WO1995033563A1

WO1995033563A1 - Process and device for presenting a plurality of objects on a support

Info

Publication number: WO1995033563A1
Application number: PCT/EP1995/002093
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bernd Steinbrenner; Roger Steinbrenner
Original assignee: Bernd Steinbrenner; Roger Steinbrenner
Priority date: 1994-06-02
Filing date: 1995-06-01
Publication date: 1995-12-14
Also published as: DE4419291A1; DE4419291C2

Abstract

A process and device are disclosed for presenting a plurality of objects (1), in particular pipette points (2), on a support according to a predetermined grid arrangement (10). The objects are stacked in layers (3, 3', 3'', 3''', ..., 3n) in a container (7) in such a way that the narrow side (8) of the outer contour of objects (1) directly engages the wide part (9) of the openings (6) of the objects (1) in the underlying layer. The object of the invention is to develop a process and device that allow supports to be quickly, easily and neatly refilled with minimum waste and the highest possible safety. For that purpose, each object (1) of the lowermost layer (3) is held by a dispenser (12) in such a way that at least one object (1) may be released and moved so that it falls into a receiving opening (11) of a support (4) positioned below the container (7), the corresponding objects (1) of the next layer (3, 3', 3'', 3''', ..., 3n) take the place of the moved objects and the lowermost layer of objects (1) that have taken the place of the moved objects are again retained by the dispenser (12).

Description

Method and device for providing a

Variety of items

The invention relates to a method and a device for providing a large number of objects for laboratory use, in particular pipette tips or reaction vessels. on a carrier in a predetermined, grid-shaped arrangement, the objects, which have a tapered shape with respect to the outer contour and bores, so that they can be plugged into one another (e.g. conical or with partial areas of smaller diameter) for transport and storage in a container in layers are stacked in such a way that the objects of a layer with the narrow side of their outer contour directly engage in the large part of the holes in the objects of the underlying layer, and the rods of objects resulting from this stacking are held in the container in accordance with the grid-like arrangement.

In practically every biological or medical laboratory, special piston pumps, so-called pipettes, are used to handle and dose the smallest liquid volumes. In order to avoid contamination of the liquids and solutions to be pipetted, the contact to the liquid takes place via replaceable plastic tips, which are intended for single use and which are attached to the lower end of the pipettes. These are required in large quantities in every laboratory. The pipette tips can be packed loose in bags and must then be individually attached to the pipettes by hand. This procedure runs the risk of touching the tips by hand and thus contaminating them. In the case of a large number of pipetting processes, this method is also very complex.

To make work easier, pipette tips can therefore also be attached to carriers which are usually made of plastic, the carriers being closable by covers. The carriers have perforated plates, whereby most manufacturers or suppliers adhere to a standardized, orthogonal 8x12 or 6x10 grid, depending on the size of the pipette tips. This ensures that the pipette tips can be easily removed with multi-channel pipettes.

Sterile pipette tips are very often required when working in the laboratory. As a rule, the carriers are therefore heat-stable up to approx. 120 ° C, so that the tips can be sterilized (autoclaved) by moist heat before use. Such carriers are called autoclave boxes below.

In practice, in addition to the pipette tips, the autoclave boxes themselves are disposable items, although in principle they could be used several times. The reason for this is that re-inserting the tips by hand in the laboratory is too laborious and time-consuming and that such an autoclave box is included with every delivery of inserted tips. Since they also have to be very stable to withstand the pressure loads when inserting the pipettes into the tips, a relatively large amount of material is inevitably necessary for their manufacture. This leads to a high environmental impact in manufacturing and sales (for 96 or 60 tips, a separate carrier and outer packaging must be produced and transported) and presents the user with the problem of disposing of large quantities of plastic waste, which in turn pollutes the environment.

Numerous solutions have already been proposed and labeled to reduce waste, to reduce the transport volume and to simplify handling: For example, stackable perforated inserts which form a common container have been proposed. The amount of waste is still relatively large. Furthermore, perforated plates have been proposed, which can be removed together with the pipette tips and placed on an autoclave box. After the pipette tips have been used up, the plate must be removed from the autoclave box and disposed of.

The amount of waste is reduced, in addition to the pipette tips themselves, they only consist of the perforated plate - the latter, however, must be removed after the pipette tips in the autoclave box have been used up. If this is forgotten, contaminants and contaminants that have got between the perforated plate and the autoclave box may be dragged from one work area to the next. This is to be assessed very critically under certain circumstances: In many cases, the autoclave boxes are also used in the safety areas of laboratories where they can come into contact with a large number of substances or organisms that are hazardous to health, such as infectious or radioactive substances or genetically manipulated organisms.

Another problem with this solution is that the autoclave box must exactly match the perforated plate, since otherwise a vertical alignment of the pipette tips is no longer guaranteed. However, there are deviations in the case of autoclave boxes in laboratories. The autoclave boxes, which are usually available in large quantities, must therefore be replaced by those that match the perforated plates. Other providers or suppliers have started to take back empty autoclave boxes or inserts for autoclave boxes and to put them back on the market after filling. Here too there are the serious concerns that have already been expressed, especially if the returned containers are not sterilized before they are removed from the laboratory - an effort that is usually not operated and through which many hazardous substances, e.g. radioactive substances that cannot be rendered harmless.

A technical solution of the type mentioned at the outset has been proposed by US Pat. No. 4,349,109. In the pipette tip container shown there, there are several nested layers of pipette tips on a support element. These are removed directly from the top layer with the pipette. So that the pipette tips still have sufficient hold, only a few layers of pipette tips can be stacked one inside the other in this direct manner. The pipette tips, which are suitable for this, are a special shape designed for this. Standard pipette tips are not stable enough in one another or are pressed into one another when they are removed. In spite of the few nested layers, a high one To achieve packing density, it is proposed to stack several carriers on top of one another, the tips of the different carriers also interlocking. Although a high packing density is achieved in this way, the direct removal of the pipette tips from the carrier can lead to contamination of the other nested tips. In addition, there are also a large number of carriers that have to either be disposed of or taken back - with the associated dangers mentioned because the carriers have to be placed directly at the workplace.

The invention is based on the object of developing a method of the type mentioned at the outset such that the refilling of existing carriers with objects, in particular pipette tips, can be carried out quickly, easily and cleanly with a minimal amount of refuse and with the lowest possible safety risk.

Furthermore, a device for carrying out the method is to be made available. The object is achieved in that each object in the lowest position is held by a dispensing device in such a way that the hold for at least one of the objects can be lifted in such a way that it falls into a receiving opening of a carrier positioned under the container after the hold has been lifted the corresponding objects of the next layers move up and that the lowest of the moving objects is held again by the delivery device.

To carry out the method, a device with a dispensing device is used which has openings in the grid-like arrangement, which in one working state have a clear width through which the objects in the lowest position are held, and one or more of the openings can be brought into a second working state , in which its clear width is expanded in such a way that the objects can pass through.

Another device for carrying out the method provides that the dispensing device has openings in the grid-shaped arrangement, the clear width at the constriction is little smaller than the largest outside diameter of the objects, and that the objects can be pressed elastically yielding through the constriction under the action of force.

The advantage of the provision of a large number of objects according to the invention is that the greatest possible packing density is achieved, since twenty or more layers of objects are direct can be stacked one inside the other. The filling station can be installed at a central location, for example a laboratory, where existing autoclave boxes can be filled. When filling, dimensional differences in the grid can be tolerated within certain limits. since the tips, if they find their way into the receiving openings with their narrow front, also file into slightly different grid of receiving openings when dispensing. The same applies to the size of the receiving openings - as a result, the pipette tips are only a little less deep or a little deeper in the receiving openings. This is a great advantage compared to dispensing units that dispense a position of pipette tips together with a perforated plate, since the receiving openings and the grid must match exactly in order to ensure an upright and secure position of the pipette tips that are necessary for receiving the tips with the Pipettes are required.

Another advantage of the solution according to the invention over the solution with the perforated plate is that individual pipette tips or individual rows of pipette tips can also be dispensed. It is e.g. It is possible to dispense three rows of eight pipette tips into an autoclave box if 24 pipette tips are required. This prevents a residue of unused pipette tips from remaining in the carrier and having to be thrown away after some time, since cleanliness and sterility are no longer guaranteed. A great advantage of the solution according to the invention is also that only the pipette tips are brought to the workplace from the filling station on the constantly reused carrier that remains in the laboratory. The possibly contaminated waste that has to be disposed of. is therefore restricted to the pipette tips only. There is no risk of contamination of the pipette tips in the filling station. The filling station can be closed all around - except for the openings for dispensing. But this can also be done between the dispensing processes e.g. be closed by a slide. In addition, the pipette tips are additionally protected by being inserted into one another. Touching the pipette tips by hand is practically impossible during the dispensing process.

Because the filling station has a large stock of objects to be dispensed, many dispensing processes are possible in succession. With an 8x12 grid and 25 layers, these are 2400 objects - or pipette tips! So there is the loss of time by refilling the Dispensing station also reduced to a minimum. Apart from this, the process of refilling the filling station is simple to design, simply attaching a transport and storage container or replacing the empty filling station with a full one. The container is ideally suited for a reusable system, since the refilling device in Laboratory can be set up outside of security areas, so the dangers mentioned at the beginning do not occur when you take back this container. The container itself does not come into direct contact with the autoclave boxes to be refilled.

Of course, the method according to the invention and the device are not limited to the provision of pipette tips. Other technical areas that require objects of the type described in large quantities can also be advantageously configured using the method according to the invention or the device according to the invention. Examples are tips that are attached to the openings of bottles or tubes for the metered delivery of a substance. Reusable syringes and reaction vessels, in particular single-use reaction vessels made of plastic, are also conceivable.

The method and the device can be expediently configured by means of various training and further developments, further advantages being achievable. As already mentioned, it is also possible to release the objects in the lowest position in rows or individually

The problem that the objects to be moved are held after the delivery of objects, for which purpose an appropriate positioning is required. can be solved by the following further development of the method: the carrier is positioned with its receiving openings exactly under the objects of the lowest layer, the distance between the lowest layer and the position of a layer received in the carrier being dimensioned in this way. that when the holding function is interrupted, the entire stack falls down by the height difference between two layers. If the holding function is now interrupted and put back into operation after the height difference has been overcome, the objects that are moving in are held again in the exact position. The carrier must then be removed with at least an initial vertical movement so that the objects in it move completely out of the objects that have been moved up. In order to ensure that the objects move up smoothly, these, for example the uppermost layer, can be subjected to forces. This is particularly advantageous for the delivery of the last layers of objects located in the container, since the weight of the subsequent layers of objects is no longer present.

Many exemplary embodiments are possible for concretizing the device for carrying out the method already characterized above. One principle is that the dispensing device has openings in the grid-like arrangement that can be in two working states. In the first working state, the objects in the lowest position are held and in the second working state, one object or several objects are released. For this purpose, the openings of the dispensing device are narrower than the greatest width of the objects in the first working state and in the second working state the objects can either fall through the openings or they are pushed through. The container which contains the objects in the predetermined grid-like arrangement in many layers is located above this dispensing device, the dispensing device being able to be designed separately or integrated into the container. A device for positioning the carriers can be arranged below the dispensing device. With regard to the design of the dispensing device, different functional principles are conceivable, which in turn can be implemented using different embodiments:

For example, it is possible to design the dispensing device as a pillow-like body made of an elastic material which contains a closed cavity with at least one chamber. The openings pass through this pillow-like body while maintaining the cavity. If different pressure is applied to the cavity, the openings are once larger and smaller due to the elasticity of the material. For example, the pillow-like body can be designed in such a way that the openings are in the first working state at normal air pressure, that is to say they hold the objects, and an expansion of the openings occurs with a release of the holding function by the application of negative pressure. Different chambers can be used so that individual objects or individual rows of objects, depending on the choice, can be released. The advantage of designing the dispensing device as a pillow-like body is that a simple construction is possible without any complicated mechanics. The generation of negative pressure can for example be simple This is done in such a way that a piston is actuated by means of a foot lever which pulls the air out of the pillow-like body. If the pillow-like body is made thinner in the area of the openings, the effect of the pressure difference is increased. Another way of designing the dispensing device is to provide a plate with openings which are larger than the outside diameter of the objects. A displaceable part is arranged which engages in the clear width of all openings in the first working position and which in its second working position can optionally be withdrawn from the clear width of a certain number of openings. In order to then hold the moving objects, the displaceable part must be pushed back into the clear width of all openings. Of course, an entire layer of objects can also be dispensed in that the displaceable part is withdrawn from the clear width of all openings. A further development provides that the displaceable part is arranged between the plate mentioned and a further plate, the further plate likewise having openings in the same arrangement. This further development results in better guidance of the objects, since they receive an even better vertical alignment. There are a multitude of options for the design of the plate and the movable part. These are explained on the basis of the description of the figures, reference being made to further advantages.

Another basic solution for the design of the dispensing device is that the openings are designed in such a way that they expand under the force of the rods of objects in such a way that the bottom objects pass through the openings. The objects of any position can be applied individually, in rows or in total with the force for the passage of the lowest objects through the openings. A control must ensure that the application of force only leads to the pushing through of one or a layer of objects or the carrier is positioned in such a way that the objects cannot advance more than the height difference between two layers. Another option is to apply the force by hand, taking care not to continue pushing after resistance has subsided due to the passage of objects. A simply constructed and easy-to-use embodiment for this solution provides openings which have elastic elements arranged regularly on their circumference. These can be tabs or pins that retract under the application of force. An expedient embodiment provides to arrange the deformable elements at the lower edge of the openings, these pointing obliquely downwards in the direction of the axis of the openings. When force is applied to the stack of items, these elements recede, releasing the item. A great advantage of this embodiment is that these deformable elements give the objects additional good guidance. It is then not necessary to provide longer holes for this guide. The openings with the deformable elements can therefore be located in a thin but rigid plate which, as a simple embodiment of the dispensing device, can also be arranged directly on the bottom of the container for the transport and storage of the objects. If supports are attached to such a container or the walls are pulled down a little as supports, a carrier can be pushed under the dispensing device - the elongated walls can serve as a stop - and by manual application of force on the top layer of objects, the Delivery of the lowest layer of items instead. Instead of deformable elements, the openings can also have narrow points, the objects being pushed through under the action of force due to their own elasticity.

In this way, the entire process can also be carried out with a device designed as a take-back or disposable container. The return is harmless because the device can be set up outside of security areas. In the case of training as a disposable container, there is waste, but this does not come into contact with security areas and, in view of the large amount of objects to be dispensed, is negligible compared to the known devices.

The aforementioned plates with deformable elements can also be attached as an upper guide or as an intermediate guide or intermediate guides in the container in order to hold the bars of objects in a relatively high stack. Such intermediate guides, e.g. Arranged after every tenth layer also have the advantage that stacks of practically any height can be handled, since the intermediate guides take up a part of the weight of the objects of the high stack.

Of course, it is also possible to equip such a device designed as a return or disposable container with the other embodiments of the dispensing device. Both the pillow-like body and the displaceable part are suitable for this in simple embodiments. In this way, customers can also be supplied who do not want to set up a separate dispenser because of the large distance from the manufacturer (overseas) or because of relatively low consumption.

A further possible solution provides a dispensing device with a fixed plate and a vertically displaceable plate, at least one deformable element being operatively connected to these plates. The plates are provided with holes in the grid arrangement, which are larger than the wide end of the objects. The at least one deformable element is deformed by the vertical displacement of the one plate in such a way that it projects into the passage of the objects. There are two options: First, the deformable element protrudes into the passage of the objects in the idle state and the deformation hosts the release or vice versa. In the last alternative, interaction with springs is possible, so that ultimately actuation, for example by a lever, leads to the release of the objects and the objects are held from outside without the influence of force. This solution is mechanically simple and reliable. With regard to individual embodiments, reference is made to the description of the figures.

In order to achieve a quick and secure positioning of the carrier under the dispensing device, it is expedient to provide stops by means of which the carrier can be positioned exactly under the openings of the dispensing device. For various carriers, it may be expedient to make these stops adjustable so that they can be adjusted to different types of carriers. The carriers can be brought into the position for receiving the objects by means of a horizontal guide as well as a vertical guide. This is expedient in embodiments which work according to the principle of the method in which the moving of the objects is limited by the positioning of the carrier. Due to the slim shape of the pipette tips, the newly held pipette tips will still protrude into the dispensed pipette tips, so that the carrier must be removed with initial vertical movement. In the case of very slim pipette tips, it may also be necessary to bring the empty carrier into its end position with a vertical movement. The container in which the layers of objects are located can also be designed as a closed transport container which can be inserted into a dispensing device designed as a dispenser. Such an insertion can take place in that the container can be placed on the dispensing device or in that the dispensing device has an opening into which the container is pushed.

However, as already mentioned, the container can also be designed such that the dispensing device or the stops for the carrier or both are integrated into it. Such a container can be inserted into a frame as a holder or have sufficient rigidity so that it can be set up and put into operation immediately.

The container can either be designed as a cardboard box or as a frame which contains the objects in the grid-like arrangement. It can be surrounded by a protective film that protects the objects from dirt. The container expediently has guides for the objects in the grid-like arrangement at least at one end. These guides can pass through the entire container or they can be arranged above and below, with connecting elements between the guides ensuring that the layers of objects are aligned vertically. The guides can be designed, for example, as perforated plates, the objects being able to pass through the holes. If the container is surrounded by a protective film, this protective film can cover the holes in the lower guide, and when the dispensing device is started, the objects can be pressed through the protective film. The container can also have a guide at its upper end, which is expediently designed such that it rests on the uppermost layer of the objects and, depending on the advancement of the objects, moves downward. The guide can be designed, for example, as a plate with pins, which have an arrangement corresponding to the grid-shaped arrangement of the objects. A certain number of plates or plate strips arranged next to one another can also be provided if the objects are to be released in rows, for example. The plate with the pins can also be designed in such a way that objects are attached to the plate as pins or the top layer of objects can be glued to a plate in the corresponding arrangement.

To secure the position of the objects in the container, one or more combs can be provided which fix a position of objects in the grid-like arrangement with their prongs Ren They can also be inserted crosswise and, if necessary, the slots can be pushed into the holder to pull out the comb.

A particularly high protection of the objects, preferably pipette tips, is achieved in that the dispenser is surrounded by a closable housing. The container and / or housing can also have a viewing window on one side, through which the still stored positions of the objects can be recognized. The actuation of the dispensing device can in different ways, for example by pressing a button or by actuating a foot pedal. However, it is also possible to provide a trigger for actuating the dispensing device, which trigger can be attached, for example, to a stop for positioning the carrier. In the functional principle with a displaceable part, in particular if it is displaceable against spring force. the trigger can be a stop which is firmly connected to the displaceable part and projects into the horizontal carrier path. Further possible configurations are explained on the basis of the figures shown in the drawing. Reference is made to further advantages. It shows:

FIG. 1 shows the overall structure of a dispensing device using the example of a pipette tip dispenser on average, using a first exemplary embodiment,

FIG. 2 shows a part of a dispensing device of a second exemplary embodiment designed as a pillow-like body,

3 and 3a show an embodiment of a displaceable part which, in the first exemplary embodiment, controls the holding and releasing of the objects,

Figure 4 u. 4a further possible configurations of the displaceable part for objects which are firmly inserted into one another (FIG. 4b). Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the first embodiment with a displaceable

Part designed as several pins (Figure 5 a),

FIG. 6 shows a further embodiment with a further displaceable part, FIG. 7 shows a displaceable part designed as a perforated strip,

FIG. 8 shows a displaceable part designed as a perforated plate,

FIG. 9 shows a detail from a third exemplary embodiment of the delivery device with a constriction that can be overcome under the application of force,

FIG. 10 shows a section from a further embodiment of the third exemplary embodiment,

10a-10d openings of a dispensing device with various deformable elements,

Figure 11-14 shows a fourth embodiment with at least one elastically deformable

Element that optionally holds and releases the objects and

Figure 15 shows another overall structure of a dispensing device.

Figure 1 shows the overall structure of a pipette tip dispenser in section, a first embodiment being shown. The pipette sponge dispenser is basically made up of three sub-areas: a container 7, which contains objects 1 for transport and storage, a dispensing device 12, which delivers the objects coming from the container 7 to a carrier 4, and elements for positioning the carrier 4 in the embodiment shown with the dispensing device 12 assembled to a dispenser 71. The objects 1, in particular pipette tips 2, stacked in the container 7 are in layers 3, 3 ',

3 ", 3 '", .... 3 ^n-1 , 3 ⁿ , arranged. There is only one row of objects 1 at a time

Layer 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'", ..., 3 ⁿ can be seen, these rows too being only partially visible due to the opening of the housing of the dispenser 71 or the container 7. The arrangement of each layer 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'", ..., 3 ^n-1 , 3 ⁿ corresponds to a predetermined grid. This is the grid of a carrier 4 into which the objects 1 are to be delivered. These supports 4, in the laboratory area are autoclave boxes, usually correspond to an orthogonal 8x12 or a 6x10 grid. However, it does not have to be an orthogonal grid, for example a honeycomb arrangement is also possible. The objects 1 point with respect to the outer contour 5 and holes 6 have a conical shape and are stacked such that the objects 1 a layer 3 ', 3 ", 3'", ..., 3 ⁿ with the narrow side 8 of its outer contour in the wide part 9 of the

Bores 6 of the objects 1 of the underlying layer 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'", ..., 3 ^n-1 engage directly. This results in rods of objects 1, which are held in the container 7 in accordance with the grid-shaped arrangement 10. The container 7 has a bottom

49, which contains guides 45 designed as bores in the grid-shaped arrangement through which the objects fit. On the uppermost layer 3 ⁿ of objects 1 there is a plate 46 which engages in objects 1 with pins 47, which also have the arrangement 10. The bars of objects 1 are thus guided at their upper and lower ends. The plate and 46 can be designed such that it presses on the objects 1 by their weight and thereby moves downward in the container 7. It can be used for this purpose. In this way it is ensured that the objects 1, loaded by the weight, can be removed at the lower end of the container 7. The container 7 can be surrounded by a protective film, not shown, for transport and storage. To remove the objects 1 after they have been placed on the dispensing device 12, they are pressed through the protective film at the bottom of the container 7, for example by pressing the plate 46 downward.

In the illustrated embodiment, the container 7 is placed on the dispensing device 12 in such a way that the bores on the bottom of the container 7 are aligned with openings 14 of the dispensing device 12. To ensure this, the container 7 can be inserted into a fit 50 of the dispensing device 12. Of course, the pipette tip dispenser can also be designed such that the bottom 49 is already designed as a plate 15, that is to say it belongs to the container 7 and not to the dispensing device 12. The container 7 and the dispensing device 12 can also form a part.

The openings 14 are formed over part of their length as openings 16 which have a clear width which is larger than the largest diameter of the objects 1. The openings 16 are inserted into a plate 15 in the grid-shaped arrangement 10. Adjacent to the plate 15 is a horizontally displaceable part 17, which in a first working state limits the clear width of the openings 14 in such a way that the objects 1 of the lowermost layer 3 are held thereby. By removing or moving the displaceable part 17 from the area of the openings 14, this limitation of the openings 14 is removed and thereby a second working state is achieved in which the objects 1 pass through the openings 14 can fall through. After the objects 1 have fallen through, the displaceable part 17 is pushed back into the starting position in order in this way to hold the next layer 3 ′ of objects 1 that has moved up. Various design options are provided for the formation of the displaceable part 17, which are explained with reference to further figures. The displaceable part 17 is expediently pressed into a first working state by means of a spring 26, in which it delimits the openings 14, as a result of which the objects 1 are held. By actuating a button 28, the displaceable part 17 is pressed into a position in which the openings 14 for the passage of the objects 1 are unlimited in their clear width (second working state).

So that only the objects 1 of a layer can pass through the openings 14 after the lifting of the holding function, it is provided that the carrier 4 with its receiving openings 11 is positioned exactly under the objects 1 of the lowest layer 3, the distance between the lowest layer 3 and the position of a layer accommodated in carrier 4 is dimensioned such that when the holding function is interrupted, the entire stack falls down by the height difference 13 between two layers 3, 3 '. If the holding function is now interrupted, the entire stack falls as far down until the bottom layer 3 of objects 1 are inserted in the receiving openings 11 of the carrier 4. The holding function can then be reactivated and the next layer 3 'of objects 1 is held. Now the carrier 4 can be removed, for which initially a vertical movement is required so that the objects 1 of the layer 3 which are now inserted in the carrier 4 move completely out of the objects 1 of the layer 3 'moved up.

A vertical guide 44 and a horizontal guide 43 serve to position the carrier 4, a stop 41 serving to position the carrier 4 in the horizontal direction and a stop 42 serving to position the carrier 4 in the vertical direction. Another stop positioned in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

Objects 1 are delivered to the carrier 4 in layers 3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'", ..., 3 ⁿ by the dispensing device. By appropriate design of the displaceable part 17, however, it is also possible to deliver the objects 1 in rows or individually to the carrier 4. If such a selected delivery of objects 1 is to take place, the plate 46 must also be divided accordingly and guided in parts so that it can be moved up. The bores 22 in the plate 15 preferably have a length such that at least two layers 3, 3 ', 3', 3 "... are guided by objects 1. The wide sides 30 of objects 1 are therefore two layers 2, 3 'within the bores 22 In this way a very good and safe guidance of the objects 1 is achieved. This prevents jamming of the objects 1 and the rods of objects 1 are given a safe vertical alignment. In addition, the bores 22 can be at their upper ends be provided with a chamfer so that the objects 1 slide into the bores 22 more easily. Of course, the container 7 can of course also be designed in such a way that it has guides which extend over its entire length and guide a rod of objects 1 m along their entire length is

FIG. 2 shows a dispensing device 12, which is designed as a pillow-like body 36. Only part of the pillow-like body 36 is shown in section. As with the plate 15 m of the grid-shaped arrangement 10, openings 14 are provided. The pillow-like body 36, however, consists of an elas Material and has a closed cavity 37 In this way it is possible to adjust the clear width of the openings 14 by the application of the closed cavity 37 with different pressures. At higher pressure, the openings 14 are smaller, at low pressure larger. It is useful if the openings 14 are at normal air pressure in the first working state, in which they hold the objects 1, and widen by the application of a negative pressure and thereby release the objects 1. The advantage of this embodiment is that the Objects 1 are held at normal air pressure, that is to say they should be released by the failure of the pressure control. The cavity 37 can have a plurality of chambers in order in this way to also release only a part of a layer of objects 1. The position 4 of the carrier 4 described in FIG. 1 can Also in this embodiment, ensure that more than one object 1 m falls into a receiving opening 11 of a carrier 4

FIG. 3 shows a design option for a displaceable part 17, which in the first exemplary embodiment (FIG. 1) ensures that objects 1 are held and released. The displaceable part 17 is designed as a comb 18, with the spaces 19 between strip-shaped tines 20 of the clear width of the openings 14 in the first working state, in which the objects 1 are held, the comb 18 has a tine length. through which all openings 16 are narrowed when the insert is fully inserted. The tines 20 can be designed in such a way that they are single, jointly, in part in their length or over the length entire area of the plate 15 are displaceable. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the comb 18 has fixed tines 20. This makes it possible either to release an entire layer of objects 1 by completely removing the comb 18 from the openings 14 in the plate 15, or to release one or more rows of objects 1 by only partially withdrawing the comb 18 becomes. Such a comb 18 can be pulled out and pushed in by hand or, as shown in FIG. 1, it can be combined with a spring, but the spring must have a path which corresponds to the complete extraction of the comb 18. The guides of the comb 18 must then have the same length. Bevels 29 in the front area of the tines 20 serve for a better insertion of the comb 18.

FIG. 3a shows another embodiment of the comb 18 ', the gaps 19 having widenings 32 inserted into the grid-like arrangement 10, which are larger than the largest diameter of the objects 1. The comb 18' can be displaced in such a way that the widenings in one position 32 and in another position the narrower points of the spaces 19 are aligned with the openings 16 of the plate 15. The advantage of this embodiment is that the comb 18 'only ever has to be displaced by a small amount and therefore a spring 26, as shown in FIG. 1, is sufficient to press the comb 18' into the holding position. A short actuation path is also sufficient for actuation by means of the button 28. In order to achieve greater stability, the tines 20 of the chimney 18 'can be stabilized at their front end by a cross connection. The "comb" 18 'thus has the shape of a slotted plate.

Figures 4 and 4a show a further design option of a displaceable part 17 - also comb-like or slotted plate-like - for firmly inserted objects 1. These firmly inserted objects 1 are shown in FIG. 4b, the outer contour 5 of an object 1 being fixed in the bore 6 of the underlying object 1 is stuck. Such objects 1 must be separated from each other with a certain force. This is only possible if the objects 1 have at their wide end 30 a shoulder 31 pointing in the direction of the narrow end 8. The comb 18 is then, as shown in FIG. 4, designed in such a way that the strip-shaped tines 20 have, at least in part, a thickness which is greater than the distance 33 between the wide end 30 of the objects 1 of a layer 3 and the shoulder 31 of the objects 1 of the next layer is 3 '. In the front area of the tines 20, the thickness of the tines 20 decreases below the distance 33. Between the thicker part of the Tines 20 and the thinner part of the tines 20 are arranged at an incline. The spaces 19 between the tines 20 have a dimension that is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the objects 1 below the shoulder 31. The function is as follows: If such a comb 18 is pulled out, a layer 3 of objects falls down until they are received in the carrier 4. Then the comb 18 is inserted again and the prongs 22 press the objects 1 of two layers 3 and 3 'apart by means of their bevels. After the comb 18 is inserted, the upper layer 3 'is held again with the entire stack. The layer 3 of objects 1 which has fallen into the carrier 4 is removed. The comb 18 can be pulled out again after a carrier 4 has been positioned again. When the comb 18 is inserted again, two layers 3 and 3 'are separated from one another. The bevels 29 can be arranged on the top, on the bottom or on both sides of the comb 18. FIG. 4a shows an embodiment in which the device for separating two layers of objects 1, as described above for FIG. 4, was combined with an embodiment of the comb as a comb 18 ', as shown in FIG. 3a. The embodiment of FIG. 4a provides that the thickness of the tines 20 is greater than the distance 33 in the area of the narrower points of the intermediate spaces 19 and less than the distance 33 in the area of the widening 32. The transitions are designed as slopes at least in one direction. With this embodiment, it is possible to bring about a separation of two layers 3, 3 'of objects 1 by means of a smaller displacement path than in the comb 18 according to FIG. 4 and at the same time to deliver a layer 3 of objects 1 to a carrier 4. Except for the short stroke, the function corresponds to what was explained for FIG. 4. As in the embodiment according to FIG. 3a, the stroke is. approximately half the distance between two widenings 32. If an entire layer of objects is not to be dispensed, the comb 18 ′ must be formed into strips, each strip having one or more intermediate spaces 19. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of a plate 15 which, in one exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. can also be used. This plate 15 has bores 35 into which pins 34 can be inserted. By inserting the pins 34, the clear width of the openings 14 is limited, whereby the holding function is brought about. The pins 34 taper at their front end, as shown in FIG. 5a. This is for a better introduction tion of the pins 34. The pins 34 can be pulled out individually, together or in groups from the area of the plate 15. It is possible to pull them out in whole or in part. In this way, the dispensing of objects 1 can be controlled so that individual objects 1, any rows or all objects 1 of a layer are dispensed together. The configuration can be such that the holding function is still ensured if a pin 34 engages on one side of an opening 14. However, two pins 34 can also be assigned to each row of openings 14.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a plate 15 with a displaceable part 17 in the form of a comb 18. The openings 14 in the plate 15 are designed as slots 21 which have the length of a number of objects 1. The comb 18 is mounted with its strip-shaped tines 20 transversely to the slots 21 and can be moved in the longitudinal direction to the strip-shaped tines 20. The openings 14 designed as slots 21 are also equipped in this exemplary embodiment with a width in which the objects 1 can pass through them. The objects 1 are held by inserting the comb 18, since the spaces 19 of the comb 18 are narrower than the wide end 30 of the objects 1. The function corresponds to that shown in FIG. 1, with 18 individual squares being inserted in this embodiment by inserting the fireplace arise that hold the objects 1 with their narrow side.

FIG. 7 shows a displaceable part 17 designed as a plurality of perforated strips 23. The holes 24 correspond to the number and arrangement of a number of objects 1. The holes 24 are larger than the largest outer diameter of the objects 1 and the perforated strips 23 can be displaced individually or together in this way that the holes 24 coincide with the openings 16 of the plate 15 (see FIG. 1) - the objects 1 can fall through - or they are moved in such a way that the objects 1 are held.

To release objects 1 in rows, each perforated strip 23 can be pressed against the force of a spring 38 from the first working position to the second working position, in which the holes 24 are aligned with the openings 16. A cross bar 39 can actuate all the perforated strips 23 against the force of the springs 38 when it is pressed against the front end of the perforated strips 23. It is therefore possible by means of this embodiment to release the objects 1 both in rows and in layers. In this embodiment, the objects 1 guided and weighted by means of a plate 46 with pin 47, this plate 46 must be divided into the same strips as the displaceable part 17th

FIG. 8 shows a displaceable part 17 designed as a perforated plate 25. Here, too, the holes 24 ′ are inserted according to the number and arrangement 10 according to a layer of objects 1. The holes 24 'are larger than the largest outer diameter of the objects 1 and the perforated plate 25 is also displaceable such that the holes 24 either overlap with the openings 14 in the plate 15 (FIG. 1) or are offset such that the objects 1 are held become. In order to ensure a good passage of the objects 1, it is expedient that the holes 24 'of the perforated plate are somewhat larger than the perforations 14 of the plate 15 designed as bores 22. The perforated plate 25 is also pressed into the first working position by a spring 26 , in which the holes 24 and the bores 22 are offset in order to hold the objects 1. Opposite the spring 26, a button 28 is arranged on the perforated plate 25, the actuation of which allows the perforated plate 25 to be displaced in guides 27 against the pressure of the spring 26 such that the holes 24 'are aligned with the bores 22 of the plate 15 (not shown) . This embodiment is of simple construction, but with it the objects 1 can only be released in entire layers.

9 shows a detail from a third exemplary embodiment. The openings 14 of the dispensing device 12 are designed such that they widen under the application of force to the objects 1 such that the lowermost objects 1 pass through the openings 14. For this purpose, a bead 40 is provided, which is designed to be correspondingly flexible. Of course, other training than tabs, bristles or flexible projections is also possible. In this embodiment, too, the objects 1 of a layer 3 ⁿ can be acted upon individually, in rows or in total with the force for the passage of the lowest layer 3 of the objects 1 through the openings 14. In this embodiment too, in order to avoid malfunctions, a corresponding positioning of the carrier 4 can be provided, by means of which it is prevented that more than one object 1 is released into a receiving opening of a carrier 4.

Fig. 9 shows by way of example that, instead of a conical shape, partial areas can also be provided for the objects which have smaller diameters with respect to the outer contour and bore. Of course, the openings 14 of the dispensing device 12 can also be designed in such a way that they have at their lower end a constriction (corresponding to the bulge 40) which is not much narrower than the greatest width of the objects 1. If the objects 1 are elastic Plastic parts, as is the case, for example, with pipette tips 2, the lowest layer 3 of objects 1 can also be released under force by pressing the objects together at the constriction as a result of the application of force and thereby passing through the constriction. FIG. 10 shows a section of a further embodiment of the third exemplary embodiment with elastic elements 48. These are arranged on the lower edge of the openings 14. The elastic elements 48 are regularly distributed on the circumference, as shown in FIGS. 10a to 10d. The elastic elements 48 are expediently directed obliquely downward in the direction of the axis of the openings 14. In this way, the objects 1 receive particularly good guidance. The elastic elements 48 can therefore also be attached to relatively thin plates 15 'which have only short bores 22'. Such plates 15 'with elastic elements 48 can be produced as one-piece plastic parts. This is a particularly inexpensive embodiment. FIGS. 10a and 10b show elastic elements 48 designed as pins 48 ', three (FIG. 10a) or four (FIG. 10b) pins 18' being provided. 10c and 10d show how tabs 48 "can be provided in a corresponding manner.

FIGS. 11 to 14 show a fourth exemplary embodiment with at least one deformable element 66, which optionally holds and releases the objects 1. The principle of the solution, the various configurations of which are shown in FIGS. 11 to 14, is based on the fact that a fixed plate 64 and a vertically displaceable plate 65 cooperate with at least one deformable element 66 in such a way that the objects 1 are held in a position of the displaceable plate 65 and are released in another position of this plate 65. For this purpose, the fixed plate 64 and the displaceable plate 65 are provided with bores 22 ', 22 "which are inserted in the grid-shaped arrangement 10 in the plates 64 and 65. These bores 22' and 22" have a diameter larger than that is as the wide end 30 of the objects 1. The deformable element 66 is deformed by the displacement of the plate 65 in such a way that in a position of the displaceable plate 65 it prevents the passage of the objects 1 through the bores 22 'and 22 "by over protrudes the edge of one of the bores 22 'or 22 ". In another position of the slidable plate 65 the deformable takes Element 66 a position in which it is outside the passage of the objects 1 and they are therefore released. The displaceable plate 65 is adjusted by means of an actuating device, for example a hand or foot lever, an electrical or pneumatic element.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 11a show a first exemplary embodiment in which the fixed plate 64, supported by springs 69, carries the displaceable plate 65. In the areas between the bores 22 ', the displaceable plate 65 has rods 67 which pass through bores in the fixed plate 64 in order to hold deformable elements 66 formed as plastic or rubber elements 66' at the lower end of the fixed plate 64 '. For this purpose, the plastic or rubber elements 66 'also have bores through which the rods 67 extend in order to clamp the plastic or rubber elements 66' between the holding plates 68 and the fixed plate 64 by means of a holding plate 68. The function can be seen from FIGS. 1 1 and 1 la, FIG. 11 showing the holding position and FIG. 1 la the release position of this exemplary embodiment of the dispensing device 12. In Figure 11, the springs 69, which are arranged, for example, along the edges of the plates 64 and 65, press the plates 64 and 65 apart, as a result of which the plastic or rubber elements 66 'are squeezed so wide that they protrude beyond the edge of the bores 22' and thereby hold the objects 1, not shown. In this embodiment, the springs 69 must exert the force required to tighten the plastic or rubber elements 66 'so that they can hold the entire stack of objects 1. An actuator overcomes the force of the springs 69, causing the plate 65 to move toward the fixed plate 64. The plastic or rubber elements 66 'are no longer pressed together by the holding plates 68, as a result of which they deform back into their original position and thereby open the bores 22' - the objects 1 can now pass through. In this state, the plastic or rubber elements 66 'have a barrel-like shape, and because of the compression, as shown in FIG. 11, they take up a larger circumference due to the lower height as a result of the compression. The carrier 4 is expediently positioned under such a delivery device 12 at a distance which is dimensioned in this way. that the following objects 1 are again in the holding position after the delivery of objects 1. The plastic or rubber elements 66 'then assume their position again, as shown in FIG. 11. FIGS. 12 and 12a show a similarly designed dispensing device 12, with the difference that the deformable elements 66 are constructed as spring elements 66 ". The function and arrangement of these spring elements 66" are identical to that just described, for example as a plurality of spring metal strips are arranged in such a way that in the holding position at least from one side such a spring element 66 "projects into the passage of the objects 1. Instead of the spring metal strip, an elongated element which can be bent or bent can also be used.

FIGS. 13 and 13a show a further design option in which a deformable element 66 is arranged between the fixed plate 64 and the vertically displaceable plate 65 and has the shape of a plastic or rubber plate 66 "". This has a plastic or rubber plate 66 "" Passages aligned with the bores 22 'and 22 ". The vertical displacement of the plate 64 causes the plastic or rubber plate 66'" to assume two positions: a first position in which this plastic or rubber plate is in the passageway for the objects 1 protrude and hold them there and a second position in which they are outside the passage of the objects 1 and they can take their way to the carrier 4. There are two different design options. In a first embodiment, the plastic or rubber plate 66 '"in its rest state has the shape shown in FIG. 13. The plate 64 must therefore be pressed against the plate 65 in order to achieve the state shown in FIG. 13a in which the plastic or Rubber plate 66 '"holds the objects 1. In this embodiment, it is expedient if, as shown in FIG. 14, springs 69 are arranged, which cooperate with holding plates 68 'via rods 67', press the plate 64 against the plate 65 such that the plastic or rubber plate 66 '" 13a assumes the position shown in FIG. 13a without external force. If an external force acts to compress the plates 64, 65, the objects 1 are released, since the plastic or rubber plate 66 '"against the force of the springs 69 into the position shown in Figure 13 is spent.

An even simpler embodiment provides that the plastic or rubber plate 66 ′ ″ in its relaxed state has the shape shown in FIG. 13a and therefore holds the objects 1. An actuating device brings in an external force which moves the plate 64 from the plate 65 pulls away in such a way that the shape of the plastic or rubber plate 66 ′ ″ drawn in FIG. 13 is created, in which the objects 1 are released. Figure 14 shows yet another embodiment. in which spring elements 66 "are arranged between the fixed plate 64 and the displaceable plate 65 such that they move into the passage of the objects 1 by displacing the plate 64. With one of the plates 64 or 65, here with the plate 65, there are rods 67 ', which pass through bores of the other plate, here plate 64, and compress them by means of springs 69, which are clamped between plate 64 and holding plates 68'. In this way, the holding position is again achieved without external force the spring elements 66 "is achieved. Similar to that described in FIG. 12, these spring elements 66 ″ must protrude at least from two sides into the passage of the objects 1.

Of course, it is also possible to design the spring elements 66 "in such a way that, in the relaxed state, they engage in the passage of the objects 1 and, similarly to that described in FIG. 13, external force leads to the plates 64 and 65 being pulled apart and thereby the spring elements 66 "are brought into their release position. In this embodiment, the springs 69 can be saved.

FIG. 15 shows a further overall structure of a dispensing device. It is an embodiment of the principle, in which the dispensing device 12 consists of a plate 15 which has openings 16 which are larger than the largest outer diameter of the objects 1, with at least one displaceable part 17 in a first working position in the clear width of all Openings 16 engages and is in the second working position outside the clear width of at least one of the openings 16. The openings are inserted here as bores 22 in the plate 15 and as holes 24 'in a displaceable part 17, for example in the form of a perforated plate. The displaceable part 17 is arranged above the plate 15 and the container 7 is placed on the displaceable part 17 by means of a firm seat. The displaceable part 17 can be displaced against a spring 26, it being guided by guides 27. In the example given, these are formed as pins 72, which are firmly connected to the plate 15 and run in the elongated holes 73 of the displaceable part 17. Holding rails 74 arranged below the latter can ensure a firm fit of the displaceable part 17 on the plate 15 and are connected to the displaceable part 17 via fastening elements which pass through elongated holes in the plate 15. If the displaceable part 17 is displaced against the force of the spring 26, the holes 24 ′ are aligned with the bores 22 and the objects 1, for example pipette tips 2, can pass through and thereby fall into the carrier 4. In the rest position, in which the displaceable part 17 through the spring 26 is pressed, the bores 22 and the holes 24 'are slightly offset from one another and the objects 1 are held. To actuate the displaceable part 17, two handles 61 are arranged on both sides of this part 17, which run at right angles to the direction of movement and which can be gripped by one hand 58 of an operator for actuation.

When the objects 1 are held by means of the displacement of the holes 24 'with respect to the bores 22, the pipette tips 2 can be inclined. This inclined position is compensated for by the fact that the carrier 4 can be positioned by a stop 70 which is displaceable against spring force, the inclined objects 1 or pipette tips 2 being insertable into the receiving openings 11 of the carrier 4 in a first position of the stop 70 and in the second, by Displacement of the carrier 4 against the position attainable by the spring force align the receiving openings 11 with the bores 22. The displaceable stop 70 is designed in such a way that the carrier 4, here an autoclave box 51, abuts against a stop 70 at the upper end which can be displaced so far against the force of a spring 54 that the receiving openings 11 of the carrier 4 are in the displaced position with the holes 22 of the dispenser 12 are aligned. At the lower rear end of the autoclave box 51, a leaf spring 55 ensures a clean displacement of the autoclave box 51. A stop 56 provided on the horizontal guide 43 serves for the autoclave box 51 to come into the position in which the leaf spring 55 is inserted while being slightly compressed Pipette tips 2 can be inserted into the receiving openings 11 of the carrier 4.

The operation is expediently carried out in such a way that, simultaneously with the gripping of the handles 61 by the fingers 59 of the hands 58, the operator is pressed with the thumbs 60 against the autoclave box 51. As a result, the dispensing device 12 is triggered with one operation and the carrier 4 is displaced. Since, when the dispensing device 12 is triggered, the pipette tips 2 are aligned vertically, the carrier 4 is simultaneously brought into the position corresponding to this vertical alignment with this vertical alignment. With this configuration, a completely smooth delivery of the pipette tips 1 from the container 7 to the carrier 4 was achieved.

In the embodiment shown, the autoclave box 51 is brought into the delivery position as follows: An autoclave box carrier 57 is initially in a position in which it is shifted further down on the vertical guide 44 than is shown in FIG. 15 posed. The autoclave box 51 is inserted, being placed on the horizontal guide 43, the top of the autoclave box carrier 57. It is pushed backwards and pressed against the leaf spring 55 until it can be positioned with its front lower edge behind the stop 56. It is now in the position in which the slightly inclined pipette tips 2 can be easily inserted into the receiving openings 11. Now the autoclave box carrier 57 is moved upwards until a lever 53 engages and thereby holds the autoclave box carrier 57. This is done in that a pin 75, which is arranged on the autoclave box carrier 57, enters a U-shaped recess 76 of the lever 53. The engagement can take place automatically in that the lever 53 is pressed into this position by a spring 57. Thereafter, the autoclave box 51 is located under the dispensing device 12 such that when the dispensing device 12 is triggered, the pipette tips 2 file down so far that the next position of pipette tips 2 is again captured by the holding function of the dispensing device 12. After filling, the lever 53 is pushed back and the autoclave carrier 57 can be lowered, whereby the tips of the pipette tips 2 now held move out of the pipette tips 2 inserted in the carrier 4. Now the autoclave box 51 can be removed and the next filling process can take place.

The figures with the associated description can of course only give examples of the embodiments of the device used to carry out the method. The representation of objects 1 as pipette tips 2 is also exemplary. The illustrated paragraph 31 simplifies handling, it is not required for the method and the devices of the invention for all exemplary embodiments.

Further possible configurations are conceivable, above all a large number of further possible combinations of the features that are specified in the patent claims. For example, a dispensing device can be provided in accordance with a described embodiment in order to dispense pipette tips which are firmly inserted into one another, a comb also being used to separate the tips. Method and device for providing a plurality of objects on a carrier

Claims

1. A method of providing a variety of items (1) for laboratory use.

in particular of pipette tips (2) or reaction vessels, on a carrier (4) in a predetermined, grid-like arrangement (10), the objects (1), which have a tapering shape with respect to the outer contour (5) and bores (6), that they can be plugged into one another for transport and storage in one

Containers (7) in layers (3, 3 ', 3 ", 3'", ..., 3 ⁿ ) are stacked such that the objects

(1) a layer (3 ', 3 ", 3'", ..., 3 ⁿ ) with the narrow side (8) of its outer contour in the large part (9) of the bores (6) of the objects (1) of the underlying layer (3, 3 ',

3 ", 3 '", ..., 3 ⁿ "') engage directly, and the rods of objects (1) resulting from this stacking in the container (7) correspond to the grid-shaped

Arrangement (10) are held,

characterized,

that each object (1) of the lowermost layer (3) is held by a delivery device (12) in such a way that the hold for at least one of the objects (1) can be canceled so that after the hold has been lifted into a receiving opening (11) one below the

Container (7) positioned carrier (4) files that the corresponding objects (1) of the next layers (3 ', 3 ", 3'", ..., 3 ⁿ ) move up and that the lowest of the objects (1 ) is held again by the dispenser (12).

2. The method according to claim 1,

characterized,

that the objects (1) of the lowest layer (3) can be released in rows.

3. The method according to claim 1,

characterized,

that the objects (1) of the lowest layer (3) can all be released at the same time.

4. The method according to claim 1, 2 or 3,

characterized,

that the carrier (4) with its receiving openings (11) is positioned exactly under the objects (1) of the lowest layer (3), the distance between the lowest layer (3) and the position of a layer received in the carrier (4) in such a way is dimensioned that at

Interruption of the holding function of the entire stack by the height difference (13) between two layers (3, 3 ') files down that the holding function is interrupted for at least one object (1) and is put back into operation after overcoming the height difference (13) and that the carrier (4) is removed with at least initial vertical movement.

5. The method according to one or more of claims 1 to 4,

characterized,

that the objects (1) are acted upon by forces.

6. Device for carrying out a method according to one or more of claims 1 to 5,

characterized,

that the delivery device (12) openings (14) in the grid-shaped arrangement (10) which in a first working state have a clear width through which the

Objects (1) of the lowest layer (3) are held and that one or more of the openings (14) can be brought into a second working state in which their clear width is expanded in such a way that the objects (1) can pass through.

7. The device according to claim 6,

characterized,

that the dispenser (12) is designed as a pillow-like body (36) made of an elastic material with a closed cavity (37) having at least one chamber, the openings (14) passing through the pillow-like body and by applying two different pressures to the cavity can be brought into the first or the second working state.

8. The device according to claim 7,

characterized,

that the openings (14) are at normal air pressure in the first working state and by being subjected to negative pressure in the second working state.

9. The device according to claim 7 or 8,

characterized,

that in each case a row of openings (14) are assigned to a chamber of the cavity (37), the chambers being pressurized as a whole or individually.

10. The device according to claim 6,

characterized,

that the dispenser (12) consists of a plate (15) which has openings (16) which are larger than the largest outer diameter of the objects (1) and that at least one displaceable part (17) in the first working position in the clear width of all Openings (16) engages and in the second working position at least one of the openings (16) is outside the clear width.

11. The device according to claim 10,

characterized,

that the displaceable part (17) is a comb (18), the spaces (19) between strip-shaped prongs (20) of the clear width of the openings (14) in the first

Working condition correspond that the comb (18) has a tine length through which all openings (16) are narrowed when fully inserted and that the tines (20) in their longitudinal direction individually or together, partially or over the entire area of

Plate (15) are slidable.

12. The device according to claim 11,

characterized,

that the comb (18) bevels at the front ends of the strip-shaped tines (20)

(29) has the width tapered at the front ends.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 1 or 12,

characterized,

that objects (1) which are inserted into one another in such a way that they can be separated from one another only with the application of force and which have at their wide end (30) a shoulder (31) pointing towards the narrow end (8), by a comb (18) be separated in that the strip-shaped prongs (20) have at least partially a thickness which is greater than the distance (33) between the wide end (30) of the

Objects of one layer (3) and the shoulder (31) of the objects (1) of the next layer (3 ') and that the thickness in the front region of the tines (20) tapers below the distance (33) at least one slope as a transition serves and the spaces (19)

Have dimension that is equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the objects (1) below the paragraph (31).

14. The device according to one or more of claims 11 or 12,

characterized,

that the spaces (19) of the comb (18 ') in the grid-shaped arrangement (10) have widenings (32) which are larger than the largest diameter of the objects (1) and that the comb (18') is displaceable in this way, that once the

Widenings (32) and the narrower points of the intermediate spaces (19) are aligned with the openings (16).

15. The apparatus of claim 13 and 14,

characterized,

that the thickness of the tines (20) in the region of the narrower points of the intermediate spaces (19) is greater than the distance (33) and in the region of the widenings (32) less than that

Distance (33) and that the transitions are designed as inclines at least in one direction.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 or 15

characterized,

that the tines (20) are stabilized at their front end by a cross connection.

17. The apparatus of claim 10

characterized,

that the displaceable parts (17) are individually or jointly displaceable pins (34) with such a bearing that, in the first working position, they limit the clear width of the openings (16) in such a way that the objects are held so that the pins (34) taper at their tips and are fully or partially retractable from the area of the openings (16).

18. The apparatus according to claim 17,

characterized,

that the pins (34) are guided in bores (35) of the plate (15).

19. Device according to one or more of claims 10 to 16,

characterized,

that the openings (16) of the plate (15) are contactors (21) which have at least the length of a number of objects and that the comb (18) with its

strip-shaped tines (20) are mounted transversely to the slots (21) and are displaceable.

20. The device according to one or more of claims 10 to 18,

characterized,

that the openings (16) are bores (22) which are in the grid-shaped

Arrangement (10) are inserted into the plate (15).

21. The apparatus according to claim 20,

characterized,

that the bores (22) are of such a length that at least two layers (3, 3 '; 3', 3 "; ...) of objects (1) are guided.

22. The apparatus of claim 10, 20 or 21,

characterized,

that the displaceable parts (17) are perforated strips (23), the holes (24) corresponding to the number and arrangement of a row of objects (1) and being larger than the largest outside diameter of the objects (1), and that the perforated strips (23 ) individually or can be moved together such that the holes (24) coincide with the openings (16) or are offset such that the objects (1) are held.

23. The device according to claim 22,

characterized,

that each perforated strip (23) is pressed by a spring (38) into the first working position in which the holes (24) and the openings (16) are offset.

24. The device according to claim 23,

characterized,

that through a cross bar (39) all punched strips (23) together in the second

Working state can be pressed.

25. The device according to claim 10, 20 or 21,

characterized,

that the displaceable part (17) is a perforated plate (25) with the holes (24 ') after

Number and arrangement (10) of a layer (3, 3 ', 3 ", 3"', ..., 3 ⁿ ) of objects (1) correspond and are larger than the largest outside diameter of the objects (1), and that the Perforated plate (25) is displaceable such that the holes (24) coincide with the openings (14) or are offset in such a way that the objects (1) are held.

26. The device according to one or more of claims 22 to 25,

characterized,

that the holes (24, 24 ') are slightly larger than the holes (22).

27. The apparatus of claim 25 or 26,

characterized,

that the perforated plate (25) is pressed into the first working position by means of a spring (26). in which the holes (24) and the openings (14) are offset.

28. The device according to one or more of claims 25 to 27.

characterized,

that the perforated plate (25) in a guide (27) can be moved into the second working position by pressing a button (28).

29. The device according to one or more of claims 10 to 28,

characterized,

that the displaceable part (17) is arranged between the plate (15) and a further plate through which the openings (16) also pass.

30. The device according to one or more of claims 6 to 29,

characterized,

that the objects (1) of the uppermost layer (3 ⁿ ) are acted upon individually or jointly by a force which supports the downward movement of the objects (1).

31. The device according to claim 6,

characterized,

that the openings (14) of the dispensing device (12) are designed such that they expand under the application of force to the rods of objects (1) such that the lowermost objects (1) pass through the openings (14).

32. Device for carrying out a method according to one or more of claims 1 to 5,

characterized,

that the dispensing device (12) has openings (14) in the grid-shaped arrangement (10) whose clear width at a constriction is slightly smaller than the largest

The outside diameter of the objects (1) is such that the objects (1) can be pressed elastically yielding through the constriction under the application of force.

33. Device according to claim 31 or 32,

characterized,

that the objects (1) individually, in rows or in total with the force for the passage of the lowest objects (1) through the openings (14) can be applied.

34. Apparatus according to claim 31 or 33.

characterized,

that the openings (14) have regularly arranged elastic elements (48) on their circumference.

35. The apparatus of claim 34,

characterized,

that the elements are pins (48 ').

36. Device according to claim 34,

characterized,

that the elements are tabs (48 ").

37. Device according to claim 34, 35 or 36,

characterized,

that the elastic elements (48) are formed on the lower edge of the openings (14), pointing obliquely downwards in the direction of the axis of the openings (14).

38. Device according to one or more of claims 31 or 33 to 37,

characterized,

that the openings (14) with the elastic elements (48) are in a plate (15 ') which is thin but rigid.

39. Device according to claim 38,

characterized,

that the plate (15 ') with the elastic elements (48) is a one-piece plastic part.

40. Device according to claim 38 or 39,

characterized,

that the stack of objects (1) located in the container (7) through several plates

(15 ') is held and guided.

41. Device according to claim 6

characterized,

that the delivery device (12) consists of a fixed plate (64) and a vertically displaceable plate (65) which have bores (22 ', 22 "), the

Diameter is larger than the wide end (30) of the objects (1), and that with the plates (64, 65) at least one deformable element (66, 66 '66 ", 66'") in

There is an operative connection which is deformed by the vertical displacement of the plate (65) in such a way that it blocks the passage of the objects (1) through the bores (22 ', 22 ") in one position and releases them in another.

42. Device according to claim 41,

characterized,

that the at least one deformable element (66) is arranged between the fixed (64) and the displaceable plate (65) in such a way that it correspondingly narrows the bores (22 ', 22 ") by pressure on the displaceable plate (65).

43. Device according to claim 41,

characterized,

that the at least one deformable element (66) is arranged between the fixed (64) and the displaceable plate (65) in such a way that it is in the relaxed state

Bores (22 ', 22 ") are narrowed and the constriction is removed when force is applied.

44. Device according to one or more of claims 41 to 43,

characterized,

that the deformable element (66) is a plastic or rubber plate (66 '") with the

Bores (22 ', 22 ") has aligned bores, the diameter of which changes when the displaceable plate (65) is moved.

45. Device according to one or more of claims 41 to 43,

characterized,

that bendable elements (66 ") are arranged between the plates (64, 65) in the region of the bores (22 ', 22"), through which the bores (22', 22 ") can be narrowed and released.

46. Device according to claim 41,

characterized,

that the slidable plate (65) through the fixed plate (64) has bars (68) which clamp deformable elements (66) between the fixed plate (64) and holding plates (68) arranged at the end of the bars (68).

47. Device according to claim 46,

characterized,

that the deformable elements (66) are round, provided with a bore plastic or rubber elements (66 ').

48. Device according to claim 46,

characterized,

that the deformable elements (66) in the region of the bores (22 ") are deflectable elements (66").

49. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 48,

characterized,

that the carrier (4) can be positioned by stops (41, 42, 70) in such a way that the receiving openings (11) are located below the openings (14) of the dispensing device (12).

50. Device according to claim 49,

characterized,

that the carrier (4) can be brought into the position for receiving the objects (1) by means of a horizontal guide (43) and a vertical guide (44).

51. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 50,

characterized,

that the container (7) is a transport container which is closed on all sides and which can be inserted into the dispensing device (12) designed as a dispenser (71).

52. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 51,

characterized,

that the container (7) at least at its lower end guides (45) for the

Objects (1) in the grid-shaped arrangement (10).

53. Device according to claim 52

characterized,

that the guides are designed as a perforated plate, wherein the objects (1) can pass through the holes.

54. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 50,

characterized,

that the dispensing device (12), arranged on the bottom of the container (7) formed as a container which is closed on all sides, is integrated into the latter.

55. Device according to claim 54,

characterized,

that supports are arranged on the bottom of the container (7) on which the container (7) stands and that thereby a support (4) can be pushed under the dispensing device (12).

56. Device according to claim 55,

characterized,

that the supports form stops (41, 42) for the support (4).

57. Device according to one or more of claims 51 to 56,

characterized,

that the container (7) is surrounded by a protective film, the lowermost layer (3) of the objects (1) before the device is started up by the protective film

is pushed through.

58. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 57,

characterized,

that the container (7) also has guides (45) for the objects (1) at its upper end.

59. Device according to claim 58,

characterized,

that the guide (45) at the upper end of a plate (46) with pin (47) in the

is grid-shaped arrangement (10), the pins in the uppermost layer of the objects

(1) intervene.

60. Device according to claim 59,

characterized,

that the pins (47) on the plate (46) are fixed objects (1).

61. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 60,

characterized,

that the dispenser (71) and the container (7) are surrounded by a lockable housing.

62. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 61,

characterized,

that the dispensing device (12) can be actuated by means of a foot lever.

63. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 62,

characterized,

that the actuation of the dispensing device (12) is started by a trigger which is located on a stop (41, 42) for positioning the carrier (4).

64. Device according to claim 63.

characterized,

that the trigger in a delivery device (12) with a displaceable part against spring force (17) projecting into the horizontal carrier path, with the

displaceable part (17) connected stop.

65. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 64,

characterized,

that a level indicator is provided, by means of which the layers (3, 3 ', 3 ",

3 '", ..., 3 ⁿ ) of objects (1) are recognizable.

66. Device according to one or more of claims 10, 20 to 30 or 49 to 65,

characterized,

that the displaceable part (17) is located above the plate (15) and that the container (7) is arranged with a firm fit on the displaceable part (17).

67. Device according to one or more of claims 10, 20 to 30 or 49 to 66,

characterized,

that the displaceable part (17) can be actuated by means of two handles (61) which are arranged on the displaceable part (17) on both sides, perpendicular to the direction of movement.

68. Device according to one or more of claims 10, 20 to 30 or 49 to 67,

characterized,

that the carrier (4) can be positioned to compensate for an inclined position of the objects (1) by means of a stop (70) which can be displaced against spring force, the oblique objects (1) in the receiving openings (11) of the Carrier 84) can be inserted and in the second position, which can be reached by displacing the carrier (4) against the spring force, the receiving openings (11) with the

Openings (16) are aligned.

69. Device according to one or more of claims 66 to 68,

characterized,

that the displaceable part (17) has holes (24 ') which are of such a length that at least two layers (3, 3'; 3 ', 3 "; ...) of objects (1) are guided.

70. Device according to one or more of claims 50 to 69 for carrying out the method according to claim 4,

characterized,

that the carrier (4) can be locked in the vertical guide (44) in the position for filling the carrier (4).

71. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 70,

characterized,

that to secure the position of the objects (1) in the container (7) laterally at least one extractable comb can be inserted with its prongs a position of

Objects (1) fixed.

72. Device according to one or more of claims 6 to 71 with a delivery device (12),

characterized,

that a comb (18), the prongs (20) of which are at least partially thicker than the distance (33) is used to separate objects (1) which are firmly inserted into one another.