EP0125996A1 - Modular holder for containers of different sizes, in particular for analyzers - Google Patents

Modular holder for containers of different sizes, in particular for analyzers Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0125996A1
EP0125996A1 EP84400953A EP84400953A EP0125996A1 EP 0125996 A1 EP0125996 A1 EP 0125996A1 EP 84400953 A EP84400953 A EP 84400953A EP 84400953 A EP84400953 A EP 84400953A EP 0125996 A1 EP0125996 A1 EP 0125996A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
support
container
base
female
male
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
EP84400953A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0125996B1 (en
Inventor
Emmanuel Monboisset
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.)
Jouan SA
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Jouan SA
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Publication date
Priority claimed from FR8307770A external-priority patent/FR2545708B1/en
Priority claimed from FR8401180A external-priority patent/FR2558702B2/en
Application filed by Jouan SA filed Critical Jouan SA
Priority to AT84400953T priority Critical patent/ATE28524T1/en
Publication of EP0125996A1 publication Critical patent/EP0125996A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0125996B1 publication Critical patent/EP0125996B1/en
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    • 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
    • B01L9/06—Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to container supports used in high-throughput analysis systems for solid, liquid or pasty products, for example dairy products. It relates more particularly to a modular support usable with containers of different dimensions, used in analysis systems.
  • dairy products such as natural milk, cream, ice cream, cottage cheese, cheeses, condensed milk, casein, yogurt or other.
  • dairy products such as natural milk, cream, ice cream, cottage cheese, cheeses, condensed milk, casein, yogurt or other.
  • the samples contained in a container - called "pillbox" in the technique - pass at high speed under an analyzer, for example with infrared radiation, which determines for each sample a certain number of characteristics such as the content of fat, protein, lactose, total solids or non-fat solid.
  • the "pillboxes” generally have the shape of a cylindrical cup of glass or plastic, and they rest on a rigid support, which moves on the sampler of an automatic analysis device.
  • This rigid support generally supports a plurality of cups and these are housed in cells of appropriate diameter.
  • the drive system for these supports also varies with the type of support used, so that in the event of partial deterioration, the entire support must be replaced.
  • the invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing an individual modular support for container or pill organizer, which can receive containers of various diameters and hold them firmly in position, which can be made integral with a similar support in plain view. to constitute a rigid assembly of a number of desired supports and which can be produced at a low cost by molding plastic material, for example polypropylene.
  • the subject of the invention is a modular support for a container, comprising a plastic frame constituting a housing for said container, said framework comprising a plurality of tabs projecting towards the inside of said housing, said tabs being suitable for deviate elastically from each other to adapt to the diameter of said container and to maintain it laterally, characterized in that said framework has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped open at its upper part and with rounded angles and edges and in that said tabs protrude inside said parallelepiped from the upper part of each of said edges.
  • the holding tabs of the container can be attached to the framework by a horizontal line of small dimension and have a curved end towards the base of the framework in order to allow an easy installation of the pill organizers and to facilitate their extraction.
  • the tongues can also be vertical and protrude towards the interior of the framework, so as to be able to flex elastically over their entire height, during the introduction into the interior of the framework, this arrangement ensuring a firm hold of the containers.
  • a large window will advantageously be provided in at least one face of the support, in order to allow the reading of a code by an appropriate device.
  • these supports will comprise, on one side, at at least one male element, projecting outside this face, and on the opposite face, at least one female member of complementary profile, capable of receiving said male element.
  • the male and female elements will advantageously have the shape of a cylinder with an axis perpendicular to the base of the support.
  • the supports can be made integral by simple sliding of the male element or elements of one in the female elements of the other and thus form a linear assembly or "rack".
  • These "racks” can also be assembled in parallel and adjacent lines by means of a plate comprising, on one of these faces, a series of male elements and, on the other, a series of female elements, intended for snapping items corresponding male and female supports.
  • the support shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a plastic frame 1, for example polypropylene or another semi-rigid material, capable of deforming easily to then return to its original shape by elasticity.
  • the frame 1 has the shape of a parallelepiped with a substantially square section, open at its upper part, with rounded angles and edges. From this the upper part of each of the edges, a tongue 2, directed towards the base of the support, projects inwardly of the latter.
  • the tongues 2 thus laterally hold the containers in the form of cups housed in the support.
  • the tongues 2 are more or less folded laterally and towards the bottom and can thus conform to pill boxes of widely different dimensions.
  • a modular support according to the invention can receive containers of very different diameters and will generally suffice to cover the whole range of diameters -26 to 40 mm- from the most common plastic pill dispensers.
  • the bottom of the frame 1 consists of flaps 3 adjoining the side walls.
  • the shape of the bottom of the module allows, in addition to an easy evacuation of the washing water, the extraction in block of all the bottles by a simple push from the bottom to the top.
  • the side walls of the latter are pierced with openings.
  • the opening 4 formed in the front wall is of large dimensions, so as to allow an appropriate code reader to read an identification code carried by the pill box.
  • the opening 5 formed in the rear face, below a reinforcing backsplash 11, is also large, because it acts as a drive hole over its entire height. The increased thickness of the material at this location allows the sampler drive lug to hang each module flawlessly for advancing the rack step by step.
  • female assembly members by two parallel hollow cylinders 6, are formed in one of the walls of the support 1, inside which they project, while, in corresponding positions of the opposite wall, two male members 7, constituted by cylinders of complementary profile of the hollow cylinders 6, protrude outside the wall to which they are adjoined by lugs 8.
  • a locking lug 9 is provided inside of them, in order to maintain in position the base of the male cylinders 7, which is offset relative to the base of the support 1 of a distance corresponding to the position of the lug 9.
  • These cylinders 7 are introduced from bottom to top into the female cylinders 6, so that the lug 9 retracts when the cylinder 7 passes, then returns to its initial position in thus locking in position the cylinder 7.
  • a slot 10 which extends along a generatrix of the cylinder, but is closed at its upper part. If necessary, it is thus possible to separate two assembled supports by spreading at their base the lips of the slots 10 of the hollow cylinders 6, so as to release the lower part of the male cylinders 8 from the corresponding lug 9.
  • the lugs 9 may possibly be removed and the slots 10 open over their entire length for certain supports intended to be arranged at the ends of a train of several assembled supports, in order to allow easy assembly and disassembly of these supports with others. "racks”.
  • the support may also include vertical fins 2 'projecting towards the inside of the frame. These fins 2 'have at their upper part a rounded profile, which allows the guidance and positioning of the containers when they are introduced into the frame 1, the fins 2 'are attached to the frame over their entire height and are therefore endowed with an elasticity which applies them firmly to the walls of the container in place in the support, thus maintaining the latter laterally , and which is likely to return them to their initial position as soon as the container has been removed from the support.
  • the fins 2 ' are oriented towards the axis of the support, but it goes without saying that they can have any other angular orientation ensuring good maintenance of the container.
  • the cylindrical connecting elements 6 and 7 have at their upper part a conical part preventing the male elements 7 from coming out from above.
  • a slot 10 In the wall of the hollow cylinder 6 is provided a slot 10, which extends over the entire height of a generator.
  • the supports can be assembled linearly, or in "racks", by means of their assembly elements 6 and 7.
  • racks can also be hung on a plate 13 (FIG. 9) by their end supports.
  • FIG. 9 shows four racks 17, 18, 19, 20 of three supports each, fixed to the rear face of the plate 13.
  • the plate 13 comprises, on one of its faces, a series of male elements 15, and on the other, a series of female elements 14, these elements being intended to come to fit with the complementary elements 6 and 7 of the supports.
  • the linear assemblies or racks can therefore be hung on the two faces of the plate 13.
  • the plates 13 include carrying handles 16.
  • each support allows the reading of container labels being analyzed by container extraction.
  • the support according to the invention can be produced in any desired size.
  • a single module with a height of approximately 50 mm and a side of 50 mm (width of the rails of the usual samplers) can accommodate all types of containers or pill dispensers used in analysis techniques .
  • the present invention therefore provides technical progress in the field of container supports containing samples, by improving, on the one hand, the system for guiding and holding the container inside the support, and by allowing, on the other part, to assemble them in rows or in rows and columns.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Clinical Laboratory Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)

Abstract

1. A support for a cylindrical container which is used in analysis systems, comprising a frame structure (1) of plastics material forming a housing open in its upper part to receive said container, said frame structure comprising a plurality of tongue portions (2, 2') which project inwardly of said housing from the upper part, said tongue portions (2, 2') being capable of moving resiliently apart from each other to adapt to the diameter of said container and to hold same laterally, characterised in that said frame structure (1) is in the general form of a right-angled parallelepided with rounded vertical corners and comprises on an outside face at least one male assembly element (7) and in a parallel outside face at least one female assembly element (6) of complementary profile, disposed in a corresponding position, the male and female elements (7, 6) being in the form of cylinders with the axis thereof perpendicular to the base of the support, the hollow cylinder (6) forming the female assembly element comprises at its base at least one locking catch (9) and the associated male element (7) is displaced in respect of height with respect to the base of the support by a distance corresponding to the position of the catch (9) with respect to said base.

Description

La présente invention concerne les supports de récipients utilisés dans des systèmes d'analyse à grande cadence de produits solides, liquides ou pâteux, par exemple de produits laitiers. Elle se rapporte plus particulièrenent à un support modulaire utilisable avec des récipients de dimensions différentes, utilisés dans des systèmes d'analyse.The present invention relates to container supports used in high-throughput analysis systems for solid, liquid or pasty products, for example dairy products. It relates more particularly to a modular support usable with containers of different dimensions, used in analysis systems.

On sait que, dans de nombreuses techniques, il est d'un usage courant de procéder à des analyses répétitives d'échantillons de divers produits, soit avant d'utiliser ceux-ci comme matériau de base d'un procédé de transformation, soit pour contrôler leurs propriétés et pour vérifier si elles sont conformes aux normes imposées en fin d'un processus de fabrication.It is known that, in many techniques, it is common practice to carry out repetitive analyzes of samples of various products, either before using them as the basic material of a transformation process, or for control their properties and to check if they comply with the standards imposed at the end of a manufacturing process.

On citera à titre d'exemple, sans que cela implique quelque limitation que ce soit, les analyses effectuées sur des produits laitiers, tels que le lait naturel, la crème, les glaces, le fromage blanc, les fromages, le lait condensé, la caséine, les yaourts ou autres. Dans un tel cas, les échantillons contenus dans un récipient -dit "pilulier", dans la technique- défilent à grande cadence sous un analyseur, par exemple à rayonnement infrarouge, qui détermine pour chaque échantillon un certain nombre de caractéristiques telles que la teneur en matières grasses, en protéine, en lactose, en solides totaux ou en solide non gras.As an example, without implying any limitation, we will cite the analyzes carried out on dairy products, such as natural milk, cream, ice cream, cottage cheese, cheeses, condensed milk, casein, yogurt or other. In such a case, the samples contained in a container - called "pillbox", in the technique - pass at high speed under an analyzer, for example with infrared radiation, which determines for each sample a certain number of characteristics such as the content of fat, protein, lactose, total solids or non-fat solid.

Les "piluliers" ont généralement la forme d'un gobelet cylindrique en verre ou en matière plastique, et ils reposent sur un support rigide, qui se déplace sur l'échantillonneur d'un appareil d'analyse automatique. Ce support rigide supporte en général une pluralité de gobelets et ceux-ci sont logés dans des alvéoles de diamètre approprié.The "pillboxes" generally have the shape of a cylindrical cup of glass or plastic, and they rest on a rigid support, which moves on the sampler of an automatic analysis device. This rigid support generally supports a plurality of cups and these are housed in cells of appropriate diameter.

Aucune normalisation n'existe ni pour ces supports, ni pour les "piluliers" recevant les échantillons, de sorte qu'ils ne sont pas interchangeables d'un appareil d'analyse à un autre et que, si, sur le même dispositif d'analyse, on utilise des piluliers de diamètres différents, il faut employer un support adapté à chacun de ces récipients.No standardization exists neither for these supports, nor for the "pill organizers" receiving the samples, so that they are not interchangeable from one analysis device to another and that, if, on the same device analysis, we use pill boxes of different diameters, we must use a support adapted to each of these containers.

De plus, il faut choisir le support adapté au nombre d'échantillons à analyser.In addition, you must choose the support appropriate to the number of samples to be analyzed.

Le système d'entraînement de ces supports varie aussi avec le type de support utilisé, de sorte qu'en cas de détérioration partielle, c'est l'ensemble du support qui doit être remplacé.The drive system for these supports also varies with the type of support used, so that in the event of partial deterioration, the entire support must be replaced.

L'invention vise à remédier à ces inconvénients en proposant un support modulaire individuel pour récipient ou pilulier, qui puisse recevoir des récipients de diamètres variés et les maintenir fermement en position, qui puisse être rendu solidaire de façon simple d'un support analogue en vue de constituer un ensemble rigide d'un nombre de supports désirés et qui puisse être réalisé moyennant un coût peu élevé par moulage de matière plastique, par exemple de polypropylène.The invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing an individual modular support for container or pill organizer, which can receive containers of various diameters and hold them firmly in position, which can be made integral with a similar support in plain view. to constitute a rigid assembly of a number of desired supports and which can be produced at a low cost by molding plastic material, for example polypropylene.

A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet un support modulaire pour récipient, comprenant une ossature en matière plastique constituant un logement pour ledit récipient, ladite ossature comportant une pluralité de languettes faisant saillie vers l'intérieur dudit logement, lesdites languettes étant aptes à s'écarter élastiquement les unes des autres pour s'adapter au diamètre dudit récipient et pour maintenir celui-ci latéralement, caractérisé en ce que ladite ossature a la forme générale d'un parallélépipède rectangle ouvert à sa partie supérieure et à angles et arêtes arrondis et en ce que lesdites languettes font saillie à l'intérieur dudit parallélépipède à partir de la partie supérieure de chacune desdites arêtes.To this end, the subject of the invention is a modular support for a container, comprising a plastic frame constituting a housing for said container, said framework comprising a plurality of tabs projecting towards the inside of said housing, said tabs being suitable for deviate elastically from each other to adapt to the diameter of said container and to maintain it laterally, characterized in that said framework has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped open at its upper part and with rounded angles and edges and in that said tabs protrude inside said parallelepiped from the upper part of each of said edges.

Les languettes de maintien du récipient peuvent s'attacher à l'ossature par une ligne horizontale de faible dimension et avoir une extrémité recourbée vers la base de l'ossature afin de permettre une mise en place aisée des piluliers et faciliter leur extraction.The holding tabs of the container can be attached to the framework by a horizontal line of small dimension and have a curved end towards the base of the framework in order to allow an easy installation of the pill organizers and to facilitate their extraction.

Les languettes peuvent également être verticales et faire saillie vers l'intérieur de l'ossature, de manière à pouvoir fléchir élastiquement sur toute leur hauteur, lors de l'introduction à l'intérieur de l'ossature, cette disposition assurant un maintien ferme des récipients.The tongues can also be vertical and protrude towards the interior of the framework, so as to be able to flex elastically over their entire height, during the introduction into the interior of the framework, this arrangement ensuring a firm hold of the containers.

Une large fenêtre sera avantageusement ménagée dans au moins une face du support, afin de permettre la lecture d'un code par un appareil approprié.A large window will advantageously be provided in at least one face of the support, in order to allow the reading of a code by an appropriate device.

Afin de permettre la réalisation d'un "attelage" d'une pluralité de supports identiques pour les assembler en lignes sous forme de "racks" ou en lignes et colonnes sous forme de "paniers", ces supports comporteront, sur une face, au moins un élément mâle, faisant saillie à l'extérieur de cette face, et sur la face opposée, au moins un organe femelle de profil complémentaire, apte à recevoir ledit élément mâle.In order to allow the realization of a "coupling" of a plurality of identical supports to assemble them in lines in the form of "racks" or in rows and columns in the form of "baskets", these supports will comprise, on one side, at at least one male element, projecting outside this face, and on the opposite face, at least one female member of complementary profile, capable of receiving said male element.

Les éléments mâles et femelles auront avantageusement une forme de cylindre à axe perpendiculaire à la base du support. De cette façon les supports pourront être rendus solidaires par simple coulissement du ou des éléments mâles de l'un dans les éléments femelles de l'autre et former ainsi un assemblage linéaire ou "rack". Ces "racks" peuvent également être assemblés selon des lignes parallèles et adjacentes au moyen d'un plaque comportant, sur une de ces faces, une série d'éléments mâles et, sur l'autre, une série d'éléments femelles, destinés à l'accrochage des éléments mâles et femelles correspondants des supports. On aura ainsi un assemblage en lignes et colonnes formant un "panier" horizontal permettant de contenir le nombre désiré de supports dans les deux directions perpendiculaires des lignes et des colonnes. L'échantillonnage se fait alors, soit par déplacement de l'organe de prélèvement sur chacun des échantillons, soit par déplacement des supports devant un organe de prélèvement fixe.The male and female elements will advantageously have the shape of a cylinder with an axis perpendicular to the base of the support. In this way the supports can be made integral by simple sliding of the male element or elements of one in the female elements of the other and thus form a linear assembly or "rack". These "racks" can also be assembled in parallel and adjacent lines by means of a plate comprising, on one of these faces, a series of male elements and, on the other, a series of female elements, intended for snapping items corresponding male and female supports. There will thus be an assembly in rows and columns forming a horizontal "basket" making it possible to contain the desired number of supports in the two perpendicular directions of the rows and the columns. Sampling is then done, either by moving the sampling device on each of the samples, or by moving the supports in front of a fixed sampling device.

Les dessins annexés, donnés à titre d'exemples non limitatifs, illustreront à présent deux formes de réalisation d'un support selon l'invention. Sur ces dessins :

  • La figure 1 montre une vue en perspective d'une première forme de réalisation d'un support comportant des languettes attachées horizontalement ;
  • Les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues de ce même support, respectivement en élévation latérale et de dessus
  • La figure 4 est une vue en coupe partielle selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 3;
  • La figure 5 montre une vue en perspective d'une seconde forme de réalisation d'un support comportant des languettes verticales ;
  • Les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues de ce même support, respectivement en élévation latérale et de dessus ;
  • La figure 8 est une vue en coupe partielle selon la ligne IV-IV de la figure 7 ;
  • La figure 9 est une vue en perspective d'un mode d'assemblage en lignes et colonnes des supports.
The appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples, will now illustrate two embodiments of a support according to the invention. In these drawings:
  • Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a support having tabs attached horizontally;
  • Figures 2 and 3 are views of the same support, respectively in side elevation and from above
  • Figure 4 is a partial sectional view along line IV-IV of Figure 3;
  • FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of a support comprising vertical tongues;
  • Figures 6 and 7 are views of the same support, respectively in side elevation and from above;
  • Figure 8 is a partial sectional view along the line IV-IV of Figure 7;
  • Figure 9 is a perspective view of an assembly method in rows and columns of the supports.

Le support représenté sur les figures 1 à 4 comprend une ossature en matière plastique 1, par exemple en polypropylène ou en une autre matière semi-rigide, apte à se déformer facilement pour reprendre ensuite sa forme initiale par élasticité. L'ossature 1 a la forme d'un parallélépipède à section sensiblement carrée, ouvert à sa partie supérieure, à angles et arêtes arrondis. A partir ce la partie supérieure de chacune des arêtes, une languette 2, dirigée vers la base du support, fait saillie vers l'intérieur de celui-ci. Les languettes 2 maintiennent ainsi latéralement les récipients en forme de gobelets logés dans le support. Suivant le diamètre de ces récipients, les languettes 2 sont plus ou moins rabattues latéralement et vers le fond et peuvent ainsi se conformer à des piluliers de dimensions largement différentes.The support shown in Figures 1 to 4 comprises a plastic frame 1, for example polypropylene or another semi-rigid material, capable of deforming easily to then return to its original shape by elasticity. The frame 1 has the shape of a parallelepiped with a substantially square section, open at its upper part, with rounded angles and edges. From this the upper part of each of the edges, a tongue 2, directed towards the base of the support, projects inwardly of the latter. The tongues 2 thus laterally hold the containers in the form of cups housed in the support. Depending on the diameter of these containers, the tongues 2 are more or less folded laterally and towards the bottom and can thus conform to pill boxes of widely different dimensions.

Un support modulaire conforme à l'invention pourra recevoir des récipients de diamètres très différents et suffira en général à couvrir toute la gamme des diamètres -26 à 40 mm- des piluliers en matière plastique les plus répandus.A modular support according to the invention can receive containers of very different diameters and will generally suffice to cover the whole range of diameters -26 to 40 mm- from the most common plastic pill dispensers.

Le fond de l'ossature 1 est constitué de volets 3 attenants aux parois latérales. La forme du fond du module permet, outre une évacuation aisée de l'eau de lavage, l'extraction en bloc de tous les flacons par une simple poussée du bas vers le haut.The bottom of the frame 1 consists of flaps 3 adjoining the side walls. The shape of the bottom of the module allows, in addition to an easy evacuation of the washing water, the extraction in block of all the bottles by a simple push from the bottom to the top.

Pour permettre aux utilisateurs de visualiser l'échantillon à analyser contenu dans le récipient que maintient le support, les parois latérales de celui-ci sont percées d'ouvertures. Parmi celles-ci, l'ouverture 4 ménagée dans la paroi frontale est de grandes dimensions, de manière à permettre à un lecteur de code approprié de lire un code d'identification porté par le pilulier. L'ouverture 5 ménagée dans la face arrière, au-dessous d'un dosseret de renfort 11, est également de grande dimension, car elle fait office de trou d'entraînement sur toute sa hauteur. Le surcroît d'épaisseur du matériau à cet endroit permet à l'ergot d'entraînement de l'échantillonneur d'accrocher sans défaut chaque module pour l'avance du rack pas à pas.To allow users to view the sample to be analyzed contained in the container held by the support, the side walls of the latter are pierced with openings. Among these, the opening 4 formed in the front wall is of large dimensions, so as to allow an appropriate code reader to read an identification code carried by the pill box. The opening 5 formed in the rear face, below a reinforcing backsplash 11, is also large, because it acts as a drive hole over its entire height. The increased thickness of the material at this location allows the sampler drive lug to hang each module flawlessly for advancing the rack step by step.

Pour permettre d'assembler en un "rack" rigide plusieurs supports identiques, des organes d'assemblage femelles, constitués par deux cylindres creux parallèles 6, sont formés dans l'une des parois du support 1, à l'intérieur duquel ils font saillie, tandis que, dans des positions correspondantes de la paroi opposée, deux organes mâles 7, constitués par des cylindres de profil complémentaire des cylindres creux 6, font saillie à l'extérieur de la paroi à laquelle ils sont attenants par des pattes 8.To allow several identical supports to be assembled in a rigid "rack", female assembly members by two parallel hollow cylinders 6, are formed in one of the walls of the support 1, inside which they project, while, in corresponding positions of the opposite wall, two male members 7, constituted by cylinders of complementary profile of the hollow cylinders 6, protrude outside the wall to which they are adjoined by lugs 8.

A la base des cylindres femelles 6, un ergot de verrouillage 9 est prévu à l'intérieur de ceux-ci, afin de maintenir en position la base des cylindres mâles 7, qui est décalée par rapport à la base du support 1 d'une distance correspondant à la position de l'ergot 9. Ces cylindres 7 sont introduits de bas en haut dans les cylindres femelles 6, de sorte que l'ergot 9 s'escamote au passage du cylindre 7, pour revenir ensuite à sa position initiale en verrouillant ainsi en position le cylindre 7. Dans la paroi du cylindre creux 6 est prévue une fente 10, qui s'étend le long d'une génératrice du cylindre, mais est fermée à sa partie supérieure. En cas de nécessité, il est ainsi possible de désolidariser deux supports assemblés en écartant à leur base les lèvres des fentes 10 des cylindres creux 6, de manière à dégager la partie inférieure des cylindres mâles 8 de l'ergot 9 correspondant.At the base of the female cylinders 6, a locking lug 9 is provided inside of them, in order to maintain in position the base of the male cylinders 7, which is offset relative to the base of the support 1 of a distance corresponding to the position of the lug 9. These cylinders 7 are introduced from bottom to top into the female cylinders 6, so that the lug 9 retracts when the cylinder 7 passes, then returns to its initial position in thus locking in position the cylinder 7. In the wall of the hollow cylinder 6 is provided a slot 10, which extends along a generatrix of the cylinder, but is closed at its upper part. If necessary, it is thus possible to separate two assembled supports by spreading at their base the lips of the slots 10 of the hollow cylinders 6, so as to release the lower part of the male cylinders 8 from the corresponding lug 9.

Les ergots 9 pourront être éventuellement supprimés et les fentes 10 ouvertes sur toute leur longueur pour certains supports destinés à être disposés aux extrémités d'un train de plusieurs supports assemblés, afin de permettre un assemblage et un désassemblage faciles de ces supports avec d'autres "racks".The lugs 9 may possibly be removed and the slots 10 open over their entire length for certain supports intended to be arranged at the ends of a train of several assembled supports, in order to allow easy assembly and disassembly of these supports with others. "racks".

Comme représenté sur les figures 5 à 8, le support peut également comprendre des ailettes verticales 2' faisant saillie vers l'intérieur de l'ossature. Ces ailettes 2' présentent à leur partie supérieure un profil arrondi, qui permet le guidage et le positionnement des récipients lors de leur introduction dans l'ossature 1, les ailettes 2' sont rattachées à l'ossature sur toute leur hauteur et sont douées de ce fait d'une élasticité qui les applique fermement sur les parois du récipient en place dans le support, maintenant ainsi celui-ci latéralement, et qui est susceptible de les rappeler à leur position initiale dès que le récipient a été retiré du support.As shown in Figures 5 to 8, the support may also include vertical fins 2 'projecting towards the inside of the frame. These fins 2 'have at their upper part a rounded profile, which allows the guidance and positioning of the containers when they are introduced into the frame 1, the fins 2 'are attached to the frame over their entire height and are therefore endowed with an elasticity which applies them firmly to the walls of the container in place in the support, thus maintaining the latter laterally , and which is likely to return them to their initial position as soon as the container has been removed from the support.

Dans la forme de réalisation illustrée par la figure 7, les ailettes 2' sont orientées vers l'axe du support, mais il va de soi qu'elles peuvent avoir toute autre orientation angulaire assurant un bon maintien du récipient.In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 7, the fins 2 'are oriented towards the axis of the support, but it goes without saying that they can have any other angular orientation ensuring good maintenance of the container.

Les éléments d'assemblage cylindrique 6 et 7 comportent à leur partie supérieure une partie conique empêchant les éléments mâles 7 de sortir par le haut. Dans la paroi du cylindre creux 6 est prévue une fente 10, qui s'étend sur toute la hauteur d'me génératrice.The cylindrical connecting elements 6 and 7 have at their upper part a conical part preventing the male elements 7 from coming out from above. In the wall of the hollow cylinder 6 is provided a slot 10, which extends over the entire height of a generator.

Comme mentionné précédenment, les supports peuvent être assemblés linéairement, ou en "racks", au moyen de leurs éléments d'assemblage 6 et 7. Plusieurs racks peuvent également être accrochés sur une plaque 13 (figure 9) par leur supports d'extrémité. On a représenté sur la figure 9 quatre racks 17, 18, 19, 20 de trois supports chacun, fixés sur la face arrière de la plaque 13. A cet effet, la plaque 13 comporte, sur une de ses faces, une série d'éléments mâles 15, et sur l'autre, une série d'éléments femelles 14, ces éléments étant destinés à venir s'emboîter avec les éléments complémentaires 6 et 7 des supports. Les assemblages linéaires ou racks peuvent donc être accrochés sur les deux faces de la plaque 13.As mentioned previously, the supports can be assembled linearly, or in "racks", by means of their assembly elements 6 and 7. Several racks can also be hung on a plate 13 (FIG. 9) by their end supports. FIG. 9 shows four racks 17, 18, 19, 20 of three supports each, fixed to the rear face of the plate 13. For this purpose, the plate 13 comprises, on one of its faces, a series of male elements 15, and on the other, a series of female elements 14, these elements being intended to come to fit with the complementary elements 6 and 7 of the supports. The linear assemblies or racks can therefore be hung on the two faces of the plate 13.

De plus, les plaques 13 comportent des poignées de transport 16.In addition, the plates 13 include carrying handles 16.

L'ouverture du fond de chaque support permet la lecture des étiquettes des récipients en cours d'analyse par extraction du récipient.The opening of the bottom of each support allows the reading of container labels being analyzed by container extraction.

Naturellement, le support conforme à l'invention peut être réalisé en toutes les dimensions désirées. Dans la pratique, un unique module d'une hauteur d'environ 50 mm et de 50 mm de côté (largeur des rails des échantillonneurs usuels) peut s'accommoder de tous les types de récipients ou piluliers en usage dans les techniques d'analyse.Naturally, the support according to the invention can be produced in any desired size. In practice, a single module with a height of approximately 50 mm and a side of 50 mm (width of the rails of the usual samplers) can accommodate all types of containers or pill dispensers used in analysis techniques .

La présente invention apporte donc un progrès technique dans le domaine des supports de récipients contenant des échatillons, en perfectionnant, d'une part, le système de guidage et de maintien du récipient à l'intérieur du support, et en permettant, d'autre part, de les assembler en lignes ou en lignes et colonnes.The present invention therefore provides technical progress in the field of container supports containing samples, by improving, on the one hand, the system for guiding and holding the container inside the support, and by allowing, on the other part, to assemble them in rows or in rows and columns.

Claims (12)

1.- Support modulaire pour récipient, comprenant une ossature (1) en matière plastique constituant un logement pour ledit récipient, ladite ossature comportant une pluralité de languettes (2,2') faisant saillie vers l'intérieur dudit logement, lesdites languettes (2,2') étant aptes à s'écarter élastiquement les unes des autres pour s'adapter au diamètre dudit récipient et pour maintenir celui-ci latéralement, caractérisé en ce que ladite ossature (1) a la forme générale d'un parallélépipède rectangle ouvert à sa partie supérieure et à angles et arêtes arrondis et en ce que lesdites languettes (2,2') font saillie à l'intérieur dudit parallélépipède à partir de la partie supérieure de chacune desdites arêtes.1.- Modular support for container, comprising a plastic frame (1) constituting a housing for said container, said frame comprising a plurality of tabs (2,2 ') projecting towards the inside of said housing, said tabs (2 , 2 ') being able to move elastically apart from each other to adapt to the diameter of said container and to hold it laterally, characterized in that said framework (1) has the general shape of an open rectangular parallelepiped at its upper part and with rounded angles and edges and in that said tongues (2,2 ′) protrude inside said parallelepiped from the upper part of each of said edges. 2.- Support selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'extrémité desdites languettes (2) fait saillie vers la base de l'ossature (1) et est recourbée.2.- Support according to claim 1, characterized in that the end of said tongues (2) projects towards the base of the frame (1) and is bent. 3.- Support modulaire pour récipient selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdites languettes (2') sont verticales et font saillie vers l'intérieur de l'ossature (1) de manière à pouvoir fléchir élastiquement sur toute leur hauteur, lors de l'introduction du récipient à l'intérieur de l'ossature.3.- modular support for container according to claim 1, characterized in that said tongues (2 ') are vertical and protrude towards the inside of the frame (1) so as to be able to flex elastically over their entire height, during of the introduction of the container inside the framework. 4.- Support modulaire pour récipient selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdites languettes (2') présentent chacune un bord supérieur à profil arrondi (21) de courbure tournée vers le bas, destiné à faciliter le glissement du récipient lors de son engagement dans ladite ossature (1).4.- modular support for container according to claim 3, characterized in that said tabs (2 ') each have an upper edge with rounded profile (21) of curvature turned downward, intended to facilitate the sliding of the container during its engagement in said framework (1). 5.- Support selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que la base de ladite ossature (1) est constituée par des volets (3) attenants aux parois latérales de l'ossature.5.- Support according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base of said frame (1) is constituted by flaps (3) adjoining the side walls of the frame. 6.- Support selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'une large fenêtre (4) de visualisation est ménagée dans au moins une face frontale du support, tandis que, sur la face opposée est prévue une large fenêtre (5) d'entraînement du support.6.- Support according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a large viewing window (4) is formed in at least one front face of the support, while on the opposite face is provided a large window (5) for driving the support. 7.- Support selon l'une des revendications précédentes, comportant sur une face externe au moins un élément mâle d'assemblage (7) et sur une face externe parallèle, au moins un élément femelle (6) d'assemblage de profil complémentaire, disposé dans une position correspondante, les éléments mâle (7) et femelle (6) ayant la forme de cylindres à axe perpendiculaire à la base du support, caractérisé en ce que le cylindre creux (6) constituant l'élément femelle d'assemblage comporte à sa base au moins un ergot (9) de verrouillage, et en ce que l'élément mâle (7) associé est décalé en hauteur par rapport à la base du support d'une distance correspondant à la position de l'ergot (9) par rapport à ladite base.7. Support according to one of the preceding claims, comprising on an external face at least one male assembly element (7) and on a parallel external face, at least one female element (6) for assembling a complementary profile, arranged in a corresponding position, the male (7) and female (6) elements having the form of cylinders with an axis perpendicular to the base of the support, characterized in that the hollow cylinder (6) constituting the female assembly element comprises at its base at least one locking lug (9), and in that the associated male element (7) is offset in height relative to the base of the support by a distance corresponding to the position of the lug (9 ) with respect to said base. 8.- Support selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que le cylindre creux (6) constituant l'élément femelle d'assemblage comporte une fente (10) s'étendant suivant une génératrice, mais fermée à sa partie supérieure.8.- Support according to claim 7, characterized in that the hollow cylinder (6) constituting the female assembly element comprises a slot (10) extending along a generatrix, but closed at its upper part. 9.- Support modulaire pour récipient selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce que l'élément femelle (6) est constitué par un tube dont l'alésage se termine à sa partie supérieure par une portion de diamètre rétréci.9.- modular support for container according to claim 7, characterized in that the female element (6) is constituted by a tube whose bore ends at its upper part by a portion of narrowed diameter. 10.- Support modulaire pour récipient selon l'une des revendications 7 et 9, caractérisé en ce que la fente (10) de l'élément femelle (6) s'étend sur toute sa hauteur.10.- modular support for container according to one of claims 7 and 9, characterized in that the slot (10) of the female element (6) extends over its entire height. 11. Support modulaire pour récipient selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que plusieurs assemblages linéaires de supports, ou "racks", peuvent être assemblés selon des lignes parallèles et adjacentes au moyen d'une plaque (13), comportant sur une de ses faces une série d'éléments mâles (15) et, sur l'autre, une série d'éléments femelles (14) destinés à l'accrochage des éléments (6) et (7) respectivement femelles et mâles correspondants des supports.11. Modular support for container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several linear assemblies of supports, or "racks", can be assembled along parallel and adjacent lines by means of a plate (13), comprising on one of its faces a series of male elements (15) and, on the other, a series of female elements (14) intended for the attachment of the elements (6) and (7) respectively females and males corresponding to the supports. 12.- Support modulaire pour récipient selon la revendication 11, caractérisé en ce que ladite plaque (13) comporte une poignée (16) de transport.12.- modular support for container according to claim 11, characterized in that said plate (13) comprises a handle (16) for transport.
EP19840400953 1983-05-10 1984-05-10 Modular holder for containers of different sizes, in particular for analyzers Expired EP0125996B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT84400953T ATE28524T1 (en) 1983-05-10 1984-05-10 MODULAR SUPPORT FOR CONTAINERS OF DIFFERENT SIZES, ESPECIALLY FOR ANALYZERS.

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8307770 1983-05-10
FR8307770A FR2545708B1 (en) 1983-05-10 1983-05-10 MODULAR SUPPORT FOR CONTAINERS OF VARIABLE DIMENSIONS, ESPECIALLY FOR ANALYSIS APPARATUS
FR8401180A FR2558702B2 (en) 1984-01-26 1984-01-26 MODULAR SUPPORT FOR CONTAINERS WITH VARIABLE DIMENSIONS
FR8401180 1984-01-26

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0125996A1 true EP0125996A1 (en) 1984-11-21
EP0125996B1 EP0125996B1 (en) 1987-07-22

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EP19840400953 Expired EP0125996B1 (en) 1983-05-10 1984-05-10 Modular holder for containers of different sizes, in particular for analyzers

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EP (1) EP0125996B1 (en)
DE (1) DE3464971D1 (en)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0414644A2 (en) * 1989-08-25 1991-02-27 Greiner Vibrograf Ag Chain fashioned holding device having tubes for holding a tubular vessel each
WO1994000238A1 (en) * 1992-06-29 1994-01-06 Baxter Diagnostics Inc. Sample tube carrier
EP0579486A2 (en) * 1992-07-14 1994-01-19 Automed, Inc. Specimen tube transfer carrier
EP0649679A2 (en) * 1989-08-28 1995-04-26 Labsystems Oy Tray for a cuvette matrix
WO1997016734A1 (en) * 1995-11-02 1997-05-09 Byk-Sangtec Diagnostica Gmbh & Co. Kg Modular reagent cartridge
GB2312384A (en) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-29 Coulter Int Corp Test tube cassette for accommodating different size tubes
WO1999055462A1 (en) * 1998-04-27 1999-11-04 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Hands-free gripping device for containers
DE102011114526A1 (en) * 2011-09-29 2013-04-04 Bmz Batterien-Montage-Zentrum Gmbh Holding device for holding rechargeable battery cell, has resilient clamping units which are arranged transversely in interior of recesses, to prevent movement of electrical energy accumulators about longitudinal axis of recesses
WO2023020978A1 (en) * 2021-08-16 2023-02-23 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag Closure processing equipment and method

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2837748T3 (en) 2007-10-23 2021-07-01 Becton Dickinson Co Multi-chamber tissue containment system for molecular and histological diagnosis

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1259678A (en) * 1968-02-01 1972-01-12 Warren Ellsworth Gilson Apparatus for supporting and moving a plurality of containers past a workstation
FR2254243A5 (en) * 1973-12-05 1975-07-04 Montagne Jean Claude Moulded plastic object holder - partic. for sample-tubes, mechanical parts and surgical instruments
US3918920A (en) * 1974-01-07 1975-11-11 Beckman Instruments Inc Holder for sample containers of different sizes

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1259678A (en) * 1968-02-01 1972-01-12 Warren Ellsworth Gilson Apparatus for supporting and moving a plurality of containers past a workstation
FR2254243A5 (en) * 1973-12-05 1975-07-04 Montagne Jean Claude Moulded plastic object holder - partic. for sample-tubes, mechanical parts and surgical instruments
US3918920A (en) * 1974-01-07 1975-11-11 Beckman Instruments Inc Holder for sample containers of different sizes

Cited By (14)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0414644A3 (en) * 1989-08-25 1991-08-28 Greiner Vibrograf Ag Chain fashioned holding device having tubes for holding a tubular vessel each
EP0414644A2 (en) * 1989-08-25 1991-02-27 Greiner Vibrograf Ag Chain fashioned holding device having tubes for holding a tubular vessel each
EP0649679A3 (en) * 1989-08-28 1995-08-09 Labsystems Oy Tray for a cuvette matrix.
EP0649679A2 (en) * 1989-08-28 1995-04-26 Labsystems Oy Tray for a cuvette matrix
WO1994000238A1 (en) * 1992-06-29 1994-01-06 Baxter Diagnostics Inc. Sample tube carrier
US5651941A (en) * 1992-06-29 1997-07-29 Dade International Inc. Sample tube carrier
EP0579486A2 (en) * 1992-07-14 1994-01-19 Automed, Inc. Specimen tube transfer carrier
EP0579486A3 (en) * 1992-07-14 1994-06-15 Automed Inc Specimen tube transfer carrier
WO1997016734A1 (en) * 1995-11-02 1997-05-09 Byk-Sangtec Diagnostica Gmbh & Co. Kg Modular reagent cartridge
GB2312384A (en) * 1996-04-23 1997-10-29 Coulter Int Corp Test tube cassette for accommodating different size tubes
GB2312384B (en) * 1996-04-23 1999-08-25 Coulter Int Corp Test tube cassette for accommodating different tube sizes
WO1999055462A1 (en) * 1998-04-27 1999-11-04 Beckman Coulter, Inc. Hands-free gripping device for containers
DE102011114526A1 (en) * 2011-09-29 2013-04-04 Bmz Batterien-Montage-Zentrum Gmbh Holding device for holding rechargeable battery cell, has resilient clamping units which are arranged transversely in interior of recesses, to prevent movement of electrical energy accumulators about longitudinal axis of recesses
WO2023020978A1 (en) * 2021-08-16 2023-02-23 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ag Closure processing equipment and method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0125996B1 (en) 1987-07-22
DE3464971D1 (en) 1987-08-27

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