invention drawings. Showing:

Fig. 1

a 3D view of one from the document EP 2 210 668 A2 known, referred to as a plate pipette tip carrier, which rests on a designated as a frame base and on which a spacer is placed;

Fig. 2

a vertical longitudinal section through one of Fig. 1 corresponding, from the document EP 2 210 668 A2 known stacks having at least three spaced apart by a spacer pipette tip carriers, wherein the lowermost pipette tip carrier rests on the base;

Fig. 3

a first embodiment of a spacer according to the invention, comprising four retaining pins for achieving a supporting connection with a positioned on the spacer pipette tip carrier, which also arranged on its inner sides, as centering or twisting against a positioned under the spacer pipette tip carrier functioning centering spring elements ;

Fig. 4

a vertical cross section of the spacer of. Fig. 3 together with a pipette tip carrier known per se and to be arranged thereunder;

Fig. 5

a side view of one of the in Fig. 4 shown stacked elements in its compact form;

Fig. 6

a side view of a complete stack comprising a base, four equipped with disposable pipette tips pipette tip carrier, three spacers and a lid;

Fig. 7

an alternative embodiment of a spacer according to the invention, which is inseparably connected in the region of its surface with a positioned on the spacer, substantially rectangular pipette tip carrier.

Preferred embodiments of the inventive spacer will now be described in detail. It shows the FIG. 3 a first embodiment of a spacer according to the invention. This decorator 61 is designed in a frame-shaped and substantially rectangular manner and serves for centering and stabilizing stacked pipette tip carriers 62.

The spacer 61 comprises a horizontal standing surface 63, a circumferential, substantially perpendicular to the standing surface 63 side wall 64 and a surface 65. In the embodiment shown is located in each corner of the spacer 61 has a footprint 63, which compared to the remaining lower edge of the spacer 61 something is discontinued. Alternatively, a single, circumferential standing surface 63 may be provided; However, the execution of this stand surface 63 plays only a minor role, because in the stack, only the weight of the spacer 61 via this base 63 are transferred to the positioned below the pipette tip support 62 (see. Fig. 5 ).

The surface 65 of the spacer 61 is disposed at an upper end of the side wall 64 and extending substantially horizontally. In the embodiment shown is located on both transverse sides of the spacer 61 has a surface 65 which connects two of the corners 68 of the spacer 61 with each other, and which is slightly offset from the rest of the upper edge of the spacer 61. Alternatively, a single, circumferential surface 65 may be provided; However, the execution of this surface 65 plays a minor role, since no forces are transmitted to this surface 65 in the stack (see. Fig. 5 ).

The inventive spacer 61 is designed to enter into a stabilizing support connection with a substantially rectangular pipette tip support 62 positioned on the spacer 61. This support connection is formed either separable or inseparable; in any case, it provides a backlash-free connection between the spacer 61 and the pipette tip support 62 just above it. Moreover, this connection is so stable that when a pipette tip carrier 62 is lifted off a stack, the spacer 61 according to the invention arranged immediately beneath this pipette tip carrier 62 is in any case lifted off the stack together with the pipette tip carrier 62. A spacer 61 according to the invention and the pipette tip support 62 positioned immediately thereafter are always connected to one another via a stabilizing support connection and according to the invention constitute a structural stacking unit.

As a further and essential element of the present invention, the spacer 61 comprises arranged on an inner side 70 of the side wall 64 centering spring elements 71 with respect to the inner side 70 of the respective side wall 64 spaced resilient member 72. Preferably, the resilient members 72 of the centering spring elements 71st of the spacer 61 is disposed on the inner side 70 of the side wall 64 and formed to urge a second part 80 of a substantially rectangular pipette tip support 62, on which the spacer 61 rests with horizontal play, and thus the horizontal play between the underlying pipette tips Support 62 and the spacer 61 thereon (see FIG. Fig. 6 ). It is particularly preferred that the resilient parts 72 of the centering spring elements 71 are formed substantially vertically or horizontally. Especially preferred are (as in the FIGS. 3 to 7 shown), the resilient parts 72 of the centering spring elements 71 formed substantially vertically extending, because in particular the injection molding and subsequent demolding of the spacer 61 is facilitated by this arrangement.

The centering spring elements 71 shown are arranged at a certain distance 87 from each other. This distance 87 is preferred, both in relation to the longitudinal sides and in relation to the transverse sides of the spacers 61, chosen so that the largest possible distance between two arranged on the same longitudinal side or transverse side centering spring elements 71 results. This arrangement ensures maximum centering or twist protection in the stack of pipette tip carriers 62.

An oblique or substantially horizontal arrangement of the resilient parts 72 of the centering spring elements 71 would have the advantage that the resilient parts 72 of the centering spring elements 71 can be made longer and easier to influence in their spring action; however, injection molding and subsequent demoulding can be more difficult.

As the material for manufacturing the spacers 61, polypropylene is preferred. However, other injection-moldable plastics, or plastic blends or composites for producing the spacers 61 can be used as needed. Blended dyes make it easier to recognize the spacers 61, whether during use in a stack or when stored as individual parts.

1. 1. Diese Tragverbindung ist reversibel, d.h. sie kann bei Bedarf hergestellt und wieder gelöst werden. Dies hat den Vorteil, dass aus dem Stand der Technik bekannte Pipettenspitzen-Träger verwendet werden können. Solche bekannte Pipettenspitzen-Träger 62 umfassen beispielsweise einen ersten Teil 74 und einen darüber angeordneten Flansch 75 (vgl. Fig. 4). Zum Aufnehmen eines derartigen Pipettenspitzen-Trägers 62 umfasst der Abstandhalter 61 eine zentrale im Wesentlichen rechteckige Öffnung 73, die von dem ersten Teil 74 eines auf dem Abstandhalter 61 positionierten und einen Flansch 75 umfassenden Pipettenspitzen-Trägers 62 durchdringbar ist (vgl. Fig. 4). Vorzugsweise umfasst in solchen Fällen der Abstandhalter 61 im Bereich seiner Oberfläche 65 Verbindungselemente 67, die zum Eingehen einer lösbaren Tragverbindung mit dem Flansch 75 dieses Pipettenspitzen-Trägers 62 ausgebildet sind. Typischerweise umfasst der Flansch 75 eines solchen, aus dem Stand der Technik bekannten Pipettenspitzen-Trägers 62 vier in je einer Ecke angeordnete und einen definierten Querschnitt 77 aufweisende Zentrierlöcher 78.
   • Gemäss der in Fig. 3 gezeigten, bevorzugten ersten Ausführungsform umfasst der erfindungsgemässen Abstandhalter 61 vier als Haltezapfen 67' ausgebildete Verbindungselemente 67, die in je einer Ecke 68 der Oberfläche 65 angeordnet und zumindest annähernd als vertikal gegenüber der Oberfläche 65 aufstehende Körper ausgebildet sind. Dabei weisen die Haltezapfen 67' des Abstandhalters 61 einen wirksamen Querschnitt 79 auf der so an den definierten Querschnitt 77 der Zentrierlöcher 78 angepasst ist, dass jeder Haltezapfen 67' des Abstandhalters 61 als in einem dieser Zentrierlöcher 78 mit Reibschluss festsitzend ausgebildet ist.
   • Alternative Abstandhalter 61 umfassen andere Verbindungselemente 67, wie beispielsweise Rasthaken, Schnapphaken und/oder Ösen für derartige Verbindungselemente (nicht gezeigt).
2. 2. Diese Tragverbindung ist irreversibel, d.h. sie wird erstellt und kann nicht wieder gelöst werden. Dies hat ebenfalls den Vorteil, dass aus dem Stand der Technik bekannte Pipettenspitzen-Träger verwendet werden können. Solche bekannte Pipettenspitzen-Träger 62 umfassen beispielsweise einen ersten Teil 74 und einen darüber angeordneten Flansch 75 (vgl. Fig. 4). Zum Aufnehmen eines derartigen Pipettenspitzen-Trägers 62 umfasst der Abstandhalter 61 eine zentrale im Wesentlichen rechteckige Öffnung 73, die von dem ersten Teil 74 eines auf dem Abstandhalter 61 positionierten und einen Flansch 75 umfassenden Pipettenspitzen-Trägers 62 durchdringbar ist (vgl. Fig. 4).
   Gemäss der in Fig. 7 gezeigten, alternativen Ausführungsform ist der erfindungsgemässe Abstandhalter 61 im Bereich seiner Oberfläche 65 untrennbar mit dem Flansch 75 eines auf dem Abstandhalter 61 positionierten, im Wesentlichen rechteckigen Pipettenspitzen-Träger 62 verbunden. Diese Verbindung kann beispielsweise durch Kleben oder Schweissen hergestellt werden.
3. 3. Diese Tragverbindung ist irreversibel, d.h. sie wird dadurch hergestellt, dass ein Abstandhalter 61 und der darüber positionierte Pipettenspitzen-Träger 62 in einem Arbeitsgang, d.h. in einem Stück spritzgegossen werden (nicht gezeigt, sieht aber ähnlich aus wie in Fig. 7). Selbstverständlich kann eine derartige Verbindung ebenfalls nicht wieder gelöst werden. Dies hat den Nachteil, dass keine aus dem Stand der Technik bekannte Pipettenspitzen-Träger verwendet werden können. Andererseits bietet diese Lösung den Vorteil, dass die beiden Elemente einer strukturellen Stapel-Einheit nicht in einem separaten Arbeitsgang zusammengefügt oder miteinander verbunden werden müssen.

In principle, a wide variety of stabilizing support connections are conceivable in such a structural stack unit:

1. 1. This support connection is reversible, ie it can be made if necessary and released again. This has the advantage that pipette tip carriers known from the prior art can be used. Such known pipette tip carriers 62 comprise, for example, a first part 74 and a flange 75 arranged above it (cf. Fig. 4 ). For receiving such a pipette tip support 62, the spacer 61 comprises a central, substantially rectangular opening 73, which can be penetrated by the first part 74 of a pipette tip support 62 positioned on the spacer 61 and comprising a flange 75 (cf. Fig. 4 ). In such cases, the spacer 61 preferably comprises, in the area of its surface 65, connecting elements 67 which are designed to enter into a detachable carrying connection with the flange 75 of this pipette tip carrier 62. Typically, the flange 75 of such a prior art pipette tip carrier 62 includes four centering holes 78 each disposed in a corner and having a defined cross-section 77.
   • According to the in Fig. 3 1, the inventive spacer 61 comprises four connecting elements 67 designed as holding pins 67 ', which are arranged in a respective corner 68 of the surface 65 and are formed at least approximately as vertically rising bodies with respect to the surface 65. In this case, the retaining pin 67 'of the spacer 61 an effective cross section 79 is adapted to the defined cross section 77 of the centering holes 78, that each retaining pin 67' of the spacer 61 is formed as stuck in one of these centering holes 78 with frictional engagement.
   • Alternative spacers 61 include other connectors 67, such as latch hooks, snap hooks, and / or eyelets for such connectors (not shown).
2. 2. This support connection is irreversible, ie it is created and can not be solved again. This also has the advantage that pipette tip carriers known from the prior art can be used. Such known pipette tip carriers 62 comprise, for example, a first part 74 and a flange 75 arranged above it (cf. Fig. 4 ). For receiving such a pipette tip support 62, the spacer 61 comprises a central, substantially rectangular opening 73, which can be penetrated by the first part 74 of a pipette tip support 62 positioned on the spacer 61 and comprising a flange 75 (cf. Fig. 4 ).
   According to the in Fig. 7 In the alternative embodiment shown, the spacer 61 according to the invention is connected inseparably to the flange 75 of a substantially rectangular pipette tip carrier 62 positioned on the spacer 61 in the region of its surface 65. This compound can be made for example by gluing or welding.
3. 3. This support connection is irreversible, ie it is produced by injection molding a spacer 61 and the pipette tip support 62 positioned above it in one operation, ie in one piece (not shown, but similar to FIG Fig. 7 ). Of course, such a connection can not be solved again. This has the disadvantage that no known from the prior art pipette tip carrier can be used. On the other hand, this solution offers the advantage that the two elements of a structural stacking unit do not have to be joined or connected together in a separate operation.

If one selects the first embodiment of the spacer 61 according to the invention with four connecting elements 67 formed as holding pins 67 ', it is particularly preferred that each holding pin 67' of the spacer 61 comprises at least one element 81 which determines the effective cross section 79 of the holding pin 67 '. This determining element 81 is preferably selected from a group of elements which determine a round, elliptical, oval, polygonal or star-shaped cross-section. Effective cross sections 79 with any combination of these forms are conceivable. It is particularly preferred that each retaining pin 67 'of the spacer 61 comprises a thickening 83, alone or together with further determining elements 81 the effective Section 79 of the retaining pin 67 'determined. In addition, it is especially preferred that the element 81 which determines the effective cross section 79 of the holding pin 67 'or the thickening 83 of the holding pin 67' comprises a resilient part. For the purpose of automatically centering retainer pin 67 'and centering hole 78 in assembling a spacer 61 with the pipette tip carrier 62 positioned thereon, it is preferred that each retainer pin 67' tapers at an upper end 69 with increasing height.

The FIG. 4 shows a vertical cross section of the spacer 61 of. Fig. 3 together with a pipette tip carrier 62, which is known per se and can be arranged thereunder. An inner side 70 of the frame-shaped spacer 61 with two centering spring elements 71 arranged at a spacing 87 thereon is easily recognizable. The section shown here extends through two opposing centering spring elements 71 arranged on the two longitudinal sides, the resilient parts 72 of which are designated. These resilient parts 72 are spaced from the inner side 70 of the respective side wall 64 and also project beyond these inner sides 70 (cf. Fig. 3 ). Also, two of the base surfaces 63 and two of the retaining pin 67 'of the spacer 61 are visible. These two retaining pins 67 'taper towards their upper end 69. Both retaining pins 67' include a thickening 83 as the cross section of the retaining pin 67 'defining element 81. This thickening determines the frictional engagement with the retaining pin 67' in the corresponding centering hole 78 in the flange of the The spacer 61 comprises a central opening 73 in the surface 65, through which a first part 74 of the overhead pipette tip support 62 is insertable.

The overhead pipette tip support 62 includes a first portion 74 disposed below the flange 75 and a second portion 80 disposed above the flange 75. These three elements of the pipette tip support 62 include retention holes 85 that completely penetrate all three elements in the vertical direction. Each of these retaining holes 85 is designed to receive a pipette tip 84, each pipette tip 84 abutting with its collar 88 on the upper side of the second part 80 and thus can not fall through the retaining hole 85. The axis 86 of each received in the holding hole 85 pipette tip 84 is vertically aligned. These axes 86 are preferably in an orthogonal Array corresponding to the array of wells of a standard microplate (see standard ANSI_SBS 1-4 2004). The flange 75 of this pipette tip carrier 62 comprises four centering holes 78, two of which are shown here. All of these centering holes 78 have a defined cross section 77, to which the effective cross section 79 of the retaining pin 67 'of the spacer 61 is adapted.

The bottom pipette tip support 62 comprises exactly the same elements as the above-described pipette tip support 62 described above. The prior art pipette tip supports 62 shown herein are for receiving 96 pipette tips 84 in an 8x12 array educated.

The FIG. 5 shows a side view of a in the Fig. 4 shown formed elements in its compact form. In the overhead pipette tip carrier 62 at least three pipette tips 84 are still included, while the bottom pipette tip carrier 62 is still equipped with 96 pipette tips 84. All elements of this stack have already been linked to the FIG. 4 described. It is essential here that the first part 74 of the overhead pipette carrier 62 rests on the collars 88 of the pipette tips 84 located in the bottom of the pipette tip carrier 62; Therefore, the height of the spacer 61 is preferably selected so that the flange 75 of the overhead pipette tip carrier 62 just does not rest on the surface 65 of the spacer 61. The pipette tips 84 of the upper pipette tip support 62 engage in the pipette tips 84 of the lower pipette tip support 62 in a space-saving manner. The pipette tips 84 in this stack are thus stored "interlocking" or "nested" without the pipette tips touching each other. The axis 86 of each received in the holding hole 85 pipette tip 84 is vertically aligned. These axes 86 are preferably arranged in an orthogonal array corresponding to the array of wells of a standard microplate (see standard ANSI_SBS 1-4 2004).

The FIG. 6 11 shows a side view of a complete stack including a base 89, four pipette tip carriers 62 equipped with disposable pipette tips 84, three spacers 61 and a lid 92. In square brackets, for better clarity, the pipette tip carriers are numbered consecutively with Roman numerals and the spacers with Arabic numerals.

All pipette tip carriers 62 are originally equipped with 96 pipette tips 84. Always 96 of these pipette tips 84 are to be offered step by step from top to bottom of the pipette tip carriers 62 for use. The structure of such a stack will be briefly explained:
At the bottom, a base 89 with a horizontal footprint is used. This footprint substantially corresponds to the footprint of a standard microplate, therefore, the base 89 alone, the base 89 can be detected and transported together with stacking parts, individual stacking parts or even the entire stack with a corresponding microplate handling robot. The base 89 has four centering pins 90. These centering pins 90 are dimensioned so that they engage with play in the centering holes 78 of the flange 75 of the first pipette tip carrier 62. Preferably, the base 89 on its inside four elevations 91, which hold the first part 74 of the first pipette tip support 62 (indicated by dashed lines) between them in frictional engagement. Preferably, each pipette tip carrier 62 has at four corresponding points of its first part 74 notches 94, in which the elevations 91 engage, so that the frictional engagement is reinforced. As a result, the first pipette tip carrier 62 lies on the base 89 without lateral play and is held by the base. As a consequence, the first pipette tip carrier 62 and the base 89 form a first structural stacking unit. Deviating from this representation, the first pipette tip carrier 62 may be inseparably connected to the base 89 (eg by gluing, welding or one-piece production). However, it is preferred to use a first pipette tip support 62 known from the prior art, so that this stabilizing support connection is preferably produced by frictional engagement, gluing or welding. Particularly preferred is the friction described, which has already proven itself many times.

The fully loaded first pipette tip support 62 is placed on the base so that its first part sinks into the base 89 and its flange 75 rests on the surface of the base 89.

On this first pipette tip support 62, a first spacer 61 is placed.

First of all, this first spacer 61 is still separated from the pipette tip carrier 62 to be placed on it. Then, a second pipette tip support 62 is placed on the first spacer 61, so that its retaining pin 67 'are held in the corresponding centering holes 78 in the flange 75 of the second pipette tip support 62 in frictional engagement. As a result, the second pipette tip support 62 and the first spacer 61 together form a structural stacking unit.

Alternatively, a pipette tip carrier 62 can be connected to a spacer 61 arranged underneath each time before being placed on the stack, by holding its holding pins 67 'in the corresponding centering holes 78 in the flange 75 of the pipette tip carrier 62 in frictional engagement.

As a further alternative, it may be provided that, prior to placement on the stack, a respective pipette tip carrier 62 is connected to a spacer 61 arranged thereunder by gluing or welding.

In any event, it is preferred that a pipette tip carrier 62 and a spacer 61 located underneath together (already before or after being placed on top of the stack) form a structural stacking unit that is later liftable in one piece from the stack.
On this second pipette tip support 62, a second spacer 61 is placed. This second spacer 61 is first still separated from the pipette tip carrier 62 to be placed on it. Then, a third pipette tip support 62 is placed on the second spacer 61, so that its retaining pin 67 'are held in the corresponding centering holes 78 in the flange 75 of the third pipette tip support 62 in frictional engagement. As a result, the third pipette tip carrier 62 and the second spacer 61 together form a structural stacking unit.

In the Fig. 6 the first spacer 61 [1], the second pipette tip support 62 (II), the second spacer 61 [2] and the third pipette tip support 62 [III] are shown as a packet. It is therefore particularly good to see how the resilient parts 72 of the centering spring elements 71 of the second spacer 61 [2] the second part 80 of the second pipette tip support 62 [II], on the second spacer 61 rests with horizontal play, and thus minimize the horizontal clearance between the second pipette tip support 62 [II] and the second spacer 61 [2] lying thereon.

On this third pipette tip support 62, a third spacer 61 is placed. This third spacer 61 is first still separated from the pipette tip carrier 62 to be placed on it. Then, a fourth pipette tip support 62 is placed on the third spacer 61, so that its retaining pin 67 'in the corresponding centering holes 78 in the flange 75 of the fourth pipette tip support 62 are held in frictional engagement. As a result, the fourth pipette tip support 62 and the third spacer 61 together form a structural stacking unit.

At the top of a stack, a lid 92 is preferably placed.

The FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a spacer 61 according to the invention, which is inseparably connected in the region of its surface 65 with a substantially rectangular pipette tip carrier 62 positioned on the spacer 61. The equipping of the spacer 61 with connecting elements 67 (such as holding pins 67 'and the like) was dispensed with here because a spacer 61 according to the invention and a pipette tip carrier 62 known from the prior art were connected to one another by means of welding. If these spacers 61 / pipette tip carrier 62 combination had been produced in one piece by injection molding (not shown), connecting elements 67 but also all parts extending in the horizontal direction (cf. Fig. 4 ) of the spacer 61 can do without.

Uses of these spacers 61 according to the invention comprise the stacking of spacers 61, preferably equipped with pipette tips 84, pipette tip carriers 62. The use of a spacer 61 according to the invention, in which a pipette tip carrier 62 with its flange 75 is applied to the surface 65, is particularly preferred of the spacer 61 is set, whereby the retaining pin 67 'of the spacer 61 stuck in the centering holes 78 of the pipette tip support 62 with frictional engagement. Furthermore, a use of a spacer 61 according to the invention is preferred, in which the spacer 61 is placed with its base 63 on the flange 75 of a pipette tip support 62, wherein the resilient parts 72 of the centering spring elements 71 of the spacer 61, the second part 80 of a substantially rectangular pipette tip support 62, on which Spacer 61 rests with horizontal play, and thus minimize the horizontal play between the underlying pipette tip support 62 and the spacer 61 lying thereon. In addition, a use of a spacer 61 according to the invention is preferred in which a pipette tip support 62 together with the spacer 61 fixed thereto is lifted off an underlying pipette tip support 62; This lifting can be done manually, but also with a corresponding robot (not shown) of a liquid handling workstation 93.

All corresponding parts of the spacer 61 according to the invention and of the pipette tip support 62 known from the prior art have been numbered and numbered the same, even if these parts are not described in detail in each case. <B> reference numerals: </ b> State of the art (cf. EP 2 210 668 ): 1 frame 67 connecting element 2,3,4,5 side walls 67 ' retaining pins 6 Lower edge of1 68 Corner of 61 7 Upper edge of 1 69 upper end of 67 8th Contact area of 1 70 Inside of 64 9 Guide element of 1 71 Centering spring elements of 61 21 plate 72 resilient part of 71 23 Holes of 21 73 central opening of 61 24 Bottom of 21 74 first part of 62 32 Contact area of 21 75 Flange of 62 33 Guide element of 21 77 defined cross section of 78 36 pipette tip 78 Center holes of 62 38 cover 79 effective cross section of 67 47 spacer 80 second part of 62 48,49,50,51 Sidewalls of 47 81 Determining element of 67 52 false floor 83 thickening 53 further holes of 52 84 pipette tip 54 lower edge of 47 85 retaining hole 55 upper edge of 47 86 Axis of 84 87 Distance of 71 88 Collar of 84 Invention: 89 Base 61 spacer 90 spigot 62 Pipette tips carrier 91 surveys 63 Floor space of 61 92 cover 64 Sidewall of 61 93 Liquid handling workstation 65 Surface of 61 94 notch

Claims (16)

1. A frame-shaped, essentially rectangular spacer (61) for stacking of essentially rectangular pipette tip carriers (62) for use in a liquid handling workstation (93), wherein the spacer (61) comprises:

   - a horizontal base surface (63),

   - a peripheral side wall (64), which stands essentially perpendicular to the base surface (63) and which forms two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides, wherein each longitudinal side and each transverse side comprises an inner side (70),

   - a central, essentially rectangular opening (73) for receiving a part of a pipette tip carrier (62) to be stacked, and

   - an upper surface (65) for positioning a pipette tip carrier (62) on the spacer (61),

   wherein the upper surface (65) is arranged on an upper end of the side wall (64) and extending essentially horizontally, wherein the spacer (61) is implemented to form a stabilizing support connection with a pipette tip carrier (62) positioned on the spacer (61),
   wherein the horizontal base surface (63) is arranged on a lower end of the side wall (64) and is implemented to position the spacer (61) onto a pipette tip carrier (62) with horizontal play,
   and wherein the spacer (61) comprises centering spring elements (71), which are arranged on the inner side (70) of the longitudinal sides and transverse sides of the side wall (64),
   each centering spring element (71) comprising a springy part (72) which is spaced apart in relation to the inner side (70) of the side wall (64) onto which the centering spring element (71) is attached,
   and which extends along said inner side (70), and wherein the springy part (72) is implemented to exert a spring force between the inner side (7) of the respective side wall (64) and a part of a pipette tip carrier (62) to be stacked, which is received by the central opening (73), so that these centering spring elements (71) are implemented to act upon a pipette tip carrier (62), on which the spacer (61) lies with horizontal play in a stack of pipette tip carriers (62), and thereby minimizing the horizontal play between said pipette tip carrier (62) and the spacer positioned thereon without locking said pipette tip carrier (62) with the spacer (61).
2. The spacer (61) according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface (65) and the horizontal base surface (63) of the spacer (61) define a height by which the spacer (61) spaces apart two pipette tip carriers (62) in a stack.
3. The spacer (61) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central, essentially rectangular opening (73) can be penetrated by a first part (74) of a pipette tip carrier (62) that is positioned on the spacer (61) and that comprises a flange (75),
   wherein the spacer (61) comprises connecting elements (67) in the region of its upper surface (65), which are implemented to form a detachable support connection with the flange (75) of this pipette tip carrier (62).
4. The spacer (61) according to claim 3, wherein the flange (75) of the pipette tip carrier (62) comprises four centering holes (78), which are each arranged in a corner and comprise a defined cross section (77),
   wherein the spacer (61) comprises four connecting elements (67) which are implemented as holding pins (67'), which are each arranged in a corner (68) of the upper surface (65) and are implemented at least approximately as bodies standing vertically in relation to the upper surface (65), wherein the holding pins (67') of the spacer (61) have an effective cross section (79) which is adapted to the defined cross section (77) of the centering holes (78) so that each holding pin (67') of the spacer (61) is implemented as fixedly seated with friction fit in one of these centering holes (78).
5. The spacer (61) according to claim 4,
   wherein each holding pin (67') of the spacer (61) comprises at least one element (81), which defines the effective cross section (79) of the holding pin (67'), wherein this defining element (81) is selected from a group of elements which define a round, elliptical, oval, polygonal, star-shaped cross section and a cross section composed of arbitrary combinations of these shapes.
6. The spacer (61) according to one of the claims 1 to 3,
   wherein each holding pin (67') of the spacer (61) comprises a thickening (83) which, alone or together with further defining elements (81), defines the effective cross section (79) of the holding pin (67').
7. The spacer (61) according to claim 6,
   wherein the element (81), which defines the effective cross section (79) of the holding pin (67'), or the thickening (83) of the holding pin (67') comprises a springy part (72).
8. The spacer (61) according to one of the claims 4 to 7,
   wherein each holding pin (67') tapers at an upper end (69) with increasing height.
9. The spacer (61) according to Claim 1, wherein the central, essentially rectangular opening (73) can be penetrated by a first part (74) of an essentially rectangular pipette tip carrier (62) positioned on the spacer (61), and wherein the pipette tip carrier (62) comprises a flange (75),
   wherein the spacer (61) is inseparably connected in the region of its upper surface (65) to the flange (75) of an essentially rectangular pipette tip carrier (62) positioned on the spacer (61).
10. The spacer (61) according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the springy parts (72) of the centering spring elements (71) of the spacer (61) are arranged on the inner side (70) of the side wall (64) and implemented such that they act upon a second part (80) of an essentially rectangular pipette tip carrier (62), on which the spacer (61) lies with horizontal play, and therefore minimize the horizontal play between the underlying pipette tip carrier (62) and the spacer (61) lying thereon.
11. The spacer (61) according to Claim 10,
    wherein the springy parts (72) of the centering elements (71) are implemented as extending essentially vertically or horizontally.
12. The spacer (61) according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein the spacer (61) is produced as a one-piece, injection-molded component from plastic material.
13. Use of at least one spacer (61) according to one of the preceding claims,
    wherein stacks of pipette tip carriers (62), which are spaced apart by means of spacers (61) and are preferably provided with pipette tips (84), are produced.
14. The use according to claim 13,
    wherein a pipette tip carrier (62) is placed with its flange (75) on the upper surface (65) of a spacer (61), whereby the holding pins (67') of the spacer (61) are fixedly seated with friction fit in the centering holes (78) of the pipette tip carrier (62).
15. The use according to claim 13 or 14,
    wherein a spacer (61) is laid with its base surface (63) on the flange (75) of a pipette tip carrier (62), wherein the springy parts (72) of the centering spring elements (71) of the spacer (61) act upon the second part (80) of an essentially rectangular pipette tip carrier (62), on which the spacer (61) lies with horizontal play, and therefore minimize the horizontal play between the underlying pipette tip carrier (62) and the spacer (61) lying thereon.
16. The use according to claim 13, 14 or 15,
    wherein a pipette tip carrier (62), together with the spacer (61) fixed thereon, is lifted off of an underlying pipette tip carrier (62).

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