WO2002020375A2 - Systeme a plateau pour plate-forme chargee de produits et dispositif de distribution pour distribuer une plate-forme chargee de produits - Google Patents

Systeme a plateau pour plate-forme chargee de produits et dispositif de distribution pour distribuer une plate-forme chargee de produits Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2002020375A2
WO2002020375A2 PCT/US2001/041989 US0141989W WO0220375A2 WO 2002020375 A2 WO2002020375 A2 WO 2002020375A2 US 0141989 W US0141989 W US 0141989W WO 0220375 A2 WO0220375 A2 WO 0220375A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rack
platform
slide lock
locking mechanism
projection
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2001/041989
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English (en)
Other versions
WO2002020375A3 (fr
Inventor
Jason Cimmiyotti
Peter Michael Lind
Doug Murray
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to AU2001293241A priority Critical patent/AU2001293241A1/en
Publication of WO2002020375A2 publication Critical patent/WO2002020375A2/fr
Publication of WO2002020375A3 publication Critical patent/WO2002020375A3/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L9/00—Supporting devices; Holding devices
    • B01L9/54—Supports specially adapted for pipettes and burettes
    • B01L9/543—Supports specially adapted for pipettes and burettes for disposable pipette tips, e.g. racks or cassettes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
    • B65D25/02—Internal fittings
    • B65D25/04—Partitions

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to a racking system used to store and transport platform loaded goods and a dispensing device for dispensing platform loaded goods onto the racking system.
  • an automated pipettor may be used to withdraw pipette tips from a flat loaded upon a pipette tip rack.
  • a common problem encountered during this process is that the pipettor will lift the pipette tip flat along with the pipette tips .
  • the pipette tips may be slightly oversized in relation to the apertures formed in the pipette tip flat, such that friction between the pipette tips and pipette tip flat hold them together when the pipettor raises the • pipette tips, or variances in the spacing between the apertures of the pipette tip flat and the pipettor may cause the pipette tips to frictionally engage the apertures of the pipette tip flat.
  • Pipette tips are frequently used in the testing of fluid substances which may be rare, expensive, and/or difficult to obtain, and which if spilled cannot readily be reacquired for testing. Further, the fluid substances tested may be useless if contaminated by external matter, and may be hazardous to handlers (e.g. blood samples that may carry disease, or radioactive substances) . Accordingly, maintenance of goods in desired positions on platforms loaded onto a racking system can prove critical.
  • racking systems have been developed which provide structures which prevent the platform from being removed from the racking system upon withdrawal of goods from the platform, and which decrease the likelihood of inadvertent movement of the platforms upon the racking system.
  • U.S. Patent No. 5,642,816 to Kelly et al . a pipette tip rack is disclosed which features manually releasable latch mechanisms which may be elastically deformed to allow the placement of a pipette tip flat onto the rack and which, when released, snap back into a position which holds the flat on the rack.
  • the racking system described in the Kelly et al . patent is well adapted for manual use, the need to elastically deform the latch mechanisms makes the racking system difficult to manipulate with an automated system.
  • the latch mechanisms are elastic, the racking system cannot remain in an unlocked position, i.e. with the latches open to receive a pipette tip flat, without constant pressure exerted upon the latching mechanisms.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a rack having a locking device which allows a user easily to lock a platform onto the rack or to unlock the rack to introduce or remove a platform onto or from the rack.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a rack having a locking device which is readily operable either manually or using automated equipment .
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a rack having a locking device which remains stable in both its locked and unlocked positions.
  • a racking system for storing platform loaded goods which comprises a rack and at least one locking mechanism.
  • the rack has four sides, a base, and an upper surface.
  • the upper surface is adapted to receive a platform of platform loaded goods.
  • the at least one locking mechanism has an open and a closed position, such that in said open position said locking mechanism does not impede the placement of the platform onto or removal of the platform from the rack and in the closed position said locking mechanism secures the platform upon the rack.
  • the locking mechanism is stable in both its open and its closed positions.
  • An activating mechanism is also provided for opening and closing a slide lock having an extruding boss and fitted within a rack such that the slide lock has an open and a closed position.
  • the activating mechanism comprises a body forming a front surface and activating means formed on the front surface.
  • the slide lock is moved by the activating means from its closed to its open position or from its open to its closed position.
  • a dispensing device is also provided for dispensing units of platform loaded goods from a stack of one or more units of platform loaded goods onto a rack having an upper surface and at least one slide lock operable to lock and unlock a unit of platform loaded goods on the upper surface.
  • the dispensing device comprises storage means for storing the stack, release means controlling the storage means for releasing one of the units of platform loaded goods from the stack upon activation, and activating means for engaging the at least one slide lock.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred rack of the inventive racking system.
  • Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the rack of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is an exploded top plan view of one of four slots in the rack of Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 is a perspective view of a lid which may be used in conjunction with the rack of Figure 1.
  • Figure 5 is a perspective view of the rack of Figure 1 with slide locks having extruding bosses installed in the slots ' .
  • Figure 6 is a top perspective view of the slide lock of Figure 5.
  • Figure 7 is a bottom perspective view of the slide lock of Figure 5.
  • Figure 8 is a top plan view of the slide lock of Figure 5.
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view of the rack and slide locks of Figure 5 with a conventional pipette tip flat positioned atop it and the slide locks in an open, unlocked position.
  • Figure 10 is a perspective view of the rack, slide locks, and conventional pipette tip rack of Figure 9 with the slide locks in a closed, locked position.
  • Figure 11 is a perspective view of the rack and slide locks of Figure 5 with a pipette tip flat having upstanding wells positioned atop it and the slide locks in an open, unlocked position.
  • Figure 12 is a perspective view of the rack, slide locks, and pipette tip flat having upstanding wells of Figure 11 with the slide locks in a closed, locked position.
  • Figure 13 is a top plan view of the rack, slide locks, and pipette tip ' flat of Figure 11.
  • Figure 14 is a top plan view of the rack, slide locks, and pipette tip flat of Figure 12.
  • Figure 15 is a perspective view of an alternative rack having pairs of slots into which an alternative slide lock may be fitted.
  • Figure 16 is a perspective view of an alternative slide lock which may be fitted into the rack of Figure 15.
  • Figure 17 is a top plan view of the rack of Figure 15 with the alternative slide lock of Figure 16 installed in one pair of slots and moved into an open position.
  • Figure 18 is a top plan view of the rack of Figure 15 with the alternative slide lock of Figure 16 installed in one pair of slots and moved into an closed position.
  • Figure 19 is a top perspective view of a second alternative slide lock.
  • Figure 20 is a top plan view of the second alternative slide lock of Figure 19.
  • Figure 21 is a perspective view of a first swivel lock.
  • Figure 22 is a perspective view of an alternative rack within which the first swivel lock of Figure 21 is installed and pivoted to an open position.
  • Figure 23 is a perspective view of a second swivel lock.
  • Figure 24 is a perspective view of the alternative rack of Figure 22 within which four of the second swivel locks of Figure 23 have been installed, two pivoted into an open position and two pivoted into a closed position.
  • Figure 25 is a top perspective view of a preferred permanent platform which may be used in the inventive racking system.
  • Figure 26 is a bottom perspective view of the preferred permanent platform of Figure 25.
  • Figure 27 is an exploded bottom perspective view of one of four snaps in the permanent platform of Figure 25.
  • Figure 28 is a perspective view of the permanent platform of Figure 25 filled with pipette tips and installed on the rack of Figure 1.
  • Figure 29 is a front elevation view of an inventive activating mechanism used to open and/or close slide locks on the inventive rack, shown in conjunction with the rack and a slide lock.
  • Figure 30 is a side elevation view of the activating mechanism, rack, and slide lock of Figure 29.
  • Figure 31 is a front elevation view of the activating mechanism of Figure 29 in conjunction with an extruding boss of the slide lock when the rack and slide lock are moved to the bottom of the activating mechanism with the slide lock in the open position.
  • Figure 32 is a front elevation view of the activating mechanism and extruding boss of Figure 31 when the rack and slide lock are raised to a lower middle position with respect to the activating mechanism, wherein the slide lock has been moved to the closed position.
  • Figure 33 is a front elevation view of the activating mechanism and extruding boss of Figure 32 when the rack and slide lock are raised to an upper middle position with respect to the activating mechanism, wherein the slide lock remains in the closed position.
  • Figure 34 is a front elevation view of the activating mechanism and extruding boss of Figure 33 when the rack and slide lock are raised to an upper position with respect to the activating mechanism, wherein the slide lock has been moved to the open position.
  • Figure 35 is a front elevation view of the activating mechanism and extruding boss of Figure 33 wherein the extruding boss is being moved to the closed position from the open position.
  • Figure 36 is a front elevation view of the activating mechanism and extruding boss of Figure 32 when the rack and slide lock have been lowered to the bottom of the activating mechanism with the slide lock in the closed position.
  • Figure 37 is a perspective view of an inventive dispensing device which may be used to deliver flats to a rack positioned on a platform assembly resting in its lowered position.
  • Figure 38 is a side view of the inventive dispensing device of Figure 37, with the rack positioned thereon, showing a stack of pipette tip flats fitted within the dispenser of the dispensing device .
  • Figure 39 is a front view of the inventive dispensing device of Figure 37 with the rack positioned thereon.
  • Figure 40 is a lower perspective view of the inventive dispensing device of Figure 37, with clamshells used to protect the dispenser shown in a manually raised position to display the underside of the dispenser.
  • Figure 41 is a perspective view of the inventive dispensing device of Figure 26 when the platform assembly has been raised through action of a lever assembly to the level of the dispenser.
  • Figures 1-17 show preferred embodiments of an inventive rack, pipette tip platform, and pipette tip flat which may be utilized in conjunction with the inventive dispensing device. It should be understood, however, that the inventive rack, platform, and flat can be used independently of the inventive dispensing device, and that the inventive dispensing device may be utilized with tip racks, platforms and/or flats other than the inventive tip rack, platform, and flat.
  • Rack 10 which is generally rectangular, has opposing long sides 12, opposing short sides 14, a upper surface 16 and a bottom 18.
  • the upper surface 16 of rack 10 defines a grid of regular, rectangular apertures 20 each suitably sized for passage of the lower end of a pipette tip therethrough.
  • bottom 18 is solid, and apertures 20 are formed by walls 22, each of which extends vertically from upper surface 16 to bottom 18. Accordingly, each aperture 20 forms a channel 24 extending from upper surface 16 to bottom 18 and closed by bottom 18, such that when pipette tips are fitted into apertures 20, no openings exist between apertures 20 through which cross-tip contamination may occur.
  • sides 12 and 14 preferably form a recessed upper portion 26 and widened lower portion 28 such that a lid 30 (such as that shown in Figure 4) may be fitted over the upper portion 26 of the rack 10 with the sides 31 of the lid 30 generally flush with lower portion 28.
  • Upper portion 26 extends upwardly to form a raised lip 32 around the perimeter of the upper surface 16 except at recesses 34 along long sides 12.
  • Lip 32 is sized such that pipette tip flats used in conjunction with the rack 10 fit within a close tolerance within the inner periphery of lip 32 when placed onto the rack 10, such that the lip ' 32 may be used as a guide to position flats correctly on the rack 10.
  • lip 32 extends above the upper surface 16 by an amount approximately equal to the thickness of the pipette tip flats, such that when the flat is placed on the rack 10, the upper surface of the flat will be flush with the lip 32.
  • Recesses 34 are provided such that when a flat is positioned on the rack, the edges of the flat will extend past the upper surface 16 of the rack above recesses 34, providing convenient access points for human users or automated systems to grasp the edges of the flats when fitting them onto or removing them from the rack 10, while lip 32 prevents the flats from simply, sliding horizontally off the rack 10.
  • Lip 32 preferably forms thick portions along short sides 14, within which slots 36, shown in more detail in Figure 3, are formed.
  • one or more locking mechanism are utilized in conjunction with rack 10 to allow a user to successively lock and release pipette tip flats on the rack 10.
  • the docking mechanisms used comprise slide locks 40, shown installed in the rack 10 in Figure 5 and in isolation in Figures 6 through 8.
  • Slide locks 40 each have an L-shaped main body 42 forming a locking projection 44 at one end, snaps 46 and 48 (see Figures 6 and 7) downwardly projecting from the main body 42, and an extruding boss 50 forming a handle for the main body 42.
  • Snap 46 is formed at the opposite end of the main body 42 from the locking boss 44, and snap 48 is positioned at a distance d (see Figure 7) from snap 46 which is less than the length of slots 36 in lip 32 of rack 10 (see Figure 5).
  • Extruding boss 50 is preferably positioned between snaps 46 and 48.
  • Figures 9 through 14 depict rack 10 with a pipette tip flat 60 fitted thereon.
  • Flat 60 is sized to fit just within lip 32 when fitted onto rack 10.
  • Figures 9 and 10 show rack 10 used with a conventional pipette tip flat
  • Figures 11-14 show rack 10 used with an alternative pipette tip flat which includes a set of upstanding wells 62 which correspond to and register with the set of apertures 20 formed in the upper surface 16 of rack
  • Wells 62 are sized such that conventional pipette tips 64 inserted into wells 62 will rest within wells 62: the enlarged head portion of the tip 64 rests upon or within the well 62 as shown in Figures 9 and 10 and the lower portion of the pipette tip extends through the flat 60 and into the channel 22 (see Figure 2) formed by the aperture 20 (see Figure 1) corresponding to the well 62.
  • a slide lock 40 may be fitted into each slot 36 of rack 10 by fitting snaps 46 and 48 of the slide lock 40 into the slot 36.
  • the outwardly flaring projections 52 at the bottom of each snap 46 and 48 prevent the removal of the slide locks 40 from slots 36, locking the slide locks 40 into the slots 36.
  • Slide locks 40 should be inserted into slots 36 such that the locking projection 44 of each slide lock 40 is positioned proximate a long side 12 of the rack and the extruding boss 50 is extending outwardly away from the rack 10, as shown. Because the distance d between each two snaps 46 and 48 is less than the length of the slot 36, each slide lock 40 can slide laterally within its slot 36.
  • alternative embodiments of the rack 10 and slide locks 40 may be used in which the slide locks 40 are not snapped into the rack and may be inserted into and removed from the rack using simple procedures.
  • the alternative rack 10A shown in Figure 15 four pairs of slots 36A are provided into which an alternative slide lock 40A shown in Figure 16 may be fitted.
  • Each slot in the pairs of slots 36A form T- shaped apertures with enlarged head portions 37 into which downwardly extending T-profiles 41 of alternative slide locks 40A may be fitted.
  • the spacing between the enlarged head portions 37 of each slot in each pair of slots 36A should be approximately equal to the spacing between the T- profiles of each slide lock 40A such that both T- profiles may simultaneously be inserted into the enlarged head portions 37 of a pair of slots 36A.
  • Enlarged foot portions 43 of the T-profiles 41 prevent removal of the slide locks 40A from the slots 36A except at enlarged portions 37.
  • a removable stopper (not shown) may be fitted into enlarged head portions 37 to prevent the accidental removal of the slide lock 40A from the pair of slots 36A, if desired.
  • Alternative slide locks 40A will then slide within pairs of slots 36A between an open position (shown in Figure 17) and a closed position (shown in Figure 18), and will function in the manner described in relation to slide locks 40.
  • Extruding bosses 50 are preferably provided on slide locks 40 to facilitate the movement of the slide locks 40 between their outer and inward positions by the inventive dispensing system as will be discussed below.
  • alternative structures on the slide locks 40 and/or dispensing system may be utilized to automate movement of the slide locks 40.
  • alternative slide locks 40B may be used which do not include extruding bosses 50 extending outwardly from the ' sides of rack 10. This may be desired to streamline rack 10, for example, to allow a lid such as lid 30 (see Figure 4) to be fitted over rack 10 while the alternative slide locks 40B are in place.
  • Slide locks 40B may be opened and closed manually, such as by gripping body 42 or locking projections 44 in the fingers and sliding the slide locks 40B, or using an automated device capable of sliding the slide locks 40B without the extruding boss 50, such as by engaging the body 42 or locking projections 44 with an automated gripper and sliding the slide locks 40B.
  • Figure 21 depicts a first swivel lock 500 which may be used to hold a flat 60 onto a slightly modified rack 10B.
  • First swivel lock 500 includes a downwardly extending pin 502 which may be press fitted into a corresponding aperture 503 in rack 10B, as shown in Figure 22, such that the pin 502 is rotationally pivotable within the aperture 503.
  • First swivel lock 500 has a head portion 504 and a tail portion 506 such that wh-en the tail portion 506 is rotated to be adjacent to the side of the flat, head portion 504 does not project over the flat, as shown in Figure 22.
  • Figure 23 depicts a second swivel lock 510 which may be utilized as a locking mechanism with rack 10B.
  • second swivel lock 510 has a downwardly extending pin 512 which may be press fit into aperture 503 such that the pin 510 is rotationally pivotable within the aperture 503.
  • the body of second swivel lock 510 comprises a bar 514 with legs extending horizontally away from pin 512.
  • second swivel locks 510 may be pivoted into open position 516, in which bars 514 of swivel locks 510 parallel the edge of the flat fitted upon rack 10B, or into closed position 518, in which a leg of bars 514 extends over the upper surface of the flat.
  • racks 10, 10A, and 10B could be utilized in conjunction with platforms other than standard pipette tip flats 60.
  • a preferred permanent platform 90 for receiving pipette tips is shown in Figures 25, 26, and 28 which may be locked onto rack 10.
  • Permanent platform 90 has an outer contour which matches the outer contour of lip 32 of rack 10, such that it may be fitted onto rack 10 with its outer edges flush with upper portion 26, as shown in Figure 25. Accordingly, lid 30 (see Figure
  • permanent platform 90 like flat 60, includes a set of upstanding wells 92 on its upper surface which correspond to and register with the set of apertures
  • the lower surface of permanent platform 90 preferably forms walls 94 which register with walls 22 (see Figures 1 and 2) of rack 10 when permanent platform 90 is properly positioned on rack 10.
  • the lower surface of permanent platform 90 also forms snaps 96 which register with slots 36 (see Figure 1) of rack 10 when the platform 90 is properly positioned on rack 10.
  • snaps 96 are inserted into slots 36 (see Figure 1) .
  • Outwardly flaring projections 99 on snaps 96 will then hold permanent platform in place on rack 10.
  • rack 10 may be used as a support for pipette tips without either slide locks 40 or permanent platform 90; for example, rack 10 could be used in conjunction with standard pipette tip flats or platforms without using locking structures.
  • rack 10, flat 60 and platform 90 can each be adapted to store pipette tips in a configuration other than the conventional 8 x 12 rectangular configuration shown; each can be altered to house any number of pipette tips of any size in any spatial configuration.
  • rack 10 and platform 90 may be adapted to receive platforms of goods other than pipette tips.
  • rack 10 can utilize slide locks 40 in the described fashion to successively lock and unlock platforms storing those goods on the rack.
  • the adapted permanent platform 90 can be installed on the adapted rack 10 utilizing the same slot and snap structures on the rack and platform, respectively, as described.
  • FIGS 29-36 depict a preferred activating mechanism 200 which can be used in conjunction with a rack 10 having slide locks 40 with extruding bosses 50 in loading and/or unloading flats or platforms from the rack 10.
  • activating mechanism 200 has a body 202 forming a trapezoidal upper portion 204 having sides 204A and 204B and a rectangular lower portion 206 having side 206A.
  • An upper projection 208 and a lower projection 210 extend outwardly from one side of body 202.
  • Projection 208 includes side faces 212 and 214 (214 shown in Figure 29 only)
  • projection 210 includes side faces 216 and 218.
  • Figures 29 and 30 show the preferred alignment of the rack 10 with the activating mechanism 200 just prior to use of the activating mechanism 200.
  • Rack 10 is positioned such that side 12 of rack 10 aligns with a side 206A of the activating mechanism (see Figure 29) .
  • Extruding boss 50 projects towards body 202 of activating mechanism 200 from side 14 of rack 10 and is positioned below projections 208 and 210 (see Figure 30) .
  • rack 10 and activating mechanism 200 are moved with respect to one- another such that extruding boss 50 successively contacts the faces 218, 214, and 216 of the projections 208 and 210 as will be described.
  • the rack 10 is raised and lowered with respect to the activating mechanism 200.
  • extruding boss 50 comes into contact with face 218 of projection 210.
  • side 12 of rack 10 is maintained approximately in alignment with side 206A (see Figure 29) during the procedure, the outer edge of extruding boss 50 will accordingly be at distance dl from side 206A at the time of contact.
  • face 218 propels extruding boss 50 (and accordingly slide lock 40) in the direction indicated by arrow A until extruding boss 50 reaches the position indicated in Figure 32. At this point, the outer edge of extruding boss 50 is at a distance d2 from side 206A.
  • Distance d2 (as determined by the length and angle of face 218) should be chosen such that slide lock 40 is in its closed position when boss 50 is at distance d2 from side 206A. Accordingly, in the depicted embodiment of the rack 10 wherein side 12 of rack 10 is aligned with side 206A during operation (see Figure 29) , the movement of extruding boss 50 causes slide lock 40 to slide within the slot of rack 10, until boss 50 is at distance d2 from side 12 (as well as side 206A) .
  • extruding boss may be raised to the position shown in Figure 32 without contact with face 218.
  • extruding boss 50 will simply contact face 218 at a higher point and moved to the position shown in Figure 32 in the described manner.
  • face 218 acts to ensure that the slide locks 40 of the rack 10 are in a closed position when the extruding boss 50 (and accordingly rack 10) is raised to the level shown in Figure 32. This ensures that when the rack 10 is raised further, extruding boss 50 has been moved out of the path of the portion of projection 210 providing face 216. Further, this allows the activating mechanism 200 to be used, for example, in an automated system to bring slide locks 40 to their closed position. The automated system can bring the rack 10 below the activating mechanism 200, raise the rack to the position shown in Figure 32, and then lower the rack.
  • extruding boss 50 will come into contact with face 214 of projection 208, as shown in Figure 33. At this point, the outer edge of the extruding boss remains at distance d2 from side 206A, as shown. As rack 10 is lifted, face 214 moves extruding boss 50 in the direction indicated by arrow B, until it reaches the position shown in Figure 34. At this point, extruding boss 50 has returned to its position at distance dl from side 206A, and accordingly slide lock 40 is in its open position. Accordingly, at this point a flat or platform positioned on rack 10 can be removed, or a rack or flat can be introduced onto rack 10.
  • the rack 10 can then be moved away from activating mechanism 200, leaving slide locks 40 in the open position.
  • This may be desirable, for example, where an automated system is used to remove a platform from the rack 10 at the position shown in Figure 34, and the empty rack, unlocked, is then moved by the automated system to another station at which a new platform is to be added to the rack 10.
  • it may also be desirable to close slide lock 40 after processing of the rack at the position shown in Figure 34. For example, if a new flat is introduced onto the rack, it will frequently be preferable to close slide lock 40 prior to horizontal movement of rack 10 away from activating mechanism 200. This may be accomplished using the activating mechanism 200 simply by lowering rack 10.
  • extruding boss 50 will contact face 216 (with boss 50 still at distance dl from side 206A) , and as rack 10 is further lowered, face 216 will move extruding boss in the direction indicated by arrow C back to the position shown in Figure 32, in which extruding boss 50 is at distance d2 from side 206A, and accordingly, the slide lock 40 is in its closed position.
  • extruding boss 50 remains at distance d2 from side 206A, and accordingly slide lock 40 remains in its locked position.
  • each slide lock 40 may be opened and/or closed simultaneously using a set of four activating mechanisms 200 aligned on the same horizontal plane, as will be described in relation to the preferred embodiment of the inventive dispensing device as follows. It should be understood that any number of slide locks 40 on rack 10 may be manipulated in this manner by activating mechanisms 200 as long as activating mechanisms 200 are positioned accordingly.
  • inventive dispensing device is being used to deliver preferred pipette tip flats 60 onto preferred rack 10 into which slide locks 40 have been fitted, unless otherwise stated.
  • inventive dispensing device can be used to process flats and platforms of any type, including but not limited to permanent platforms 90, onto racks of any type suitable to receive the flats or platforms being processed.
  • the processed platforms or pipette tip flats may house any number of pipette tips of any size in any spatial configuration.
  • inventive dispensing device may be used to process units of any platform-loaded goods, and not only pipette tip flats.
  • the term "units of platform-loaded goods" as used herein shall include platforms upon which goods of any sort are loaded, as well as goods which themselves constitute platforms, such as microplates, or microplate lids.
  • Device 100 primarily comprises a dispenser 102 and a liftable platform assembly 104.
  • Dispenser 102 holds one or more stacked pipette tip flats 60 as shown in Figure 38 and, upon activation, will deliver the lowermost flat 60 onto a pipette tip rack 10 positioned on platform assembly 104, as described in further detail below.
  • dispenser 102 and liftable platform assembly 104 are preferably mounted upon a wall- mountable base 106, as wall mounting is particularly useful in laboratory work where conservation of countertop space is highly desirable.
  • Base 106 may readily be fastened to a wall by fitting fasteners such as screws through apertures formed at various positions around the base 106.
  • dispenser 102 and liftable platform assembly 104 may be combined to form a stand-alone device in a variety of ways, including but not limited to modifying base 106 to include supporting surfaces allowing it to rest on a supporting surface such as a table or counter.
  • Dispenser 102 is positioned above platform assembly 104. While dispenser 102 may be attached to housing 106 using fasteners or the like, or may be formed integrally therewith, dispenser 102 is preferably fixed to a spacer 108 which is in turn fixed to base 106.
  • Dispenser 102 primarily comprises a platform engaging and releasing structure 110 which may be used successively to release stacked pipette tip flats (see Figure 38) upon activation.
  • Platform engaging and releasing structure 110 which is extensively described in commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/483,384 (hereinafter "the ⁇ 384 application) , hereby incorporated by reference, may be activated to release a flat when blade ends 112 (denoted by reference numeral 102 in the ⁇ 384 application) , shown in Figure 40, are moved upwardly.
  • platform engaging and releasing structure 110 may be oriented as desired in relation to base 106.
  • the sides incorporating blade ends 112 may be parallel to base 106, as shown in Figure 37-41, or perpendicular to the base, as shown in Figure 3 of the 384 application.
  • Dispenser 102 preferably includes a structure fixed to or resting upon the upper surface of platform engaging and releasing structure 110 which assists users in inserting and maintaining pipette tip flats 60 in a stacked formation, as shown in Figure 38.
  • a preferred flat guide 114 is shown which includes two opposing U- shaped side supports 116 and a front panel 118 forming an elongated oval window 120. Supports 116 are spaced such that a distance slightly greater than the width of a flat 60 separates them. The inner openings in supports 116 and window 120 allow users to view from the sides and top of the dispenser 102, respectively, the number of flats 60 remaining within the dispenser 102.
  • Openings 116 also provide a convenient access point at which the user can manually access flats 60 after they are loaded into the dispenser. This can prove particularly useful where the flats 60 are initially introduced into the dispenser 102 within packaging which the user must or desires to remove from the dispenser 102 prior to dispensing of the flats. It should be understood, however, that the dispenser may utilize alternative or additional guiding structures, or may be used without a guiding structure. As an example of an alternative guiding structure, the dispenser 102 could include the guide described in the ⁇ 384 application (reference numeral 80 therein) .
  • activating mechanisms 200 extend downwardly from the corners of platform engaging and releasing structure 110 below blade ends 112. Activating mechanisms 200 are used to open the slide locks 40 of a rack 10 positioned below the dispenser 102 and raised up to the dispenser to receive a flat 60, as will be described in more detail below.
  • Dispenser 102 preferably also includes clamshells 122, which may be closed below activating mechanisms 200 and the underside of platform engaging and releasing structure 110, as shown in Figures 37 through 28, and opened such that each clamshell moves to the sides of platform engaging and releasing structure 110, as shown in Figures 40 and 41.
  • Clamshells 122 pivot about pins 124 fitted upon platform engaging and releasing structure 110.
  • the use of spacer 108 creates a gap between platform engaging and releasing structure 110 and base 106 within which clamshells 122 can rotate.
  • Clamshells 122 preferably remain closed when the device 100 is not in operation, and are opened when a rack 10 is raised up to dispenser 102, as will be described below. Clamshells 122 protect the platform engaging and releasing structure 110 and any flats 60 resting within from contamination between dispensing actions .
  • platform assembly 104 includes a platform 130 designed to receive a rack 10.
  • Platform 130 preferably includes guides such as pins 132 on its supporting surface 131 to indicate the desired positioning of the rack 10 on the platform 130 for proper dispensing. If clamshells 122 are utilized in dispenser 102, platform 130 preferably includes a rear panel 134 having a triangular upper face.
  • Platform 130 is mounted on a track 136 in a conventional manner such that the entire platform 130 can be smoothly raised and lowered between a rest position (shown in Figures 37 through 39) and a raised position (shown in Figure 41) .
  • a lower panel 138 is preferably included which extends downwardly from the rear edge of platform 130 which increases the length of the section fitted upon track 136, as well as side supports 140 which provide structural support for platform 130. Supporting surface 131, lower panel
  • side supports 140 may be made together as one piece or may be assembled together from separate pieces as desired.
  • a lever assembly 142 is preferably included which allows one-handed operation of the platform assembly 104 to raise and lower platform 130.
  • Side supports 144 fixed at their rear edges to base 106 provide inwardly extending pins 146 to which arms 148 of lever 150 are pivotably attached.
  • Arms 148 include slots 152 in their rearmost ends into which pins 154 extending from flanges extending from panel 138 extend.
  • activating mechanisms 200 is chosen such that when a rack 10 having slide locks 40 is fitted below the dispenser 102 on platform 130, the extruding bosses 50 of slide locks 40 on rack 10 will engage activating mechanisms 200 as described previously in relation to Figures 29 through 36 when platform 130 is raised to the position shown in Figure 41. Accordingly, in the position shown in Figure 41, slide locks 40 on rack 10 will have been moved to their open position regardless of their starting position when the rack is first placed upon platform 130. In their open position, slide locks 40 will engage and lift the blade ends 120 (see Figures 40 and 41) of the platform engaging and releasing structure 110 once the slide locks become elevated above activating mechanisms 200, causing dispenser 102 to release a flat 60 onto the unlocked rack 10. When lever 150 is then lowered, extruding bosses 50 of slide locks 40 again engage activating mechanisms 200, moving slide locks 40 to their closed position and locking the flat 60 on the rack 10.
  • rack 10 may be used in place of the tip depot of an automated system described in commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/158,756, hereby incorporated by reference. That automated system may be adapted such that its mobile pick-up unit (reference numeral 44 therein) replaces activator pins used to lock and unlock the described tip depot with activating mechanisms 200 positioned to open and close slide locks on the rack 10.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
  • Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système à plateau pour ranger une plate-forme chargée de produits, qui comprend un plateau et au moins un mécanisme de verrouillage. Le plateau présente quatre côtés, une base, et une surface supérieure adaptée pour recevoir une plate-forme chargée de produits. Le mécanisme de verrouillage peut être déplacé entre une position fermée dans laquelle le verrou à coulisse arrime la plate-forme chargée de produits sur le plateau, et une position ouverte dans laquelle le verrou à coulisse n'empêche pas le placement de la plate-forme sur le plateau ou son retrait du plateau. L'invention concerne en outre un mécanisme d'actionnement servant à ouvrir ou fermer le verrou à coulisse, et un dispositif de distribution pour distribuer des unités de plate-forme chargées de produits sur un plateau muni d'un verrou à coulisse.
PCT/US2001/041989 2000-09-08 2001-09-04 Systeme a plateau pour plate-forme chargee de produits et dispositif de distribution pour distribuer une plate-forme chargee de produits Ceased WO2002020375A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001293241A AU2001293241A1 (en) 2000-09-08 2001-09-04 Racking system for platform loaded goods and dispensing device for dispensing platform loaded goods

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US65795000A 2000-09-08 2000-09-08
US09/657,950 2000-09-08

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2002020375A2 true WO2002020375A2 (fr) 2002-03-14
WO2002020375A3 WO2002020375A3 (fr) 2002-06-20

Family

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PCT/US2001/041989 Ceased WO2002020375A2 (fr) 2000-09-08 2001-09-04 Systeme a plateau pour plate-forme chargee de produits et dispositif de distribution pour distribuer une plate-forme chargee de produits

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001293241A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002020375A2 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1652583A1 (fr) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-03 Sysmex Corporation Portoir pour cones de pipette
US20110300620A1 (en) * 2009-12-10 2011-12-08 Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. Combo-tip Rack
EP3628404A1 (fr) * 2010-03-18 2020-04-01 Biotix, Inc. Plateaux d'embout de pipette
US12201987B2 (en) 2013-02-21 2025-01-21 Biotix, Inc. Pipette tip rack

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5470538A (en) * 1994-06-03 1995-11-28 Labcon, North America Pipette tip rack loader
DE69517688T2 (de) * 1994-06-03 2001-08-23 Labcon North America, San Rafael Ladegestell für pipettenspitzen
US5642816A (en) * 1995-10-25 1997-07-01 Rainin Instrument Co., Inc. Pipette tip rack refill plate hold down apparatus
US20010046437A1 (en) * 1998-09-23 2001-11-29 Bramwell A. Mark Automated system for storing or dispensing stackable goods

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1652583A1 (fr) * 2004-11-02 2006-05-03 Sysmex Corporation Portoir pour cones de pipette
US7906075B2 (en) 2004-11-02 2011-03-15 Sysmex Corporation Pipette tip rack and pipette tip assembly
US20110300620A1 (en) * 2009-12-10 2011-12-08 Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. Combo-tip Rack
US9238226B2 (en) * 2009-12-10 2016-01-19 Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. Combo-tip rack
EP3628404A1 (fr) * 2010-03-18 2020-04-01 Biotix, Inc. Plateaux d'embout de pipette
US12201987B2 (en) 2013-02-21 2025-01-21 Biotix, Inc. Pipette tip rack

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002020375A3 (fr) 2002-06-20
AU2001293241A1 (en) 2002-03-22

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