EP3454989A1 - Support housing for sampling cones for a pipetting system - Google Patents

Support housing for sampling cones for a pipetting system

Info

Publication number
EP3454989A1
EP3454989A1 EP17721739.5A EP17721739A EP3454989A1 EP 3454989 A1 EP3454989 A1 EP 3454989A1 EP 17721739 A EP17721739 A EP 17721739A EP 3454989 A1 EP3454989 A1 EP 3454989A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
housing
female
notch
male
members
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP17721739.5A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3454989B1 (en
Inventor
Philippe GOMES CAVACO
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Gilson SAS
Original Assignee
Gilson SAS
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Gilson SAS filed Critical Gilson SAS
Priority to PL17721739T priority Critical patent/PL3454989T3/en
Publication of EP3454989A1 publication Critical patent/EP3454989A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3454989B1 publication Critical patent/EP3454989B1/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

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
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2200/00—Solutions for specific problems relating to chemical or physical laboratory apparatus
    • B01L2200/02—Adapting objects or devices to another
    • B01L2200/025—Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0848—Specific forms of parts of containers
    • B01L2300/0858—Side walls
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
    • B01L—CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
    • B01L2300/00—Additional constructional details
    • B01L2300/08—Geometry, shape and general structure
    • B01L2300/0893—Geometry, shape and general structure having a very large number of wells, microfabricated wells

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of sampling cone support housings for pipetting systems such as robots, automata, or sampling pipettes. These boxes are conventionally called "racks”.
  • Such boxes are intended to carry sampling cones before they are fitted on the pipetting system, for example on the tips of a pipetting robot or on the tips of a multichannel sampling pipette, manual or motorized.
  • the pitch between the housing of the sampling cones is such that it coincides with the pitch of the tips of the pipetting system, to allow easy insertion of these tips into the cones.
  • cases with cones are stacked on top of each other.
  • the hollow housing is removed from the stack and gives way to a lower housing filled by other cones.
  • the stack of boxes is brought to be handled by the operator, so that it is usually preferable to provide means for coupling between the boxes. bunk.
  • the passage of a housing to another by the operator is effected by actuating the coupling means to unlock them, and thus allow the extraction of one of the two housings.
  • the invention therefore aims to at least partially address the problem identified above, relating to the achievements of the prior art.
  • the subject of the invention is a sampling cone holder housing for a pipetting system, the casing being intended to be stacked with other identical casings in a stacking direction, and comprising:
  • each of the first and second opposite flanks is equipped with a female coupling member as well as a male coupling member arranged substantially symmetrically on either side of said median fictitious plane, the two female members coupling the first and second opposing flanks being arranged on the same side of the median fictitious plane and the two male coupling members of the first and second opposite flanks being arranged on the other side of the median fictitious plane, and said male members and coupling females are designed so that when two identical support housings are stacked in the direction of emulsion with an upper housing and a lower housing both having their male members on the same side of the median fictitious plane, the upper case adopts a positioned position in which it is not retained by the lower housing in the stacking direction, and also designed such that when the upper housing and the lower housing have their mating male members respectively on either side of the imaginary plane median, the upper housing adopts a retained position in which its two male coupling members cooperate respectively with the two female coupling members of the lower housing.
  • the invention proposes an original solution to maintain a single and unique design of housings, while being able to arrange them in the seated position or in the selected position, depending on the intended use.
  • This feature makes it easier to manufacture the boxes and simplifies the management of the latter by the users.
  • it is no longer necessary to identify the type of housing manufactured, nor to choose from two distinct ways of stacking. This results in a great simplification of the production operations, and this generates substantial gains in terms of production time and development of programming, etc.
  • the invention furthermore exhibits at least any of the following optional technical characteristics, taken alone or in combination.
  • Each male coupling member comprises a tab pivotally mounted on its associated side via a pivot link axis substantially orthogonal to the stacking direction, the tab having on both sides of the pivot link a gripping portion, and a snap portion ending in a notch.
  • Said pivot connection is made by two elastically torsionally deformable material cords, the two strings of material being aligned with each other along the axis of the pivot connection.
  • the gripping portion protrudes upwardly beyond its associated flank, and said notch is arranged substantially at a lower end of this flank.
  • the female member has in the upper part a ramp allowing, during a relative movement of the upper housing towards the lower housing in the direction stacking, rotate its associated male member around said pivot connection by moving the notch along the ramp, before automatic insertion of the notch in the female member after this notch has left said ramp.
  • said automatic insertion of the notch in the female coupling member is effected by pivoting the male coupling member caused by a release of energy previously stored by the pivot connection, while moving. guts along the ramp.
  • this insertion can be done not automatically, but manually by pressing on the gripping portions of the legs, then releasing them.
  • Each female coupling member is arranged substantially at an upper end of its associated side, near a junction with the support of sampling cones.
  • the support has 96 holes for housing the sampling cones.
  • the support may be provided a different number of orifices, without departing from the scope of the invention.
  • the invention also relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of identical housings such as that described above, said housings being stacked in the stacking direction, in the seated position or in the selected position.
  • the assembly preferably comprises a hollow bottom arranged at the base of the stack of housings, said hollow bottom comprising female coupling members with the lowest housing in the stack.
  • FIG. 1 represents a front view, partially in section, of a stacked set of sampling cone support boxes, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one of the housings of the stack shown in the previous figure
  • FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the housing shown in the previous figure, passing through one of its male coupling members;
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of the housing shown in FIGS.
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stack of two housings in the seated position
  • FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a stack of two housings in the retained position
  • FIG. 5a is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the stack shown in Figure 5, passing through the male coupling members;
  • FIG. 6a is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the stack shown in Figure 6, passing through the male and female coupling members;
  • FIGS. 7a to 7c illustrate various assembly steps of the housings of the stack shown in FIGS. 6 and 6a;
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a way of disconnecting the two housings shown in FIGS. 6, 6a and 7a to 7c;
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a hollow bottom cooperating with the lowest housing in the stack.
  • FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 9, without the housing.
  • FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view taken in Figure 9, and passing through the male coupling member of the housing.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a set 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this set corresponding to a stack of support boxes for sampling cones for pipetting system.
  • the housings 1 are superimposed in a stacking direction 2, here corresponding to the vertical direction. According to a specificity of the invention which will be detailed below, the casings 1 of the stack can be either simply placed on one another or held together in the stacking direction 2.
  • the housings 1 are intended to contain sampling cones (not shown), also called consumables.
  • sampling cones also called consumables.
  • FIGS 2 to 4 illustrate one of the casings 1 of the stack, which all have an identical design.
  • the housing 1, made in one piece, has a parallelepipedal overall shape, hollow and comprising an upper partition which serves a support function for consumables.
  • This support 10 is arranged in a plane orthogonal to the stacking direction 1, and equipped with orifices 12 for housing the sampling cones.
  • it is for example 96 orifices 12 distributed in rows and columns, in the manner of a matrix.
  • the pitch between the orifices 12 is provided to coincide with the pitch of the tips of the pipetting system, to allow easy insertion of these tips into the cones.
  • the housing 1 extends in length in a longitudinal direction 6 and in width in a transverse direction 8, the three directions 2, 6, 8 being orthogonal to each other.
  • the casing 1 comprises four flanks, of which first and second opposite flanks 14a, 14b, integral with the support 10 and traversed by a median fictitious plane P integrating the stacking direction 2. Therefore, each of these two flanks 14a, 14b opposite in the direction 6 extends in a transverse plane, defined by the two directions 2 and 8. Two others flanks 16a, 16b opposite in the direction 8 complete the contour of the support 10, each extending in a longitudinal plane defined by the two directions 2 and 6.
  • Each of the first and second opposite flanks 14a, 14b is equipped with a female coupling member 18, in the form of a simple slot opening outwards in the direction 6.
  • the female member 18 is arranged substantially at the level of an upper end of the flank on which it is located, near a junction with the support 10.
  • the slot is delimited in the upper part by a ramp 19 which extends outwards in the direction 6, going towards the bottom.
  • Each of the first and second opposite flanks 14a, 14b is also equipped with a male coupling member 20, in the form of a tab pivotally mounted on its associated side, via a pivot link 22.
  • the link pivot 22 has a pivot axis 23 substantially orthogonal to the stacking direction 2, and parallel to the transverse direction 8. It is formed by two beads of material 26 deformable elastically in torsion along the axis 23, and aligned one with the other. with the other along the same axis.
  • the tab 20 has a height greater than that of the housing 1.
  • the notch 34 projects towards the interior of the housing 1, in the direction 6 as opposed to the tab 20 which extends generally in the stacking direction 2.
  • the female member 18 and the male member 20 are arranged substantially symmetrically on either side of the median fictitious plane P.
  • the two members coupling females 18 of the first and second opposite flanks 14a, 14b are arranged on the same side of the median fictitious plane P, and the two male coupling members 20 of these same flanks are arranged on the other side of the fictitious plane median P.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 it is possible to stack two housings 1 in two different ways, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the upper casing 1 adopts a position placed on the lower casing, without being retained in the stacking direction 2.
  • the male members 20 of the two housings are on the same side of the median fictitious plane P, and thus overlap in pairs in the direction 6, as is also visible in Figure 5a.
  • This type of stack in which the housings 1 adopt the same angular position with respect to a central stacking axis, is preferably retained in the case of the use of the assembly 100 by robots / automata, allowing the realization Automated pipetting operations.
  • the upper housing 1 adopts a position retained relative to the lower housing 1, the retention being effected by means of the aforementioned coupling means.
  • the two housings 1 instead of adopting the same angular position, have an angular position offset by 180 ° relative to each other with respect to the central axis of stacking, which leads the organs males of the two housings to be located respectively on either side of the median fictitious plane P.
  • This allows the upper housing 1 to have its two male members 20 cooperating respectively with the two female members 18 of the lower housing, as is also shown in Figure 6a at the flanks 14a.
  • This type of stack is preferably retained in the case of manual pipetting operations with a sampling pipette. This allows the operator to move the stack of boxes 1 without the risk of accidentally detach them from each other.
  • FIGS. 7a to 7c illustrate a way of automatically assembling two housings 1 one on the other, simply by moving them towards each other in the direction of stacking 2. They are first aligned according to the direction 2 as shown in Figure 7a, until the notch 34 abuts against the ramp 19 of the female member 18, as shown in Figure 7b. Continued relative movement, for example made by simply pressing the upper housing downwards, causes the notch 34 to move along the ramp 19 provided for this purpose. This ramp 19 is intended to move the attachment portion 32 outwardly in the direction 6, as shown in Figure 7c. This is possible thanks to the pivoting of the tab 20 around the link 22, along the axis of pivoting 23.
  • the two strings of material forming the pivot connection 22 deform elastically in torsion along the axis 23.
  • this notch 34 automatically engages in the female member 18 through the release of energy previously stored by the pivot connection.
  • the selected position is then obtained, which is also called the clipped position.
  • the coupling of the two housings 1 can be effected by exerting pressure on the gripping portions 30 so as to bring them back inwards, then releasing this pressure after bringing the notches facing the female members.
  • the same pressure 40 shown schematically in Figure 8 can be exerted on the gripping portions 30, to remove the notches outside the female members. Once the clearance is achieved, the upper housing can be pulled up, or the lower housing can be pulled down, so as to unstack.
  • Figures 9 to 11 illustrate that the upper edge of the hollow bottom 4 has female coupling members 18 'identical or similar to those housings 1, so as to cooperate with the male members 20 of the lower housing 1 in the stack.
  • a ramp system 19 'allows the automatic insertion of the notches of the members 20 in the female members 18'.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Stackable Containers (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Devices For Use In Laboratory Experiments (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a support housing (1) for sampling cones for a pipetting system, the housing being intended to be stacked with other identical housings in a stacking direction (2), and comprising: a support (10) provided with openings (12) for housing the sampling cones; first and second opposing side walls (14a, 14b) traversed by a virtual median plane (P). According to the invention, each of the first and second opposing side walls (14a, 14b) is equipped with a female coupling member (18) and a male coupling member (20) arranged substantially symmetrically to either side of the plane (P), the two female coupling members (18) of the first and second opposing side walls (14a, 14b) being arranged to a same side of the plane (P) and the two male coupling members (20) of the first and second opposing side walls being arranged to the other side of said plane (P).

Description

BOITIER DE SUPPORT DE CONES DE PRELEVEMENT POUR SYSTEME DE PIPETAGE  SUPPORTING CONES HOLDER HOUSING FOR PIPETTING SYSTEM
DESCRIPTIONDESCRIPTION
DOMAINE TECHNIQUE L'invention se rapporte au domaine des boîtiers de support de cônes de prélèvement destinés aux systèmes de pipetage tels que des robots, automates, ou pipettes de prélèvement. Ces boîtiers sont conventionnellement dénommés « racks ». TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to the field of sampling cone support housings for pipetting systems such as robots, automata, or sampling pipettes. These boxes are conventionally called "racks".
ETAT DE LA TECHNIQUE ANTERIEURE STATE OF THE PRIOR ART
De tels boîtiers sont destinés à porter des cônes de prélèvement avant que ceux-ci soient emmanchés sur le système de pipetage, par exemple sur les embouts d'un robot de pipetage ou encore sur les embouts d'une pipette de prélèvement multicanal, manuelle ou motorisée. Le pas entre les orifices de logement des cônes de prélèvement est tel qu'il coïncide avec le pas des embouts du système de pipetage, pour permettre une insertion aisée de ces embouts dans les cônes. Such boxes are intended to carry sampling cones before they are fitted on the pipetting system, for example on the tips of a pipetting robot or on the tips of a multichannel sampling pipette, manual or motorized. The pitch between the housing of the sampling cones is such that it coincides with the pitch of the tips of the pipetting system, to allow easy insertion of these tips into the cones.
Habituellement, les boîtiers équipés de cônes sont empilés les uns sur les autres. Ainsi, lorsqu'un boîtier a été entièrement vidé de ses cônes suite à des actions répétées de pipetage, le boîtier évidé est retiré de l'empilement et laisse place à un boîtier inférieur rempli par d'autres cônes.  Usually, cases with cones are stacked on top of each other. Thus, when a housing has been completely emptied of its cones following repeated pipetting actions, the hollow housing is removed from the stack and gives way to a lower housing filled by other cones.
Dans le cas d'opérations manuelles réalisées à l'aide de pipettes de prélèvement, l'empilement de boîtiers est amené à être manipulé par l'opérateur, de sorte qu'il est habituellement préférable de prévoir des moyens d'accouplement entre les boîtiers superposés. Dans ce cas, le passage d'un boîtier à un autre par l'opérateur s'effectue en actionnant les moyens d'accouplement pour les déverrouiller, et permettre ainsi l'extraction de l'un des deux boîtiers.  In the case of manual operations carried out using sampling pipettes, the stack of boxes is brought to be handled by the operator, so that it is usually preferable to provide means for coupling between the boxes. bunk. In this case, the passage of a housing to another by the operator is effected by actuating the coupling means to unlock them, and thus allow the extraction of one of the two housings.
Pour les opérations automatisées de pipetage à l'aide d'un robot ou d'un automate, ces moyens d'accouplement sont sources de complexification du procédé de pipetage, c'est la raison pour laquelle les boîtiers sont généralement simplement posés les uns sur les autre dans l'empilement, sans moyens de retenue entre eux. Cependant, la situation décrite ci-dessus conduit à fabriquer des boîtiers de conceptions différentes selon qu'ils sont destinés à une utilisation manuelle a u automatisée. Cela complexifie le procédé de production des piles de boîtiers, car après fabrication de ces derniers, un robot agrippe chaque boîtier puis l'identifie afin de déterminer s'il doit être orienté vers une pile de boîtiers retenus les uns aux autres, ou bien vers une pile de boîtiers simplement posés les uns au-dessus des autres. For automated pipetting operations using a robot or a PLC, these coupling means are sources of complexity of the pipetting process, which is why the housings are generally simply placed on each other. the others in the stack, without means of restraint between them. However, the situation described above leads to manufacturing housings of different designs depending on whether they are intended for automated manual operation. This complicates the production process of the batteries of cases, because after manufacture of the latter, a robot grasps each box and then identifies it in order to determine whether it should be directed to a stack of housings retained to each other, or to a stack of boxes simply placed one above the other.
Du point de vue de l'utilisateur, un inconvénient analogue subsiste car il doit disposer des boîtiers de différents types, en fonction du système de pipetage mis en œuvre. Cela complexifie la gestion de ces supports de consommables. EXPOSÉ DE L'INVENTION  From the point of view of the user, a similar disadvantage remains because it must have housings of different types, depending on the pipetting system implemented. This complicates the management of these consumables media. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
L'invention a donc pour but de répondre au moins partiellement à la problématique identifiée ci-dessus, relative aux réalisations de l'art antérieur. The invention therefore aims to at least partially address the problem identified above, relating to the achievements of the prior art.
Pour ce faire, l'invention a pour objet un boîtier de support de cônes de prélèvement pour système de pipetage, le boîtier étant destiné à être empilé avec d'autres boîtiers identiques selon une direction d'empilement, et comprenant :  To do this, the subject of the invention is a sampling cone holder housing for a pipetting system, the casing being intended to be stacked with other identical casings in a stacking direction, and comprising:
- un support pourvu d'orifices pour le logement des cônes de prélèvement ; et  a support provided with orifices for accommodating the sampling cones; and
- un premier et un second flancs opposés solidaires du support et traversés par un plan fictif médian intégrant la direction d'empilement.  - A first and a second opposite flanks secured to the support and traversed by a median fictitious plane integrating the stacking direction.
Selon l'invention, chacun des premier et second flancs opposés est équipé d'un organe femelle d'accouplement ainsi que d'un organe mâle d'accouplement agencés sensiblement symétriquement de part et d'autre dudit plan fictif médian, les deux organes femelles d'accouplement des premier et second flancs opposés étant agencés d'un même côté du plan fictif médian et les deux organes mâles d'accouplement des premier et second flancs opposés étant agencés de l'autre côté du plan fictif médian, et lesdits organes mâles et femelles d'accouplement sont conçus de sorte que lorsque deux boîtiers de support identiques sont empilés selon la direction d'em pilement avec un boîtier supérieur et un boîtier inférieur présenta nt tous deux leurs organes mâles d'un même côté du plan fictif médian, le boîtier supérieur adopte une position posée dans laquelle il est non retenu par le boîtier inférieur dans la direction d'empilement, et également conçus de sorte que lorsque le boîtier supérieur et le boîtier inférieur présentent leurs organes mâles d'accouplement respectivement de part et d'autre du plan fictif médian, le boîtier supérieur adopte une position retenue dans laquelle ses deux organes mâles d'accouplement coopèrent respectivement avec les deux organes femelles d'accouplement du boîtier inférieur. According to the invention, each of the first and second opposite flanks is equipped with a female coupling member as well as a male coupling member arranged substantially symmetrically on either side of said median fictitious plane, the two female members coupling the first and second opposing flanks being arranged on the same side of the median fictitious plane and the two male coupling members of the first and second opposite flanks being arranged on the other side of the median fictitious plane, and said male members and coupling females are designed so that when two identical support housings are stacked in the direction of emulsion with an upper housing and a lower housing both having their male members on the same side of the median fictitious plane, the upper case adopts a positioned position in which it is not retained by the lower housing in the stacking direction, and also designed such that when the upper housing and the lower housing have their mating male members respectively on either side of the imaginary plane median, the upper housing adopts a retained position in which its two male coupling members cooperate respectively with the two female coupling members of the lower housing.
Ainsi, l'invention propose une solution originale permettant de conserver une même et unique conception de boîtiers, tout en pouvant les disposer en position posée ou en position retenue, en fonction de l'utilisation envisagée. Cette particularité permet de faciliter la fabrication des boîtiers et simplifie la gestion de ces derniers par les utilisateurs. Notamment, dans la chaîne de production des boîtiers, il n'est plus nécessaire d'identifier le type de boîtier fabriqué, ni de choisir parmi deux voies distinctes d'empilement. Il en découle avantageusement une grande simplification des opérations de production, et cela génère des gains substantiels en termes de temps de production et de développement de programmation, etc.  Thus, the invention proposes an original solution to maintain a single and unique design of housings, while being able to arrange them in the seated position or in the selected position, depending on the intended use. This feature makes it easier to manufacture the boxes and simplifies the management of the latter by the users. In particular, in the case production line, it is no longer necessary to identify the type of housing manufactured, nor to choose from two distinct ways of stacking. This results in a great simplification of the production operations, and this generates substantial gains in terms of production time and development of programming, etc.
L'invention présente par ailleurs au moins l'une quelconque des caractéristiques techniques optionnelles suivantes, prises isolément ou en combinaison.  The invention furthermore exhibits at least any of the following optional technical characteristics, taken alone or in combination.
Chaque organe mâle d'accouplement comprend une patte montée pivotante sur son flanc associé par l'intermédiaire d'une liaison pivot d'axe sensiblement orthogonal à la direction d'empilement, la patte présentant de part et d'autre de la liaison pivot une portion de préhension, ainsi qu'une portion d'accrochage se terminant par un cran.  Each male coupling member comprises a tab pivotally mounted on its associated side via a pivot link axis substantially orthogonal to the stacking direction, the tab having on both sides of the pivot link a gripping portion, and a snap portion ending in a notch.
Ladite liaison pivot est réalisée par deux cordons de matière déformables élastiquement en torsion, les deux cordons de matière étant alignés l'un avec l'autre selon l'axe de la liaison pivot.  Said pivot connection is made by two elastically torsionally deformable material cords, the two strings of material being aligned with each other along the axis of the pivot connection.
La portion de préhension fait saillie vers le haut au-delà de son flanc associé, et ledit cran se trouve agencé sensiblement au niveau d'une extrémité basse de ce flanc.  The gripping portion protrudes upwardly beyond its associated flank, and said notch is arranged substantially at a lower end of this flank.
L'organe femelle présente en partie supérieure une rampe permettant, lors d'un déplacement relatif du boîtier supérieur vers le boîtier inférieur dans la direction d'empilement, de faire pivoter son organe mâle associé autour de ladite liaison pivot par déplacement du cran le long de la rampe, avant insertion automatique du cran da ns l'organe femelle après que ce cran ait quitté ladite rampe. The female member has in the upper part a ramp allowing, during a relative movement of the upper housing towards the lower housing in the direction stacking, rotate its associated male member around said pivot connection by moving the notch along the ramp, before automatic insertion of the notch in the female member after this notch has left said ramp.
Dans ce cas de figure, ladite insertion automatique du cran da ns l'organe femelle d'accouplement s'effectue par pivotement de l'organe mâle d'accouplement provoqué par une libération d'énergie préalablement emmagasinée par la liaison pivot, lors du déplacement du cran le long de la rampe.  In this case, said automatic insertion of the notch in the female coupling member is effected by pivoting the male coupling member caused by a release of energy previously stored by the pivot connection, while moving. guts along the ramp.
Alternativement, cette insertion peut s'effectuer non pas automatiquement, mais manuellement en appuya nt sur les portions de préhension des pattes, puis en les relâchant.  Alternatively, this insertion can be done not automatically, but manually by pressing on the gripping portions of the legs, then releasing them.
Chaque organe femelle d'accouplement se trouve agencé sensiblement au niveau d'une extrémité haute de son flanc associé, à proximité d'une jonction avec le support de cônes de prélèvement.  Each female coupling member is arranged substantially at an upper end of its associated side, near a junction with the support of sampling cones.
Le support présente 96 orifices pour le logement des cônes de prélèvement. Bien entendu, il peut être prévu un nombre différent d'orifices, sans sortir du cadre de l'invention.  The support has 96 holes for housing the sampling cones. Of course, it may be provided a different number of orifices, without departing from the scope of the invention.
L'invention a également pour objet un ensemble comprenant plusieurs boîtiers identiques tel que celui décrit ci-dessus, lesdits boîtiers étant empilés selon la direction d'empilement, dans la position posée ou dans la position retenue.  The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a plurality of identical housings such as that described above, said housings being stacked in the stacking direction, in the seated position or in the selected position.
Enfin, l'ensemble comprend de préférence un fond creux agencé à la base de l'empilement de boîtiers , ledit fond creux comprenant des organes femelles d'accouplement avec le boîtier le plus bas dans l'empilement.  Finally, the assembly preferably comprises a hollow bottom arranged at the base of the stack of housings, said hollow bottom comprising female coupling members with the lowest housing in the stack.
D'autres avantages et caractéristiques de l'invention apparaîtront da ns la description détaillée non limitative ci-dessous. BRÈVE DESCRIPTION DES DESSINS  Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the detailed non-limiting description below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Cette description sera faite au regard des dessins annexés parmi lesquels ; - la figure 1 représente une vue de face, partiellement en coupe, d'un ensemble empilé de boîtiers de support de cônes de prélèvement, selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention ; This description will be made with reference to the appended drawings among which; FIG. 1 represents a front view, partially in section, of a stacked set of sampling cone support boxes, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;
- la figure 2 représente une vue en perspective de l'un des boîtiers de l'empilement montré sur la figure précédente ;  - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of one of the housings of the stack shown in the previous figure;
- la figure 3 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une partie du boîtier montré sur la figure précédente, passant par l'un de ses organes mâles d'accouplement ;  - Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the housing shown in the previous figure, passing through one of its male coupling members;
- la figure 4 est une vue de dessus du boîtier montré sur les figures 2 et FIG. 4 is a top view of the housing shown in FIGS.
3 ; 3;
- la figure 5 est une vue en perspective d'un empilement de deux boîtiers en position posée ;  - Figure 5 is a perspective view of a stack of two housings in the seated position;
- la figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'un empilement de deux boîtiers en position retenue ;  - Figure 6 is a perspective view of a stack of two housings in the retained position;
- la figure 5a est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une partie de l'empilement montré sur la figure 5, passant par les organes mâles d'accouplement ;  - Figure 5a is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the stack shown in Figure 5, passing through the male coupling members;
- la figure 6a est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une partie de l'empilement montré sur la figure 6, passant par les organes mâle et femelle d'accouplement ;  - Figure 6a is a longitudinal sectional view of a portion of the stack shown in Figure 6, passing through the male and female coupling members;
- les figures 7a à 7c illustrent différentes étapes d'assemblage des boîtiers de l'empilement montré sur les figures 6 et 6a ;  FIGS. 7a to 7c illustrate various assembly steps of the housings of the stack shown in FIGS. 6 and 6a;
- la figure 8 illustrent une manière de désaccoupler les deux boîtiers montrés sur les figures 6, 6a et 7a à 7c ;  FIG. 8 illustrates a way of disconnecting the two housings shown in FIGS. 6, 6a and 7a to 7c;
- la figure 9 est une vue en perspective d'un fond creux coopérant avec le boîtier le plus bas dans l'empilement ;  - Figure 9 is a perspective view of a hollow bottom cooperating with the lowest housing in the stack;
- la figure 10 est une vue similaire à celle de la figure 9, sans le boîtier ; et  - Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 9, without the housing; and
- la figure 11 est une vue en coupe transversale prise sur la figure 9, et passant par l'organe mâle d'accouplement du boîtier. EXPOSÉ DÉTAILLÉ DE MODES DE RÉALISATION PRÉFÉRÉS - Figure 11 is a cross sectional view taken in Figure 9, and passing through the male coupling member of the housing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
En référence à la figure 1, il est représenté un ensemble 100 selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention, cet ensemble correspondant à un empilement de boîtiers de support de cônes de prélèvement, pour système de pipetage. Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a set 100 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this set corresponding to a stack of support boxes for sampling cones for pipetting system.
Les boîtiers 1 sont superposés selon une direction d'empilement 2, correspondant ici à la direction verticale. Selon une spécificité de l'invention qui sera détaillée ci-après, les boîtiers 1 de l'empilement peuvent être soit simplement posés les uns sur les autres, soit retenus les uns aux autres selon la direction d'empilement 2.  The housings 1 are superimposed in a stacking direction 2, here corresponding to the vertical direction. According to a specificity of the invention which will be detailed below, the casings 1 of the stack can be either simply placed on one another or held together in the stacking direction 2.
Les boîtiers 1 sont destinés à contenir des cônes de prélèvement (non représentés), également dénommés consommables. Ainsi, lorsque l'ensemble des cônes sont retirés du boîtier le plus haut de l'empilement, ce même boîtier est extrait de l'empilement et donne accès aux cônes portés par le boîtier directement consécutifs. Ce processus est réitéré jusqu'au boîtier le plus bas, porté par un fond creux 4 agencé à la base de l'empilement.  The housings 1 are intended to contain sampling cones (not shown), also called consumables. Thus, when all of the cones are removed from the highest casing of the stack, the same casing is extracted from the stack and gives access to cones carried by the casing directly consecutive. This process is repeated until the lowest case, carried by a hollow bottom 4 arranged at the base of the stack.
Les figures 2 à 4 illustrent l'un des boîtiers 1 de l'empilement, qui présentent tous une conception identique.  Figures 2 to 4 illustrate one of the casings 1 of the stack, which all have an identical design.
Le boîtier 1, réalisé d'une seule pièce, dispose d'un forme globale parallélépipédique, creuse et comprenant une cloison supérieure qui remplit une fonction de support pour les consommables. Ce support 10 est agencé dans un plan orthogonal à la direction d'empilement 1, et équipé d'orifices 12 pour le logement des cônes de prélèvement. Ici, il s'agit par exemple de 96 orifices 12 répartis en rangées et colonnes, à la manière d'une matrice. Le pas entre les orifices 12 est prévu pour coïncider avec le pas des embouts du système de pipetage, pour permettre une insertion aisée de ces embouts dans les cônes.  The housing 1, made in one piece, has a parallelepipedal overall shape, hollow and comprising an upper partition which serves a support function for consumables. This support 10 is arranged in a plane orthogonal to the stacking direction 1, and equipped with orifices 12 for housing the sampling cones. Here, it is for example 96 orifices 12 distributed in rows and columns, in the manner of a matrix. The pitch between the orifices 12 is provided to coincide with the pitch of the tips of the pipetting system, to allow easy insertion of these tips into the cones.
Le boîtier 1 s'étend en longueur selon une direction longitudinale 6 et en largeur selon une direction transversale 8, les trois directions 2, 6, 8 étant orthogonales entre elles.  The housing 1 extends in length in a longitudinal direction 6 and in width in a transverse direction 8, the three directions 2, 6, 8 being orthogonal to each other.
A la périphérie du support 10, le boîtier 1 comprend des quatre flancs, dont un premier et un second flancs opposés 14a, 14b, solidaires du support 10 et traversés par un plan fictif médian P intégrant la direction d'empilement 2. Par conséquent, chacun de ces deux flancs 14a, 14b opposés selon la direction 6 s'étend dans un plan transversal, défini par les deux directions 2 et 8. Deux autres flancs 16a, 16b opposés selon la direction 8 complètent le contour du support 10, en s'étendant chacun dans un plan longitudinal défini par les deux directions 2 et 6. At the periphery of the support 10, the casing 1 comprises four flanks, of which first and second opposite flanks 14a, 14b, integral with the support 10 and traversed by a median fictitious plane P integrating the stacking direction 2. Therefore, each of these two flanks 14a, 14b opposite in the direction 6 extends in a transverse plane, defined by the two directions 2 and 8. Two others flanks 16a, 16b opposite in the direction 8 complete the contour of the support 10, each extending in a longitudinal plane defined by the two directions 2 and 6.
L'une des particularités de l'invention réside dans la conception de moyens d'accouplement entre les boîtiers successifs, ces moyens pouvant être actifs ou passifs en fonction du l'orientation relative des boîtiers dans l'empilement, comme cela sera expliqué ci-après.  One of the peculiarities of the invention lies in the design of coupling means between the successive housings, these means being able to be active or passive depending on the relative orientation of the housings in the stack, as will be explained hereinafter. after.
Chacun des premier et second flancs opposés 14a, 14b est équipé d'un organe femelle d'accouplement 18, en forme de simple fente s'ouvrant vers l'extérieur dans la direction 6. L'organe femelle 18 est agencé sensiblement au niveau d'une extrémité haute du flanc sur lequel elle se trouve, à proximité d'une jonction avec le support 10. La fente est délimitée en partie supérieure par une rampe 19 qui s'étend vers l'extérieur dans la direction 6, en allant vers le bas.  Each of the first and second opposite flanks 14a, 14b is equipped with a female coupling member 18, in the form of a simple slot opening outwards in the direction 6. The female member 18 is arranged substantially at the level of an upper end of the flank on which it is located, near a junction with the support 10. The slot is delimited in the upper part by a ramp 19 which extends outwards in the direction 6, going towards the bottom.
Chacun des premier et second flancs opposés 14a, 14b est aussi équipé d'un organe mâle d'accouplement 20, prenant la forme d'une patte montée pivotante sur son flanc associé, par l'intermédiaire d'une liaison pivot 22. La liaison pivot 22 présente un axe de pivotement 23 sensiblement orthogonal à la direction d'empilement 2, et parallèle à la direction transversale 8. Elle est réalisée par deux cordons de matière 26 déformables élastiquement en torsion selon l'axe 23, et alignés l'un avec l'autre selon ce même axe.  Each of the first and second opposite flanks 14a, 14b is also equipped with a male coupling member 20, in the form of a tab pivotally mounted on its associated side, via a pivot link 22. The link pivot 22 has a pivot axis 23 substantially orthogonal to the stacking direction 2, and parallel to the transverse direction 8. It is formed by two beads of material 26 deformable elastically in torsion along the axis 23, and aligned one with the other. with the other along the same axis.
La patte 20 présente une hauteur supérieure à celle du boîtier 1. De part et d'autre de la liaison pivot 22, elle comprend d'une part une portion de préhension 30 s'étendant vers le haut en faisant saillie au-delà de son flanc associé et du support 10, et d'autre part une portion d'accrochage 32 se terminant par un cran 34 agencé sensiblement au niveau d'une extrémité basse du flanc.  The tab 20 has a height greater than that of the housing 1. On either side of the pivot connection 22, it comprises on the one hand a gripping portion 30 extending upwardly projecting beyond its associated side and the support 10, and secondly an attachment portion 32 ending in a notch 34 arranged substantially at a low end of the sidewall.
Le cran 34 se projette en direction de l'intérieur du boîtier 1, selon la direction 6 par opposition à la patte 20 qui s'étend globalement dans la direction d'empilement 2. Comme cela est le mieux visible sur la figure 4, sur chaque flanc 14a, 14b, l'organe femelle 18 et l'organe mâle 20 sont agencés sensiblement symétriquement de part et d'autre plan fictif médian P. De plus, les deux organes femelles d'accouplement 18 des premier et second flancs opposés 14a, 14b sont agencés d'un même côté du plan fictif médian P, et les deux organes mâles d'accouplement 20 de ces mêmes flancs sont agencés de l'autre côté du plan fictif médian P. The notch 34 projects towards the interior of the housing 1, in the direction 6 as opposed to the tab 20 which extends generally in the stacking direction 2. As best seen in FIG. 4, on each side 14a, 14b, the female member 18 and the male member 20 are arranged substantially symmetrically on either side of the median fictitious plane P. In addition, the two members coupling females 18 of the first and second opposite flanks 14a, 14b are arranged on the same side of the median fictitious plane P, and the two male coupling members 20 of these same flanks are arranged on the other side of the fictitious plane median P.
De cette manière, il est possible d'empiler deux boîtiers 1 de deux manières différentes, représentées sur les figures 5 et 6. Dans l'empilement de la figure 5, le boîtier supérieur 1 adopte une position posée sur le boîtier inférieur, sans être retenu selon la direction d'empilement 2. En effet, dans ce cas de figure, les organes mâles 20 des deux boîtiers se trouvent du même côté du plan fictif médian P, et se recouvrent donc deux à deux selon la direction 6, comme cela est également visible sur la figure 5a.  In this way, it is possible to stack two housings 1 in two different ways, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In the stack of FIG. 5, the upper casing 1 adopts a position placed on the lower casing, without being retained in the stacking direction 2. In this case, the male members 20 of the two housings are on the same side of the median fictitious plane P, and thus overlap in pairs in the direction 6, as is also visible in Figure 5a.
Dans cette position simplement posée du boîtier supérieur 1 sur le boîtier inférieur 1, les organes mâles 20 ne coopèrent donc pas avec les organes femelles 18, qui se trouvent de l'autre côté du plan fictif médian P.  In this simple position of the upper housing 1 on the lower housing 1, the male members 20 do not cooperate with the female members 18, which are on the other side of the median fictitious plane P.
Ce type d'empilement, dans lequel les boîtiers 1 adoptent une même position angulaire en rapport à un axe central d'empilement, est préférentiellement retenu dans le cas de l'utilisation de l'ensemble 100 par des robots / automates, permettant la réalisation automatisée d'opérations de pipetage.  This type of stack, in which the housings 1 adopt the same angular position with respect to a central stacking axis, is preferably retained in the case of the use of the assembly 100 by robots / automata, allowing the realization Automated pipetting operations.
Au contraire, dans l'empilement de la figure 6, le boîtier supérieur 1 adopte une position retenue par rapport au boîtier inférieur 1, la rétention s'effectuant à l'aide des moyens d'accouplement précités. En effet, au lieu d'adopter une même position angulaire, les deux boîtiers 1 présentent une position angulaire décalée de 180° l'une par rapport à l'autre en rapport à l'axe central d'empilement, ce qui conduit les organes mâles des deux boîtiers à se situer respectivement de part et d'autre du plan fictif médian P. Cela permet ainsi au boîtier supérieur 1 d'avoir ses deux organes mâles 20 coopérant respectivement avec les deux organes femelles 18 du boîtier inférieur, comme cela est également représenté sur la figure 6a au niveau des flancs 14a.  In contrast, in the stack of Figure 6, the upper housing 1 adopts a position retained relative to the lower housing 1, the retention being effected by means of the aforementioned coupling means. Indeed, instead of adopting the same angular position, the two housings 1 have an angular position offset by 180 ° relative to each other with respect to the central axis of stacking, which leads the organs males of the two housings to be located respectively on either side of the median fictitious plane P. This allows the upper housing 1 to have its two male members 20 cooperating respectively with the two female members 18 of the lower housing, as is also shown in Figure 6a at the flanks 14a.
Ce type d'empilement est préférentiellement retenu dans le cas d'opérations manuelles de pipetage, avec une pipette de prélèvement. Cela permet à l'opérateur de déplacer l'empilement de boîtiers 1 sans risquer de les désolidariser accidentellement les uns des autres. This type of stack is preferably retained in the case of manual pipetting operations with a sampling pipette. This allows the operator to move the stack of boxes 1 without the risk of accidentally detach them from each other.
Les figures 7a à 7c illustrent une manière d'assembler automatiquement deux boîtiers 1 l'un sur l'autre, simplement en les déplaçant l'un vers l'autre selon la direction d'empilement 2. Ils sont tout d'abord alignés selon la direction 2 comme montré sur la figure 7a, jusqu'à ce que le cran 34 arrive en butée contre la rampe 19 de l'organe femelle 18, comme montré sur la figure 7b. La poursuite du déplacement relatif, réalisée par exemple par simple pression sur le boîtier supérieur vers le bas, conduit le cran 34 à se déplacer le long de la rampe 19 prévue à cet effet. Cette rampe 19 a pour but d'écarter la portion d'accrochage 32 vers l'extérieur, selon la direction 6, comme cela a été illustré sur la figure 7c. Cela est possible grâce au pivotement de la patte 20 autour de la liaison 22, selon l'axe de pivotement 23.  FIGS. 7a to 7c illustrate a way of automatically assembling two housings 1 one on the other, simply by moving them towards each other in the direction of stacking 2. They are first aligned according to the direction 2 as shown in Figure 7a, until the notch 34 abuts against the ramp 19 of the female member 18, as shown in Figure 7b. Continued relative movement, for example made by simply pressing the upper housing downwards, causes the notch 34 to move along the ramp 19 provided for this purpose. This ramp 19 is intended to move the attachment portion 32 outwardly in the direction 6, as shown in Figure 7c. This is possible thanks to the pivoting of the tab 20 around the link 22, along the axis of pivoting 23.
Durant l'écartement de la portion d'accrochage 32, les deux cordons de matière formant la liaison pivot 22 se déforment élastiquement en torsion selon l'axe 23. De ce fait, lorsque la pression vers le bas amène le cran 34 en regard de la fente définie par l'organe femelle 18, en sortie de rampe 19, ce cran 34 s'insère automatiquement dans l'organe femelle 18 grâce à la libération d'énergie préalablement emmagasinée par la liaison pivot. La position retenue est alors obtenue, celle-ci étant également dénommée position clipsée.  During the separation of the attachment portion 32, the two strings of material forming the pivot connection 22 deform elastically in torsion along the axis 23. As a result, when the downward pressure brings the notch 34 opposite the slot defined by the female member 18 at the outlet of ramp 19, this notch 34 automatically engages in the female member 18 through the release of energy previously stored by the pivot connection. The selected position is then obtained, which is also called the clipped position.
Alternativement, l'accouplement des deux boîtiers 1 peut s'effectuer en exerçant une pression sur les portions de préhension 30 de façon à les ramener vers l'intérieur, puis en relâchant cette pression après avoir amené les crans en regard des organes femelles.  Alternatively, the coupling of the two housings 1 can be effected by exerting pressure on the gripping portions 30 so as to bring them back inwards, then releasing this pressure after bringing the notches facing the female members.
Pour le désaccouplement des deux boîtiers, une même pression 40 schématisée sur la figure 8 peut être exercée sur les portions de préhension 30, afin de retirer les crans en dehors des organes femelles. Une fois le dégagement réalisé, le boîtier supérieur peut être extrait vers le haut, ou bien le boîtier inférieur peut être extrait vers le bas, de manière à effectuer un dépilage.  For the uncoupling of the two housings, the same pressure 40 shown schematically in Figure 8 can be exerted on the gripping portions 30, to remove the notches outside the female members. Once the clearance is achieved, the upper housing can be pulled up, or the lower housing can be pulled down, so as to unstack.
Enfin, les figures 9 à 11 illustrent le fait que le chant supérieur du fond creux 4 présente des organes femelles d'accouplement 18' identiques ou similaires à ceux des boîtiers 1, de façon à pouvoir coopérer avec les organes mâles 20 du boîtier 1 le plus bas dans l'empilement. De même, un système de rampe 19' permet l'insertion automatique des crans des organes 20 dans les organes femelles 18'. Finally, Figures 9 to 11 illustrate that the upper edge of the hollow bottom 4 has female coupling members 18 'identical or similar to those housings 1, so as to cooperate with the male members 20 of the lower housing 1 in the stack. Similarly, a ramp system 19 'allows the automatic insertion of the notches of the members 20 in the female members 18'.
Bien entendu, diverses modifications peuvent être apportées par l'homme du métier à l'invention qui vient d'être décrite, uniquement à titre d'exemples non limitatifs.  Of course, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the invention which has just been described, solely by way of non-limiting examples.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Boîtier (1) de support de cônes de prélèvement pour système de pipetage, le boîtier étant destiné à être empilé avec d'autres boîtiers identiques selon une direction d'empilement (2), et comprenant : A container (1) for picking cones for a pipetting system, the casing being intended to be stacked with other identical casings in a stacking direction (2), and comprising:
- un support (10) pourvu d'orifices (12) pour le logement des cônes de prélèvement ; et  a support (10) provided with orifices (12) for accommodating the sampling cones; and
- un premier et un second flancs opposés (14a, 14b) solidaires du support et traversés par un plan fictif médian (P) intégrant la direction d'empilement (2), caractérisé en ce que chacun des premier et second flancs opposés (14a, a first and a second opposite flanks (14a, 14b) integral with the support and traversed by a median fictitious plane (P) integrating the stacking direction (2), characterized in that each of the first and second opposite flanks (14a,
14b) est équipé d'un organe femelle d'accouplement (18) ainsi que d'un organe mâle d'accouplement (20) agencés sensiblement symétriquement de part et d'autre dudit plan fictif médian (P), les deux organes femelles d'accouplement (18) des premier et second flancs opposés (14a, 14b) étant agencés d'un même côté du plan fictif médian (P) et les deux organes mâles d'accouplement (20) des premier et second flancs opposés étant agencés de l'autre côté du plan fictif médian (P), 14b) is provided with a female coupling member (18) as well as a male coupling member (20) arranged substantially symmetrically on either side of said median fictitious plane (P), the two female members of the female body. coupling (18) of the first and second opposing flanks (14a, 14b) being arranged on the same side of the median fictitious plane (P) and the two male coupling members (20) of the first and second opposite flanks being arranged the other side of the median fictitious plane (P),
et en ce que lesdits organes mâles et femelles d'accouplement (20, 18) sont conçus de sorte que lorsque deux boîtiers de support (1) identiques sont empilés selon la direction d'empilement (2) avec un boîtier supérieur et un boîtier inférieur présentant tous deux leurs organes mâles (20) d'un même côté du plan fictif médian (P), le boîtier supérieur (1) adopte une position posée dans laquelle il est non retenu par le boîtier inférieur (1) dans la direction d'empilement, et également conçus de sorte que lorsque le boîtier supérieur (1) et le boîtier inférieur (1) présentent leurs organes mâles d'accouplement (20) respectivement de part et d'autre du plan fictif médian (P), le boîtier supérieur (1) adopte une position retenue dans laquelle ses deux organes mâles d'accouplement (20) coopèrent respectivement avec les deux organes femelles d'accouplement (18) du boîtier inférieur (1).  and in that said male and female coupling members (20, 18) are designed so that when two identical support housings (1) are stacked in the stacking direction (2) with an upper housing and a lower housing both having their male members (20) on the same side of the median fictitious plane (P), the upper case (1) adopts a seated position in which it is unrestrained by the lower case (1) in the direction of stacked, and also designed so that when the upper housing (1) and the lower housing (1) have their male coupling members (20) respectively on either side of the median fictitious plane (P), the upper housing (1) adopts a retained position in which its two male coupling members (20) respectively cooperate with the two female coupling members (18) of the lower housing (1).
2. Boîtier selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que chaque organe mâle d'accouplement (20) comprend une patte montée pivotante sur son flanc associé par l'intermédiaire d'une liaison pivot (22) d'axe (23) sensiblement orthogonal à la direction d'empilement (2), la patte présentant de part et d'autre de la liaison pivot (22) une portion de préhension (30), ainsi qu'une portion d'accrochage (32) se terminant par un cran (34). 2. Housing according to claim 1, characterized in that each male coupling member (20) comprises a tab pivotally mounted on its associated sidewall via a pivot connection (22) of axis (23) substantially orthogonal to the stacking direction (2), the tab having on either side of the pivot connection (22) a gripping portion (30), and a hooking portion (32) ending in a notch (34).
3. Boîtier selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que ladite liaison pivot (22) est réalisée par deux cordons de matière (26) déformables élastiquement en torsion, les deux cordons de matière étant alignés l'un avec l'autre selon l'axe (23) de la liaison pivot. 3. Housing according to claim 2, characterized in that said pivot connection (22) is formed by two strands of material (26) elastically deformable in torsion, the two strands of material being aligned with each other according to the invention. axis (23) of the pivot connection.
4. Boîtier selon la revendication 2 ou la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que la portion de préhension (30) fait saillie vers le haut au-delà de son flanc associé (14a, 14b), et en ce que ledit cran (34) se trouve agencé sensiblement au niveau d'une extrémité basse de ce flanc. Housing according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterized in that the gripping portion (30) projects upwardly beyond its associated side (14a, 14b), and in that said notch (34) is located substantially at a low end of this flank.
5. Boîtier selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, caractérisé en ce que l'organe femelle (18) présente en partie supérieure une rampe (19) permettant, lors d'un déplacement relatif du boîtier supérieur vers le boîtier inférieur dans la direction d'empilement (2), de faire pivoter son organe mâle associé (20) autour de ladite liaison pivot (22) par déplacement du cran (34) le long de la rampe (19), avant insertion automatique du cran (34) dans l'organe femelle (18) après que ce cran ait quitté ladite rampe. 5. Housing according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the female member (18) has in the upper part a ramp (19) allowing, during a relative movement of the upper housing to the lower housing in the stacking direction (2), to rotate its associated male member (20) around said pivot connection (22) by moving the notch (34) along the ramp (19), before automatic insertion of the notch (34). ) in the female member (18) after this notch has left said ramp.
6. Boîtier selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce que ladite insertion automatique du cran (34) dans l'organe femelle d'accouplement (18) s'effectue par pivotement de l'organe mâle d'accouplement (20) provoqué par une libération d'énergie préalablement emmagasinée par la liaison pivot (22), lors du déplacement du cran (34) le long de la rampe (19). 6. Housing according to claim 5, characterized in that said automatic insertion of the notch (34) in the female coupling member (18) is effected by pivoting of the male coupling member (20) caused by a release of energy previously stored by the pivot connection (22), during the displacement of the notch (34) along the ramp (19).
7. Boîtier selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que chaque organe femelle d'accouplement (18) se trouve agencé sensiblement au niveau d'une extrémité haute de son flanc associé, à proximité d'une jonction avec le support (10) de cônes de prélèvement. 7. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each coupling female member (18) is arranged substantially at an upper end of its associated side, near a junction with the support (10) sampling cones.
8. Boîtier selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que le support présente 96 orifices (12) pour le logement des cônes de prélèvement. 8. Housing according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support has 96 orifices (12) for housing the sampling cones.
9. Ensemble (100) comprenant plusieurs boîtiers identiques (1) selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, lesdits boîtiers (1) étant empilés selon la direction d'empilement (2), dans la position posée ou dans la position retenue. 9. Assembly (100) comprising a plurality of identical housings (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, said housings (1) being stacked in the stacking direction (2), in the placed position or in the retained position.
10. Ensemble selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend un fond creux (4) agencé à la base de l'empilement de boîtiers, ledit fond creux (4) comprenant des organes femelles (18') d'accouplement avec le boîtier (1) le plus bas dans l'empilement. 10. An assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a hollow bottom (4) arranged at the base of the stack of housings, said hollow bottom (4) comprising female members (18 ') for coupling with the housing (1) lowest in the stack.
EP17721739.5A 2016-05-12 2017-05-10 Support housing for sampling cones for a pipetting system Active EP3454989B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PL17721739T PL3454989T3 (en) 2016-05-12 2017-05-10 Support housing for sampling cones for a pipetting system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR1654249A FR3051125B1 (en) 2016-05-12 2016-05-12 SUPPORTING CONES HOLDER HOUSING FOR PIPETTING SYSTEM
PCT/EP2017/061121 WO2017194575A1 (en) 2016-05-12 2017-05-10 Support housing for sampling cones for a pipetting system

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP3454989A1 true EP3454989A1 (en) 2019-03-20
EP3454989B1 EP3454989B1 (en) 2020-02-12

Family

ID=56148571

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP17721739.5A Active EP3454989B1 (en) 2016-05-12 2017-05-10 Support housing for sampling cones for a pipetting system

Country Status (10)

Country Link
US (1) US10835902B2 (en)
EP (1) EP3454989B1 (en)
JP (1) JP6929303B2 (en)
KR (1) KR20190008217A (en)
CN (1) CN109070085B (en)
CA (1) CA3024403A1 (en)
ES (1) ES2789677T3 (en)
FR (1) FR3051125B1 (en)
PL (1) PL3454989T3 (en)
WO (1) WO2017194575A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP3960296A1 (en) * 2020-08-26 2022-03-02 Sartorius Biohit Liquid Handling Oy A holder, a set of parts, and a method of manipulating holders of laboratory consumables

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2868430A (en) * 1956-08-07 1959-01-13 Container Corp Stacking paperboard tray
DE9216674U1 (en) * 1992-12-08 1993-03-18 Steinbrenner, Bernd, Dr., 6901 Wiesenbach Device for providing preferably sterilized pipette tips
US5882603A (en) * 1997-10-15 1999-03-16 Point Plastics Incorporated Support rack for pipette tips
US7232038B2 (en) * 2004-04-27 2007-06-19 Whitney Steven G Disposable test tube rack
US7658887B2 (en) * 2004-09-02 2010-02-09 Scientific Specialties, Inc. Pipette tip grid with lock mechanism
CN102177616B (en) * 2008-09-09 2014-12-10 莫列斯公司 Shield with integrated mating connector guides
JP6049235B2 (en) * 2009-12-10 2016-12-21 エフ．ホフマン−ラ ロシュ アーゲーＦ． Ｈｏｆｆｍａｎｎ−Ｌａ Ｒｏｃｈｅ Ａｋｔｉｅｎｇｅｓｅｌｌｓｃｈａｆｔ Combination tip rack
US8906327B2 (en) * 2011-04-08 2014-12-09 Molecular Bioproducts, Inc. Pipette tip stacking tray
EP2623204A1 (en) * 2012-02-03 2013-08-07 F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG Sample handling system
US9366686B2 (en) * 2013-10-18 2016-06-14 Bio-Tek Instruments, Inc. Microplate stacker for plates with lids
CN104554989B (en) * 2013-12-23 2021-01-08 上海鸿研物流技术有限公司 Stacking device with tray
EP3006110A1 (en) * 2014-10-10 2016-04-13 F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ag Rack

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2017194575A1 (en) 2017-11-16
CN109070085A (en) 2018-12-21
US20190201908A1 (en) 2019-07-04
FR3051125A1 (en) 2017-11-17
US10835902B2 (en) 2020-11-17
JP6929303B2 (en) 2021-09-01
PL3454989T3 (en) 2020-07-13
CA3024403A1 (en) 2017-11-16
CN109070085B (en) 2020-12-08
ES2789677T3 (en) 2020-10-26
FR3051125B1 (en) 2018-06-15
JP2019516544A (en) 2019-06-20
KR20190008217A (en) 2019-01-23
EP3454989B1 (en) 2020-02-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2011039004A1 (en) Locking cover for a vessel having a neck, including a cap having attachment tabs
EP3222476B1 (en) Adapter for connecting the free end of a wiper arm, and assembly comprising an adapter and a wiper arm
FR2887836A1 (en) Locking element for connecting the end of a brake booster control rod to a pedal lever has base with central aperture and at least two flexible lugs
EP3251905B1 (en) Adapter for attaching the free end of a windscreen wiper arm, assembly comprising such an adapter and a windscreen wiper arm
EP3105488B1 (en) Modular fluid connection assembly
EP3454989B1 (en) Support housing for sampling cones for a pipetting system
EP3112227B1 (en) Adapter for connecting a windscreen wiper blade to a driving arm
EP1988001A2 (en) Wheelbarrow or similar stackable by preinstalled sub-elements
EP2058579A2 (en) Removable protective enclosure for a tank containing fluid under pressure, suitable removal tool and use of such a tool
EP2496487B1 (en) Collapsible basket made of metal wire
WO2013128096A1 (en) System comprising a positioning and centering pin for an ophthalmic lens, an attachment member and a tool for positioning said attachment member on said positioning and centering pin
EP1729019B1 (en) Arrangement of the holder of a fixation nut of a component such as a vehicle seat
EP3115515B1 (en) Pavement manhole with frame and panel
FR2970241A1 (en) Clamping device for storing and transporting bottles i.e. burgundy bottle with elongated neck, has projections comprising two set of walls, where device is made of semi-rigid material such as paperboard or cardboard
FR3131250A3 (en) Means of fixing a waste collection bin wheel
EP4109694B1 (en) Bar for organising cables into a layer, assembly for organising cables comprising such bars, and method for assembling such an assembly for organisation
FR2792974A1 (en) DEVICE FOR FIXING A RIGID OBJECT ON A SUPPORT, IN PARTICULAR A CONDENSER ON A VEHICLE COOLING RADIATOR
EP3248848B1 (en) Securing device for fitting a windscreen wiper on a drive arm, and corresponding wiping system
FR3131577A1 (en) Means of fixing a waste collection bin wheel
EP2364919B1 (en) Device for wedging an object in a container
WO2024022731A1 (en) Vehicle fitted with modular, tamper-proof roof bars
EP4141208A1 (en) Connector for tiltable venetian blind strips
FR2914546A1 (en) DEVICE FOR FASTENING AN OBJECT AT LEAST PARTIALLY FLAT ON THE WALL OF A CONTAINER.
FR2999543A1 (en) Packing for packaging of welding rods, has elongated body including internal volume, and cap that is connected to body by junction element that is extensible and deformable and is made of elastic material i.e. standard rubber material
FR2955839A1 (en) Device for coupling two load supporting sub-elements during transporting goods, has female part provided with housing, so that device occupies separated configuration in which connection element is placed outside housing

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: UNKNOWN

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION HAS BEEN MADE

PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20181119

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: BA ME

DAV Request for validation of the european patent (deleted)
DAX Request for extension of the european patent (deleted)
GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: GRANT OF PATENT IS INTENDED

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20190930

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE PATENT HAS BEEN GRANTED

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 1231387

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200215

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 602017011680

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: BOVARD AG PATENT- UND MARKENANWAELTE, CH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FI

Ref legal event code: FGE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200512

Ref country code: RS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: LT

Ref legal event code: MG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20200212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: LV

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200513

Ref country code: IS

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200612

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200512

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2789677

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

Effective date: 20201026

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: SM

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: RO

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: LT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200705

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 602017011680

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 1231387

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20200212

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20201113

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: BE

Ref legal event code: MM

Effective date: 20200531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200510

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200510

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20200531

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: MT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: MK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

Ref country code: AL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20200212

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20220526

Year of fee payment: 6

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20220929

Year of fee payment: 6

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230511

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20230526

Year of fee payment: 7

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: PL

Payment date: 20230428

Year of fee payment: 7

Ref country code: FI

Payment date: 20230523

Year of fee payment: 7

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230510

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20240628

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20240521

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20240521

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20240602

Year of fee payment: 8

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20230511