WO1994012279A1

WO1994012279A1 - Device for handling and transferring pipette tips

Info

Publication number: WO1994012279A1
Application number: PCT/DE1993/001062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd Steinbrenner
Original assignee: Technic Limited
Priority date: 1992-12-01
Filing date: 1993-11-06
Publication date: 1994-06-09

Abstract

A device for handling and transferring pipette tips (1) comprises a preferably plate-like transferring component (2) and holding pins (3) projecting orthogonally on one side. The holding pins (3) are arranged in a predetermined grid, i.e. a predetermined number and arrangement, and shaped in such a way that they fit preferably loosely into the pipette tip (1) connecting ends (4). This device is constructed in such a way for the easy and rapid handling of the pipette tips, especially for the simultaneous transfer thereof that the device can also be used to transport, deliver and prepare the pipette tips (1). Said device has a cover (5) which can be placed over the pipette tips (1) on the transferring component (2).

Description

Device for handling or transferring pipette tips

The invention relates to a device for handling or converting pipette tips, with a preferably similarly plate-shaped conversion body and on one side orthogonally projecting receiving pins, the receiving pins in a predetermined grid, i.e. in a predetermined number and arrangement, provided and shaped in such a way that they fit into the connection-side ends of the pipette tips for their preferably loose receptacle.

To remove, measure and transfer small amounts of liquids, pipettes are used which are designed with a narrowing tip. The tips of the pipettes are used in the form of exchangeable plastic pipette tips, which are exchanged and thrown away after a single use.

As a result, pipette tips of the type in question are always supplied in bulk as disposable articles and are usually autoclaved by the user before they are actually used.

In practice, autoclavable containers with a perforated plate are known, in which a number of pipette tips are held in such a way that they can be removed without touching the hand by simply plugging them onto the pipette. In order to sterilize the pipette tips, if necessary, prior to actual use, the entire container, ie the container with the perforated plate therein and the inserted pipette tips, is treated in an autoclave. The containers in question come onto the market with the pipette tips already inserted. If the resulting supply of pipette tips has been used up, the known containers offer the option of fitting the perforated plate of the container again - by hand - with pipette tips which are offered and sold loose in bags. However, this re-loading of the perforated plate is extremely labor intensive and time-consuming, so that in practice the container is thrown away after the pipette tips have been completely removed, although multiple autoclaving of the container is readily possible. This one-time use of the container in question and, if applicable, the perforated plate in the sense of a disposable article is an enormous waste of material, especially with regard to scarce resources, since the pipette tips used in different laboratories are anyway used to a large extent as disposable articles. The disposal effort and the resulting pollution of the environment due to the containers, which are usually made of plastic, are therefore enormous.

In the containers of the type in question known from practice, the perforated plate is connected in one piece to the container walls. An alternative design is known from EP-A-0 174 706, according to which the perforated plate is designed as a part that can be detached from the container, so that it can be removed from the container, the container after another has been removed from the perforated plate Use can be supplied. Here, too, the container is usually thrown away in practice.

Furthermore, from US-A-3 853 217 a special holder for pipette tips is known, which is completely equipped with pipette tips and is offered in stacks in a carton. This holder must be inserted into a corresponding container for the purpose of autoclaving, ensuring here must be that the holder withstands the stress during autoclaving.

Finally, from EP-A-0 339 557 a device for providing sterilized pipette tips is known, which has a multiple autoclavable container, a perforated plate equipped with pipette tips and a folding box. The folding box in turn contains a perforated plate equipped with pipette tips to replace the empty plate in the container after the pipette tips have been used up. In this method of handling, the folding box containing the perforated plate with the pipette tips is discarded on the one hand, and the perforated plate on the other hand after removal of the pipette tips, which is also extremely problematic due to the perforated plate made of plastic, particularly with regard to disposal.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a device for handling or converting pipette tips, which is also suitable for transporting, delivering or providing the pipette tips at the same time and with which the pipette tip can be handled easily and quickly ¬ zen, in particular for the simultaneous implementation of the pipette tips, is possible. Furthermore, it should also be possible with the device according to the invention to quickly and easily move the pipette tips inserted into and supplied in a perforated plate from this perforated plate into a one intended for constant use, i.e. to implement multi-autoclavable perforated plate or box with a corresponding perforated plate, which can then be used in an appropriate container with the inserted pipette tips as a whole.

The device according to the invention for handling or converting pipette tips achieves the above object by means of the features of patent claim 1 standing device designed such that it also serves to transport, deliver or provide the pipette tips, namely a cover which can be placed on the transfer body via the pipette tips is provided for this purpose. In other words, the device consisting of the transfer body with the receiving pins is designed together with the cover which can be placed thereon in the form of a box, which is used for transport, for delivering or for providing the pipette tips. After the cover has been removed, the conversion body having the receiving pins remains, the receiving pins protruding into the pipette tips and thus carrying them or specifying the grid of the pipette tips. Consequently, the device according to the invention can be handled in such a way that the pipette tips are removed directly from the receiving pins or that the transfer body - after removal of the cover - is used for transferring, namely from there the pipette tips into an autoclavable box usual implementation - to be spent. The transfer body and cover can then be sent back to the manufacturer or supplier of the pipette tips as part of a deposit system. Thus, any waste or any unnecessary packaging material is effectively avoided. There is thus a contribution to active environmental protection.

Now the device according to the invention can also be used in a conventional manner for the basic handling or for converting pipette tips - regardless of the possibility of transport, delivery or provision. Basically, the need for a device of the type in question has been recognized here. It has been known that the problem of material disposal associated with the use of pipette tips can be reduced to a very considerable extent by delivering pipette tips in a perforated plate in the usual grid arrangement and the entire packaging material, for example also the perforated plate, made of a recyclable material. Cardboard is particularly suitable for this.

Now, without the device according to the invention, the pipette tips inserted into the perforated plate made of cardboard would have to be moved or put into an autoclavable box with an integrated perforated plate or into a perforated plate made of autoclavable material for use in a corresponding box reposition. With the aid of the device according to the invention, however, the pipette tips inserted into the perforated plate according to the grid can be removed from the perforated plate in a single operation in that the conversion body with its orthogonally projecting receiving pins, which are arranged exactly in the grid specified by the perforated plate, from the open End of the pipette tips is moved towards them. The receptacle pins are thus inserted into the pipette tip from the connection-side end thereof, so that the perforated plate can be turned around together with the pipette tips pushed on and the inserted receptacle pins or the entire conversion body, so that the originally inserted into the perforated plate Pipette tips are now seated on the receiving pins or with their ends on the connector body on the transfer body. In a next step, the perforated plate, which is only used for delivery, for example, can be removed from the pipette tips, so that the pipette tips are received by the device according to the invention in the predetermined grid order. In a further handling step, a perforated plate which is suitable for autoclaving and can be introduced, for example, into a corresponding box, or is designed as an integral part of a container, with its perforations arranged in a grid-like manner, is pushed over the pipette tips so that after inverting the entire arrangement and removing it of the moving body, ie after pulling out the receptacle mepins, again in a perforated plate, namely in the perforated plate suitable for autoclaving.

With the device according to the invention, pipette tips inserted into perforated plates can be moved from one perforated plate to another without touching the pipette tips or even pulling them individually out of one perforated plate and inserting them into the other perforated plate. Consequently, a handling aid is created with the device according to the invention, which enables the handling of pipette tips with the simplest construction and quickly. The device according to the invention thus makes a direct contribution to reducing waste and thus also relieving the environment.

With regard to a particularly simple design of the receiving pins, it is advantageous if they are cylindrical. To effectively pick up the pipette tip, it is only necessary to ensure that the pick-up pins fit into the pipette tips and come to rest there, possibly with the front end of the pick-up pins.

The receiving pins could furthermore have a likewise cylindrical region which widens in at least one step and also fits into the region of the pipette tip which is widened on the connection side, so that a particularly effective reception of the pipette tip is ensured. Likewise, the receiving pins could taper in several stages, ie discontinuously, towards their free end, so that the receiving pins have a line contact at the edges of the respective stages with the pipette tips, which can be easily released again. For the sake of simplicity, the free end of the receiving pins could be made approximately flat, which creates a risk of injury from the device according to the invention, is effectively avoided, particularly in the area of the free ends of the receiving pins.

In the context of an alternative embodiment of the individual receiving pins, the total of these could roughly be adapted to the inner wall of the pipette tip to be received, so that the receiving pins taper continuously towards the free end. However, it must be ensured that the pick-up pins do not lie against the inner wall when the pipette tip is attached, so that the device according to the invention can be easily removed from the pipette tips reinserted in the perforated plate.

With regard to a particularly versatile usability of the device according to the invention, it is of particular advantage if the conversion body has pick-up pins on both sides and if the pick-up pins on both sides have different dimensions for picking up pipette tips of different sizes or dimensions. Consequently, the device would be more or less universally usable, namely for holding pipette tips of different sizes. In a very particularly advantageous manner, devices of the type according to the invention could be equipped with different "paired" sizes of receiving pins on the two sides of the conversion body. Since the receiving pins on each side are always of the same length, the device according to the invention can be placed almost flat on a flat surface, so it does not pose any problems with regard to storage or storage.

With regard to perforated plates or containers with integrated perforated plates customary on the market, it is of particular advantage if the receiving pins are formed on the transfer body in an 8 × 12 grid, ie with 96 receiving pins per side. The recording pins would have identical distances from one another. sen, so that the pipette tips inserted into the usual perforated plate can be easily taken up.

With a view to simple handling, the transfer body is rectangular. In other words, the device according to the invention or its transfer body is a rectangular plate which should have a tangible thickness for better handling, for example a thickness of approximately one and a half to three centimeters.

In a further advantageous manner, the transfer body can have a peripheral edge region free of receiving pins, which again favors the handling of the device according to the invention, especially since receiving pins arranged on the outer edge would make it more difficult to grip the device.

Also with a view to good manageability, the peripheral outer edge of the transfer body, i.e. the lateral edge area of the repositioning body has formations, depressions, grooves and / or roughened areas for the fingers of a person to be handled. This would ensure that the device according to the invention lies particularly well in the hand and, for example, during handling, i.e. cannot slip out of the hand unintentionally during the transfer of the pipette tips.

The receiving pins could be screwed into the conversion body, preferably inserted non-positively and / or glued into it. In the context of such an embodiment, the transfer body itself could simply be produced from a plate with plane-parallel surfaces, or it could be separated or sawn out of a larger plate. To attach the receiving pins, holes arranged in a grid would be arranged in the surrounding are set drilled, so that the receiving pins can be inserted or screwed.

With regard to a particularly advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, it is of further advantage if the transfer body and the receiving pins are in one piece, i.e. are integral. It is particularly useful to manufacture the transfer body and the receiving pins from plastic, preferably from polypropylene or polycarbonate. The manufacture itself could be carried out in a further advantageous manner by injection molding, which considerably reduces the manufacturing costs, particularly in the case of large quantities.

Now, in the manner of the invention, a cover that can be placed on the conversion body via the pipette tips is provided. This cover could be insertable or attachable into or onto the transfer body and / or be latchable with the transfer body. This would ensure that the lid protecting the pipette tips or the lid forming a box together with the transfer body can actually be firmly connected to the transfer body, so that undesired opening is effectively prevented. It would in turn be advantageous if the transfer body has an insertion groove, preferably formed on the side assigned to the receiving pins, for inserting the cover. In other words, the cover would then be inserted into the transfer body and locked in the insertion groove. To lift the lid or open the box formed by the device according to the invention, the lid would have to be lifted or lifted, for example, at an angle, i.e. be pulled out of the catch.

In an alternative embodiment, the cover could at least partially encompass the repositioning body, so that it could be latched to the circumferential edge of the repositioning body. Such an embodiment is particularly under manufacturing to be preferred from a technical point of view, since an elaborate groove in the surface of the conversion body is not necessary. Rather, the lid would be put over the transfer body - overall - so that it almost entirely specifies the volume of the box thus formed. Specifically, the cover in the area of the open end could have projections, lugs or the like protruding inwards, which engage in corresponding recesses on the circumferential edge of the transfer body. In this respect, too, an unwanted opening of the box formed by the transfer body and cover would be largely prevented.

In principle, it would now also be possible to design the cover or the possibility of connecting the cover to the transfer body in such a way that the cover can be plugged onto the transfer body from below or can be plugged onto the transfer body after being removed by a pin. In this respect, the cover removed on the pin side could be connected to the transfer body on the one hand in order to avoid losing it when the pipette tips were exposed, and on the other hand could represent a kind of base or table for the transfer body. After handling, the lid could be pulled off again from the side facing away from the receiving pins and in the true sense - i.e. in the sense of a lid - put it back on the side carrying the receiving pins, so that the box formed from the transfer body and lid is closed again.

Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous if the lid has a handle or carrier. In this respect, a particularly simple handling of the box resulting from the repositioning body and cover would be guaranteed. The lid could simply be pulled off by gripping the handle or carrier. When the lid is engaged, the handle or carrier could serve to carry the entire box. It would be a further advantage if the arrangement or box consisting of the repositioning body and cover were designed to be stackable. A stacking could relate to an arrangement one above the other or one below the other or also to a laterally latchable arrangement of different stacks.

Finally, the transfer body could have a receptacle for the handle or support of the lid on the side facing away from the receiving pins, so that the stackability of the boxes or container is favored by the meshing of the transfer body and handle or support.

There are various possibilities for advantageously designing and developing the teaching of the present invention. For this purpose, reference should be made on the one hand to the claims subordinate to patent claim 1, and on the other hand to the following explanation of an exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing. In connection with the explanation of the preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, generally preferred configurations and developments of the teaching are also explained. In the drawing shows

1 shows a side view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for handling or for transferring pipette tips, the lid forming a box together with the transfer body being placed on the transfer body in the case of existing pipette tips, and

FIG. 2 shows the transfer body of the object from FIG. 1 with the cover removed without pipette tips in a top view. 1 shows a device according to the invention for handling or for transferring pipette tips 1. The device has a conversion body 2, which is preferably of a plate-like design, and receiving pins 3 protruding orthogonally on one side of the conversion body 2. The receiving pins 3 are provided in a predetermined grid, ie in a predetermined number and arrangement, and are shaped in such a way that they fit into the connection-side end 4 of the pipette tips 1 for their preferably loose reception.

According to the illustration in FIG. 1, the device according to the invention is designed in such a way that it also serves for the transport, delivery or provision of the pipette tips 1. For this purpose, a cover 5 which can be placed on the transfer body 2 via the pipette tips 1 is provided. Fig. 1 shows particularly clearly that the transfer body 2 together with the lid 5 form a box 6. This box is thus used for transporting or delivering or providing the pipette tips 1, and when the cover 5 is removed, the transfer body 2 can be used in a conventional manner - namely as a transfer body.

1 shows in a particularly hint that the receiving pins 3 are cylindrical and, towards the transfer body 2, have a likewise cylindrical region which widens in a step 7 and which fits into the region 8 of the pipette tip 1 which is enlarged on the connection side.

Fig. 1 further shows that the free end 9 of the receiving pin 3 is flat. With regard to alternative configurations of the receiving pins 3, reference is made to the general part of the description. 2 shows particularly clearly that the receiving pins 3 are arranged in an 8 × 12 grid, that is to say a total of 96 receiving pins 3 with predetermined identical distances from one another. Furthermore, it can be seen from the figure in question that the transfer body 2 is of rectangular design and that it has a peripheral edge region 10 free of receiving pins. This significantly facilitates the handling of the device according to the invention, especially since the edge region 10 has no parts which may interfere with the handling and possibly press in the hand of the operator.

The circumferential outer edge 11 of the transfer body 2 could have recesses, grooves and / or roughened areas for the fingers of a handling person for better handling or for securely holding the device according to the invention. For the sake of simplicity, these precautions are not taken into account in the figures.

Furthermore, it is of particular advantage that, in the exemplary embodiment chosen here, the conversion body 2 and the receiving pins 3 are in one piece, i.e. integral. They are made from plastic, more precisely from a polypropylene or polycarbonate. The entire device according to the invention is produced by injection molding, at least in the embodiment selected here.

Fig. 1 further shows particularly clearly that the cover 5 can be plugged onto the transfer body 2 and locked with the transfer body 2. Strictly speaking, the cover 5 has at least slightly larger internal dimensions than the external dimensions of the transfer body 2, so that the cover 5 partially encompasses the transfer body 2 and can be locked on the peripheral edge 11 of the transfer body 2. In the illustration selected in FIG. 1, it is at least indicated that the cover 5 in the region of the open end 12 has an inwardly projecting projection 13 or corresponding lugs or the like, which fits into a corresponding recess 14 on the peripheral edge 11 of the Implement body 2 engages.

Furthermore, it is indicated in FIG. 1 that the lid has a handle 15 for handling the lid 5 or for handling the box 6 consisting of the transfer body 2 and lid 5.

Finally, it should be particularly pointed out that the exemplary embodiment discussed above by way of example serves to explain the teaching according to the invention, but does not restrict it to the arbitrarily selected exemplary embodiment.

Claims

1. Device for handling or for transferring pipette tips (1), with a preferably body-like transfer body (2) and orthogonally projecting receiving pins (3) on one side, the receiving pins (3) in a predetermined pattern, ie in a predetermined number and arrangement, provided and shaped in such a way that they fit into the connection-side ends (4) of the pipette tips (1) for their preferably loose receptacle, characterized in that the device also for transport, delivery or provision the pipette tips (1) are used and that a cover (5) which can be placed on the transfer body (2) via the pipette tips (1) is provided.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving pins (3) are cylindrical.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the receiving pins (3) to the transfer body (2) towards an in at least one step (7) widening, also cylindrical area, which extend into the connection side ter area (8) of the pipette tip (1) fits into it.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving pins (3) in several stages, i.e. discontinuous, taper towards the free end (9).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized ge indicates that the free end (9) of the receiving pins (3) is made approximately flat. 6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shape of the receiving pins (3) overall of the inner wall of the pipette tip to be received (1) is adapted and that the receiving pins (3) to the free end (9) taper continuously.

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized ge indicates that the transfer body (2) has receiving pins (3) on both sides and that the receiving pins (3) on both sides have different dimensions for receiving differently sized or dimensioned Have pipette tips (1).

8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized ge indicates that the receiving pins (3) in an 8x12 grid, i.e. that 96 recording pins (3) are arranged at predetermined, identical distances from one another.

9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized ge indicates that the transfer body (2) is rectangular.

10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized ge indicates that the transfer body (3) has a peripheral region (10) free of receiving pins (3).

11. Device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized ge indicates that the circumferential outer edge (11) of the Umsetzkör¬ pers (2) has formations, depressions, grooves and / or roughened areas for contacting the fingers of an operator.

12. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized ge indicates that the receiving pins (5) in the transfer body (2) screwed, preferably inserted non-positively and / or glued therein. 13. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the transfer body (2) and receiving pins (3) are designed in one piece, ie integrally.

14. Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized ge indicates that the transfer body (2), the receiving pins (3) and optionally the cover (5) are made of plastic.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the transfer body (2), the receiving pins (3) and optionally the cover (5) are made of polypropylene, polycarbonate or polysterol.

16. The device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized ge indicates that the transfer body (2), the receiving pins (3) and optionally the cover (5) are made by injection molding.

17. The device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized ge indicates that the lid (5) in or on the transfer body

(2) can be plugged in or plugged in and / or locked with the transfer body (2).

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the transfer body (2) preferably on the one of the receiving pins

(3) assigned side trained insertion groove for inserting the cover (5).

19. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the cover (5) at least partially engages the transfer body (2) and on the peripheral edge (11) of the transfer body (2) can be latched to the latter. 20. The apparatus according to claim 19, characterized in that the cover (5) in the region of the open end (12) has inwardly projecting projections (13), lugs or the like, which in corresponding recesses (14) on engage the peripheral edge (11) of the transfer body (2).

21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized ge indicates that the lid (5) on the receiving pins (3) facing away from the conversion body (2) to this plug-in or can be inserted therein.

21. Device according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the lid (5) has a handle (15) or carrier.

23. Device according to one of claims 1 to 22, characterized ge indicates that the arrangement consisting of the conversion body (2) and cover (5) is stackable.

24. The device according to claim 21 and 23, characterized gekennzeich¬ net that the transfer body (2) on the receptacle pins (3) facing away from a receptacle for the handle (15) or support of the lid (5).