LU502214B1 - Method for Testing a Receptacle Quality - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for testing a receptacle quality, wherein the receptacle comprises an inlet opening for inletting liquid into the receptacle and an outlet opening for dispensing liquid from the receptacle when a pressure is applied on the liquid, wherein the method comprises the steps : filling a liquid filling device with a predetermined liquid volume, inserting said liquid into a reference receptacle and performing a reference dispensing process for dispensing liquid from the reference receptacle, determining a physical reference value for the reference receptacle, in particular wherein the physical reference value depends on the reference dispensing process, filling the liquid filling device with the same predetermined liquid volume, inserting said liquid into a receptacle and performing a dispensing process for dispensing liquid from the receptacle, determining a physical value for the receptacle, in particular wherein the physical value depends on the dispensing process, wherein the test comprises the determination whether the physical value fulfills a predetermined condition which depends on the physical reference value.

Description

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LU502214

Method for Testing a Receptacle Quality

The invention relates to a method for testing a receptacle quality.

Liquid handling is a fundamental process in many laboratories. In modern life science laboratories, high-throughput liquid handling is frequently needed for the purpose of efficiency. For liquid dispensing at the micro-, nano- or even picolitre level, the surface adhesion is a fundamental factor that affects the performance. Basically, liquid-dispensing technologies have to overcome surface adhesion and dispense the droplet from the dispensing tool. When the volume is very small, gravity is not sufficient for dropping viscous samples. A variety of methods have been developed to overcome the problem by generating additional driving forces to dispense the droplet. In general, those methods can be classified into two categories: contact and noncontact dispensing, respectively.

In contact dispensing techniques, such as pipetting, a touch-off is necessary to complete the liquid dispensing. Contact dispensing is most popular for dispensing samples of small volume from nano- to microliter because of its simplicity, reliability, and low cost. However, reliable dispensing requires an accurate positioning system. Furthermore, special attention must be paid to hard contact, which may damage the dispenser tip by colliding with the container.

In noncontact dispensing techniques, the liquid is ejected from an orifice of a receptacle in which the liquid is arranged wherein a dispenser does not come into contact with the liquid. It reduces or eliminates some disadvantages of contact dispensing mentioned above. In particular, cross-contamination can be avoided. The most common approaches are based on the inkjet printing technology, thereby using different dispensing means, such as solenoid valves, piezoelectric dispensers, acoustic dispensers, electrostatic devices, etc..

Typically, liquid handling refers to small volume dispensing operations, however, at the micro-, nano- or picolitre level, the number of transferred samples can be huge. Under these conditions, liquid handling by hand can be very time-consuming and, in some cases, impractical.

Consequently, there is a strong demand for automated liquid handling systems. Dispensing devices are known that comprise a dispensing head by means of which a pressure is applied to a liquid in a receptacle having an outlet opening. Due to the applied pressure liquid is dispensed from the

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LU502214 receptacle.

Receptacles are known that have an inlet opening for inletting liquid into the receptacle.

Additionally, the receptacle comprises an outlet opening for dispensing liquid from the receptacle when a pressure is applied on the liquid. As is discussed below in more detail, the outlet opening is designed such that no liquid leaves the receptacle due to gravity. That means, pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure has to be applied on the liquid so that liquid dispenses through the outlet opening.

Carriers are known that comprise a plurality of receptacles. Said carriers are inserted into a receive portion of the dispensing device and the dispensing device, in particular the dispensing head, applies pressure on one or more receptacles so that liquid is dispensed from one or more receptacle. It has to be ensured that the receptacles have the same dispensing behavior. This means, e.g. the same liquid volume is to be dispensed from different receptacles when the same pressure is applied on said receptacles. However, this is not always ensured. For example, different liquid volumes can be dispensed from different receptacles when the same pressure is applied on the liquid. This is possible due to inaccuracies during production of the carrier and/or the receptacles. Thus, receptacles that have storage chambers and/or outlet openings with slightly different dimensions and/or shape can have different dispensing behaviors.

It is known to manually fill the receptacle or receptacles with predetermined liquid volume. Thereto, calibrated single pipettes are used in order to ensure that the predetermined liquid volume is filled into the receptacle. That means, the receptacle to be tested exactly contains the predetermined liquid volume. Afterwards, a dispensing process is conducted and it is tested whether the receptacle has the predetermined dispensing behavior.

It is necessary to use calibrated single pipettes in order to ensure that a predetermined liquid volume is dispensed into the receptacle. However, it is not possible to use commonly known liquid dispensing apparatus like bulk dispensers that for example have 8 liquid filling devices, in particular filling lines, for dispensing liquid into a receptacle, respectively. The liquid dispensing apparatus cannot be used because due to manufacturing tolerances the dispensed liquid volume differs from liquid filling device to liquid filling device. Thus, if said known liquid filling devices, in particular bulk dispensers, are used, the liquid volume arranged in the receptacles to be tested is not known after the dispensing processes are performed. However, in the known methods the receptacle cannot be

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LU502214 tested if the liquid volume arranged in the receptacle to be tested is not known.

The known method with using the calibrated single pipette is time consuming as sometimes a receptacle batch to be tested comprises 96, 384 or even more receptacles. As the test is time consuming only some of the receptacles of the receptacle batch can be tested. Thus, the risk exists that receptacles that do not have the predetermined dispensing behavior are not identified during the test.

The object of the invention is to provide a method by means of which the receptacle can be tested faster.

The object is solved by a method for testing a receptacle quality, wherein the receptacle comprises an inlet opening for inletting liquid into the receptacle and an outlet opening for dispensing liquid from the receptacle when a pressure is applied on the liquid, wherein the method comprises the steps: filling a liquid filling device with a predetermined liquid volume, inserting said liquid into a reference receptacle and performing a reference dispensing process for dispensing liquid from the reference receptacle, determining a physical reference value for the reference receptacle, in particular wherein the physical reference value depends on the reference dispensing process, filling the liquid filling device with the same predetermined liquid volume, inserting said liquid into a receptacle and performing a dispensing process for dispensing liquid from the receptacle, determining a physical value for the receptacle, in particular the physical value depends on the dispensing process, wherein the test comprises the determination whether the physical value fulfills a predetermined condition which depends on the physical reference value.

According to the invention it was realized that for testing the receptacle quality it is not necessary to know the exact liquid volume arranged in the receptacle to be tested. This is not necessary if a reference receptacle is defined and a reference dispensing process is performed. By considering a reference receptacle it is possible to use known liquid filling devices. The same liquid filling device is used for filling liquid into the receptacle and the reference receptacle. In particular, the liquid filling device is filled with the same predetermined liquid volume when it inserts said liquid into the

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LU502214 receptacle to be tested as when it inserts liquid into the receptacle. That means, the liquid volume arranged in the receptacle is the same or basically the same as in the reference receptacle. Thus, in the inventive method the exact liquid volume arranged in the receptacle to be tested is not known and has not to be known as it is explained below. However, due to filling the receptacle and the reference receptacle by the same liquid filling device, it is known that the receptacle and the reference receptacle contain the same liquid volume. As is discussed above said liquid volume can differ from the predetermined liquid volume filled into the liquid filling device due to for example manufacturing inaccuracies and/or due to a dead volume that always remains in the liquid filling device. As it is explained below in more detail, the receptacle is tested by considering whether the determined physical value assigned to the receptacle fulfils a condition that is dependent on the determined physical reference value.

In other words, the inaccuracies of the liquid filling apparatus do not have an impact on the quality test of the receptacle. Thus, it is not necessary to use a calibrated single pipette but it is possible to use a liquid handling device by means of which the quality test can be automated. As it is not necessary to manually perform the receptacle test the test is conducted faster than the known methods. Additionally, more or all receptacles of a receptacle batch can be tested.

A “receptacle batch” means a group of receptacles that are manufactured in a manufacturing process. The number of receptacles is not limited. A receptacle can be made out of polymers (e.g., polypropylene), metals (e.g., aluminum, copper) and/or glass. When a pressure, in particular pressure pulse is applied, on top of the receptacle a liquid droplet or liquid jet is released on a target carrier arranged below the receptacle. With “applying pressure on the liquid” it is meant that a pressure being different, in particular higher, than the atmospheric pressure is applied on the liquid.

The receptacle can be arranged in a through hole of a carrier plate in a releasable manner. That means, the connection between the receptacle and the carrier plate can be disconnected without destroying the receptacle and/or the carrier plate. Additionally, the receptacle can be inserted into the through hole or removed from the through hole without the use of any tools. Such a carrier can have 96 receptacles that can be inserted or removed from the carrier. Alternatively, the receptacle and the carrier plate can be made in one form. In said embodiment each receptacle bottom has at least one outlet opening. Said embodiment can be used if the carrier has 384 or more receptacles.

The receptacles can be arranged in a matrix form. Carriers having a plurality of receptacles are also called “multi-well plates” or “microtiter plates”.

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LU502214

The receptacle is capable of holding and releasing a liquid, in particular onto a target plate or into a target receptacle of a target carrier, only when a defined pressure, in particular pressure pulse, is applied on top of the receptacle. In particular, the pressure is applied to the liquid arranged in the 5 receptacle. When there is no pressure pulse applied on the receptacle, no liquid is released since capillary forces keep the liquid in the cavity of the receptacle. That means, no liquid is released due to the atmosphere pressure acting on the liquid.

The outlet opening of the receptacle, in particular of the first receptacle and/or the second receptacle, can have a diameter between 60pm (micrometer) and 200um, in particular 100pm. The dispensed liquid can be a liquid droplet or a liquid jet and/or have a volume of at least 10 nanoliters.

In particular, the dispensed liquid can have a volume in the range between 10 nanoliters to 100 nanoliters. Larger volumes are achieved by applying up to 100 pulses per second on the receptacle.

The maximum volume of the dispensed liquid per receptacle is the receptacle volume. The receptacle can have a volume between 80 microliters to 800 microliters. The initial volume of liquid arranged in the receptacle can be between 10 microliters to 500 microliters.

A liquid filling device can be any device by means of which liquid can be inserted into the receptacle and/or the reference receptacle. The liquid filling device is configured that it always dispenses the same liquid volume in different dispensing steps if the same conditions apply, in particular if the liquid arranged in the filling device is applied with the same pressure for dispensing liquid from the liquid filling device. In other words, it is possible to reproduce the same dispensed liquid volume in different dispensing steps when the dispensing process is conducted with the same control variable value. However, the liquid filling device is not calibrated. That means, different liquid filling devices that are identically shaped and which are exposed to the same condition, for example the same pressure is applied on the liquid arranged in the liquid filling device, might differ in the dispensed liquid volume. Contrary to that liquid filling devices that are calibrated do not differ in the dispensed liquid volume. In other words, each of the calibrated liquid filling devices dispenses the same liquid volume when the dispensing process is conducted with the same control variable value.

The liquid filling device is configured to contain liquid and to transport the liquid to different places and/or can be shaped as a hollow line. A liquid handling apparatus can comprise the liquid filling device. In particular, the liquid handling apparatus can comprise a plurality of liquid filling devices.

The liquid handling apparatus can be a bulk dispenser. Each of the liquid filling devices can dispense

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LU502214 a liquid into a receptacle when the liquid handling apparatus is arranged such that liquid can be dispensed into receptacles. Thereto, the liquid filling device can enter a storage chamber of the receptacle. The storage chamber is a receptacle chamber for receiving the liquid. As mentioned above, due to for example manufacturing tolerances the dispensed liquid volume differs between the liquid filling devices even though the same pressure is applied on the liquid arranged in the liquid filling devices. The liquid handling apparatus and/or the liquid filling device can automatically fill the receptacles with liquid. That means, the advantage of the liquid handling apparatus is that no manually filling of receptacles is necessary anymore.

If the carrier has 96 receptacles, the liquid handling apparatus has preferably 8 liquid filling devices.

However, if the carrier has 384 receptacles, the liquid handling apparatus preferably has 16 liquid filling devices. In both embodiments the liquid handling apparatus has to be moved in one direction to dispense liquid into receptacles, in particular 8 or 16 receptacles, arranged in one row.

As discussed above said liquid handling apparatus comprising several liquid filling devices are not used so far as the liquid volumes dispensed by the respective liquid filling devices differ from each other. However, it was realized that each of the liquid filling devices dispenses the same liquid volume if dispensing processes are repeated and the respective liquid filling device is filled with the same liquid volume. That means, by moving the dispensing apparatus along the carrier, the liquid filling device or each of the liquid filling devices dispense the same liquid volume into the receptacle of the respective row if the respective liquid filling device is prefilled with the same predetermined liquid volume.

The liquid depends on the usage field of the dispensing device. The liquid can contain at least one biological particle. The biological particles may be microorganisms such as bacteria, archaean, yeast, fungi, and viruses or cells, DNA, RNA, or proteins. The liquid may have a single or multiple of the aforementioned biological particles. The liquid can promote the growth of the biological particles, in particular cells, arranged in the liquid. Alternatively, the liquid can consist merely of liquids, e.g. one or more chemical reagents.

The dispensing process for dispensing liquid from the receptacle can comprise one or more dispensing steps. In a dispensing step a liquid volume is dispensed from the receptacle. The reference dispensing step for dispensing liquid from the reference receptacle can comprise one or more dispensing steps. In said dispensing step a liquid volume is dispensed from the reference

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LU502214 receptacle.

The physical reference value depends on the reference dispensing process and relates to a dispensing behavior of the reference receptacle. Thus, the physical reference value is dependent on the reference dispensing process. In other words, the physical reference value can only be determined by performing the reference dispensing process. The physical value depends on the dispensing process and relates to a dispensing behavior of the receptacle. Thus, the physical value is dependent on the dispensing process. In other words, the physical value can only be determined by performing the dispensing process. To fulfill the condition of the quality test the receptacle shall have the same or essentially same behavior as the reference receptacle. As it is discussed below, the receptacle shall have the same or essentially same behavior as the reference receptacle by conducting the dispensing process and the reference dispensing process with the same control variable, in particular the same control variable value. The dispensing behavior of the specific receptacle can be characterized by the volume of dispensed liquid and/or the number of dispensing steps that must be performed so that all liquid arranged in the specific receptacle is dispensed.

According to an embodiment the condition can be fulfilled when the determined physical value corresponds to the determined physical reference value or is arranged in a predetermined range around the physical reference value. In particular, the condition can be fulfilled when a difference between the physical determined value and the determined physical reference value is Zero or is within a predetermined range. If the condition is fulfilled the tested receptacle is considered as acceptable to be used in an operating mode of the dispensing device. However, if the condition is not fulfilled, the tested receptacle does not have such a quality that it can be used in an operation mode of the dispensing device. In the operation mode of the dispensing device a set liquid volume is dispensed into a target receptacle of a target carrier.

By using said kind of condition, the inaccuracy in liquid volume dispensing by means of the liquid filling device has no impact on the test as the liquid filling device inserts the same inaccurate liquid volume into both the reference receptacle and the receptacle. Thus, the mistake in the dispensed liquid volume is the same for both receptacles. Thus, it is possible to determine the receptacle quality by using the physical value and the physical reference value.

The physical reference value can be a number of dispensing steps that are conducted to empty the reference receptacle. Additionally or alternatively, the physical reference value can be a liquid

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LU502214 volume that is dispensed from the reference receptacle in the reference dispensing process. The physical value can be a number of dispensing steps that are conducted to empty the receptacle. the physical value is a liquid volume that is dispensed from the receptacle in the dispensing process.

The dispensed liquid volume can be measured after the dispensing process or the reference dispensing process is finished. As discussed below the reference dispensing process and the dispensing process can be conducted with the same control variable, in particular the same control variable value.

By considering the number of dispensing steps and/or the dispensed liquid volume it can be easily determined whether the receptacle and the reference receptacle have the same dispensing behavior so that it is possible to determine whether the tested receptacle fulfills the condition and thus has the needed quality.

The number of dispensing steps that are conducted to the empty the reference receptacle or the receptacle can be determined by counting the liquid droplets that are dispensed from the reference receptacle or the receptacle when the dispensing device dispenses the liquid. Thereto, the dispensing device can comprise an acquisition device. The acquisition device can, in particular automatically, determine whether a liquid is dispensed in the dispensing step. With “automatically” it is meant that the acquisition device can determine itself whether a liquid is dispensed or not. That means, the decision can be taken without an involvement of the operator of the dispensing device.

The acquisition device is an electric or electronic device.

The acquisition device can comprise an acquiring whether liquid is dispensed from the receptacle without to come into physical contact with the liquid. In particular, the acquisition device can optically acquire whether a liquid is dispensed from the receptacle or reference receptacle. In that case the acquisition device can comprise a source for emitting a wave, in particular a light beam, and a receiver for receiving the wave, in particular the light beam. The acquisition device can be arranged below the receptacle and/or can be arranged such that the dispensed liquid has to pass between a passage between the source and receiver. This means, the dispensed liquid interrupts the emitted wave, in particular the light beam. Thus, the acquisition device acquires that a liquid is dispensed when the dispensed liquid interrupts the emitted wave, in particular light beam. If the light beam is not interrupted, no liquid is dispensed from the receptacle or reference receptacle. Alternatively, other acquisition processes exist by means of which it is possible to determine whether a liquid is dispensed in a dispensing step.

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LU502214

The acquisition device can be electrically connected to a data processing unit of the dispensing device. In particular, the acquisition device can transmit an acquisition result, in particular whether a liquid is dispensed in a dispensing step, to the data processing unit. The data processing unit can trigger the acquisition device to start with the acquisition. In particular, the data processing unit can trigger the acquisition device to start with acquisition when the data processing unit acts on the dispensing head of the dispensing device to perform dispensing steps and/or to stop with the dispensing steps. The data processing unit can trigger the dispensing head such that dispensing steps are performed until the data processing unit receives from the acquisition device the information that no liquid is dispensed in a dispensing step. If more receptacles are provided, an acquisition device can be assigned to a receptacle, respectively. This means, the number of acquisition devices corresponds with the number of receptacles. The first number of dispensing steps and the second number of dispensing steps can be determined by using the acquisition device.

The data processing unit is an electric or electronic unit. The data processing unit can comprise one or more processors for processing data. Alternatively, the data processing unit can be a processor for processing data. In particular, the data processing unit can comprise a printed circuit board. The data processing unit can be used for controlling the dispensing device, in particular the dispensing head.

As is discussed above, the liquid filling apparatus is used to fill liquid into the receptacle and into the reference receptacle. In particular, the same liquid filling device of the liquid filling apparatus is used to fill liquid volume into the receptacle and into the reference receptacle. This can be done automatically and/or manually. Additionally, if the liquid filling apparatus comprises several liquid filling lines, several receptacles and/or reference receptacles can be filled at the same time.

The liquid filling device can be prefilled with the predetermined liquid volume to be dispensed into the reference receptacle and/or the liquid filling device can be prefilled with the predetermined liquid volume to be dispensed into the receptacle. The liquid filling device can fill the reference receptacle and then the receptacle or vice versa. It is also possible that the liquid filling device fills a plurality of reference receptacles and subsequently a plurality of receptacles or vice versa and/or in that the liquid filling device fills alternately the reference receptacle and the receptacle. The liquid filling device is refilled after it inserts liquid into the receptacle or the

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LU502214 reference receptacle.

All the aforementioned possibilities can be conducted for a carrier having a plurality of receptacles.

That means, after the liquid filling apparatus conducts the filling process, the carrier has several receptacles and reference receptacles that are filled with liquid. The arrangement of the receptacles and reference receptacles is not important as long as it is secured that a pair of receptacle and reference receptacle is known which are filed by the same liquid filling device. In other words, each receptacle can be assigned to a reference receptacles wherein the assignment criteria is that both receptacles are filed by the same liquid filling device.

It is also possible that all receptacles of a carrier are defined as reference receptacles. In that case receptacles of a further carrier are present. Said receptacles are tested by using the reference receptacles as it is discussed above. Each of the reference receptacles is assigned to at least one receptacle so that pairs are defined that comprise a reference receptacle and a receptacle and that are filled by the same liquid filling device.

If the liquid filling apparatus comprises a plurality of liquid filling devices, the liquid filling devices can fill liquid into receptacles and reference receptacles. The aforementioned quality test comprises the determination of whether the physical value of a receptacle fulfills the predetermined condition which depends on the physical reference value of the reference receptacle that is filled by the same liquid device as the receptacle. In other words, receptacle pairs comprising a reference receptacle and a receptacle that are filled by the same liquid filling device are defined. The quality test can be conducted for each of said defined pairs.

After the liquid filling apparatus filled the liquid volume into the receptacle, the receptacle can be inserted into a receiving portion of a holder of a dispensing device. In particular, the carrier having carrying the receptacle can be inserted into the receiving portion of the holder of the dispensing device. Likewise, the reference receptacle can be inserted into the receiving portion of the holder of the dispensing device. In particular, the carrier of the reference receptacle can be inserted into the receive portion. As it is discussed above the carrier having the receptacle and the reference receptacle. Thus, the dispensing process and the reference dispensing process can be conducted without removing the carrier from the dispensing device.

According to an embodiment the reference receptacle can be randomly selected from a group

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LU502214 having a plurality of receptacles. This is possible as the test condition only relates to whether the reference receptacle and the receptacle have the same dispensing behavior. Thus, any receptacle can be considered as a reference receptacle.

The reference receptacle can be selected from a group having a plurality of receptacles, wherein the selection can depend on the dimension of the receptacle, in particular a receptacle part like the storage chamber and/or the outlet opening and/or the inlet opening. Additionally or alternatively the selection can depend on the shape of the receptacle, in particular a receptacle part like the storage chamber and/or the outlet opening and/or the inlet opening. In particular, the selection can depend on whether the outlet opening geometry of the receptacle corresponds to a target outlet opening geometry and/or whether a storage chamber shape of the receptacle corresponds to a target storage chamber shape. If said condition or conditions are satisfied, the selected receptacle is considered as reference receptacle. Such a reference receptacle avoids the risk that the selected receptacle has an undesired dispensing behavior.

As discussed above a dispensing device, in particular the same dispensing device, is used for performing the reference dispensing process and the dispensing process. Thus, it is ensured that the same conditions apply on the receptacle and the reference receptacle. A dispensing head of the dispensing device can apply the pressure on the liquid arranged in the receptacle or reference receptacle. The dispensing head comprises one or more dispensing line that are arranged on the receptacle and/or reference receptacle and by means of which the pressure is applied on the liquid.

The dispensing device can conduct the dispensing process and afterwards the reference dispensing process or vice versa.

The dispensing process and the reference dispensing process can be conducted dependent on the same control variable. Thus, both dispensing processes can be conducted by using the same control variable value. The control variable can be a variable by means of which liquid dispensing is controlled and/or by means of which the volume of liquid to be dispensed in an operation mode of the dispensing device can be set. In particular, the control variable can be a time duration over which a valve of the dispensing device is kept open so that pressure is applied on the liquid. The valve can be part of the dispensing device, in particular the dispensing head, and can be fluidically connected to a pressure source. Alternatively, the control variable of the dispensing process can be the pressure to be applied on the liquid. The pressure to be applied on the liquid and the time duration depend on each other. That means, by knowing one of the two values the other value can

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LU502214 be determined for a specific dispensing device. The pressure can be time dependent. In particular, the pressure applied on the liquid can be a time dependent function. For example, the control variable can be a pressure integral.

In the present case, the same control variable value, in particular pressure, can be applied on the liquid arranged in the receptacle and the liquid arranged in the reference receptacle. Both dispensing processes can be repeated wherein the dispensing processes differ from each other in the used control variable value. For example, both dispensing processes can be conducted by using pressure values between 50mbar*ms to 300mbar*ms. Thus, after performing the dispensing processes and the reference dispensing processes several tests can be made for the same receptacle. In other words, the determination of the quality of the receptacle can be dependent on several tests depending on the physical values and physical reference values. This reduces the risk that a receptacle with a low quality is overlooked.

According to an embodiment the liquid filled into the receptacle and/or reference receptacle can be different than a liquid used in an operation mode of the dispensing device. In particular, the filled liquid can be water. Said liquid is cheap so that the costs for the test are low. The liquid filled into the receptacle and the reference receptacle can be of the same type. The number of reference receptacles can correspond to the number of receptacles.

In the figures, the subject matter of the invention is shown schematically, with identical or similarly acting elements being mostly provided with the same reference signs. Therein shows:

Fig. 1 a cross section view of a part of a carrier according to a first embodiment,

Fig.2 across section view of carriers according to a second embodiment,

Fig. 3 across section of a liquid filling apparatus,

4 a cross section of a dispensing device comprising the carrier according to the second embodiment,

Fig. 5 a perspective view of a part of a dispensing device.

Fig. 6 a flow chart of the process for testing a receptacle quality.

Fig. 1 shows a cross section view of a part of a carrier 7 according to a first embodiment. The carrier 7 comprises a carrier plate 24 having through holes. Receptacles 2, 14 are arranged in a through hole, respectively. The receptacles 2, 14, in particular a receptacle head, is arranged on the carrier

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LU502214 plate 24. One of said receptacles corresponds to a reference receptacle 14 and the other receptacle 2 is the receptacle for which the quality test described in figure 6 shall be performed. Both receptacles 2, 14 are identically designed so that in the following only one receptacle is discussed.

The receptacle 2 comprises an outlet opening 4 at its bottom. Additionally, the receptacle 2 comprises an inlet opening 3 through which liquid 1 can be inserted into the receptacle 2. The inlet opening 3 and the outlet opening 4 are arranged at ends of the receptacle 2 that are opposite to each other. Additionally, the receptacle 2 comprises a storage chamber 22 for storing liquid 1. The outlet opening 4 has such a size that capillary forces are so high that liquid 1 cannot flow out of the receptacle 2 if no pressure is applied on the liquid.

Fig. 2 shows a cross section view of carriers according to a second embodiment. Both carriers 7 are identically designed so that in the following only one carrier is described. The carrier 7 does not have a receptacle that can be released from a carrier plate 24 as the carrier shown in figure 1. The receptacles 2 and the carrier plate 24 are formed as one part. Each of the receptacles 2 has the outlet opening 4 at its bottom. Likewise, to the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the outlet opening 4 has such a size that capillary forces are so high that liquid 1 cannot flow out of the receptacle 2 if no pressure is applied on the liquid.

One of the two carriers 7 has reference receptacles 14 and the other of the two carriers 7 has receptacles 2 for which the quality test should be conducted.

Fig. 3 shows a cross section of a liquid filling apparatus 23. The liquid filling apparatus 23 can be a bulk dispenser. The liquid filling apparatus 23 is used to fill liquid into one or more receptacles 2 and into one or more reference receptacles 14. The embodiment shown in figure 3 has five liquid filling devices 20, each of which filled with liquid 1. In other non- shown embodiments the liquid filling apparatus 23 can have more or less liquid filling devices 20. The liquid filling devices 20 are formed as hollow lines and are identically formed. A negative pressure is applied on the liquid arranged in the liquid filling devices 20 so that the liquid 1 does not flow out of the liquid filling devices 20. As shown in fig. 3 different liquid volumes can be arranged in the liquid filling devices 20. The liquid filling devices 20 can comprise, however, the same liquid volume is dispensed by the respective liquid filling device 20 into the receptacle and the reference receptacle. Thereto, the liquid filling devices 20 are refilled with the same liquid volume after the dispensing process or reference dispensing process is performed.

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LU502214

The liquid filling apparatus 23 has means for applying pressure on the liquid filling devices 20 so that liquid can be sucked into the dispensing lines 20 or dispensed from the dispensing lines 20. Said means are not shown in the figures. For dispensing the liquid arranged in the dispensing lines 20 the liquid filling apparatus 23 is arranged such above the carrier 7 having receptacles 2, 14 so that the dispensing lines 20 enter the storage chamber 22. Afterwards, the liquid 1 arranged in the dispensing lines 20 is dispensed into the respective receptacle 2, 14.

Fig. 4 shows a cross section of a dispensing device 5 comprising the carrier 7 according to the second embodiment. The dispensing device 5, in particular dispensing head, has one or more dispensing lines 15 whereas in figure 4 only one dispensing line 15 is shown. The dispensing line 15 is arranged above the receptacle 2 to dispense liquid from the receptacle 2. À non-shown dispensing line is also arranged above a further receptacle 2 in order to dispense liquid from the further receptacle 2.

The dispensing device 5 comprises several acquisition devices 17. Each of the acquisition devices 17 comprises a source 18 for emitting a light beam and receiver 19 for receiving the emitted light beam. The acquisition device 17 is arranged below the carrier 7 and a holder 6 for holding the carrier 7. In particular, the acquisition device 17 is attached to the lower surface of the holder 6 that faces a target carrier 12 discussed below.

The acquisition device 17 is arranged such that a dispensed liquid passes between the source 18 and the receiver 19 and, thus, interrupts the non-shown light beam. Thus, the acquisition device 17 acquires that a liquid is dispensed from the receptacle 2. Each of the receptacles 2 of the carrier 7 is assigned to an acquisition device 17. Thus, the number of acquisition devices 17 corresponds with the number of receptacles 2 from which liquid is dispensed. The acquisition devices 17 are electrically connected to the data processing unit 9.

A target carrier 12 is arranged below the carrier 7. The target carrier 12 comprises a plurality of target receptacles 13 for receiving the liquid dispensed from receptacles 2 of the carrier 7. A target carrier holder 11 is provided that holds the target carrier 12. The target carrier holder 11 moves the target carrier 12 relative to the carrier 7. The data processing unit 9 is electrically connected with the target carrier holder 11.

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LU502214

The dispensing head 8, the carrier 7 and the target carrier 12 can move relative to each other. The data processing unit 9 controls the movement of at least one of said components with respect to the remaining components.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a part of a dispensing device 5 for dispensing liquid located in a receptacle 2, wherein the view shows more details of the dispensing device 5 than figure 4.

The dispensing device 5 comprises a dispensing head 8. The dispensing head 8 is configured to dispense liquid located in the receptacle 2. Thereto, the dispensing head 8 has a pneumatic system including one or more valves (not shown in the figure) by means of which at least one receptacle 2 or several receptacles 2 can be provided with an impulse pressure that causes the liquid to drop from the outlet opening 4 of the respective receptacle 2.

Also, the device 5 comprises a holder 6, in which the carrier 7 according to the first or second embodiment is mounted in a detachable manner. In particular, the carrier 7 The dispensing head 8 is moveable relative to the holder 6 by means of a motor system (not shown in the figure). In particular, the dispensing head 8 can be moved relative to the carrier 7 so that the liquid of different receptacles 2 can be dispensed in sequence. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that the carrier 7 and/or the holder 6 moves relative to the dispensing head 8.

Fig. 6 shows flow chart of the process for testing a receptacle quality. In a first step S1 the liquid filling apparatus 23 is filled with liquid. In particular, the liquid filling devices 20 are filed with liquid.

Additionally, a reference receptacle 14 is randomly selected from a group of receptacles. The non-selected receptacles can be tested as described below.

In the following, the method is described by explaining the method steps for one liquid filling device 20. As the liquid filling apparatus 23 comprises several liquid filling devices 20 said method steps are also performed for the other liquid filling devices 20 in the same manner.

In a second step S2 the liquid filling apparatus 23, in particular one of the liquid filling devices 20, fills a liquid volume into a reference receptacle 14. Afterwards, the liquid filling device 20 is refilled with the same liquid volume as in the fist step S1. The same liquid filling device 20 fills the refilled liquid volume into a receptacle 2. The receptacle 2 and the reference receptacle 14 can be part of the carrier 7 according to the first embodiment shown in figure 1 or according to the second embodiment

06/02/2022 005A0016LU 16

LU502214 shown in figure 2. After the receptacles 2 and reference receptacles 14 are filled by means of the liquid filling apparatus 23, the carrier 7 is inserted into the receive portion 21 of the dispensing device 5 in a third step S3.

Afterwards, in a fourth step S4 the liquid arranged in each of the reference receptacles 14 is dispensed in a reference dispensing process. That means, several dispensing steps are conducted so that the liquid arranged in the reference receptacle 14 is fully dispensed. Thus, no liquid is arranged in the reference receptacle 14 after the reference dispensing process is performed. The reference dispensing process depends on a control variable, in particular a pressure that is applied on the liquid arranged in the reference receptacle. The control variable, in particular pressure, remains constant during the reference dispensing process. A physical reference value depending on the reference dispensing process is determined. In this case the number of dispensing steps is determined. The number of dispensing steps can be determined by using the acquisition device 17.

Likewise, in the fourth step S4 the liquid arranged in each of the receptacles 2 is dispensed in a dispensing process. If the carrier 7 shown in figure 2 is used it is necessary to exchange the carrier having the reference receptacles 14 by the carrier having the receptacles 2. Afterwards, several dispensing steps are conducted so that the liquid arranged in the receptacle 2 is fully dispensed .

Thus, no liquid is arranged in the receptacle 2after the dispensing process is performed. The dispensing process is conducted using the same control variable as the reference dispensing process. The control variable is a pressure that is applied to the liquid arranged in the reference receptacle. The control variable, in particular pressure, remains constant during the dispensing process. À physical value depending on the dispensing process is determined for the receptacle 2. In this case the number of dispensing steps is determined. The number of dispensing steps can be determined by using the acquisition device 17.

The method steps S1 to S4 can be repeated several times. That means, several tests can be conducted for the same receptacle to be tested. The tests differ from each other in the control variable values that are used in the dispensing process and the reference dispensing process. In particular, the liquid arranged in the receptacle or the reference receptacle can be applied with different pressures in different tests. However, as discussed above in each test the receptacle and the reference receptacle are applied with the same pressure. At the end of the fourth method step

S4 at least one physical value for the receptacle and at least one physical reference value for the reference receptacle is determined.

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LU502214

In a fifth step S5 it is determined whether the determined physical value fulfills a predetermined condition which depends on the determined physical reference value. Specifically, it is determined whether the number of dispensing steps of the dispensing process corresponds with the number of dispensing steps of the reference dispensing process. If this is the case, the receptacle is considered to have a good quality so that it can be used in an operation mode of the dispensing device 5. The fifth method step S5 is conducted for all receptacles to be tested.

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LU502214

Reference Signs 1 liquid 2 receptacle 3 inlet opening 4 outlet opening 5 dispensing device 6 holder 7 carrier 8 dispensing head 9 data processing unit 10 pressure sensor 11 target carrier holder 12 target carrier 13 target receptacle 14 reference receptacle 15 dispensing line 16 seal 17 liquid acquisition device 18 source 19 receiver 20 liquid filling device 21 receive portion 22 storage chamber 23 liquid filling apparatus 24 carrier plate

Claims (14)

06/02/2022 005A0016LU 19 LU502214 Patent Claims 1. Method for testing a receptacle quality, wherein the receptacle (2) comprises an inlet opening (3) for inletting liquid (1) into the receptacle (2) and an outlet opening (4) for dispensing liquid (1) from the receptacle (2) when a pressure is applied on the liquid (1), wherein the method comprises the steps: filling a liquid filling device (20) with a predetermined liquid volume, inserting said liquid into a reference receptacle (14) and performing a reference dispensing process for dispensing liquid (1) from the reference receptacle (14), determining a physical reference value for the reference receptacle (14), in particular wherein the physical reference value depends on the reference dispensing process, filling the liquid filling device (20 ) with the same predetermined liquid volume, inserting said liquid into a receptacle (2) and performing a dispensing process for dispensing liquid (1) from the receptacle (2), determining a physical value for the receptacle (2), in particular wherein the physical value depends on the dispensing process, wherein the test comprises the determination whether the physical value fulfills a predetermined condition which depends on the physical reference value. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a. the condition is fulfilled when the determined physical value corresponds to the determined physical reference value or is arranged in a predetermined range around the physical reference value and/or in that b. the condition is fulfilled when a difference between the determined physical value and the determined physical reference value is Zero or is within a predetermined range. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a. the physical reference value is a number of dispensing steps that are conducted to empty the reference receptacle (14) or b. the physical reference value is a liquid volume that is dispensed from the reference receptacle (14) in the reference dispensing process. 4. Method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that 06/02/2022 005A0016LU 20 LU502214 a. the physical value is a number of dispensing steps that are conducted to empty the receptacle (2) or b. the physical value is a liquid volume that is dispensed from the receptacle (2) in the dispensing process. 5. Method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a dispensing apparatus (23) comprises the dispensing device (20). 6. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that a. the dispensing apparatus (23) comprises a plurality of dispensing devices (20) and/or b. the dispensing apparatus (23) is configured so that liquid is dispensed from a plurality of dispensing devices (20) at the same time. 7. Method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a. the liquid filling device (20) fills the reference receptacle (14) and subsequently the receptacle (2) or vice versa and/or in that b. the liquid filing device (20) fills a plurality of reference receptacles (14) and subsequently a plurality of receptacles (2) or vice versa and/or in that C. the liquid filling device (20) alternately fills the reference receptacle (14) and the receptacle (2). 8. Method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a plurality of liquid dispensing devices (20) fill liquid into receptacles (2) and reference receptacles (14) wherein the test comprises the determination whether the physical value of a receptacle (2) fulfills the predetermined condition which depends on the physical reference value of the reference receptacle (14) that is filled by the same liquid device (20) as the receptacle (2). 9. Method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a. the receptacle (2) is inserted into a receiving portion (21) of a holder (6) of a dispensing device (5) after the receptacle (2) is filed with the predetermined liquid volume and/or in that b. the reference receptacle (14) is inserted into a receiving portion (21) of a holder (6) of the dispensing device (5) after the reference receptacle (14) is filed with the predetermined liquid volume. 06/02/2022 005A0016LU 21 LU502214 10. Method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a. the reference receptacle (14) is randomly selected from a group having a plurality of receptacles (2) and/or in that b. the reference receptacle (14) is selected from a group having a plurality of receptacles (2), wherein the selection depends on at least one dimension of the receptacle and/or a shape of a part of the receptacle and/or in that C. the reference receptacle (14) is selected from a group having a plurality of receptacles (2), wherein the selection depends on whether the outlet opening geometry of the receptacle (2) corresponds to a target outlet opening geometry and/or whether a storage chamber shape of the receptacle corresponds to a target storage chamber shape. 11. Method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a dispensing device (5) is used for performing the reference dispensing process and the dispensing process. 12. Method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the dispensing process and the reference dispensing process are conducted dependent on the same control variable, in particular control variable value. 13. Method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a. the liquid filled into the receptacle and/or reference receptacle is different than a liquid used in an operation mode of the dispensing device (5) and/or in that b. the liquid filed into the receptacle and the reference receptacle is of the same type and/or in that C. the liquid filed into the receptacle and the reference receptacle is water. 14. Method according to at least one of the claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the number of reference receptacles corresponds to the number of receptacles. June 2, 2022 005A0016LU 1 LU502214 Patent claims 1. Method for testing a container quality, wherein the container (2) has an inlet opening (3) for introducing liquid (1) into the container (2) and an outlet opening (4) for dispensing liquid (1) from the container (2 ) when pressure is exerted on the liquid (1), the method comprising the steps: filling a liquid filling device (20) with a predetermined volume of liquid, introducing the liquid into a reference container (14) and carrying out a reference dispensing process for dispensing of liquid (1) from the reference container (14), determining a physical reference value for the reference container (14), in particular where the physical reference value depends on the reference dispensing process, filling the liquid filling device (20) with the same predetermined volume of liquid, introducing this liquid into a container (2) and carrying out a dispensing process for dispensing liquid (1) from the container (2), determining a physical value for the container (2), in particular wherein the physical value depends on the dispensing process, the test comprising the determination whether the physical value meets a predetermined condition that depends on the physical reference value. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that a. the condition is met if the determined physical value corresponds to the determined physical reference value or is in a predetermined range around the physical reference value and/or that b. the condition is met if a difference between the determined physical value and the determined physical reference value is zero or lies within a predetermined range. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a. the physical reference value is a number of dispensing steps that are carried out to empty the reference container (14) and/or b. the physical reference value is a volume of liquid that is dispensed from the reference container (14) in the reference dispensing process. 4. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that 06/02/2022 005A0016LU 2 LU502214 a. the physical value is a number of dispensing steps that are carried out to empty the container (2) and/or b. the physical value is a volume of liquid that is dispensed from the container (2) during the dispensing process. 5. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a liquid filling device (23) comprises the liquid filling device (20). 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that a. the liquid filling device (23) comprises a plurality of liquid filling devices (20) and/or b. the liquid filling device (23) is designed such that liquid is dispensed simultaneously from a plurality of liquid filling devices (20). 7. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a. the liquid filling device (20) fills the reference container (14) and then the container (2) or vice versa and/or that b. the liquid filling device (20) fills a plurality of reference containers (14) and then a plurality of containers (2) or vice versa and/or that C. the liquid filling device (20) alternately fills the reference container (14) and the container (2). 8. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a plurality of liquid filling devices (20) fill liquid into containers (2) and reference containers (14), the quality check comprising determining whether the physical value of a container (2) meets the predetermined condition, which depends on the physical reference value of the reference container (14), which is filled by the same liquid filling device (20) as the container (2). 9. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that a. the container (2) is inserted into a receiving section (21) of a holder (6) of a dispensing device (5) after the container (2) has been filled with the predetermined volume of liquid and/or that b. the reference container (14) in a receiving section (21) of a holder (6). 06/02/2022 005A0016LU 3 LU502214 Dispensing device (5) is used after the reference container (14) has been filled with the predetermined volume of liquid. 10. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that a. the reference container (14) is randomly selected from a group with a large number of containers (2) and/or that b. the reference container (14) is selected from a group with a plurality of containers (2), the selection depending on at least one dimension of the container and/or a shape of a part of the container and/or in that C. the reference container (14) is selected from a group with a plurality of containers (2), the selection depending on whether the outlet opening geometry of the container (2) corresponds to a target outlet opening geometry and / or whether a storage space shape of the container corresponds to a target -Storage room shape corresponds. 11. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a dispensing device (5) is used to carry out the reference dispensing process and the dispensing process. 12. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the dispensing process and the reference dispensing process are carried out as a function of the same control variable, in particular the control variable value. 13. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that a. the liquid filled into the container and/or the reference container is different from a liquid used in an operating mode of the dispensing device (5) and/or that b. the liquid filled into the container and the reference container are of the same type and/or in that C. the liquid filled into the container and the reference container is water. 14. The method according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the number of reference containers corresponds to the number of containers.