JPH10185930A - Dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dispenser in which a dispensation head can be replaced quickly and automatically. SOLUTION: A mechanism 2 for chucking a dispensation head 3 is fixed to the output end of a reciprocal driver 1. A mechanism 5 for controlling the chucking/releasing operation of the chuck mechanism 2 is disposed on the side of each head supporting member 41 of a container 4 containing a spare dispensation head 3. The chuck control mechanism 5 comprises a control piece 54 engaging/disengaging with/from the chuck mechanism 2 to perform chucking/ releasing operation, and a plurality of magnet pieces 81, 82, 8 for driving the control piece 54 reciprocally when the chuck mechanism 2 reciprocates to bring the dispensation head 3 chucked to the chuck mechanism 2 close to the supporting member 41 or separate the dispensation head 3 therefrom.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an immunoassay and DNA
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dispensing apparatus for automatically injecting a fixed amount of reagent into a container containing a sample in various analyzes such as analysis.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an immunoassay, for example, a liquid such as physiological saline is first injected into a sample in a container, and then a reagent is further injected to examine an immune reaction.
A dispensing apparatus as shown in FIG. 7 has conventionally been used for such an operation of injecting a liquid or a reagent (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a reagent). The dispensing device includes a dispensing table (90) for installing a reaction vessel (7), and a head driving device (9) is installed on the dispensing table (90), and a head driving device is provided. apparatus
A dispensing head (91) is attached to the output end of (9). The dispensing head (91) has a plunger mechanism (not shown)
Are linked. A pipette tip (92) for sucking and discharging a reagent is fitted downward at the tip of the dispensing head (91).

[0003] Each of the holes of the reaction container (7) is
When dispensing the reagent to (71), the control device (93) controls the head driving device (9) to move the dispensing head (91) to the reaction vessel.
The reagent in the pipette tip (92) is discharged to the hole (71) by approaching the hole (71) of (7). When diluting or mixing the reagent, another reagent (72) has already been injected into the hole (71), and the reagent to be dropped from the pipette tip (92) is added to the reagent (7) in the hole (71).
The reagent is discharged by contacting the liquid surface of 2) and releasing the surface tension.

In a dispensing apparatus, 0.5 μm is used.
In order to dispense 1 to 200 μl of reagent, a plurality of types of pipette tips having different capacities are used. And
A small-diameter dispensing head for attaching a small volume pipette tip of 0.5 μl to 10 μl;
A large-diameter dispensing head for mounting a large-capacity pipette tip is prepared, and these dispensing heads are exchanged according to the dispensed amount.

[0005]

However, in the conventional dispensing apparatus, since the dispensing head is fixed to the main body of the apparatus by using a fastening means such as a screw, the work of replacing the dispensing head is complicated. Not only that, the dispensing head has a small outer diameter of about 20 mm, so that there is a problem that the replacement operation is extremely difficult. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a dispensing apparatus capable of automatically and quickly exchanging dispensing heads.

[0006]

A dispensing apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
A container installation part for installing one or a plurality of containers to which reagents are to be sucked and discharged, a head storage device storing one or a plurality of dispensing heads for sucking and discharging a reagent,
A reciprocating drive for reciprocating the output end between the container installation section and the head storage device, a chuck for one dispensing head attached to the output end of the reciprocation drive and capable of releasing the dispensing head, and a head housing A chuck control mechanism installed near each head accommodating portion of the apparatus to control a chuck operation and a chuck release operation of the chuck mechanism. The chuck control mechanism includes a control piece that is engaged with and disengaged from the chuck mechanism to perform a chuck operation and a chuck release operation, and a dispensing head that is held by the chuck mechanism is moved closer to one head housing portion of the head housing device or the head housing section is moved. With the movement of the chuck mechanism when separating from the part,
And magnet means for operating the control piece.

In the above dispensing apparatus, when exchanging the dispensing head, first, the dispensing head held by the chuck mechanism is moved to an empty head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device by driving the reciprocating drive device. In the process of accommodating the dispensing head in the head accommodating portion, the magnet means operates in conjunction with the movement of the chuck mechanism, whereby the control piece engages with the chuck mechanism and starts the chuck releasing operation. And
With further movement of the chuck mechanism, the chuck release operation is completed, and the dispensing head is separated from the chuck mechanism. After that, the chuck mechanism is separated from the head accommodating portion by driving the reciprocating drive device. With this movement, the magnet means operates, whereby the control piece is detached from the chuck mechanism. Next, the chuck mechanism is moved to the head accommodating portion accommodating the dispensing head by driving the reciprocating drive device. In the process in which the chuck mechanism is joined to the dispensing head of the head accommodating section, the magnet means operates in accordance with the movement of the chuck mechanism, whereby the control piece engages with the chuck mechanism and starts the chucking operation. Then, further movement of the chuck mechanism completes the chuck operation, and the dispensing head is chucked by the chuck mechanism. Thereafter, the chuck mechanism is moved away from the head housing together with the dispensing head by driving the reciprocating drive. With this movement, the magnet means operates, whereby the control piece is detached from the chuck mechanism.

In another dispensing apparatus according to the present invention,
The chuck control mechanism moves the dispensing head held by the chuck mechanism closer to one head accommodating section of the head accommodating device, or moves the chuck mechanism at the time of separating the dispensing head from the head accommodating section. A driven magnet that moves, and a driven magnet that is installed to face the driving magnet and reciprocates along a fixed path due to magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion generated between the driving magnet and the driving magnet. And a control piece that is connected to the driven magnet means, engages with and disengages from the chuck mechanism with the reciprocating movement of the driven magnet means, and causes the chuck mechanism to perform a chucking operation and a chuck releasing operation.

In the above dispensing apparatus, when exchanging the dispensing head, first, the dispensing head held by the chuck mechanism is moved to an empty head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device by driving the reciprocating drive device. In the process of accommodating the dispensing head in the head accommodating section, the driving magnet means moves with the movement of the chuck mechanism, and the driven magnet means moves by receiving a magnetic attraction force or a magnetic repulsion force. With the movement of the driven magnet means, the control piece engages with the chuck mechanism,
Start the chuck release operation. Then, by further movement of the chuck mechanism, the chuck release operation is completed,
The dispensing head is separated from the chuck mechanism. afterwards,
The chuck mechanism is separated from the head accommodating portion by driving the reciprocating drive device. With this movement, the driving magnet means moves, whereby the driven magnet means moves by receiving magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion. With the movement of the driven magnet means, the control piece separates from the chuck mechanism. Next, the chuck mechanism is moved to the head accommodating portion accommodating the target dispensing head by driving the reciprocating drive device. In the process in which the chuck mechanism is joined to the dispensing head of the head accommodating section, the driving magnet means moves with the movement of the chuck mechanism, whereby the driven magnet means moves. With the movement of the driven magnet means, the control piece engages with the chuck mechanism to start the chuck operation. Then, further movement of the chuck mechanism completes the chuck operation, and the dispensing head is chucked by the chuck mechanism. Thereafter, the chuck mechanism is moved away from the head housing together with the dispensing head by driving the reciprocating drive. With this movement, the driving magnet means moves, whereby the driven magnet piece moves by receiving magnetic attraction or magnetic repulsion. With the movement of the driven magnet means, the control piece separates from the chuck mechanism.

[0010]

According to the dispensing apparatus of the present invention, the chuck mechanism is reciprocally driven by the reciprocating drive to move the chuck mechanism on which the dispensing head is chucked to the head accommodating portion of the head accommodating apparatus. The chucking operation is performed in conjunction with the operation of moving the chuck mechanism in which the dispensing head is not chucked to the head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device. Can be exchanged automatically and quickly.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. Overall Configuration In the dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, an X-axis driving mechanism (11) and a Y-axis driving mechanism are provided on a dispensing table (10).
(12) and a reciprocating drive (1) comprising a Z-axis drive mechanism (13), and a chuck mechanism at an output end of the Z-axis drive mechanism (13).
(2) is attached. The dispensing head (3) is chucked to the chuck mechanism (2) as described later. As a result, a plunger mechanism (not shown) for sucking and discharging the reagent is connected to the dispensing head (3).
A disposable pipette tip (6) is detachably fitted to the lower end of the dispensing head (3). The operations of the reciprocating drive (1) and the plunger mechanism are controlled by a control circuit (14).

A tip holder (6) containing a plurality of disposal pipette tips (6) is placed on the dispensing table (10).
1), head accommodating device accommodating a plurality of dispensing heads (3)
(4) and a plurality of reaction vessels (7) are respectively installed at predetermined positions. A plurality of holes (71) are formed in the surface of each reaction vessel (7). The head storage device (4) includes a plurality of head support members (41) according to the number of dispensing heads to be stored, and a chuck mechanism is provided on a side portion of each head support member (41).
The chuck of (2) and a chuck control mechanism (5) for controlling the release thereof are arranged.

[0013] As shown in diagram 2 of the chuck mechanism (2), the output end of the reciprocating drive apparatus (1) (15), the cylindrical member (21) having a central bore (20) is fixed, circular pillar member
A slide cylinder (22) is attached to the outer peripheral surface of (21). The slide cylinder (22) has an upper half (27) slidably fitted to the cylindrical member (21), and a lower half (28) having a larger diameter than the upper half (27).
And a flange (26) projecting outward between the upper half (27) and the lower half (28). At the top of the cylindrical member (21),
A pressing spring (2) that presses the slide cylinder (22) toward the cylindrical member (21)
5) is installed. In addition, a plurality of chuck claws for holding the head of the dispensing head (3) are provided below the cylindrical member (21).
(23) (23) is pivotally supported so that it can be opened and closed, and each chuck claw (2
3) is urged in the opening direction by a tension spring (24).

Therefore, when the slide cylinder (22) is held at the rising end as shown, a plurality of chuck claws (23) (23)
Is opened by the urging of the tension springs (24) and (24) and is held at a position where it contacts the lower end of the slide cylinder (22). When the slide cylinder (22) descends from this state, the chuck claws (23) and (23) are pressed downward by the lower end of the slide cylinder (22),
It will be closed against the tension spring (24).

[0015] dispensing the head of the head configuration dispensing head body of the head (3) (3) (30), the connecting member having a chucked portion (32) and the flange portion (33) (34) is fixed The chucked portion (32) is provided with the plurality of chuck claws (23).
(23). Also, the head body (3
A nozzle (31) projects downward from the lower end of (0), and the above-mentioned pipette tip (6) is detachably fitted to the nozzle (31). When the dispensing head (3) is chucked by the chuck mechanism (2), the cylindrical member (21) of the chuck mechanism (2) and the connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3) engage with each other and come into close contact with each other. Accurate mutual alignment will be performed.

A head supporting member (41) capable of accommodating and supporting the dispensing head (3) is vertically engaged with a head mounting table (40) of the head accommodating device (4) . It is vertically elastically supported by a spring (42). At the upper end of the head support member (41), a magnet holding piece (4
3) are connected and fixed, and a first driving magnet piece (81) and a second driving magnet piece (82) are attached to the upper and lower portions of the magnet holding piece (43). When the dispensing head (3) is accommodated in the head supporting member (41) of the head accommodating device (4), the flange (33) of the connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3) is not shown. The dispensing head (3) is received in contact with the end of the magnet holding piece (43) as shown in FIG.

Configuration of the chuck control mechanism (5) A rocking lever is provided along the side surface of the column (50) which is erected vertically.
(51) is swingably supported by the pivot (52). A control piece (54) to be engaged with the slide cylinder (22) of the chuck mechanism (2) protrudes from the upper end of the swing lever (51). or,
A driven magnet piece (8) is mounted above the pivot (52) of the swing lever (51). A stopper (53) for regulating the counterclockwise rotation end of the swing lever (51) is projected from the support (50), and the swing lever (51) as shown in the figure.
The swing lever (51) is held in a vertical posture with the upper end of the lever abutting on the stopper (53).

The first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) of the magnet holding piece (43) and the driven magnet piece of the swing lever (51)
With (8), the orientation is defined so as to have a polarity relationship as shown in FIG. That is, the first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) are mounted with the N pole facing the swing lever (51), and the driven magnet piece (8) is mounted on the magnet holding piece (43). ) Side. In addition, these magnet pieces (8) (8
1) The shape and relative positional relationship of (82) are represented by distances a,
b, c, d, and e are 3 mm, 2 mm, 1.2 mm, respectively.
It is specified to be 1.7 mm and 5.6 mm. or,
The surface magnetic flux densities of these magnet pieces (8), (81) and (82) are 12
00 Gauss.

First driving magnet piece (81), second driving magnet piece (82)
By arranging the driven magnet pieces (8) in the above positional relationship, the second driving magnet piece (82) comes very close to the driven magnet pieces (8) as shown in FIG. When the magnets are placed at different positions, the repulsion state in which the two magnets repel each other is more dominant than the attracted state in which the different poles of the two magnets attract each other. Occur. On the other hand, in a state where the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8) at the same height in front of each other, the opposite magnetic poles of the two magnets strongly attract each other, and the attraction between the two magnets. Force will be generated. This phenomenon similarly occurs in the relationship between the first driving magnet piece (81) and the driven magnet piece (8).

Chuck operation of dispensing head As shown in FIG. 4, a chuck mechanism in which the dispensing head is not chucked by driving the reciprocating drive (1).
(2) is lowered toward the target dispensing head (3) accommodated in the head support member (41). At this time, the chuck mechanism
The slide cylinder (22) of (2) is slid to the rising end and held by the presser spring (25). With this, the chuck claws (23) and (23) are opened by the urging of the tension spring. Is held. Also, the head support member (41) is supported at the rising end by the bias of the spring, and accordingly,
The second driving magnet piece (82) is set at a position slightly higher than the driven magnet piece (8). This allows the driven magnet piece
As described above, a repulsive force is generated between (8) and the second driving magnet piece (82), and the repulsive force causes the swing lever (51) to be rotationally biased counterclockwise and hit the stopper (53).

As shown in FIG. 2, when the chuck mechanism (2) further descends, the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8), and an attractive force is generated between the two magnet pieces. The rocking lever (51) is slightly rotated clockwise by the suction force. Then, as shown in the figure, when the chuck mechanism (2) further descends, the intermediate position between the first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8), Drive magnet piece (81) (82)
A repulsive force is generated between the swing lever (51) and the driven magnet piece (8), and the repulsive force causes the swing lever (51) to return to the clockwise rotation end. Then, when the chuck mechanism (2) further descends,
As shown in the drawing, the first driving magnet piece (81) faces the driven magnet piece (8), and an attractive force is generated between the two magnet pieces, and the swinging lever (51) is again clockwise by the attractive force. To rotate. Due to the simultaneous swing of the swing lever (51) and the lowering operation of the chuck mechanism (2), the control piece (54) of the swing lever (51) moves the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22). Get over it.

Next, as shown in FIG.
By driving (1), the chuck mechanism (2) is raised.
Along with this, the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22) is
Abuts the control piece (54) of (51), and thereafter, the slide cylinder (22)
Is prevented, and the slide cylinder (22) descends relatively to the cylindrical member (21). Thereby, the slide cylinder (22) presses the chuck claws (23) and (23) downward, and the chuck claws (23) and (23) are closed against the tension spring.
As a result, the chuck claws (23) and (23) hold the chucked portion (32) of the dispensing head (3), and the dispensing head (2) is attached to the chuck mechanism (2).
(3) is chucked. Thereafter, the chuck mechanism (2) is slightly lowered as shown in FIG.
6) is separated from the control piece (54) of the swing lever (51). At this time, the intermediate position between the first driving magnet piece (81) and the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8), and receives the repulsive force of both magnet pieces, thereby causing the swing lever (51). Rotates counterclockwise.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG.
(2) is raised. In the process of raising the chuck mechanism (2), the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8),
The swing lever (51) once rotates clockwise, at which time the control piece (54) has passed through the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22), and has a lower half (28). Abut or oppose. Thereafter, when the chuck mechanism (2) is further raised, the second driving magnet piece (82)
As a result, a repulsive force is generated between the driven magnet piece 8 and the driven magnet piece 8, and the swing lever 51 returns to the counterclockwise rotating end as shown in the figure.

Then, as shown in FIG.
Is further lifted, whereby the dispensing head (3) chucked by the chuck mechanism (2) is pulled out from the head support member (41).

Chuck release operation of dispensing head As shown in FIG. 6, a chuck mechanism (2) in which the dispensing head (3) is chucked by driving the reciprocating drive (1).
Is lowered toward the empty head support member (41), and the dispensing head (3) is inserted into the head support member (41). And
By further lowering the dispensing head (3), the second driving magnet piece (82) faces the driven magnet piece (8) as shown in FIG. (Five
1) rotates clockwise, and the control piece (54) comes into contact with the lower end (28) of the slide cylinder (22).

When the chuck mechanism (2) is further lowered from this state, the control piece (54) comes into contact with the flange (26) of the slide cylinder (22), as shown in FIG. Block the descent of 22). As a result, the slide cylinder (22) is
As a result, the chuck claw (2
3) Release the pressing of (23). As a result, the chuck claws (23) (2
The dispensing head (3) is opened by being urged by the tension spring.
Is released from the chucked portion (32).

Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
By raising (2), the chuck mechanism (2) is detached from the dispensing head (3), and the dispensing head (3) remains in the head support member (41). Further, as shown in the drawing, the revolving force is generated between the second driving magnet piece (82) and the driven magnet piece (8), and the swing lever (51) rotates counterclockwise. The stopper (53) to return to the lower position.

When replacing the dispensing head (3), the chuck mechanism (2) to which the dispensing head (3) has been chucked is moved to the empty head supporting member (4).
6), and the chuck release operation shown in FIG. Thereafter, the chuck mechanism (2) is moved to a position above the head support member (41) in which the intended dispensing head (3) is accommodated, and FIGS.
Is performed.

After chucking the dispensing head (3) to the dispensing operation chuck mechanism (2),
By driving the reciprocating drive (1), the dispensing head (3) is moved onto the tip holder (61) shown in FIG. 1, and thereafter, the dispensing head (3) is directed toward one pipette tip (6). Pipette tip into dispensing head (3) by lowering
Attach (6). Then, the dispensing head (3) with the pipette tip (6) mounted thereon is moved onto a reagent container (not shown), and the reagent is sucked into the pipette tip (6). Move to the desired reaction vessel (7),
The reagent is discharged from the pipette tip (6) into a predetermined hole (71) of the reaction vessel (7).

As described above, according to the dispensing apparatus according to the present invention, the chucking operation of the dispensing head (3) is accompanied by the operation of moving the chuck mechanism (2) toward and away from the head accommodating device (4). And the chuck release operation is performed automatically,
It is not necessary to replace the dispensing head manually as in the related art, and the head can be quickly replaced. Dispensing head
In the chuck state of (3), the cylindrical member of the chuck mechanism (2)
(21) and the connecting member (34) of the dispensing head (3) are engaged and in close contact with each other, and accurate alignment of the chuck mechanism (2) and the dispensing head (3) is performed. Dispensing operation is possible.

The description of the above embodiments is for the purpose of explaining the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention described in the claims or reducing the scope thereof.
In addition, the configuration of each part of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a dispensing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken front view showing an enlarged main part of the dispensing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating polarities and positional relationships of a first driving magnet piece, a second driving magnet piece, and a driven magnet piece.

FIG. 4 is a process chart showing the first half of the chuck operation.

FIG. 5 is a process chart showing the latter half of the chuck operation.

FIG. 6 is a process chart showing a chuck release operation.

FIG. 7 is a partially broken side view showing a schematic configuration of a conventional dispensing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Reciprocating drive (2) Chuck mechanism (3) Dispensing head (4) Head storage device (5) Chuck control mechanism (6) Pipette tip (7) Reaction vessel (8) Follower magnet piece (81) First Drive magnet piece (82) 2nd drive magnet piece

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A container installation part for installing one or more containers to be inhaled and discharged of a reagent,
A head accommodating device accommodating one or a plurality of dispensing heads to be ejected, a reciprocating drive device for reciprocating an output end between a container installation portion and the head accommodating device, and a reciprocating drive device attached to the output end. It comprises a chuck mechanism capable of chucking and releasing one dispensing head, and a chuck control mechanism installed near each head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device and controlling the chucking operation and the chuck releasing operation of the chuck mechanism. A chuck control mechanism that engages with and disengages from the chuck mechanism to perform a chucking operation and a chuck releasing operation; and causes the dispensing head held by the chucking mechanism to approach one head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device; or A dispensing device including magnet means for operating the control piece in accordance with movement of the chuck mechanism when the chuck mechanism is moved away from the head accommodating portion. Location. 2. A container installation section for installing one or a plurality of containers to be inhaled and discharged from a reagent,
A head accommodating device accommodating one or a plurality of dispensing heads to be ejected, a reciprocating drive device for reciprocating an output end between a container installation portion and the head accommodating device, and a reciprocating drive device attached to the output end. It comprises a chuck mechanism capable of chucking and releasing one dispensing head, and a chuck control mechanism installed near each head accommodating portion of the head accommodating device and controlling the chucking operation and the chuck releasing operation of the chuck mechanism. The chuck control mechanism moves the dispensing head held by the chuck mechanism closer to one head storage unit of the head storage device, or interlocks with the movement of the chuck mechanism when separating the head from the head storage unit;
A driving magnet means moving on a fixed path, and a reciprocating movement on a fixed path by a magnetic attraction force or a magnetic repulsion force generated between the driving magnet means and the driving magnet means, which is installed to face the driving magnet means. A dispensing apparatus comprising: a driven magnet means; and a control piece connected to the driven magnet means and disengaged from the chuck mechanism with the reciprocating movement of the driven magnet means, so that the chuck mechanism performs a chucking operation and a chuck releasing operation. . 3. A head support member (41) for supporting a dispensing head (3), wherein each head housing portion of the head housing device (4) is provided.
And a spring for elastically supporting the head support member (41) in the vertical direction.
(42), wherein the driving magnet means is a head supporting member.
The magnet holding piece (43) attached to (41) and the magnet holding piece (4
3) is composed of a first driving magnet piece (81) and a second driving magnet piece (82) disposed on the upper and lower parts of
The control piece (54), comprising: a swing lever (51) that is freely swingable within a certain angle range in a vertical plane; and a driven magnet piece (8) attached to the swing lever (51). The swing lever (51)
3. The dispensing device according to claim 2, wherein the dispensing device protrudes from the swinging end of the dispensing device. 4. A first driving magnet piece (81) and a second driving magnet piece.
(82) and the driven magnet piece (8) are moved up and down by the magnet holding piece (43) to move the first driving magnet piece (81) or the second driving magnet piece (82).
And the driven magnet pieces (8) are arranged in a positional relationship and a polar relationship in which they attract each other in a state where they face each other at the same height position and repel each other in a state where they face diagonally at slightly different height positions. Item 4. The dispensing device according to Item 3. 5. A chuck mechanism (2) for holding a plurality of chuck claws (23) (23) capable of holding a dispensing head (3), and opening and closing the chuck claws (23) (23). The dispensing device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising an opening / closing mechanism configured to open and close the chuck claws (23, 23) by a control piece of the chuck control means being disengaged from the opening / closing mechanism.