EP2789389B1 - Device for storing and providing pipette tips - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for providing pipette tips.

Pipette tips are small plastic tubes that are used in the laboratory for dosing liquid samples, preferably in the range of 0.1 microliter to 100 ml. They have a lower passage for liquid and an upper passage for air, wherein the cross section of the pipette tips usually increases from the lower to the upper passage opening.

For metering fluid, the top of the pipette tip is connected to a pipette so that the top port is connected to a pipette air displacement device. For this purpose, the pipette tip is clamped with the passage opening on a neck of the pipette or clamped in a hole of the pipette. In the front of the approach or in the bottom of the hole opens a channel which is connected to the displacement device of the pipette. In a piston stroke pipette, the displacement device is a cylinder with a piston displaceable therein. With the help of the displacement device, an air volume is displaced, so that a defined amount of liquid is taken up in the pipette tip and discharged from it. The metered amount of liquid depends on the displacement of the displacement device. Fixed volume pipettes with a constant dosing volume have a constant displacement and variable pipettes with adjustable dosing volume have an adjustable displacement. In Direktverdrängerpipetten a piston is integrated in the pipette tip, which is driven by the displacement device.

After use, the pipette tip is separated from its seat on the pipette, for which the pipette may have an ejector which, when actuated, forces the pipette tip off its seat. Thereafter, the pipette can pick up a new pipette tip. Carryover of sample liquid between successive dosages is thus avoided.

To attach pipette tips to the seat of a pipette, pipette tips are provided on pipette tip supply devices. These devices have a plate-shaped support with a substantially rectangular base made of plastic, also called "tray" or "wafer", with a plurality of holes in a matrix arrangement on. The perforated plate usually has 96 holes in eight rows and twelve columns. Pipette tips are inserted into the holes from above, but do not fall through the holes due to an upwardly broadening diameter or a collar at their upper end.

Furthermore, these devices comprise a lower part, which is designed as a box closed at the bottom and open at the top (also called a "box") or at the bottom and at the top, a rectangular frame (also called a "rack"). A carrier equipped with pipette tips can be placed on means for supporting on the upper edge of the lower part, so that the pipette tips and the carrier protrude into a receptacle in the lower part. Known devices for providing pipette tips have on two opposite narrow sides of the carrier in each case a gripping tab, which are connected to the lower edge of the narrow side of the carrier, have an operating end above and between a on the outside has a locking bead, which with a locking projection on the Inside a side wall of the lower part is locked. The narrow sides are the two long sides and the two short sides of the rectangular support.

The pipette tips are removable by pressing the seat of a single-channel pipette or the seats of a multichannel pipette onto or into the upper ends of the pipette tips individually or simultaneously to several of a pipette tip supply apparatus. The latched grip tabs prevent the wearer from being inadvertently lifted when removing pipette tips with a pipette.

Devices are known for providing pipette tips, in which the lower part can be reused after removal of all pipette tips. To replace the carrier, the latch is canceled by squeezing the grip tabs toward each other and lifting the handle tabs. The lower part can be equipped with refill packs with fresh pipette tips. The refill packs include one or more plate-shaped carriers that are equipped with pipette tips. For example, refill packages are known in which one or more carriers equipped with pipette tips are arranged in folding boxes or frames made of cardboard or in simple plastic boxes or plastic frames.

To load the base with a carrier with pipette tips from a refill pack, the user must align the new carrier exactly onto the top opening of the base and lower it with the pipette tips into the receptacle until the grip tabs lock into place with the bottom part. The correct alignment of the carrier with the pipette tips on the lower part and finding the detent position is cumbersome. This can lead to entanglements that interfere with the process and thwart finding the detent position. If the carrier is not locked to the base, the carrier can be lifted when receiving pipette tips, with the result that pipette tips can fall out. Another disadvantage is that the user product information that are attached to one or more narrow sides of the carrier can not read when the carrier is locked to the lower part, since the side walls of the lower part cover the narrow sides. To read the product information, the user must release the catch and lift the carrier. If the product information e.g. are placed on a label on the outside of the base, there is no guarantee that these will apply to refilled pipette tips, because of the possibility that other types of pipette tips have been refilled.

EP 2333559 discloses an apparatus for providing pipette tips.

Based on this, the object of the invention is to provide a device for providing pipette tips, which facilitates the insertion of a carrier with pipette tips and the readability of product information on the narrow sides of the carrier.

The object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the device are specified in subclaims.

• einen plattenförmigen Träger mit im Wesentlichen rechteckiger Grundfläche,
• eine Vielzahl von senkrecht zur Grundfläche ausgerichteten Löchern im Träger,
• mindestens eine vertikal verlaufende Aussparung in den Außenseiten von zwei einander gegenüberliegenden Schmalseiten des Trägers, die bemessen sind, jeweils zwei voneinander beabstandete, vertikale Führungsrippen mit einer Rippenbreite von jeweils 2,5mm bis 4mm und einer Rippenhöhe von jeweils 2,5mm bis 4mm mindestens teilweise aufzunehmen,
• in die Löcher eingesetzte Pipettenspitzen,
• ein Unterteil mit von einer Standfläche hochstehenden Seitenwänden, die eine rechteckige Aufnahme für den Träger mit den eingesetzten Pipettenspitzen umgrenzen, wobei zwei einander gegenüberliegende erste Seitenwände weiter nach oben von der Standfläche vorstehen als zwei einander gegenüberliegende zweite Seitenwände,
• Mittel zum Abstützen an den Innenseiten mindestens zweier einander gegenüberliegender Seitenwände, die so beschaffen sind, dass sie den Träger in horizontaler Ausrichtung an seinen unteren Rändern unterhalb der oberen Ränder sämtlicher Seitenwände abstützen und
• zwei voneinander beabstandete, vertikale Führungsrippen mit einer Rippenbreite von jeweils 2,5mm bis 4mm und einer Rippenhöhe von jeweils 2,5mm bis 4mm an der Innenseite jeder ersten Seitenwand, wobei die beiden Führungsrippen in die mindestens eine Aussparung in einer Schmalseite des Trägers eingreifen, wenn der Träger auf die Mittel zum Abstützen aufgesetzt ist.

The inventive device for providing pipette tips has

• a plate-shaped support having a substantially rectangular base,
• a plurality of perpendicular to the base aligned holes in the carrier,
• at least one vertically extending recess in the outer sides of two opposite narrow sides of the carrier, which are dimensioned to at least partially accommodate two spaced apart, vertical guide ribs having a rib width of 2.5mm to 4mm and a rib height of 2.5mm to 4mm, respectively .
• pipette tips inserted in the holes,
• a base with upstanding side walls defining a rectangular receptacle for the support with the pipette tips inserted, with two opposing first side walls projecting further upwardly from the standing surface than two opposing second side walls,
• Means for supporting on the insides of at least two opposing side walls adapted to support the carrier in a horizontal orientation at its lower edges below the upper edges of all the side walls, and
• two spaced-apart vertical guide ribs each having a rib width of 2.5mm to 4mm and a rib height of 2.5mm to 4mm on the inside of each first sidewall, the two guide ribs engaging the at least one recess in a narrow side of the carrier when the carrier is placed on the means for supporting.

The device according to the invention has in each case at least one vertically extending recess in the outer sides of two mutually opposite narrow sides of the plate-shaped support. The recess is a vertical recess in a narrow side of the carrier. The narrow sides of the plate-shaped carrier are those sides of the carrier which connect the large-area upper and lower sides of the carrier at the edge. The plate-shaped carrier preferably has a rectangular shape and the narrow sides are two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides of the carrier. Furthermore, the device has a lower part, which has two opposing first side walls, which project further upwards from a standing surface, than two opposing second side walls. On the inner sides of at least two opposing side walls there are means for supporting the carrier in a horizontal orientation. In addition, the two first side walls each have two spaced-apart vertical guide ribs. The recesses of the carrier and the guide ribs of the lower part are matched to each other, so that the guide ribs at least partially engage in the recesses when the carrier is placed on the means for supporting. In this position, the carrier is circumferentially framed by the side walls of the base, because the carrier touches below the upper edges of all the side walls on the means for supporting. To put on the Means for supporting the carrier must be aligned with its recesses correctly on the guide ribs. If the carrier with the recesses is not correctly aligned with the guide ribs, the guide ribs prevent the carrier from being lowered onto the support means. The upper ends of the guide ribs are bearing points on which the carrier is displaceable in the horizontal direction parallel to the first side walls until the guide ribs are correctly aligned with the recesses and enter into these. The fact that the carrier is supported on the two first side walls of two guide ribs, a non-tilting horizontal mounting of the carrier is possible if it is not aligned exactly with the receptacle of the base. For this purpose, the carrier is placed with adjacent to the recesses lower edges in a horizontal orientation on the upper ends of the guide ribs. This mounting of the carrier may be assisted by seating the carrier on an upper edge of a second side wall of the base when the upper edge of the second side wall is located at the same height as the upper ends of the guide ribs. The rib width of 2.5mm to 4mm each and the rib height of 2.5mm to 4mm each ensure that the carrier slides well on the upper ends of the guide ribs. The ribs do not impose a high frictional resistance on the horizontal displacement of the carrier and do not catch on the lower edge of the carrier. In addition, the dimensions of the guide ribs ensure that they can be produced by injection molding with low material costs and do not break under load by placing the carrier. In addition, the rib height promotes carriers whose dimensions in the direction parallel to the second side walls are significantly less than the distance between the inner sides of the first side walls, whereby the insertion of the carrier is further facilitated in the recording. With the rib width, the dimension of the guide rib in the horizontal direction is parallel to the first side walls, and with the rib height, the dimension of the guide rib in the horizontal direction is perpendicular to the first side walls. The second side walls allow for a horizontal displacement of the carrier on the guide ribs and with its edge regions above the second side walls due to their lower height than the first side walls until the pipette tips come to rest on the inner sides of the second side walls. This facilitates the insertion of the loaded with pipette tips carrier in the recording. Subsequently, the carrier can be aligned by horizontal displacement with the recesses on the guide ribs. The fact that the second side walls protrude less high than the first side walls from the standing surface upwards, the user can product information on the parallel to the second side walls long sides of the Read carrier, even if the carrier is inserted into the receptacle of the lower part. The product information may, for example, designate the fill volume and / or the type of pipette tip. The invention thus facilitates the insertion of the carrier equipped with pipette tips in the lower part. In addition, two opposite longitudinal sides of the carrier can be used as a carrier for product information, which are also legible when the carrier is inserted into the lower part.

The base is preferably a box closed at the bottom by a bottom wall from which the side walls are raised. The footprint may be formed from the underside of the bottom wall or through the underside of feet that protrude downwardly with respect to the bottom wall. Alternatively, the lower part is a frame formed by the side walls. The footprint may be formed by the lower edges of the sidewalls or the underside of feet projecting downwardly from the sidewalls.

According to one embodiment, each guide rib is formed of a group having at least two parallel rib members, each rib member having a width of 0.50mm to 1.5mm and the spacing between the rib members of a group being 0.5mm to 1.5mm. As a result, the production of guide ribs, which opposes the horizontal displacement of the carrier with little resistance, favored by injection molding with low material usage.

According to a further embodiment, the dimensions of the carrier in the direction parallel to the second side walls at the lower edge of the carrier, the distance between the inner sides of the first side walls at the upper edge of the first side walls by 4mm to 7mm. Due to the free space between the upper edges of the first side walls and the lower edge of the carrier, the carrier is easier to insert into the receptacle of the lower part.

According to a further embodiment, the recesses in at least one narrow side of the carrier are two spaced-apart vertical grooves with a groove width of 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm. Due to the two spaced-apart grooves, the carrier is only slightly weakened in the region of the narrow sides, so that it has a high stability. According to an alternative embodiment, at least one narrow side of the carrier has a single recess in the form of a vertical groove which receives both guide ribs. According to one embodiment, the at least one recess in at least one narrow side of the carrier is delimited at its outer edge by a skirting board extending along the lower edge of the carrier and projecting outwards. The skirting board can be used to attach a protective hood, which protrudes laterally beyond the carrier. The carrier with the attached protective cover can be used in a lower part, whereby the protective cover protects the pipette tips against contamination.

According to one embodiment, the at least one recess in at least one narrow side is bounded at its inner edge by a gripping tab, which is connected at the bottom to the lower edge of the narrow side of the carrier and extends at a distance from the narrow side up to beyond the first side walls , The grip tab facilitates insertion and removal of the carrier from the base. In addition, the carrier can be supported by the grip tab on the inner sides of the first side walls in order to keep the carrier in a defined position in the lower part.

Preferably, two spaced-apart vertical grooves are bounded in at least one narrow side at its outer edge by outwardly projecting baseboards and at its inner edge by a gripping tab. The invention incorporates alternative embodiments in which two spaced vertical recesses in at least one narrow side are bounded at their inner edges by the gripping tab and extend outwardly to the adjacent longitudinal sides of the carrier.

According to a further embodiment, at least one gripping tab on its outer side has a first means for latching, which is latched with a second means for locking on the inside of the first side wall. In this embodiment, the carrier is releasably connectable to the base to prevent inadvertent withdrawal of the support in the removal of pipette tips. To replace the carrier is unlocked by pressing the grip tabs.

According to one embodiment, the carrier has a horizontal top wall with holes arranged therein and a circumferential skirt projecting downwardly from the lateral edges of the top wall. The design is material-saving and stable produced by injection molding.

According to a further embodiment, the skirt outside the recesses on an outwardly projecting, the baseboard forming lower portion. This embodiment is material-saving and stable produced by injection molding.

According to a further embodiment, the edges of the holes are connected to sleeves projecting from the underside of the top wall into which the pipette tips are inserted. By this material-saving producible by injection molding and stable configuration, the pipette tips are better aligned, whereby the alignment of the carrier is facilitated on the inclusion of the lower part.

According to one embodiment, the grip tabs are strip-shaped and have first means for latching in the form of at least one outwardly projecting, horizontal bead. As a result, a material-saving production of the carrier by injection molding is further promoted.

According to one embodiment, the means for supporting vertical ribs projecting from the inner sides of the side walls. This also favors a material-saving producible by injection molding, stable design of the lower part. Preferably, the first and the second side walls each have a plurality of means for supporting. The ribs have a rib width of preferably 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm, in particular of 1.0 mm.

According to a further embodiment, the means for supporting at least partially on their inner edges projecting projections with outwardly inclined chamfers on the outer sides, which engage behind the apron of the carrier inside. The bevels may pull the apron of the wearer outwardly to bring the wearer into a correct shape, as the skirt may tend to deflect slightly inwardly, particularly in low wall thickness designs.

According to a further embodiment, a protective hood is placed on top of the carrier and covers the pipette tips inserted into the holes. Through the protective cover, the pipette tips are protected when transferring the carrier from a supply pack into the lower part.

According to a further embodiment, the lower part has a pivotally mounted lid, which in the closed position, the receptacle together with an inserted carrier and, if necessary, the protective patch patch cover and is pivotable in an open position in which the carrier with the pipette tips and if necessary. Patch guard can be removed from the lower part and used in this and pipette tips can be removed from the carrier.

According to a further embodiment, the carrier and / or the lower part and / or the protective hood and / or the cover is made of a plastic. For the said components of the device, the same or different plastics can be used. Preferably, the production of all components or of individual components by injection molding.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Vorrichtung in einer Perspektivansicht schräg von oben und von der Seite;

Fig. 2

dieselbe Vorrichtung in der Draufsicht;

Fig. 3

dieselbe Vorrichtung in der Vorderansicht;

Fig. 4

dieselbe Vorrichtung in einer Ansicht von der linken Seite;

Fig. 5

dieselbe Vorrichtung in einem Schnitt entlang der Linie V-V von Fig. 2;

Fig. 6

dieselbe Vorrichtung in einem Schnitt entlang der Linie VI-VI von Fig. 2;

Fig. 7

Detail VII der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 6;

Fig. 8

Detail VIII der Vorrichtung gemäß Fig. 6;

Fig. 9

dieselbe Vorrichtung bei versetzt bezüglich der korrekten Ausrichtung auf das Unterteil aufgesetztem Träger in der Draufsicht;

Fig. 10

dieselbe Vorrichtung in einem Schnitt X-X von Fig. 9;

Fig. 11

dieselbe Vorrichtung mit einem Deckel in geschlossener Stellung in Vorderansicht;

Fig. 12

dieselbe Vorrichtung mit geöffnetem Deckel in Vorderansicht;

Fig. 13

dieselbe Vorrichtung mit geöffnetem Deckel in einer Ansicht von der linken Seite;

Fig. 14

dieselbe Vorrichtung mit geöffnetem Deckel und aufgesetzter Schutzhaube in Vorderansicht;

Fig. 15

dieselbe Vorrichtung mit geöffnetem Deckel und aufgesetzter Schutzhaube in einem Schnitt entlang der Linie XV-XV von Fig. 14;

Fig. 16

dieselbe Vorrichtung mit geöffnetem Deckel und Schutzhaube in einem perspektivischen Sprengbild.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings of an embodiment. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

a device according to the invention in a perspective view obliquely from above and from the side;

Fig. 2

the same device in plan view;

Fig. 3

the same device in front view;

Fig. 4

the same device in a view from the left side;

Fig. 5

the same device in a section along the line VV of Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 6

the same device in a section along the line VI-VI of Fig. 2 ;

Fig. 7

Detail VII of the device according to Fig. 6 ;

Fig. 8

Detail VIII of the device according to Fig. 6 ;

Fig. 9

the same device in offset with respect to the correct orientation of the base mounted carrier in plan view;

Fig. 10

the same device in a section XX of Fig. 9 ;

Fig. 11

the same device with a lid in the closed position in front view;

Fig. 12

same device with lid open in front view;

Fig. 13

the same device with the lid open in a view from the left side;

Fig. 14

the same device with the lid open and attached protective hood in front view;

Fig. 15

the same device with the lid open and attached protective hood in a section along the line XV-XV of Fig. 14 ;

Fig. 16

the same device with the lid open and protective hood in a perspective exploded view.

In the present application, the terms "top" and "bottom" and "vertical" and "horizontal" refer to an arrangement of the device in which the plate-shaped support is oriented horizontally, the base sits with the footprint on a horizontal surface and the Carrier is inserted from above into the lower part.

According to Fig. 1 The inventive device 1 for providing pipette tips comprises a substantially plate-shaped and substantially rectangular carrier 2, which is equipped with pipette tips 3. Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a substantially box-shaped lower part 4, in which the carrier 2 with the pipette tips 3 is inserted. In addition, the device 1 according to Fig. 11 to 16 a protective cover 5 which can be placed on the support and a cover 6 pivotally connected to the lower part 4.

According to Fig. 1 to 8 the carrier 2 comprises a substantially rectangular top wall 7, which has chamfers 8 at the four corners. The top wall 7 has in eight rows and twelve columns a total of 96 circular holes 9, which are aligned perpendicular to the top wall 7. The holes 9 are dimensioned such that pipette tips 3 of a specific size and shape can be inserted therein and held in the carrier 2 due to an expansion of their outer diameter towards the upper end, without falling through the holes 9. For this purpose, the pipette tips 3 may have a continuously widening from the lower end to the upper end diameter or a sudden increase in the outer diameter.

From the bottom of the top wall 7 are sleeves 10 vertically downwards, which are connected at the top with the edges of the holes 9. Pipette tips 3 are inserted into the sleeves 10 and guided. They stand down over the sleeves 10 out.

Furthermore, the carrier 2 has an approximately vertically upwardly projecting, circumferential skirt 11, which is connected at the top to the lateral edges of the top wall 7. The Apron 11 has below an outwardly projecting, a skirting 12 forming lower portion.

The skirt is provided at its upper portion 13 and in the region of the baseboard 12 also at the corners with chamfers 14, 15.

The base area of the carrier 2 essentially corresponds to the base area of a microtiter plate and the arrangement of the holes 9 essentially corresponds to the arrangement of the wells of a 96-well microtiter plate according to the ANSI standard on the recommendation of the Society for Biomolecular Screening (SBS). As a result, a group of pipette tips 3 received by the carrier 2 by means of a multi-channel pipette adapted to this standard can be directed directly to a group of microplate well plates according to this standard.

The carrier 2 thus has two short narrow sides 16, 17 (transverse sides) and two long narrow sides 18, 19 (longitudinal sides).

On the short narrow sides 16, 17, the carrier 2 in each case in the middle of a strip-shaped grip tab 20. The pull tab 20 is located in front of a groove-like recess 21, which is formed in the outside of the short narrow side 16,17. The groove-like recess 21 extends in the vertical direction in the skirt 11, through the baseboard 12 and the upper portion 13 of the skirt 11 therethrough.

The grip tab 20 is connected at the bottom in the region of the groove-like recess 21 to the lower edge 22 of the skirt 11. From its connection 23, it extends a short distance horizontally away from the skirt 11. After that, it runs vertically upwards at a distance from the bottom of the recess 21. In this area, its outside is aligned with the outside of the baseboard 12. At the level of the top of the baseboard 12, the handle tab 20 has an angled portion and above the angled portion 24, the handle tab 20 extends vertically upward beyond the top wall 7. The upper end of the grip tab is arranged, for example, approximately at the level of the upper end of the pipette tips 3 inserted into the carrier 2.

At the upper edge of the bend 23, the grip tab 20 has a locking bead 25 projecting outwards in a horizontal direction. At the upper end, the grip tab on a horizontally outwardly projecting handle bar 26.

In each short narrow side 16, 17 are on both sides next to the handle tab 20 vertically extending grooves 27, 28 are formed. The grooves 27, 28 are each bounded at its outer edge by the outer edge of the groove-shaped recess 21. At their inner edge they are each bounded by the grip tab 20.

The grooves 27, 28 each have one in the direction of the short narrow side 16, 17 measured groove width of 2.5mm to 5mm. In the example, it is 4mm horizontally. Further, the grooves 27, 28 each horizontally and perpendicular to the short narrow side 16, 17 in the region of the skirting 12 measured groove depth of 1.5 to 2.5 mm. In the example, the groove depth is 2mm.

The carrier 2 is made of plastic, preferably polypropylene (PP). Further preferably, the carrier 2 is produced by injection molding. Preferably, it is injection molded in one piece.

According to 6 and 7 the pipette tips 3 are small plastic tubes which at the bottom have a lower through-opening 29 for liquid and at the top an upper through-opening 30 for air. The cross section of the pipette tips 3 increases from the lower to the upper through hole. Between the lower passage opening and the upper passage opening, a receiving volume 31 for liquid is present in the pipette tips 3. At the top, the pipette tips 3 have a peripherally projecting peripheral collar 32, with which they are supported on the edge of the holes 9.

According to Fig. 1 to 8 For example, the lower part 4 has a substantially rectangular bottom wall 33 and upstanding first side walls 34, 35 and second side walls 36, 37 from the lateral edges of the bottom wall. The bottom wall 33 has feet 38 with a bottom surface 39 at the bottom.

Each side wall 34 to 37 has a bulge 40 inwardly at a distance from its upper and two vertical edges, which extends to the bottom wall 33. In the area of the bulges 40, the lateral edges of the bottom wall 33 are slightly retracted. The bulges 40 stiff the lower part 4.

The side walls 34 to 37 define a receptacle 41 with a rectangular upper opening 42 (see. Fig. 9, 10th ). The receptacle 41 is dimensioned such that the carrier 2 equipped with pipette tips 3 can be inserted from above through the upper opening 42 into the receptacle 41. For this purpose, the dimensions of the upper opening 42 exceed in both directions in each case by a few millimeters, the base surface of the carrier second

The first side walls 34, 35 define the shorter edges of the upper opening 42 and the second side walls 36, 37 define the longer edges of the upper opening. The first side walls 34, 35 project upwardly from the bottom wall 33 upwardly than the second side walls 36, 37.

From the inner sides of the first and second side walls 34 to 37 are means for supporting the carrier in the form of vertical ribs 43 before (see. Fig. 5 and 16 ). On the inner sides of the first side walls 34, 35 each have two ribs 43 are present. On the inner sides of the second side walls 36, 37 each have four ribs 43 are present. These ribs 43 are based on the bottom of the upper edges of the bulges 40 from.

In addition, at the corners between the first and second sidewalls 34 to 37 there is a respective diagonal rib 44 which is oriented at an angle of 45 ° to the two adjacent sidewalls 34 to 37. This diagonal rib 44 extends vertically down to the bottom wall 33.

The ribs 43, 44 project so far from the inner sides of the side walls 34 to 37, that the carrier 2 with the lower edge of the skirt 11 on the ribs 43, 44 can be placed.

The two ribs 43 on the inside of each first side wall 34, 35 have at their inner, spaced from the first wall edges edges 45 with inwardly into the receptacle 41 in inclined bevels 46 on the outer sides (see. Fig. 5 ). Further, the two middle ribs 43 on the inside of each second side wall 36, 37 at their remote from the second side wall 36, 37, inner edges protruding projections 45 with inwardly into the receptacle 41 in inclined bevels 46 at the outsides (cf. Fig. 16 ). The projections 45 with the chamfers 46 serve to engage behind the inside of the skirt 11 of the carrier 2 in the region of the skirting 12, in order to compensate for production-related indentations.

Further, on the inner sides of the first side walls 34, 35 in each case two spaced-apart, vertical guide ribs 47 are present. The guide ribs 47 are supported at the bottom at the upper edge of the curvature 40 of the first side wall 34, 35 and extend vertically upwards above the ribs 43, 44. At the top, the guide ribs 47 project into the regions of the first side walls 34, 35. which protrude beyond the second side walls 36, 37. There they end at the height of the upper edge of the second side walls 36, 37.

Each guide rib 47 has a rib width of 2.5 mm to 4 mm measured horizontally in the direction of the first side wall 34, 35. In the example, it is 3mm.

Further, each guide rib 47 has a rib height of 2.5mm to 4mm measured horizontally perpendicular to the first side wall 34, 35. In the example, it is 3mm.

Each guide rib 47 is formed from a group of two parallel rib members 48, 49. Each rib member 48, 49 has a width of 0.5 to 1.5mm. In the example it is 1mm. Further, the distance between the rib members 48, 49 of a group is 0.5mm to 1.5mm. In the example it is 1mm. Due to these dimensions of the guide ribs 47 and their design of two rib elements 48, 49, a low-friction displacement of the carrier 2 for correct alignment of the grooves 27, 28 is given to the guide ribs 47.

In addition, the first side walls 34, 35 between the guide ribs 47 on the upper edge of the inside protruding rib-shaped locking projections 50.

Finally, each first side wall 34, 35 has outside of the ribs 43 projecting from the inside and vertically extending guide webs 51. The guide webs 51 are based on the bottom of the upper edge of the curvature 40 of the first side walls 34, 35 and end up below the upper edge of the first side walls 34, 35 in an insertion bevel 52. The guide webs 51 project less far than the ribs 43 and guide ribs 47 from the inner sides of the first side wall 34, 35. In the example, it is 0.5 mm.

The ribs 43 protrude inward on the inner sides of the first and second side walls 34 to 37 2mm to 4mm. In the example, it is 3mm. The diagonal ribs 44 project 4mm to 8mm inwards. In the example it is 6mm.

The lower part is made of plastic, preferably of PP. Further preferably, the lower part is produced by injection molding. It is preferably injection molded in one piece.

The carrier 2 equipped with pipette tips 3 can be inserted through the upper opening 42 of the lower part 4 into the receptacle 41. Here, the guide webs 51 facilitate the exact alignment of the carrier 2 between the first side walls 34, 35. If in this case the carrier is not exactly aligned with the receptacle, the support 2 is supported by the lower edges 22 of the baseboard 12 and the handle tabs 20 on the upper ends of the guide ribs 47 from (see. Fig. 9, 10th ). The carrier 2 is displaceable in a horizontal direction parallel to the first side walls 34, 35 until the guide ribs 47 are aligned exactly with the grooves 27, 28 on the short narrow sides 16, 17 of the carrier 2. Then there are both long narrow sides 18, 19 of the carrier 2 within the second side walls 35, 36. The carrier 2 moves due to its own weight a piece down. By pivoting together the handle tabs 20 and further lowering of the carrier 2, this is pressed against the ribs 43, 44 with the lower edge 22 of the baseboard 12. In this case, the projections 45 engage behind the inner sides of the skirting 12. By relieving the grip tabs 20, the locking beads 25 and locking projections 50 are locked together. The carrier 2 is then releasably attached to the lower part 4 (see. Fig. 1 to 8 ). Thereafter, pipette tips 3 can be removed individually by means of a single-channel pipette or in groups by means of a multichannel pipette.

After all pipette tips 3 have been used up, the support 2 can be unlocked by pivoting the grip tabs 20 together and can be pulled out of the lower part 4 on the grip tabs 20. Thereafter, a stocked with fresh pipette tips 3 carrier 2 in the lower part 4 in the manner described can be used.

When the carrier 2 is latched in the lower part 4, the upper portion 13 of the long narrow sides 16, 17 arranged above the baseboard 12 is visible from the outside. This section 13 may contain product information that is easy for the user can be detected. These are, for example, information about the filling volume and the type of pipette tips.

On the outside of the baseboards 12, further information may be appropriate that is needed less frequently (e.g., the order number, the expiration date, or the lot number).

According to Fig. 14 to 16 covers a protective cover 5, the pipette tips 3 and is supported with its lower edge on top of the baseboard 12 from. At the handle flaps 20, the protective cover 5 has opening regions 53, 54, through which the grip flaps 20 can be actuated.

The equipped with pipette tips 3 and covered by the protective cover carrier 2 is inserted into the lower part 4. In this case, the pipette tips 3 are protected by the protective cover 5.

The first side walls 34, 35 have slightly below their upper edge at a short distance from the first side wall two outwardly horizontally projecting pins 55, 56 (see. Fig. 11 to 16 ). On the pins 55, 56 a hood-like cover 6 is mounted on bearing eyes 57, 58 in strip-shaped bearing portions 59, 60. The lid 6 has at the lower edge of its opposite longitudinal side on a locking tab 61. The locking tab 61 has a third locking bead 62 on its inner side, which cooperates with a at the upper edge of the second side wall 36 outwardly projecting fourth latching bead 63.

In eingeschwenkter closed position, the cover 6 covers the carrier 2 with the inserted pipette tips 3 and is locked to the lower part 4. In the open position, the cover 6 is folded outwards by more than 90 ° and is supported by the lower edge of its longitudinal side next to the bearing sections 59, 60 on the outside of the second side wall 37. In this position, the carrier 2 can be inserted and removed and are pipette tips 3 of the inserted carrier 2 detachable.

List of reference numbers used

1

contraption

2

carrier

3

pipette tips

4

lower part

5

guard

6

cover

7

top wall

8th

chamfer

9

hole

10

shell

11

apron

12

skirting

13

upper section

14, 15

chamfer

16, 17

Narrow side (short) (transverse side)

18, 19

Narrow side (long) (long side)

20

grip tab

21

recess

22

lower edge

23

connection

24

angling

25

latching bead

26

handle bar

27, 28

groove

29

(lower) passage opening

30

(upper) passage opening

31

receiving volume

32

collar

33

bottom wall

34, 35

(first) sidewall

36, 37

(second) sidewall

38

foot

39

footprint

40

bulge

41

admission

42

upper opening

43

rib

44

diagonal rib

45

head Start

46

bevel

47

guide rib

48, 49

rib element

50

catch projection

51

guide web

52

chamfer

53, 54

opening area

55, 56

spigot

57, 58

bearing eye

59, 60

bearing section

61

snap tab

62

third Rastwulst

63

fourth detent bead

Claims (16)

1. A device for storing and providing pipette tips comprising:

   • a plate-shaped carrier (2) with a substantially rectangular base surface,

   • a plurality of holes (9) in the carrier (2) aligned perpendicular to the base surface,

   • at least one vertically running cutout (21) in the outer sides of two opposing narrow sides (16, 17) of the carrier (2) that are dimensioned to each at least partially accommodate two vertical guide ribs (47) at a distance from each other, each having a rib width of 2.5 mm to 4 mm and a rib height of 2.5 mm to 4 mm,

   • pipette tips (3) inserted in the holes (9),

   • a bottom part (4) with sidewalls (34 to 37) that extend upwards from a standing surface (39), said sidewalls surrounding a rectangular seat (41) for the carrier (2) with the inserted pipette tips (3), wherein two opposing first sidewalls (34, 35) project further upward from the standing surface (39) than two opposing second sidewalls (35, 36),

   • means to support (43, 44) on the inner sides of at least two opposing sidewalls that are constituted such that they support the carrier (2) in a horizontal alignment at the bottom edges (22) of narrow sides (16, 17) below the top edges of all sidewalls (34 to 37), and

   • two vertical guide ribs (47) at a distance from each other, each having a rib width of 2.5 mm to 4 mm and a rib height of 2.5 mm to 4 mm on the inner side of each first sidewall (34, 35), wherein the two guide ribs (47) engage in the at least one cutout (21) in a narrow side (16, 17) of the carrier (2) when the carrier (2) is placed on the supporting means (43, 44).
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein each guide rib (47) is formed from a group with at least two parallel rib elements (48, 49), wherein each rib element has a width of 0.50 mm to 1.5 mm, and the distance between the rib elements (48, 49) of a group is 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm.
3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dimensions of the carrier (2) in the direction parallel to the second sidewalls (36, 37) at the bottom edge (22) of the carrier (2) are less than the distance of 4 mm to 7 mm between the first sidewalls (34, 35) at the top edge of the first sidewalls (34, 35).
4. The device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cutouts (21) in at least one narrow side of the carrier are two vertical grooves (27, 28) at a distance from each other with a groove width of 2.5 mm to 4.5 mm each.
5. The device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outer edge of the at least one cutout (21) in at least one narrow side (16, 17) of the carrier (2) is bordered by an outwardly projecting skirting (12) that runs along the bottom edge of the carrier (2).
6. The device according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner edge of the at least one cutout (21) is bordered in at least one narrow side (16, 17) by a gripping tab (20) which is connected at the bottom to the bottom edge of the narrow side (16, 17) of the carrier (2) and extends upward beyond the first sidewalls (34, 35) at a distance from the narrow side (16, 17).
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein at least one gripping tab (20) has a first locking means (25) on its outer side above its connection (23) to the carrier (2), said locking means locking with a second locking means (50) on the inner side of the neighbouring first sidewall (34, 35).
8. The device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the carrier (2) has a horizontal cover wall (7) with holes (9) arranged therein, and a peripheral apron (11) projecting downward from the side edges of the cover wall (7).
9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the apron (11) has an outwardly projecting bottom section forming the skirting (12) outside of the cutout (21).
10. The device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the edges of the holes (9) are connected to sleeves (10) that project from the bottom side of the cover wall (7) and into which the pipette tips (3) are inserted.
11. The device according to one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the gripping tabs (20) are strip-shaped and have first means for locking (25) in the form of at least one outwardly projecting horizontal locking bead (25).
12. The device according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the means for supporting (43, 44) comprise vertical ribs projecting from the inner sides of the side walls.
13. The device according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the supporting means (43, 44) have projections (45) that project at least partially from their inner edges with bevels (46) on the outer sides angled into the interior of the seat (41) that grip behind the inside of the apron (11) of the carrier (2).
14. The device according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a protective cover (5) is placed on the top side of the carrier (2) and covers the pipette tips (3) inserted in the holes (9).
15. The device according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the bottom part (4) has a pivotably mounted cover (6) that, when in closed position, covers the seat along with an inserted carrier (2) and if applicable the protective cover (5) mounted thereupon, and is pivotable into an open position in which the carrier (2) with the pipette tips (3) and if applicable the mounted protective cover (5) are removable from the bottom part (4), and insertable therein, and the pipette tips (3) are removable from the carrier (2).
16. The device according to one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the carrier (2), and/or the bottom part (4), and/or the protective cover (5), and/or the cover (6) is manufactured from at least one plastic.

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