GB2553016A

GB2553016A - Storage device and storage element

Info

Publication number: GB2553016A
Application number: GB1707170.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Johannes Frank Joel; Preuss Felix; Brinz Thomas
Original assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Current assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date: 2016-05-09
Filing date: 2017-05-05
Publication date: 2018-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2037-05-05
Also published as: GB2553016B; DE102016207917A1; GB201707170D0

Abstract

A storage device 1 comprising a main body 2 with a plurality of storage element receiving recesses or chambers 3 and a locking mechanism 4, wherein in use a storage element 5 is inserted into each recess, and the cross-section of at least one part of at least one recess in the main body is modified using the locking mechanism such that the element is clamped by the locking mechanism in order to prevent removal of the element from the recess. The storage element may be a well or vial of a micro-titration plate and comprises a projection or latching member 11 which interacts with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is displaceable relative to the main body and comprises connected first openings 7 and second openings 8 for each recess. The second openings of the locking mechanism are aligned with the recess so that the latching member of the storage element is pushed through the locking member, the locking member is then moved such that the first openings are centered relative to the recess wherein the complementary configuration of the first opening secures the latch and prevents storage element removal.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: Storage device and storage element Abstract Title: Storage device and storage element (57) A storage device 1 comprising a main body 2 with a plurality of storage element receiving recesses or chambers 3 and a locking mechanism 4, wherein in use a storage element 5 is inserted into each recess, and the cross-section of at least one part of at least one recess in the main body is modified using the locking mechanism such that the element is clamped by the locking mechanism in order to prevent removal of the element from the recess. The storage element may be a well or vial of a micro-titration plate and comprises a projection or latching member 11 which interacts with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is displaceable relative to the main body and comprises connected first openings 7 and second openings 8 for each recess. The second openings of the locking mechanism are aligned with the recess so that the latching member of the storage element is pushed through the locking member, the locking member is then moved such that the first openings are centered relative to the recess wherein the complementary configuration of the first opening secures the latch and prevents storage element removal.

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Description

Title

Storage device and storage element

Prior art

The present invention relates to a storage device into which a plurality of storage elements may be inserted. The invention further relates to a storage element for insertion into such a storage device and to a system of storage device and storage element.

Automated handling systems for liquids are widely used in the pharmaceuticals industry and in the life sciences sector, since they allow high throughput research. The basis of such systems is conventionally microtitre plates, racks and disposable tips.

Microtitre plates are generally understood to be rectangular plates of plastics, which may in special cases also be of glass. Over the course of time, such microtitre plates have become standardised. For instance, mutually isolated wells have been introduced into the plates in a grid to serve as volumes for synthesis and/or analysis. Microtitre plates form the basis of many working steps in microbiology since, due to their high flexibility and the possibility of producing many samples at once, they are ideally suited to high throughput research and/or quality assurance. Microtitre plates are filled either manually using multi-channel pipettes or in automated systems using pipetting robots.

Racks are understood as a further developed form of microtitre plates. These likewise have a grid, wherein each well may be individually removed. This in particular makes it possible to perform a sorting process within the grid. The entire rack may be covered by a lid, whereby the individual wells are also closed and thus in particular are protected from contamination.

Disclosure of the invention

The storage device according to the invention advantageously allows locking and immobilisation of at least one or in particular a plurality of components as compactly as possible. The storage device according to the invention allows simplified handling and simplified lidding and/or delidding of individual samples. In particular, moreover, the storage device according to the invention allows simplified automation of process steps. This is achieved by a storage device comprising a main body and a locking mechanism. The main body comprises a plurality of recesses. A storage element may be inserted into each recess. The storage element is advantageously a well and/or a lid for the well. Using the locking mechanism, the crosssection of at least one recess may be modified, in order to prevent the storage element from being removed from the recess. Thus, the storage element may be securely and reliably fastened to the storage device in particular by modification of the cross-section. At the same time, the possibility of removing the storage elements individually from the storage device enables flexible handling of the storage elements. A sample may in particular be introduced into the storage elements.

The subclaims disclose preferred further developments of the invention.

The storage element may preferably be clamped fast by the locking mechanism. In this way, in particular cylindrical storage elements are immobilised even in the case of an unfavourable introduction of force. Such unfavourable introduction of force occurs in particular as a result of an agitating movement or vertical movement of the storage elements, which is the case in particular under the influence of axial forces.

With the locking mechanism, the cross-section of all the recesses can preferably be modified at the same time. Thus, provision is made in particular for removal of all the storage elements arranged in the storage device to be prevented. This simplifies handling of the locking mechanism, since this is either actuated in such a way that all the storage elements are connected with the storage device or that none of the storage elements are connected with the storage device. In the former case, removal of the storage elements from the storage device is not possible, while in the latter case this is prevented. Thus, a plurality of storage elements may be simply held securely and reliably in the storage device and removed from the storage device.

The locking mechanism preferably comprises a first opening and a second opening for each recess. In this respect, provision is made for the first opening and the second opening to be connected, wherein locking between storage element and locking mechanism may be produced by the first opening, while the storage element may be passed at least in part through the second opening. Particularly advantageously, the storage element can only be introduced into the second opening of the locking mechanism, wherein relative movement between locking mechanism and storage element is then made possible, through which the storage element enters the first opening. The storage element is advantageously no longer removable from the first opening. Thus, locking is present.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the locking mechanism is displaceable. In this way, alternatively the first opening or the second opening may be centred relative to the associated recess. Particularly advantageously, a first opening and a second opening of the locking mechanism is associated with each recess. Thus, through displacement of the locking mechanism alternatively the first opening or the second opening may be centred relative to the recess. Since, as described above, only the second opening allows at least partial passage of the storage element, through displacement of the locking mechanism from the second opening to the first opening all the storage elements are locked to the storage device. Thus secure and reliable locking of the storage elements may be achieved by a very simple locking movement, i.e. by displacement of the locking mechanism in such a way that the second opening is no longer centred relative to the respective recess but rather the first opening.

Particularly advantageously, the locking mechanism protrudes on two opposing sides of the main body. Through application of force on one of the protruding regions of the locking mechanism, displacement of the locking mechanism may thus be introduced. In this way, in particular, pressure may always be applied in order to displace the locking mechanism in such a way that alternatively the first opening or the second opening is connected with the recess in the main body. Thus, the locking elements may be locked by the pressure on the protruding region of the locking mechanism on one side of the main body, while pressure on the protruding region of the locking mechanism on the opposing side of the main body leads to release of the storage elements. Thus, locking and unlocking may advantageously be very simply automated, since displacement of the locking mechanism may be incorporated into a gripping process. In this way, a gripper has merely to comprise a feature within the gripping jaws which may interact with the protruding region of the locking mechanism. Depending on whether the locking mechanism is to be displaced in the one or the other direction, in order alternatively to lock or unlock the storage elements, the feature must be transferred by 180° swivelling of the gripper to the corresponding side of the main body, on which that region of the locking mechanism protrudes on which pressure needs to be exerted for the desired displacement of the locking mechanism.

The recesses are in particular oriented perpendicular to a base of the main body. Perpendicular should be understood in this case to mean that a centre axis of each recess forms an angle of between 80° and 100° with respect to a base. Furthermore, provision is preferably made for the locking mechanism to be of plate-shaped configuration. The plate shape of the locking mechanism is oriented in particular parallel to the base. Thus, the locking mechanism is able to reach all the recesses. Moreover, the locking mechanism makes possible, in particular through the provision of a first opening and a second opening for each recess, simple displacement in order to centre alternatively the first opening or the second opening relative to the associated recess.

The invention further relates to a storage element. The storage element comprises a moulding, which is configured at least in part to be hollow. A sample may preferably be introduced into the hollow moulding. The moulding is moreover configured for insertion into a recess in a storage device. The storage device is preferably a storage device as described above. The moulding is thus shaped in particular in a manner complementary to the recess in the storage device. Particularly advantageously, the moulding is cylindrical. The moulding is connected to a latching member, wherein the latching member is configured to latch together with a locking mechanism. Through the locking mechanism, the storage element may particularly preferably be locked to the storage device.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the latching member is frustoconical or frustopyramidal at least in places. The frustoconical or frustopyramidal portion in particular allows production of a form-fitting connection with the locking mechanism. To this end, the locking mechanism advantageously comprises two different openings, which are connected together. The moulding cannot be passed through a first opening, only the latching member. The entire moulding may be passed through a second opening. If the moulding is thus guided through the second opening and then moved by a relative movement between storage element and locking mechanism to the first opening, the first opening then in particular bears against the frustoconical or frustopyramidal portion. Movement of the storage element out of the first opening is thus no longer possible, whereby the storage element is locked to the locking mechanism.

Finally, the invention relates to a system comprising a storage device as described above and at least one storage element as described above, wherein the storage element may be inserted into a recess in the storage device. Provision is preferably made for the storage element to be lockable with the locking mechanism of the storage device.

The system according to the invention is suitable in particular for different storage elements. For instance, the storage element may comprise a moulding in the form of a hollow body, in which a sample may be accommodated. Alternatively, the storage element may comprise a moulding which functions as the lid element for the above-described hollow body. In both cases provision is made for an identical latching member to be present, wherein the latching member may be locked with the locking mechanism of

- 8 the storage device. In this way, a storage element with different functions may be inserted and locked in a storage device .

Particularly advantageously, the locking mechanism comprises a resilient element. The locking mechanism and thus the storage device may be held in a locked state or in an unlocked state by the resilient element. Unlocking or locking is thus made possible merely by the application and maintenance of an external force. In an idle state without such an external force, the locked state or the unlocked state is maintained. The locking mechanism is mounted on the main body in particular via the resilient element.

Brief description of the drawings

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic exploded representation of a storage device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a schematic view of the storage device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Figure 3 is a schematic view of a system according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4 is a schematic exploded view of the system according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5 is a schematic partially sectional view of the storage device according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention in an unlocked state,

Figure 6 is a schematic partially sectional view of the storage device according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention in a locked state,

Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of the system according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention in an unlocked state,

Figure 8

Figure 9 shows a first detail from Figure 7, shows a second detail from Figure 7,

Figure 10 is a schematic sectional view of the system according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention in a locked state,

Figure 11

Figure 12 shows a first detail from Figure 10, and shows a second detail from Figure 10.

Embodiments of the invention

Figure 1 is a schematic, exploded representation of a storage device 1 according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 2 shows the same storage device 1 in a schematic representation. A storage element in the form of a well 5 is inserted into the storage device 1, wherein the well 5 is closed with a lid 6.

The storage device comprises a main body 2, which is preferably made from a plastics material. The main body 2 comprises a plurality of recesses 3. One well 5 may be inserted into each of the recesses 3. The plurality of recesses 3 are advantageously isolated from one another.

The recesses 3 are in particular hollow-cylindrical. Thus one cylindrical well 5 may be inserted into each hollowcylindrical recess 3. The well 5 is preferably hollowcylindrical and serves to accommodate various samples. A lid 6 is provided to close the well 5. Both the well 5 and the lid 6 are preferably made from a plastics material.

Furthermore, the storage device 1 comprises a locking mechanism 4. With the locking mechanism 4, each well 5 which has been inserted into one of the recesses 3 in the main body 2 may be locked to the storage device 1. To this end, the well 5 also comprises a latching member 11 in addition to a moulding 10. Moulding 10 and latching member 11 are in particular configured in one piece. The moulding 10 is hollow-cylindrical in shape, while the latching member 11 is frustoconical. The locking mechanism 4 comprises a plurality of first openings 7 and second openings 8, wherein each individual recess 3 in the main body 2 is associated both with a first opening 7 and with a second opening 8. The first openings 7 and the second openings 8 are advantageously connected.

The locking mechanism 4 is advantageously arranged displaceably relative to the main body 2. Thus, alternatively a first opening 7 or a second opening 8 connected to the first opening 7 may be centred relative to each of the recesses 3. This allows the wells 5 to be locked within the main body 2. The details of the locking procedure are explained below with reference to Figures 5 to 12.

Figure 3 shows a system 12 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 shows the same system 12 in an exploded representation. In addition to the storage device 1 according to the above-described exemplary embodiment, the system 12 also comprises at least one well and at least one lid 6. The well 5 and the lid 6 represent storage elements, which may be accommodated in storage devices 1. The system 12 further comprises a further storage device 1, wherein the storage devices 1 may advantageously be stacked on one another.

The system according to the invention thus allows each lid and each well 5 to be mounted to its own storage device

1. In this respect, both the well 5 and the lid 6 may be locked to the locking mechanism 4 of the storage device 1. Through stacking of the storage devices 1, the lids 6 are in particular applied to the wells 5. The individual wells 5 are thus very simple to handle.

Figures 5 and 6 show a schematic sectional view of the storage device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention. These figures explain how locking is achieved by the locking mechanism 4. Furthermore, Figures 7 to 12 show sectional views through the system 12 according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein locking by the locking mechanism 4 is again explained. In this respect, the locking mechanism 4 of the storage devices 1 of the system 12 is identical.

Both the lid 6 and the well 5 each comprise a moulding 10 and a latching member 11 connected to the moulding 10. Particularly advantageously, mouldings 10 and latching members 11 are formed in one piece. The locking mechanism 4 comprises a first opening 7 and a second opening 8, wherein the first opening 7 and the second opening 8 are connected together. Such a combination of first opening 7 and second opening 8 is present for each recess 3 in the storage device 1.

The latching member 11 comprises a frustoconical portion. The conical portion serves to latch the well 5 or the lid 6 to the locking mechanism 4. To this end, the first opening 7 of the locking mechanism 4 is configured to be complementary to the latching member 11. The second opening 8, in contrast, allows passage of the latching member 11 through the locking mechanism 4. If the well 5 or the lid 6 is to be locked to the storage device 1, the well 5 or the lid 6 is inserted in each case into a recess in the storage device 1. The locking mechanism 4 is then displaced in such a way that in each case the second openings 8 are centred relative to the recesses 3. The latching member may thus be pushed through the locking mechanism 4. The locking mechanism 4 is then displaced, such that the first openings 7 are centred relative to the recesses 3. Locking thus takes place. This is shown by the example of the well 5 in Figures 5 and 6.

Figure 7 shows in a sectional view a position of the locking mechanism 4 in which the latching members 11 of well 5 and lid 6 have each been passed through the second opening 8 of the locking mechanism 4. It is apparent from

Figure 8, which	shows	detail	A	from	Figure	7,	and	from
Figure 9, which	shows	detail	B	from	Figure	7,	that	no
locking is present between latching	member	11	and	locking

mechanism 4 if the second opening 8 is centred relative to the recess 3.

Figure 10, on the other hand, shows a condition in which the latching members 11 of lid 6 and well 5 are locked with the locking mechanism 4. It is apparent, in particular from Figure 11, which shows detail C from Figure 10, and from Figure 12, which shows detail D from Figure 10, that the second opening 7 of the locking mechanism 4 is configured to be complementary to the latching member 11. Thus, removal of the latching member 11 from the locking mechanism 4 is no longer possible. This means that the entire well 5 and the entire lid element 6 are locked in the respective storage device 1. Removal of well 5 and lid 6 is no longer possible.

Such a structure permits compact locking and immobilisation of a plurality of storage elements, i.e. a plurality of wells 5 and lids 6. At the same time, it permits simplified lidding and delidding of the wells 5, which may in particular take place through stacking of two storage devices 1. Through common locking by means of the locking mechanism 4, a plurality of samples, mounted inside the wells 5, may be very simply handled.

The storage device is particularly advantageously suitable in conjunction with EAS pharmaceutical syringes. Here both metering processes and filtering processes and/or washing processes are made directly possible via the storage device 1.

Locking by the locking mechanism 4 proceeds by displacement of the locking mechanism 4. This movement is very simple to perform manually and can likewise be very simply automated. As a result of the locking, the wells 5 are in particular secured against movement in the event of unfavourable introduction of force. Such unfavourable introduction of force takes the form in particular of rotation of the wells 5 during agitation movements or vertical movements of the wells 5 under the influence of axial force, as arises in particular during oscillating agitation or during reciprocating motion.

In the exemplary embodiments described, only wells 5 and lids 6 have been described as storage elements. Further storage elements are likewise possible, such as in particular flasks or other elements.

The locking function by means of the locking mechanism 4 may also be incorporated into an automatic gripping process. Locking may be initiated or reversed by displacement of the locking mechanism 4 by means of a feature in a gripping jaw. The gripper comprising the gripping jaw and the locking mechanism 4 may here be configured in such a way that locking or unlocking takes place in each case by swivelling of the gripper through 180°.

Claims

Claims

1. A storage device (1) comprising a main body (2), wherein the main body (2) comprises a plurality of recesses (3), and a locking mechanism (4), wherein a storage element (5, 6) may be inserted into each recess (3), and wherein the cross-section of at least one part of at least one recess (3) in the main body (2) may be modified using the locking mechanism (4), in order to prevent removal of the storage element (5, 6) from the recess (3).
2. A storage device (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the storage element (5, 6) may be clamped fast by the locking mechanism (4).
3. A storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that with the locking mechanism (4) the cross-section of all the recesses (3) may be simultaneously modified, such that removal of all the storage elements (5, 6) arranged in the storage device (1) is prevented.
4. A storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the locking mechanism (4) comprises a first opening (7) and a second opening (8) for each recess (3), wherein the first opening (7) and the second opening (8) are connected, wherein locking between storage element (5, 6) and locking mechanism (4) may be produced by the first opening (7), and wherein the storage element (5, 6) may be passed at least in part through the second opening

A storage device (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that the locking mechanism (4) is displaceable, such that alternatively the first opening (7) or the second opening (8) may be centred relative to the associated recess (3) in the main body (2) .

A storage device (1) according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that a form-fitting connection may be produced between storage element (5, 6) and locking mechanism (4) by the first opening (7).

A storage device (1) according to one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that the locking mechanism (4) protrudes on two opposing sides of the main body (2), such that displacement of the locking mechanism (4) may be initiated through application of a force to a region of the locking mechanism (4) protruding beyond the main body (2).

A storage device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the recesses (3) are oriented perpendicular to a base (9) of the main body (2), wherein the locking mechanism (4) is of plateshaped configuration and in particular is oriented parallel to the base (9).

9. A storage element (5, 6) comprising a moulding (10), wherein the moulding (10) is configured for insertion into a recess (3) in a storage device (1), in particular according to one of the preceding claims,
5 and wherein the moulding (10) is configured at least in part to be hollow in order to accommodate a product to be stored, and a latching member (11) connected to the moulding (10) for latching together with the locking mechanism (4).
10. A storage element (5, 6) according to claim 9, characterised in that the latching member (11) comprises a portion which is frustoconical or frustopyramidal at least in places, via which a form15 fitting connection with the locking mechanism (4) may be produced.
11. A system (12) comprising a storage device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and at least one

20 storage element (5, 6) according to claim 9 or 10, which may be inserted into a recess (3) in the storage device (1) and locked with the locking mechanism (4).

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1707170.5 Examiner: Miss Elizabeth Price