EP3320975A1 - Device for providing pipette tips - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for providing pipette tips with € ¢ a refill pack ˆ˜ a perforated plate with a large number of holes, ˆ˜ pipette tips inserted into the holes, ˆ˜ a bowl covering the pipette tips below the perforated plate, ˆ˜ an inner lid that covers the pipette tips above the perforated plate and is made of an elastic material, which has a first lid base and first lid side walls protruding downward from the edges of the first lid base and ˆ˜ at least one first locking element on the outside of a first cover side wall and € ¢ including a holder ˆ˜ a lower part with a receptacle for the bowl, into which the refill pack with the bowl can be inserted in an insertion position through an upper insertion opening, ˆ˜ an outer cover which has a second cover base and second cover side walls protruding downward from the edges of the second cover base, ˆ˜ a first articulated connection between the outer lid and the holder, which is designed to pivot the outer lid into an opening position that releases the insertion opening for inserting the refill pack and into a closed position that covers the insertion opening and accommodates the inner lid of a refill pack in the insertion position,

Description

The invention relates to a device for providing pipette tips.

Pipette tips are small plastic tubes that are used in the laboratory for dosing liquid samples preferably in the range of 0.1 μl to 100 ml. They have a lower through-opening for liquid and an upper through-opening for air, wherein the cross-section of the pipette tips usually increases from the lower to the upper average opening.

For metering fluid, the top of the pipette tip is connected to a pipette so that the top port is connected to a pipette air displacement device. For this purpose, the pipette tip is clamped with the passage opening on a neck of the pipette or clamped in a hole of the pipette. In the front of the approach or in the bottom of the hole opens a channel which is connected to the displacement device of the pipette. In a piston stroke pipette, the displacement device is a cylinder with a piston displaceable therein. With the help of the displacement device, an air volume is displaced, so that a defined amount of liquid is taken up in the pipette tip and discharged from it. Fixed volume pipettes with a constant dosing volume have a constant displacement and variable pipettes with adjustable dosing volume have an adjustable displacement. In Direktverdrängerpipetten a piston is integrated in the pipette tip, which is driven by the displacement device.

After use, the pipette tip is separated from its seat on the pipette, for which the pipette may have an ejector which, when actuated, forces the pipette tip off its seat. After that, the pipette may have a new pipette tip take up. Carryover of sample liquid between successive dosages is thus avoided.

To attach pipette tips to the seat of a pipette, pipette tips are provided on pipette tip supply devices. These devices have a perforated plate, also referred to as a "tray" or "wafer".

Furthermore, these devices comprise a lower part, which is designed as a bottom closed and open-topped box (also called "box" ) or bottom and top open, rectangular frame (also called "rack" ). An equipped with pipette tips perforated plate can be placed from above on a support edge of an insertion opening of the lower part, so that the pipette tips protrude into a receptacle in the lower part.

The pipette tips are removable by pressing the seat of a single-channel pipette or the seats of a multichannel pipette onto or into the upper ends of the pipette tips individually or simultaneously to several of a pipette tip supply apparatus.

Devices are known for providing pipette tips, in which the lower part can be reused after removal of all pipette tips. For this purpose, the perforated plate is removed, possibly together with the used therein again, used pipette tips, and disposed of. With the help of refill packs, the holder is equipped with fresh pipette tips. The refill packs may include a plurality of perforated plates equipped with pipette tips. For example, refill packages are known in which one or more, filled with pipette tips perforated plates in cartons or frames made of cardboard or in simple plastic boxes or plastic frames are arranged.

For the refill packs according to WO 92/01514 A1 . US 5,366,088 and WO 00/518899 A1 For example, a perforated plate equipped with pipette tips is releasably secured to the upper edge of a plastic shell, with the pipette tips protruding into the shell. In addition, a further perforated plate is arranged, the pipette tips protrude into the pipette tips of the lower perforated plate and the edge is releasably secured to the lower perforated plate. Further plates with pipette tips are correspondingly arranged above and above the arrangement is covered by a lid made of plastic, which is releasably attached to the uppermost perforated plate.

In embodiments of these refill packs, the lid may be used to transfer the perforated plates loaded with pipette tips from the refill stack into the holder and then placed on the top perforated plate of the refill stack to protect the opened refill pack.

These refills have the disadvantage that the pipette tips are at least partially unprotected when reacting the perforated plates on a holder and can be contaminated.

Furthermore, sterile pipette tips are offered. Sterile applications should not be contaminated prior to use (or must be autoclaved prior to use). Filter pipette tips are typically offered sterile because the filter materials do not withstand autoclaving temperatures.

Sterile pipette tips are traded in sturdy disposable boxes for processing and not in refill packs for transfer to a box or frame. In contrast to reusable boxes disposable boxes are thrown away after removing all pipette tips. They are elaborately designed so that they are expensive to produce and the user incurs large amounts of packaging waste.

The EP 2 535 109 A2 describes an apparatus for providing pipette tips that includes a refill pack and a holder. The refill pack has a perforated plate having a plurality of holes, pipette tips inserted into the holes, a cup covering the pipette tips at the bottom with a rigidity of up to 300 N / mm, and a cover covering the pipette tips at the top. The holder has a receptacle for inserting the refill. Refill pack and holder have means for supporting, which support the refill pack inserted in the receptacle. Through the shell and the cover, the pipette tips inserted into the perforated plate are covered at the top and bottom when refilling the holder and protected against contamination. The shell has such a low rigidity that it is easy to produce with little use of materials. The forces when picking up pipette tips by means of a pipette are dissipated via the means for supporting in the holder. One embodiment has means for latching cover and shell. Furthermore, the holder has a lower part with the receptacle and a refill pack inserted therein covering, which has a hinge connection with the lower part. The cover of the holder and the cover of the refill have latching means which can be locked together by closing the lid when inserted into the receptacle refill.

When opening the lid, the cover is opened with, as the force to release the latch between the lid and cover exceeds the force to release the locking between the cover and shell. Protection of the refill pack from contamination is improved and the pipette tips are protected from contact with the lid of the holder. The disadvantage is that the user must engage in the lid before inserting a new refill by hand to release the catch with the cover. For this purpose, a relatively high force must be expended. This complicates the handling and can lead to contamination of the holder.

Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a device for providing pipette tips, which facilitates the replacement of refill packs and further reduces the risk of contaminations.

The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the device are specified in subclaims.

• eine Nachfüllpackung, umfassend
  • o eine Lochplatte mit einer Vielzahl Löcher,
  • o in die Löcher eingesetzte Pipettenspitzen,
  • o eine die Pipettenspitzen unterhalb der Lochplatte abdeckende Schale,
  • o einen die Pipettenspitzen oberhalb der Lochplatte abdeckenden Innendeckel aus einem elastischen Material, der einen ersten Deckelboden und von den Rändern des ersten Deckelbodens nach unten vorstehende erste Deckelseitenwände aufweist und
  • o mindestens ein erstes Rastelement an der Außenseite einer ersten Deckelseitenwand und
• einen Halter, umfassend
  • o ein Unterteil mit einer Aufnahme für die Schale, in die durch eine obere Einsetzöffnung die Nachfüllpackung mit der Schale in eine Einsetzposition einsetzbar ist,
  • o einen Außendeckel, der einen zweiten Deckelboden und von den Rändern des zweiten Deckelbodens nach unten vorstehende, zweite Deckelseitenwände aufweist,
  • o eine erste Gelenkverbindung zwischen Außendeckel und Halter, die ausgebildet ist, den Außendeckel in eine die Einsetzöffnung freigebende Öffnungsposition zum Einsetzen der Nachfüllpackung und in eine die Einsetzöffnung überdeckende und den Innendeckel einer Nachfüllpackung in Einsetzposition aufnehmende Schließposition zu schwenken,
  • o mindestens ein von der Innenseite mindestens einer zweiten Deckelseitenwand vorstehendes Stützelement, das in der Schließposition den unteren Rand mindestens einer ersten Deckelseitenwand einer Nachfüllpackung in Einsetzposition untergreift,
  • o mindestens ein zweites Rastelement an der Innenseite einer zweiten Deckelseitenwand, die der zweiten Deckelseitenwand mit dem Stützelement gegenüberliegt, das in Schließposition mit dem ersten Rastelement einer Nachfüllpackung in Einsetzposition verrastet ist,
  • o eine Entriegelungstaste, die einen Durchgangskanal durchgreift, der sich von der Außenseite bis zur Innenseite der zweiten Deckelseitenwand mit dem zweiten Rastelement erstreckt, wobei die Entriegelungstaste an der Außenseite der zweiten Deckelseitenwand ein von außen betätigbares Betätigungselement und an der Innenseite der zweiten Deckelseitenwand ein Anpresselement aufweist, das durch Betätigen des Betätigungselements gegen die Außenseite der das erste Rastelement aufweisenden ersten Deckelseitenwand eines mit dem Außendeckel verriegelten Innendeckels drückbar ist, um diese erste Deckelseitenwand elastisch zu verformen und die Verrastung zwischen erstem und zweitem Rastelement aufzuheben.

The inventive device for providing pipette tips has

• a refill pack comprising
  • o a perforated plate with a large number of holes,
  • o pipette tips inserted in the holes,
  • o a shell covering the pipette tips below the perforated plate,
  • o an inner cover covering the pipette tips above the perforated plate made of an elastic material, the first Lid bottom and from the edges of the first lid bottom downwardly projecting first cover side walls and has
  • O at least a first locking element on the outside of a first lid side wall and
• a holder comprising
  • o a lower part with a receptacle for the shell into which the refill pack with the shell can be inserted into an insertion position through an upper insertion opening,
  • o an outer lid having a second lid bottom and from the edges of the second lid bottom downwardly projecting, second lid side walls,
  • o a first hinge connection between the outer cover and the holder, which is designed to pivot the outer cover into an opening position releasing the insertion opening for inserting the refill pack and into a closed position covering the insertion opening and receiving the inner cover of a refill pack in the insertion position,
  • o at least one support element protruding from the inside of at least one second cover side wall, which in the closing position engages under the lower edge of at least one first cover side wall of a refill pack in the insertion position,
  • o at least one second latching element on the inside of a second lid side wall, which is opposite to the second lid side wall with the support element, which is locked in the closed position with the first latching element of a refill pack in the insertion position,
  • o a release button, which passes through a passageway extending from the outside to the inside of the second Lid side wall extends with the second latching element, wherein the unlocking on the outside of the second lid side wall operable from the outside actuating element and on the inside of the second lid side wall having a pressing member which by operating the actuating element against the outside of the first latching element having first lid side wall of the Outer cover locked inner lid is pressed to deform elastically this first lid side wall and pick up the catch between the first and second locking element.

When the outer lid is pivoted in the open position, the refill with the shell can be inserted into the receptacle of the holder. Shell and inner lid prevent contamination of the pipette tips. By pivoting the outer cover in the closed position outer lid and inner lid are connected to each other, so that the support member supports the lower edge of a first side wall and the first and second locking elements are locked together. As a result, in a subsequent opening of the outer lid of the inner lid is lifted from the refill and pipette tips are removed by means of a pipette. By pivoting the outer cover in the closed position of the inner lid is brought back into its covering the pipette tips position. As a result, the pipette tips are housed in double protection through inner lid and outer lid. To release the inner lid from the outer lid, the unlock button is simply pressed. As a result, the pressing element exerts a force on the outside of the first lid side wall, which has the first latching element. As a result, the first lid side wall is bent inward, so that the locking between the first and second locking element is canceled. The inner lid may fall out of the outer lid and into the pipette tips covering position to return. If, when the catch is released, the outer lid is arranged in the closed position, then it can then be pivoted into the open position, the inner lid remaining in the position covering the pipette tips.

The perforated plate is a plate-shaped carrier having a substantially rectangular base made of plastic with a plurality of holes in a matrix arrangement. The perforated plate usually has 96 holes in eight rows and 12 columns. Pipette tips are inserted into the holes from above, but do not fall through the holes due to an upwardly broadening diameter or a collar at their upper end.

According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom surface of the perforated plate and the arrangement of the holes of the 96-well plate substantially correspond to the bottom surface of a microtiter plate and the wells of a 96-well microtiter plate according to ANSI standard recommended by the Society for Biomolecular Screening (SBS). As a result, a group of pipette tips picked up from the carrier by means of a multi-channel pipette adapted to this standard can be directed directly to a group of microtiter plate wells according to this standard. The perforated plate thus has two long edges (long sides) and two short edges (transverse sides).

According to a preferred embodiment, the inner lid and / or the shell in adaptation to conventional perforated plates with 96 holes in a horizontal section has a rectangular contour with two long sides and two short sides. According to a preferred embodiment, the outer shell and / or the receptacle in a horizontal section has a rectangular shape adapted thereto with two long sides and two short sides.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first articulated connection is arranged on a long side of the receptacle. According to a preferred embodiment, the first latching element is arranged on a long first lid side wall and the second latching element is arranged on a long second lid side wall and the support element on an opposite long lid side wall.

According to a preferred embodiment, two opposing first lid side walls are provided with a first latching element, so that the refill pack can be inserted into the holder in two different orientations.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first latching element is a shoulder at the lower end of a first ramp on the outside of the first lid side wall, the distance of which increases from the first lid side wall with increasing distance from the lid bottom. The first ramp makes it easier to lock the inner lid to the outer lid and the inner lid is held securely on the outer lid by the heel. By pressing the pressing element against the outside of the first ramp, a force pushing out the inner lid from the outer lid can additionally be generated.

According to a further embodiment, the second locking element is the lower edge of the through-channel on the inside of the second cover side wall. Here, the unlocking button with the pressing element against the first locking element or next to the first locking element, preferably in the immediate vicinity of the first locking element, against the first lid side wall can be pressed, whereby the unlatching of the first is facilitated by the second locking element.

According to a further embodiment, the second latching element is a second step on the upper side of the inside of the second cover side wall projecting second ramp whose distance from the second lid side wall increases with increasing distance from the lower edge of the second lid side wall. This facilitates the locking of the second locking element with the first locking element and the second paragraph causes a secure locking.

According to a further embodiment, the support element is a rib projecting from the inside of the second cover side wall with a third shoulder at the upper end for supporting the lower edge of the first cover side wall.

By pivoting the outer cover from the open position to the closed position, the support element is displaceable under the lower edge of the first cover side wall. According to a preferred embodiment, the support member is a third locking element which presses when pivoting the outer cover in the closed position against the outside of the adjacent elastic first cover side wall of the inner cover and this bends slightly inwards until it springs back above the third locking element. In an alternative embodiment, the support member is pivoted below the lower edge of the first lid side wall without bending it inwardly. Instead, the first and second latching elements are formed so that when they latch the inner lid is pushed over the support member, so that when unfolding the outer lid, the support element engages under the lower edge of the adjacent first lid side wall.

According to a further embodiment, the third locking element is a third paragraph at the upper end of a third ramp on the inside of the second lid side wall, the distance increases from the second lid side wall with increasing distance from the lower edge of the second lid side wall. This embodiment facilitates latching of the third latching element with the lower edge of the adjacent first lid side wall.

According to a further embodiment, the unlocking button is a lever which is pivotally mounted on the outer cover via a second hinge connection, the actuating element on the outside of a first lever arm, the pressing element on the inside of the first lever arm and a latching nose on the inside of a second lever arm is locked in the closed position of the second cover with a locking edge on the outside of the holder. By latching the locking lug on the locking edge of the outer lid is held in the closed position. This locking is canceled by pressing the actuator. Further, by pressing the actuating element, the pressing element is pressed against the inner lid and thereby the latching between inner lid and outer lid repealed.

In an alternative embodiment, the unlocking button is a pin-shaped body which is displaceable in the passageway. In this case, the passage can form a straight guide for the release button.

According to a preferred embodiment, the unlocking button is formed so that the latching of the latching lug on the latching edge can be canceled by operating the actuating element about a first actuating travel and the locking of the inner lid with the outer lid can be canceled by operating the actuating element to an additional, second actuating. This allows the user, by pressing the release button for a short actuation path to release the outer lid from the holder to swing open the outer lid together with the inner lid and remove pipette tips. Further, the user can by pressing the actuator to a longer actuation path to release the outer lid from the holder and discard the inner lid from the outer lid to remove or replace the refill.

According to a preferred embodiment, the first hinge connection has a horizontal pivot axis for pivoting the outer cover onto the inner cover from above and pivoting it upwards away from the inner cover. According to a further embodiment, the pivot axis is aligned parallel to the second lid side wall with the second locking element. As a result, the latching of the first with the second locking element is facilitated by pivoting the outer cover. According to a preferred embodiment, the first hinge connection is arranged next to a second cover side wall, which is arranged opposite the second cover side wall with the second latching element. This also facilitates the latching of the first latching element with the second.

According to a further embodiment, the inner lid has a latching connection or clamping connection with the perforated plate. As a result, the inner lid is secured to the refill pack so that it does not accidentally come off.

According to a further embodiment, the holder has at least one unlocking element, which is designed to release the latching connection or clamping connection between the inner lid and the perforated plate during insertion of the refill pack into the holder. This simplifies the use of the device, because when opening the outer lid, the locking connection or clamping connection between inner lid and perforated plate does not need to be canceled to expose the pipette tips. This locking connection or clamping connection between the inner lid and perforated plate can be resolved when the refill is inserted into the holder, because then the Inner lid can not unintentionally solve the refill. Alternatively, the locking connection or clamping connection between the inner lid and perforated plate is released by opening the outer lid, but this requires a correspondingly strong locking connection between the outer lid and inner lid and an increased effort.

According to a further embodiment, the shell has a latching connection or clamping connection with the perforated plate. This prevents unintentional loosening of the shell during transport of the refill pack and avoids contamination. According to a preferred embodiment, the shell has at the upper edge protruding latching hooks which latch on the edge of the perforated plate.

Possible embodiments of the shell are in the EP 2 535 109 A2 described. In this regard, reference is made to the above disclosure, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application. The present invention also includes other trays, in particular trays having a higher rigidity than in the EP 2 535 109 A2 have described.

According to a preferred embodiment, the perforated plate and / or the shell and / or the inner lid and / or the holder consists wholly or partly of polypropylene and / or polyethylene and / or polycarbonate and / or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers and / or polystyrene and / or Polyethylene terephthalate and / or biodegradable plastics and / or bio-based plastics and / or composite films of polyamide and polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene. According to another embodiment, the pipette tips are made of polypropylene or polyethylene.

Fig. 1

eine Vorrichtung zum Bereitstellen von Pipettenspitzen umfassend eine Nachfüllpackung und einen Halter in geschlossenem Zustand in einer Perspektivansicht von vorn und von der Seite;

Fig. 2

die Vorrichtung geöffnet in einer Perspektivansicht von vorn und von der Seite;

Fig. 3

die Nachfüllpackung umfassend Lochplatte, Pipettenspitzen, Innendeckel und Schale geschlossen in einer Perspektivansicht von vorn und von der Seite;

Fig. 4

die Nachfüllpackung in einer Vorderansicht;

Fig. 5

die Nachfüllpackung in einer Draufsicht;

Fig. 6

die Lochplatte in einer Perspektivansicht von vorn und von der Seite;

Fig. 7

die Schale in einer Perspektivansicht von vorn und von der Seite;

Fig. 8

den Innendeckel der Nachfüllpackung in einer Perspektivansicht von vorn und von der Seite;

Fig. 9

den Halter umfassend Unterteil, Außendeckel und Entriegelungstaste geschlossen in einer Perspektivansicht von vorn und von der Seite;

Fig. 10

den Halter geöffnet in einer Vorderansicht;

Fig. 11

den Außendeckel einer Perspektivansicht von vorn und von der Seite;

Fig. 12

die Entriegelungstaste in einer Perspektivansicht von hinten und von der Seite;

Fig. 13

die Entriegelungstaste in einer Seitenansicht;

Fig. 14

die Vorrichtung umfassend Nachfüllpackung und Halter geschlossen in einem Vertikalschnitt durch einen Oberbereich;

Fig. 15

vergrößertes Detail mit Entriegelungstaste von Fig. 14;

Fig. 16

abgeschnittener Eckbereich von Innendeckel und Außendeckel in einer Perspektivansicht schräg von oben und von der Seite;

Fig. 17

die Vorrichtung teilweise geöffnet in einem Vertikalschnitt durch den Oberbereich;

Fig. 18

die Vorrichtung teilweise geöffnet beim Abwerfen des Innendeckels in einer Perspektivansicht schräg von vorn und von der Seite;

Fig. 19

die Vorrichtung im Zustand von Fig. 18 in einer Seitenansicht.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of exemplary embodiments. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a device for providing pipette tips comprising a refill pack and a holder in the closed state in a perspective view from the front and from the side;

Fig. 2

the device opened in a perspective view from the front and from the side;

Fig. 3

the refill pack comprising perforated plate, pipette tips, inner lid and tray closed in a perspective view from the front and from the side;

Fig. 4

the refill pack in a front view;

Fig. 5

the refill pack in a plan view;

Fig. 6

the perforated plate in a perspective view from the front and from the side;

Fig. 7

the shell in a perspective view from the front and from the side;

Fig. 8

the inner lid of the refill pack in a perspective view from the front and from the side;

Fig. 9

the holder comprising the lower part, the outer lid and the unlocking key closed in a perspective view from the front and from the side;

Fig. 10

the holder opened in a front view;

Fig. 11

the outer lid of a perspective view from the front and from the side;

Fig. 12

the release button in a perspective view from behind and from the side;

Fig. 13

the unlock button in a side view;

Fig. 14

the device comprising refill and holder closed in a vertical section through an upper portion;

Fig. 15

enlarged detail with release button of Fig. 14 ;

Fig. 16

cut corner area of inner lid and outer lid in a perspective view obliquely from above and from the side;

Fig. 17

the device partially opened in a vertical section through the upper area;

Fig. 18

the device partially opened upon ejection of the inner lid in a perspective view obliquely from the front and from the side;

Fig. 19

the device in the state of Fig. 18 in a side view.

In this application, the terms "top" and "bottom" refer to an orientation of the device with horizontal perforated plate, wherein the shell is disposed substantially below the perforated plate, and the inner lid substantially above the perforated plate. Furthermore, the insertion opening is oriented horizontally, the outer cover is closed and arranged substantially above the lower part.

According to Fig. 1 and 2 a device according to the invention for providing pipette tips 1 comprises a refill 2 and a holder 3, in which the refill 1 is used.

According to Fig. 3 to 5 the refill pack 2 comprises a perforated plate 4, pipette tips 5 inserted into the perforated plate 4, a bowl 6 arranged below the perforated plate and an inner lid 7 arranged above the perforated plate 4.

According to Fig. 9 and 10 The holder 3 has a lower part 8, an outer lid 9 and an unlocking button 10.

According to Fig. 6 the perforated plate 4 is a substantially rectangular plate having a total of 96 circular holes 11 in eight rows and 12 columns.

The perforated plate 4 has a circumferential, downwardly projecting skirt 12. From the skirt 12 stand on the two longer longitudinal sides locking tabs 13 downwards. The locking tabs 13 are arranged approximately in the middle of the two longer edges of the perforated plate 4. The latching tabs 13 each have, in addition to their two lateral edges, first latching beads 14, 15.

The perforated plate 4 is made of an elastic plastic, so that the locking tabs 13 are elastically deformable. The perforated plate 4 is preferably produced by injection molding.

According to Fig. 3 11 pipette tips 5 are inserted into the holes. These have a tubular body 16 with a lower passage opening 17 and an upper passage opening 18. Further, they have a collar 19, with which they are supported on top of the perforated plate 4.

According to Fig. 7 the shell 6 is substantially box-shaped. In the exemplary embodiment, the distance of opposing shell side walls 20, 21, 22, 23, starting from the shell bottom 24 to an upper shell opening 25 of the shell 6 increases slightly. The longer shell side walls 20, 22 each have at the upper edge two pairs of upstanding centering projections 26. The centering projections 26 are each connected to the outside of a longer side wall 20, 22, so that they are offset with respect to the side walls 20, 22 slightly outwards.

The shorter side walls 21, 23 have at the upper edge in each case two projecting latching hooks 27, wherein the hooked ends 28 are arranged on the side of the shell opening 25. The latching hooks 27 are each on the outside of a shorter Side wall 21, 23 connected so that they are slightly offset with respect to the side walls 21, 23 to the outside.

According to Fig. 8 the inner lid 7 is formed like a hood, starting from a first lid bottom 29, the distance between opposing first lid side walls 30, 31, 32, 33 widened to a first lid opening 34 of the inner lid 7 out.

The inner lid 7 has on the inner sides of the longer first lid side walls 30, 32 rib-shaped support members 35 for supporting on the upper edge of the perforated plate 4th

At its shorter longitudinal sides, the inner lid 7 has outwardly projecting outer steps 36, 37. On the inner sides of the outer steps 36, 37, an inwardly projecting clamping projection 38 is provided in each case below an opening. The inside of each clamping projection 38 is chamfered ramp-like, so that each clamping projection 38 projects further inwardly with increasing distance from the lower edge of the inner lid 7. In the region of each outer stage 36, 37, the inner lid 7 has two hood-shaped formations 39, 40th

At its longer first cover side walls 30, 32, the inner cover 7 has on the outside in each case an outwardly projecting first latching element 41. Each first latching element 41 has a first ramp 42 whose distance from the first cover side wall 30, 32 increases with increasing distance from the lid bottom 29 , Further, each locking element 41 has a first step 43 below.

According to Fig. 3 to 5 the perforated plate 4 is placed on the shell 6, wherein the centering projections 26 rest against the inside of the skirt 12 and the latching hooks 27 overlap with the hook ends 28, the shorter edges of the perforated plate 4 outside. The pipette tips 5 protrude into the shell 6 and project beyond the perforated plate 4 with the upper end.

The perforated plate 4 is equipped with 96 pipette tips, in the example, however, only four are shown.

With the clamping projections 38, the inner lid 7 is clamped onto the short edges of the perforated plate 4. The inner lid 7 is supported with the rib-shaped support elements 35 and the outer steps 36, 37 on the edges of the perforated plate 4 and the latching hooks 27 engage in the hood-shaped formations 39, 40 a.

According to Fig. 9 and 10 The lower part 8 of the holder 3 comprises a frame 44 and a trough 45.

The frame 44 includes a substantially horizontal, upper frame member 46.

From the inner edge of the upper frame part 46 of the trough 45 projects downwards. Furthermore, from the inner edge of the upper frame part 46, a support frame 47 protrudes upward with a substantially horizontal upper support edge 48. The support frame 48 and the trough 45 define a substantially cuboid receptacle 49. The support edge 46 of the support frame 47 defines an insertion opening 50 of the receptacle 49th

The frame 44 includes a jacket 51 projecting downwardly from the outer edge of the upper frame member 46 and enclosing the trough 45. The jacket 51 has four jacket walls 52, 53, 54, 55, wherein the distance between opposing jacket walls 52, 53, 54, 55 increases from each other downwards. The jacket 51 protrudes the same distance or slightly further down from the upper frame part 46 than the trough 45.

The trough 45 is substantially cuboid. It has a substantially horizontal, rectangular trough bottom 56. From the edges of the trough bottom 56 are trough walls 57, 58, 59, 60 upwardly, whose upper edges are connected to the inner edge of the upper frame member 46. Starting from the trough bottom 56, the distance of opposing trough walls 57, 58, 59, 60 increases upwards.

The support frame 47 has at two long edges each center first recesses 61, 62 with a downwardly arched bottom. The first recesses 61, 62 each have on the two upstanding lateral edges inwardly projecting second latching beads 63, 64 (FIG. Fig. 9 ). The support frame 47 has at the two long edges respectively on both sides of the first recess 61, 62 a pair of centering pockets 65 which are open to the support edge 48 and the inside of the support frame 47 out.

At the short edges of the support frame 47, a wedge-shaped projection 66, 67 is arranged centrally in each case, which tapers upwards, protrudes above the support edge 48 and protrudes laterally somewhat from the support frame 47. The support frame 47 has at the short edges on both sides of the projection 66, 67 in the support edge 48 each have a rectangular second recess 68th

The upper frame part 46 has at the front adjacent to the first recess 61 has a substantially rectangular, third recess 69 with a flat first bottom 70. In front, the third recess 69 extends into a front shell wall 52 into it. There it has a second floor 71 bulging downwards. The third one Recess 69 has at the front edge of the first bottom 70 a slightly in the continuation of the third recess 69 in the front shell wall 52 projecting locking edge 72 (FIG. Fig. 2 ).

Tray 45 and frame 44 are e.g. injection-molded separately and connected together, e.g. by latching, or produced in one piece by injection molding.

According to Fig. 11 the outer lid 9 has a second lid bottom 73 and from the edges of the second lid bottom 73 downwardly projecting second lid side walls 74, 75, 76, 77 on.

The outer lid 9 is pivotally mounted on the lower part 8 via a first articulated connection 78. The first articulated connection 78 comprises lug-shaped wall extensions 79, 80 projecting from the lower edges of the short second cover side walls 75, 77 next to a long second side wall 76 with first bearing lugs 81, 82 of the outer cover 9. Furthermore, they comprise at the upper edges of the two short jacket walls 53 , 55 next to the rear long shell wall 54 projecting first bearing pin 83, 84. Around the first bearing pin 83, 84 around the short shell walls 53, 55 slightly flattened to accommodate the wall extensions 79, 80, so that coat 51 and outer cover 9 smoothly merge into one another when the first bearing pins 83, 84 are mounted in the first bearing eyes 81, 82.

In a long second lid side wall 74, the outer lid 9 on the outside of a fourth recess 85 which is open at the top of the second lid side wall 74 upwards and at the bottom edge downwards. In the example, the fourth recess 85 is trapezoidal, widening from bottom to top.

The fourth recess 85 has a frame-shaped bottom portion 86.

At the two upstanding edges of the frame-shaped bottom portion 86, the fourth recess 85 has second bearing bosses 87.

Further, near the upper edge of the fourth recess 85, there is a passageway 88 of approximately rectangular cross-section extending from the outside to the inside of the frame-shaped bottom portion 86.

The fourth recess 85 has an approximately rectangular, central floor area 90 in a rectangular recess 89 which is surrounded by the frame-shaped floor area 86. The central floor area 90 is firmly connected to the frame-shaped floor area 86 only at the lower floor edge 91. He is elastically deflectable.

From the inside of the second lid side wall 74, a second catch element 92 projects below the passage channel 88 with a second ramp 93, whose distance from the second lid side wall 74 increases with increasing distance from the lower edge of the second lid side wall 74. At the top, the second latching element 92 has a second shoulder 94 (FIG. Fig. 15 ).

The outer lid 9 has from the inside of the other long second lid side wall 76 projecting support elements ( Fig. 11 ). These are arranged at the lower edge of the second cover side wall 76. They are formed as a third latching elements 95 each having a third shoulder 96 at the upper end and a third ramp 97 on the inside of the second cover side wall 76, whose distance from the second cover side wall 76 increases with increasing distance from the lower edge of the second cover side wall 76.

The outer cover 9 is preferably injection molded in one piece from plastic.

According to Fig. 12 and 13 the release button 10 is a two-armed lever, wherein a first lever arm 98 on the outside has a barrel-shaped outwardly arched actuating element 99 and on the inside at the upper end a projecting pressing element 100. The pressing member 100 is formed in the example of an incisor. A second lever arm 101 is substantially plate-shaped and has at the lower end a projecting from the inside lug 102nd

Between the first and second lever arm 98, 101, two horizontal second bearing pins 103, 104 are arranged on the inside of the release button 10. These protrude from the ends of two parallel, laschenartiger bearing carrier 105, 106 in different directions, which are firmly connected at their other ends further down with the inside of the second lever arm 101.

The unlocking button 10 is preferably injection molded in one piece from a plastic. The bearing carrier 105, 106 are elastically deformable.

According to Fig. 9 and 10 the release button 10 is mounted with the second bearing pin 103, 104 in the second bearing eyes 87. The actuator 99 is located at the top and the latch 102 below.

The unlocking button 10 is located with the inner side of the first lever arm 98 below the contact pressure element 100 at the central bottom portion 90 of the fourth recess 85 (FIG. Fig. 14 . 15 ) at. The pressing member 100 passes through the through-channel 88. When closing the outer cover 9, the latching nose 102 locks with the latching edge 72. In this case, the elastic deflection of the central bottom region 90 allows a deflection of the unlocking button 10 outwards until the latching lug 102 engages with the latching edge 72.

When pressed from the outside against the actuating element 99, the contact pressure element 100 protrudes further from the inside of the second cover side wall 74. Here, the central bottom portion 90 is deflected elastically inward, so that it returns the release button 10 after relieving the actuator 99 back to the starting position.

• Durch Drücken gegen das Betätigungselement 99 der Entriegelungstaste 10 ist die Verrastung von Rastnase 102 und Rastkante 972 der gemäß Fig. 1 geschlossenen Vorrichtung aufhebbar, sodass der Außendeckel 9 bis in die Öffnungsstellung aufschwenkbar ist, wie in Fig. 2 und 10 gezeigt.

The device can be used as follows:

• By pressing against the actuating element 99 of the unlocking button 10, the latching of locking lug 102 and locking edge 972 of FIG Fig. 1 closed device can be lifted so that the outer cover 9 can be swung up into the open position, as in Fig. 2 and 10 shown.

The refill 2 of Fig. 3 to 5 is inserted with the shell 6 ahead through the insertion opening 50 in the receptacle 49 until the lower edge of the perforated plate 4 is seated on the support edge 48. Then the insertion position is reached. Then the locking tabs 13 engage in the first recesses 61, 62, the first locking beads 14, 15 are locked to the second locking beads 63, 64, engage the centering projections 26 in the centering pockets 65 and engage the latching hooks 27 in the second recesses 68 a , Further, upon insertion of the refill pack 2, the wedge-shaped protrusions 66, 67 press from below against the clamping protrusions 38 and release the inner lid 7 from the perforated plate 4.

When the outer cover 9 is closed in the closed position, the first and second latching elements 41, 92 lock together and latch the third latching element 95 to the lower edge of the first cover side wall 32. Furthermore, the latching lug 102 locks with the latching edge 72. In this situation, the device is in the Fig. 1 and 14 shown.

By pressing the actuating element 99 for a short distance, the outer cover 9 can be unlatched and swung up together with the latched inner cover 7 in order to remove pipette tips 5. In Fig. 17 the device is shown opening. In Fig. 2 it is fully open and the outer lid 9 is in the insertion position. In the insertion position, the outer cover 9 is opened to the maximum extent and the wall extensions 79, 80 lie with their rear edges against the lower edges of the flattened regions around the first bearing pins 83, 84 of the short jacket walls 53, 55.

After removal of pipette tips 5, the outer cover 9 can be closed again.

For the replacement of the refill 2, the actuator 99 is pressed deeper, so that the pressing member 100 presses from the outside against the first lid side wall 30 with the first locking element 41. As a result, the first lid side wall 30 is bent inwards and the first latching element 41 comes free from the second latching element 92. The inner lid 7 falls down, as in the Fig. 17 . 18 and 19 shown.

The user can press from above against the inner lid 7 to clamp it to the perforated plate 4. Then he can detent the locking tabs 13 by pressing inwards and remove the refill 2.

Thereafter, the holder 3 is ready for the insertion of a fresh refill 2.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

Refill

3

holder

4

perforated plate

5

pipette tip

6

Bowl

7

Innendeckel

8th

lower part

9

outer cover

10

release

11

holes

12

apron

13

locking tabs

14, 15

first Rastwulst

16

body

17

lower passage opening

18

upper passage opening

19

collar

20, 21, 22, 23

Shell side walls

24

shell bottom

25

shell opening

26

centering

27

latch hook

28

hook end

29

first lid bottom

30, 31, 32, 33

first lid side wall

34

lid opening

35

support element

36.37

outdoor stage

38

clamping projection

39, 40

hood-like shape

41

first locking element

42

first ramp

43

first paragraph

44

frame

45

trough

46

Upper frame part

47

support frame

48

supporting edge

49

admission

50

insertion

51

coat

52, 53, 54, 55

shell wall

56

trough bottom

57, 58, 59, 60

trough wall

61, 62

first recess

63, 64

second Rastwulst

65

centered ash

66, 67

wedge-shaped projection

68

second recess

69

third recess

70

first floor

71

second floor

72

catch edge

73

second lid bottom

74, 75, 76, 77

second lid side wall

78

first joint connection

79, 80

lug-shaped wall extension

81.82

bearing eyes

83,84

bearing bolt

85

fourth recess

86

frame-shaped floor area

87

second bearing eye

88

Through channel

89

recess

90

central floor area

91

lower bottom edge

92

second locking element

93

second ramp

94

second paragraph

95

third locking elements (supporting elements)

96

third paragraph

97

third ramp

98

first lever arm

99

jig

100

presser

101

second lever arm

102

locking lug

103, 104

second bearing pin

105, 106

bearing bracket

Claims (15)

Device for providing pipette tips with • comprising a refill pack (2) ∘ a perforated plate (4) with a plurality of holes (11), Pip in the holes (11) inserted pipette tips (5), Schale a shell (6) covering the pipette tips (5) below the perforated plate, An inner cover (7) covering the pipette tips (5) above the perforated plate (4) made of an elastic material having a first lid bottom (29) and first lid side walls (30 to 33) projecting downwards from the edges of the first lid bottom (29) and ∘ at least one first latching element (41) on the outside of a first lid side wall (30) and • comprising a holder (3) ∘ a lower part (8) with a receptacle (49) for the shell (6) into which the refill pack (2) with the shell (6) can be inserted into an insertion position through an upper insertion opening (50), ∘ an outer lid (9) having a second lid bottom (73) and from the edges of the second lid bottom (73) downwardly projecting, second lid side walls (74 to 77), ∘ a first hinge connection (78) between outer cover (9) and holder (3), which is formed, the outer cover (9) in an opening opening (50) releasing opening position for inserting the refill (2) and in a the insertion opening overlapping and the inner lid (7) one To turn the refill pack (2) into the closing position, Stütz at least one of the inside of at least one second lid side wall (76) projecting support element (95) which engages in the closed position, the lower edge of at least one first lid side wall (32) of a refill pack (2) in the insertion position, ∘ at least one second latching element (92) on the inside of a second lid side wall (74), the second lid side wall (76) with the support member (95) opposite, in the closed position with the first latching element (41) of a refill (2) in Inserted position is locked, ∘ a release button (10) which passes through a passageway (88) extending from the outside to the inside of the second cover side wall (74) with the second latching element (92), wherein the unlocking button (10) on the outside of the second cover side wall (74) has an actuatable from the outside actuation element (99) and on the inside of the second cover side wall (74) has a contact pressure element (100) by pressing the actuating element (99) against the outside of the first latching element (41) having the first lid side wall ( 30) of the outer lid (9) locked inner lid (7) can be pressed to elastically deform this first lid side wall (30) and to cancel the latching between the first and second latching element (41, 92). Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opposing first cover side walls (30, 32) each have at least one first latching element (41). Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support element (95) on a long second lid side wall (76) and at least one second latching element (92) on an opposite second lid side wall (74) of the outer lid (9) is arranged. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first latching element (41) is a shoulder at the lower end of a first ramp (42) on the outside of the first lid side wall (30) whose distance from the first lid side wall (30) with increasing Distance from the first lid bottom (29) increases. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second latching element (92) is the lower edge of the through-channel (88) on the inside of the second lid side wall (74). Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second latching element (92) is a second shoulder (94) at the top of a from the inside of the second lid side wall (74) protruding second ramp (93) whose distance from the second lid side wall (74) increases with increasing distance from the lower edge of the second lid side wall (74). Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the support element is a third latching element (95) which engages when pivoting the outer cover (9) in the closed position with the lower edge of the adjacent first lid side wall (32) of the inner lid (7). Device according to claim 7, wherein the third latching element (95) is a third step (96) at the upper end of a third ramp (97) on the inside of the second cover sidewall (76), the distance from the second cover sidewall (76) increasing Distance from the lower edge of the second lid side wall (76) increases. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the unlocking button (10) is a lever which is pivotally mounted on the outer cover (9) via a second articulated connection (103, 104, 105, 106), on the outside of a first lever arm ( 98), the actuating element (99), on the inside of the first lever arm (98), the pressing element (100) and on the inside of a second lever arm (101) has a latching nose (102) which in the closed position of the second cover with a latching edge (72 ) is latched on the outside of the holder (3). Device according to Claim 9, in which the unlocking button (10) is designed such that the latching of the latching lug (102) with the latching edge (72) can be canceled by actuating the actuating element (99) about a first actuating path and by actuation of the actuating element (99 ) is an additional, second actuation the locking of the inner lid (7) with the outer lid (9) can be canceled. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inner lid (7) has a latching connection or clamping connection with the perforated plate (4). Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the clamping connection comprises at least one of the inside of a first lid side wall (31, 33) projecting clamping projection (38). Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the holder (3) has at least one unlocking element which is formed, the latching connection or clamping connection between the inner lid (7) and the perforated plate (4) during insertion of the refill pack (2) in the holder ( 3) cancel. An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the unlocking member is a protrusion (67) protruding from the lower part (8) adjacent to the insertion opening (50), to which the clamping protrusion (38) encounters when inserting the refill pack (2) into the insertion position. Device according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the shell (6) has a latching connection or clamping connection with the refill pack (2).

Images