Arrangement with automatic coverslipper and reservoir for coverslip medium or cleaning container

The described arrangement addresses the issues of incorrect operation, contamination, and drying in cover medium application systems by providing a safe and efficient method for connecting storage and cleaning containers with a single-deck machine, ensuring reliable application of cover media and glasses.

DE102023122888B4Active Publication Date: 2025-04-24LEICA BIOSYSTEMS NUSSLOCH GMBH
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Patent Information

Application Number
DE102023122888
Authority / Receiving Office
DE · DE
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-08-25
Publication Date
2025-04-24
Estimated Expiration
2043-08-25

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing systems for applying a cover medium and cover glass to object carriers in pathological examinations are prone to incorrect operation, contamination, and drying of the cover medium, which can lead to suboptimal results.

Method used

A simple and safe arrangement that connects a storage container for the cover medium and a cleaning container with a single-deck machine, utilizing vertically movable machine and container connections with sealing surfaces to ensure fluidproof connections and prevent incorrect operation.

Benefits of technology

The solution minimizes the risk of incorrect operation, maintains the cleanliness and purity of the cover medium, and prevents drying, ensuring reliable and effective application of the cover medium and cover glass.

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Abstract

arrangement (1) a storage container (2000) for covering medium and a coverslipper (1000) for automatically applying the coverslip medium from the reservoir (2000) and a coverslip (240) onto a microscope slide (10), wherein the cover-laying machine (1000) has a vertically movable machine connection part (1100), wherein the storage container (2000) has a container connection part (2100), wherein the machine connection part (1100) has a machine connection part base body (1130), a machine cover media channel (1110) for the cover medium and a machine print media channel (1120) for a print medium, wherein the tank connection part (2100) comprises a tank connection part base body (2130), a tank covering media channel (2110) for the covering medium and a tank pressure media channel (2120) for the pressure medium, wherein the automatic connection part (1100) and the container connection part (2100) are designed to connect, on the one hand, the automatic cover media channel (1110) and the container cover media channel (2110) and, on the other hand, the automatic pressure media channel (1120) and the container pressure media channel (2120) in a fluid-tight manner when the automatic connection part (1100) and the container connection part (2100) are connected, where the arrangement is set up to do so, by moving the automatic connection part (1100) vertically in a first vertical direction to connect the automatic connection part (1100) and the container connection part (2100), wherein first the automatic cover media channel (1110) and the container cover media channel (2110) are connected fluid-tight and subsequently the automatic pressure media channel (1120) and the container pressure media channel (2120) are connected fluid-tight, and by vertically moving the machine connection part (1100) in a second vertical direction opposite to the first, the machine connection part (1100) and the container connection part (2100) are separated from each other, whereby first the fluid-tight connection between the machine pressure media channel (1120) and the container pressure media channel (2120) is separated and then the fluid-tight connection between the machine cover media channel (1110) and the container cover media channel (2110) is separated.
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Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement comprising a storage container for mounting medium or a cleaning container and a coverslipping machine for automatically applying the mounting medium from the storage container and a coverslip onto a slide. Background of the invention

[0002] For pathological examinations, stained specimens or tissue samples, such as histological sections, are mounted on microscope slides and covered with a coverslip. The covered specimens can then be examined under a microscope. Automatic coverslippers are particularly suitable for applying the coverslip to the microscope slide, as they automate the application of coverslips or the mounting of individual slides. For this process, several slides containing tissue samples are arranged in compartments or slots of a rack or slide holder. The rack is fed to the coverslipper, where one slide at a time is removed from the rack and a mounting medium is applied to the slide. The coverslip is then applied to the slide to seal the tissue sample onto the slide.The consumables “cover glass” and “mounting medium” must be refilled regularly.

[0003] Such an automatic glass coverslipper is, for example, marketed by the applicant under the name “Leica CV 5030”. From the publication DE 10 2012 203 686 B4, an arrangement is known that comprises a storage container and a coverslipper. The coverslipper is designed to apply the mounting medium from the storage container to a slide using a hollow needle. The hollow needle is arranged on a guide and can be moved up and down along the guide.

[0004] US 2021 / 0270857 A1 describes an arrangement with an automated coverslipper and a storage container. A vacuum is created between a slide and a waiting platform while the slide is moved across the waiting platform. The slide can be transported away from an output device using its transfer assembly. This transfer assembly has a floating transfer head that creates a partial vacuum to hold the slide.

[0005] Reference is also made to the earlier application DE 10 2023 117 218 B3, which discloses an automatic coverslipper for automatically covering slides. The coverslipper has a gripping mechanism and a coverslipping mechanism that allow the slides held in a slide holder to be gripped one after the other, removed from the slide holder, and fed to the coverslipping mechanism. Disclosure of the invention

[0006] According to the invention, an arrangement comprising a storage container for mounting medium and a coverslipping machine for automatically applying the mounting medium from the storage container and a coverslip to a slide, as well as an arrangement comprising the coverslipping machine and a cleaning container, are proposed. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] The invention presents a solution for connecting a storage container for or containing mounting medium and a cleaning container to the corresponding ports of the coverslipping machine in a simple and secure manner. In particular, the susceptibility to operating errors is minimized and the cleanliness and purity of the mounting medium is ensured. Drying out is prevented or at least made more difficult. Dried mounting medium is easily removed.

[0008] A first aspect of the invention relates to an arrangement comprising a storage container for mounting medium and an automatic coverslipper for automatically applying the mounting medium from the storage container and a coverslip to a slide. The automatic coverslipper has a vertically movable automatic connection part, and the storage container has a container connection part. The automatic connection part has an automatic connection part base body, an automatic coverslipping medium channel for the mounting medium, and an automatic printing medium channel for a printing medium. The container connection part has a container connection part base body, a container coverslipping media channel for the mounting medium, and a container printing media channel for the printing medium.The machine connection part and the container connection part are designed to connect the machine cover media channel and the container cover media channel on the one hand and the machine pressure media channel and the container pressure media channel on the other hand in a fluid-tight manner when the machine connection part and the container connection part are connected.

[0009] The arrangement is designed to connect the machine connection part and the container connection part by vertically moving the machine connection part in a first vertical direction, wherein first the machine cover media channel and the container cover media channel are connected in a fluid-tight manner and then the machine print media channel and the container print media channel are connected in a fluid-tight manner, and to separate the machine connection part and the container connection part from one another by vertically moving the machine connection part in a second vertical direction opposite to the first, wherein first the fluid-tight connection between the machine print media channel and the container print media channel is separated and then the fluid-tight connection between the machine cover media channel and the container cover media channel is separated.

[0010] The invention describes a simple but reliable way of quickly and safely connecting and disconnecting a storage container for mounting medium from the coverslipping machine without the risk of mounting medium leaking out due to incorrect operation.

[0011] In one embodiment, the automatic cover media channel comprises a vertically extending tube protruding from the automatic connection part base body, with a first sealing surface formed by an outer tube wall. This allows the automatic cover media channel to be very easily connected to the container cover media channel.

[0012] In one embodiment, the automatic connection part has a sleeve surrounding the pipe at a distance, with a second sealing surface formed by the inner wall of the sleeve. This makes centering or fine alignment very easy to achieve.

[0013] In one embodiment, the machine pressure media channel has a pressure media bore in the machine connection part base body. This allows the machine pressure media channel to be very easily connected to the container pressure media channel.

[0014] In one embodiment, the container cover media channel has a cover media passage in the container connection part base body with a third sealing surface formed by an inner wall of the cover media passage. This allows the automatic cover media channel to be very easily connected to the container cover media channel.

[0015] In one embodiment, the automatic cover-lid media channel and the container cover-lid media channel are connected in a fluid-tight manner by fluid-tightly connecting the first and third sealing surfaces. In another embodiment, a cover-lid media seal, in particular an O-ring, is arranged between the first and third sealing surfaces. This allows the automatic cover-lid media channel to be connected to the container cover-lid media channel very easily.

[0016] In one embodiment, the container pressure media channel has a pressure media feedthrough in the container connection part base body. This allows the automatic pressure media channel to be very easily connected to the container pressure media channel.

[0017] In one embodiment, the container connection part has a fourth sealing surface formed by an outer wall of the container connection part base body. This allows the automatic pressure media channel to be very easily connected to the container pressure media channel.

[0018] In one embodiment, the automatic pressure medium channel and the container pressure medium channel are connected in a fluid-tight manner by fluid-tightly connecting the second and fourth sealing surfaces. In another embodiment, a pressure medium seal, in particular an O-ring, is arranged between the second and fourth sealing surfaces. This allows the automatic pressure medium channel to be connected to the container pressure medium channel very easily.

[0019] In one embodiment, the automated coverslipping media channel includes a valve. This reliably prevents unwanted leakage of coverslipping media.

[0020] In one embodiment, the storage container comprises a receptacle and the container connection part. This allows the storage container to be manufactured very easily and cost-effectively, either entirely or partially as a replacement part.

[0021] In one embodiment, the coverslipper features a mechanical toggle lever drive for vertically moving the coverslipper connection section. This allows the coverslipper and storage container to be connected very easily manually, without the need for complex electrical or electromechanical aids or drives.

[0022] In one embodiment, the openings (outlets and inlets) of the reservoir coverslipping media channel and the reservoir pressure media channel are arranged concentrically to a central axis of the reservoir. This allows the reservoir to be connected to the coverslipper without any particular rotational orientation or in any rotational orientation. This allows cleaning to be carried out advantageously by the user without requiring maintenance by a technician.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the invention, an arrangement comprising the coverslipping machine and a cleaning container is proposed, wherein the cleaning container has a cleaning container, wherein the arrangement is configured to immerse the coverslipping media channel of the coverslipping machine at least partially into the cleaning container by vertically moving the machine connection part in the first vertical direction when the coverslipping machine and the cleaning container are connected.

[0024] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and is described below with reference to the drawing. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an arrangement with a coverslipping machine and a storage container schematically in a perspective view. Fig. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a section of the arrangement with a vending machine connection part and a container connection part which are unconnected. Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the section from Fig. 2, wherein the machine connection part and the container connection part are brought close to each other in such a way that the machine cover media channel and the container cover media channel are connected in a fluid-tight manner. Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the section from Fig. 2, where the vending machine connection part and the container connection part are connected. Fig. 5 shows an enlarged section of the Fig. 4, wherein a fluid path through the machine pressure media channel and reservoir pressure media channel is shown. Fig. 6 shows the enlarged section of the Fig. 4, showing a fluid path through the machine coverslipping media channel and container coverslipping media channel. Fig. 7 shows an enlarged section of the Fig. 3, showing the separation of the second and fourth sealing surfaces. Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of a storage container in a cross-sectional view. Fig. 9 shows the container connection part of the storage container from Fig. 8 in a cross-sectional view. Fig. 10 shows a section of an embodiment of an arrangement with the coverslipper and a cleaning container in a side view. Fig. 11 shows the section from Fig. 10 in a sectional view. Embodiment(s) of the invention

[0026] In Fig. 1 is an embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention with a coverslipping machine 1000 and a storage container 2000 schematically shown in a perspective view and designated overall by 1.

[0027] The coverslipper 1000 is configured for the automatic coverslipping of slides 10 held in a slide holder 20 and has a transport mechanism 100 and a coverslipping mechanism 200.

[0028] The slide holder 20 with a number of slides 10 is stored in a container 300, which may contain, for example, solvent. Suitable slide holders or racks are shown, for example, in DE 10 2010 062 543 A1.

[0029] In the example shown, the transport mechanism 100 has a base body 110 and two transport jaws 120, which can be moved back and forth at least in one direction R in order to transport or grasp a specimen slide 10 between the transport jaws 120. The base body 110 together with the transport jaws 120 can be moved in several directions X, Y and Z within the coverslipper 1000 in order to bring gripped specimen slides 10 to a desired position. The transport jaws 120 with a specimen slide 10 received therein can in particular also be rotatable about a rotation axis A in order to pivot a specimen slide 10 arranged vertically in the vessel 300 into a horizontal position, which is required for further processing in the coverslipper 1000.

[0030] The coverslip mechanism 200 has a receiving location 210 on which a slide 10 can be placed. The receiving location 210 can be configured to fix a received slide 10 and / or move it in specific directions. A coverslip medium can be applied to a slide 10 received on the receiving location 210 via a hollow needle or nozzle 220. Using a coverslip holder 230, one of several coverslips 240 can be picked up, for example, by negative pressure, and arranged on the slide 10 provided with coverslip medium.

[0031] The coverslipper 1000 has a vertically movable machine connection part 1100, and the storage container 2000 has a container connection part 2100, which are arranged to interact and in Fig. 1. The machine connection part 1100 has a machine coverslipping media channel 1110 for the coverslipping medium and a machine print media channel 1120 for a print medium. Likewise, the container connection part 2100 has a container coverslipping media channel 2110 for the coverslipping medium and a container print media channel 2120 for the print medium.

[0032] The nozzle 220 is connected via a supply line 221 to the automatic coverslipping media channel 1110 in the automatic connection part 1100. Furthermore, the automatic pressure media channel 1120 is connected via a supply line 223 to a pump 224. In particular, the pump 224 serves to convey pressure medium, such as air, via the supply line 223 into the reservoir 2000 when the reservoir is connected to the coverslipping machine 1000, and thus to press coverslipping medium from the reservoir 2000 to the nozzle via the supply line 221. Regarding the basic functioning of a coverslipping mechanism, reference is made, for example, to DE 10 2011 009 502 A1.

[0033] The coverslipper 1000 is configured to remove the slides 10 held in the slide holder 20 one after the other from the slide holder 20 by means of the transport mechanism 100 and to feed them to the coverslipping mechanism 200, so that an automatic and ideally uninterrupted sequence of coverslipping operations takes place until all slides 10 held in the slide holder 20 are provided with a coverslip. For dispensing the covered slides, a further slide holder 20' can be provided, into which the covered slides are inserted, for example, also by means of the transport mechanism 100.

[0034] In an alternative embodiment not shown, it can be provided that the slide holder 20 is arranged such that the slides 10 are already positioned horizontally and are simply pushed horizontally from the slide holder 20 to the receiving location 210 by means of the transport mechanism. It can also be provided that the covered slide 10 is then pushed back horizontally to its position in the same slide holder 20, then the slide holder 20 is moved vertically by one position so that the next slide 10 is at the height of the receiving location 210, and so on.

[0035] On a display device such as a display 400, which can also be designed as a touchscreen, different information can be displayed during operation and / or inputs from a user can be received in the sense of a human-machine interface 500.

[0036] To control the aforementioned components of the coverslipping machine 1000, a computing unit such as a control unit 600 can be provided, which is programmed to control the coverslipping machine 1000.

[0037] The interaction between coverslipper 1000 and storage container 2000 of a preferred embodiment of an arrangement according to the invention is described below with reference to the Fig. 2 to 9 are described coherently and comprehensively, with identical elements being designated alike.

[0038] The machine connection part 1100 and the container connection part 2100 are designed to connect the machine coverslipping media channel 1110 and the container coverslipping media channel 2110 on the one hand and the machine printing media channel 1120 and the container printing media channel 2120 on the other hand in a fluid-tight manner when the machine connection part 1100 and the container connection part 2100 are connected.

[0039] The arrangement 1 is designed to move the machine connection part 1100 vertically in a first vertical direction, which is in the Fig. 2 to 4 runs downwards, to connect the machine connection part 1100 and the container connection part 2100. This process is described step by step in the Fig. 2 to 4. First, the machine coverslipping media channel 1110 and the container coverslipping media channel 2110 are connected fluid-tight (see Fig. 3) and then the machine pressure media channel 1120 and the container pressure media channel 2120 are additionally connected in a fluid-tight manner (see Fig. 4).

[0040] By vertically moving the machine connection part 1100 in a second vertical direction opposite to the first, which is in the Fig. 2 to 4 upwards, the machine connection part 1100 and the container connection part 2100 are separated from each other again, wherein the steps are reversed, ie first the fluid-tight connection between the machine pressure media channel 1120 and the container pressure media channel 2120 is separated and then the fluid-tight connection between the machine coverplate media channel 1110 and the container coverplate media channel 2110 is separated.

[0041] The machine connection part 1100 has a machine connection part base body 1130, which is formed, for example, from metal. The machine coverslipping media channel 1110 has a coverslipping media connection nozzle 1111 on the machine connection part base body 1130, a coverslipping media bore 1112 in the machine connection part base body 1130, and a vertically extending tube 1113, which protrudes from the machine connection part base body 1130 and has a first sealing surface formed by a tube outer wall 11131 (see FIG. Fig. 6).

[0042] The automatic coverslipping media channel 1110 further comprises a valve 1114, which closes the automatic coverslipping media channel 1110 when it is not fluid-tightly connected to the container coverslipping media channel 2110. In the present case, the valve 1114 is designed as a check valve with a spring-loaded ball. The valve 1114 advantageously prevents coverslipping medium from drying out within the automatic coverslipping media channel 1110 when no reservoir 2000 is connected. To prevent heavy adhesion of coverslipping medium, the valve 1114 and / or the tube 1113 and / or the surfaces of the automatic connection part base body 1130 facing the container connection part 2100 can be provided with a non-stick coating.

[0043] The vending machine print media channel 1120 has a print media connection piece 1121 on the vending machine connection part base body 1130 and a print media bore 1122 in the vending machine connection part base body 1130 (cf. Fig. 5).

[0044] Furthermore, a sleeve 1140, in particular in the form of a cylinder wall, surrounding the tube 1113 at a distance D is arranged on the automatic connection part base body 1130, in particular in one piece or monolithically with the automatic connection part base body 1130. A sleeve inner wall 1141 forms a second sealing surface (cf. Fig. 6, Fig. 7). The tube 1113 and / or the sleeve 1140 may have chamfered edges 11132, 1142 to facilitate engagement with the reservoir 2000.

[0045] The storage container 2000 here has a bottle-shaped container 2200, for example made of plastic or glass, the container connection part 2100, in particular made of plastic, and a container closure 2300, in particular made of plastic (cf. Fig. 8). The container closure 2300 can be designed as a screw cap for screwing onto the container 2200. A container seal 2400, e.g., in the form of an O-ring, can be provided between the container connection part 2100 and the container 2200.

[0046] The container connection part 2100 has a container connection part base body 2130, which has a mounting media passage 2113 with a third sealing surface formed by a mounting media passage inner wall 21131. A nozzle 21132 is arranged on the underside of the mounting media passage 2113, through which a mounting media hose 2600 leads to the bottom of the container 2200.

[0047] The coverslip media passage 2113 serves to receive the pipe 1113 or is designed to receive the pipe 1113. The third sealing surface formed by the coverslip media passage inner wall 21131 and the first sealing surface formed by the pipe outer wall 11131 are opposite one another when the machine connection part 1100 and the container connection part 2100 are connected. The machine coverslip media channel 1110 and the container coverslip media channel 2110 are connected in a fluid-tight manner by fluid-tightly connecting the first and third sealing surfaces. For this purpose, a coverslip media seal 2114 in the form of an O-ring can be provided between the first and third sealing surfaces. The coverslip media seal 2114 is attached to the container connection part base body 2130, there in particular in a groove in the coverslip media passage 2113 having the coverslip media passage inner wall 21131.

[0048] The container connection part base body 2130 further comprises two pressure media passages 2123, a container connection part base body outer wall 2131, and a fourth sealing surface formed by the container connection part base body outer wall 2131. The automatic pressure media channel 1120 and the container pressure media channel 2120 are connected in a fluid-tight manner by the second and fourth sealing surfaces being connected in a fluid-tight manner. For this purpose, a pressure media seal 2124 in the form of an O-ring can be provided between the second and fourth sealing surfaces. The pressure media seal 2124 is attached to the container connection part base body 2130, there in particular in a groove comprising the container connection part base body outer wall 2131.

[0049] Advantageously, all seals 2114, 2124 are located on the wear part, i.e., on the storage container 2000 or the container connection part 2100, respectively, so that they can be easily replaced together with the storage container 2000 or the container connection part 2100. Corresponding maintenance activities on the coverslipper 1000 are not necessary.

[0050] The openings of the container coverslipping media channel 2110 and the container print media channel 2120, or specifically here the openings of the coverslipping media passage 2113 and the two openings of the print media passages 2123, are arranged concentrically to a central axis M of the storage container 2000, so that the storage container 2000 can be connected to the coverslipping machine in any rotational position about the central axis M. Instead of two print media passages 2123 here, more than two or only one print media passage 2123, which, for example, surrounds the coverslipping media passage 2113 in a ring shape, can be provided, all of which are nevertheless arranged concentrically.

[0051] In the present case, the container connection part 2100 further comprises an external flange 2132 with a shoulder 2133, a cylindrical wall 2134 adjoining the flange 2132 on the inside, and an annular section 2135 adjoining the flange 2132 on the inside, which borders the container connection part main body 2130. Flange 2132, shoulder 2133, and cylindrical wall 2134 form a contact surface for the container seal 2400. The container connection part 2100 is in particular formed in several parts and comprises in particular one or more injection-molded parts and a number of seals.

[0052] The coverslipper 1000 has a mechanical toggle lever drive 1200 for vertically moving the machine connection part 1100. The toggle lever drive 1200, in turn, comprises a lever 1210, which is rotatably mounted on a pivot joint 1220 and is rotatably connected to a ring sector 1230 at a first connecting joint 1231. The ring sector 1230, in turn, is rotatably connected to the machine connection part 1100, here to the machine connection part base body 1130, at a second connecting joint 1232.

[0053] The toggle lever mechanism comprises two lever elements 1210 and 1230 that are connected to one another by a hinge. The special feature of the toggle lever principle is that the transmission ratio between the applied force and the resulting force continuously shifts during the movement. The closer the toggle lever approaches the fully extended position, the more the lifting speed decreases while maintaining a constant actuation speed, while the pressing force increases. This allows the automatic connection part 1100 to be connected to or detached from the container connection part 2100 with just one movement—here, flipping the lever 1210. One-handed operation is possible.

[0054] When operating the lever 1210 from an open stop position ( Fig. 2; the storage container is not connected to the coverslipper and can be removed) into a closed stop position ( Fig. 4; the storage container is connected to the coverslipper and cannot be removed), the first connecting joint 1231 moves in a circular path around the pivot joint 1220, moving beyond the respective top or bottom dead center in both the open stop position and the closed stop position, thus locking the position of the lever against forces acting in the other direction of movement. The tension that must be overcome, which is applied to the system during closing, creates haptic feedback during closing. When the bottom dead center is exceeded, the lever "snaps" into the closed stop position.

[0055] Markings such as symbols, text, etc. may be provided on the lever 1210 and / or the coverslipper 1000 to indicate the open stop position ( Fig. 2) and the closed stop position ( Fig. 4) to be identified.

[0056] The connection of the coverslipping machine 1000 to the storage container 2000 to produce an arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention can, for example, proceed as follows: First, the user can place a reservoir 2000 filled with mounting medium at a designated location on or within the coverslipper 1000. For example, the coverslipper can have positioning means, such as stops, recesses, etc., to correctly align the reservoir 2000 with the machine connection part 1100. This can be used, in particular, for rough positioning.

[0057] The user then operates the lever 1210 and moves it from the Fig. 2 shown upper stop position over the Fig. 3 shown position into the Fig. 4. In this case, the connecting joint 1231 moves downwards on a circular path and, via the ring sector 1230, also presses the automatic connection part 1100, which is arranged in a vertically linear manner in the coverslipping machine, downwards, i.e. the automatic connection part 1100 is moved vertically from top to bottom in the figure. In this case, the lever 1210 passes a detent point 1300, which can, for example, have a spring-loaded ball. When the lever 1210 passes the detent point 1300, the ball is pressed against the spring force into the plane of the figure and, by overcoming the detent point, allows haptic feedback, which indicates, for example, the beginning of the engagement of the automatic connection part 1100 in the container connection part 2100.

[0058] When the machine connection part 1100 is connected to the container connection part 2100, the pipe 1113 dips into the cover media passage 2113, wherein the first sealing surface formed by the pipe outer wall 11131 and the third sealing surface formed by the cover media passage inner wall 21131 are sealed by the cover media seal 2114.

[0059] The sleeve 1140 then encompasses the container connection part main body 2130, wherein the second sealing surface formed by the sleeve inner wall 1141 and the fourth sealing surface formed by the container connection part main body outer wall 2131 are sealed by the pressure media seal 2124.

[0060] The insertion of the tube 1113 into the cover media passage 2113 and the gripping of the outer wall 2131 of the container connection part by the sleeve 1140 are facilitated and supported by chamfered edges 11132 and 1142, respectively. This can be used, in particular, for fine positioning.

[0061] The vending machine connection part 1100 reaches its lowest position when the connecting joint 1231 reaches the bottom dead center. Upon further downward movement of the lever 1210, the connecting joint 1231 is moved beyond the bottom dead center into a slightly raised position, which corresponds to the closed stop position of the lever. In this position, a force acting vertically upward on the vending machine connection part leads to a self-reinforcing locking mechanism. In the closed position, the sleeve 1140 rests on the container connection part, or in this case, on its ring section 2135, which can exert a force on the vending machine connection part 1100 in the upward direction in the figure. This causes a self-reinforcing locking mechanism described above.

[0062] During operation, pressure medium, such as compressed air, is fed through the automatic pressure medium channel 1120 into a space 3000 (cf. Fig. 5) and from there through the container pressure medium channel 2120 or the pressure media passages 2123 forming this channel into the container 2200. The inflowing pressure medium causes coverslipping medium to be pressed via the coverslipping media hose 2600 into the coverslipping media passage 2113, the tube 1113 and into the coverslipping machine.

[0063] Once the mounting medium in the reservoir 2000 is used up, it can be separated from the coverslipper by a correspondingly reversed lever movement. This first separates the second and fourth sealing surfaces, allowing the pressure medium in the reservoir to escape, as shown in Fig. 7. This leads to the closure of valve 1114. Only then are the first and third sealing surfaces separated. By separating the pressure media channel before the coverslipping media channel in a temporal sequence, unwanted and uncontrolled leakage of the coverslipping medium when separating the machine connection part and the container connection part can be advantageously avoided.

[0064] According to a further embodiment of the invention, which is set out in the Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, instead of the storage container 2000, the arrangement can also comprise a cleaning container 4000 which interacts with the machine connection part, in particular to clean it of coverslipping media residues.

[0065] As in Fig. 10, it can be provided that the cleaning container 4000 can be pushed onto a groove provided on a housing 1400 surrounding the machine connection part 1100, for fastening. After pushing the cleaning container 4000 onto the housing 1400, the lever 1210 is moved from the open stop position to the closed stop position, as shown in Fig. 10, whereby the automatic coverslipping device connection part 1100, in particular the tube 1113 with the valve 1114, is immersed in a cleaning container 4100 of the cleaning container 4000. The cleaning container 4100 can be filled with a solvent, such as xylene or ethanol, to remove any mounting medium deposits from the tube 1113 and the valve 1114. This allows cleaning to be advantageously performed by the user. Corresponding maintenance activities on the automatic coverslipper 1000 are not necessary. List of reference symbols 1 arrangement 10 slides 20 slide holders 20' slide holder 100 Transport mechanism 110 basic bodies 120 transport jaws 200 coverslip mechanism 210 recording places 220 nozzle 221 supply line 223 supply line 224 Pump 230 coverslip holders 240 cover glass 300 vessels 400 displays 500 Human / Machine Interface 600 control unit 1000 coverslipper 1100 vending machine connection part 1110 Automatic coverslipping media channel 1111 Coverslipping media connection piece 1112 Covering media hole 1113 Pipe 11131 Pipe outer wall 11132 edge 1114 Valve 1120 Automatic printing media channel 1121 Pressure media connection nozzle 1122 Pressure media hole 1130 Machine connection part base body 1140 sleeve 1141 Sleeve inner wall 1200 toggle lever drive 1210 lever 1220 swivel joint 1230 ring sector 1231 connecting joint 1232 connecting joint 1300 rest point 1400 housings 2000 storage containers 2100 container connection part 2110 Container cover media channel 2113 Coverslipping media feedthrough 21131 Covering media feedthrough inner wall 21132 nozzles 2114 Coverslip media seal 2120 Reservoir pressure media channel 2123 Print media feedthrough 2124 Pressure media seal 2130 Container connection part body 2131 Tank connection part body outer wall 2132 flange 2133 paragraph 2134 cylinder wall 2135 ring section 2200 containers 2300 container closure 2400 container seal 2600 Coverslipping media hose 3000 space 4000 cleaning containers 4100 Cleaning container R, X, Y, Z direction A axis of rotation D Distance

Claims

[1] Arrangement (1) comprising a storage container (2000) for mounting medium and a coverslipping machine (1000) for automatically applying the coverslipping medium from the storage container (2000) and a coverslip (240) to a slide (10), wherein the coverslipping machine (1000) has a vertically movable machine connection part (1100), wherein the storage container (2000) has a container connection part (2100), wherein the machine connection part (1100) has a machine connection part base body (1130), a machine coverslipping media channel (1110) for the coverslipping medium and a machine printing media channel (1120) for a printing medium, wherein the container connection part (2100) has a container connection part main body (2130), a container coverslipping medium channel (2110) for the coverslipping medium and a container pressure medium channel (2120) for the pressure medium, wherein the machine connection part (1100) and the container connection part (2100) are designed to connect, on the one hand, the machine cover media channel (1110) and the container cover media channel (2110) and, on the other hand, the machine print media channel (1120) and the container print media channel (2120) in a fluid-tight manner when the machine connection part (1100) and the container connection part (2100) are connected, the arrangement being designed to by vertically moving the machine connection part (1100) in a first vertical direction, to connect the machine connection part (1100) and the container connection part (2100), wherein first the machine coverplate media channel (1110) and the container coverplate media channel (2110) are connected in a fluid-tight manner and then the machine pressure media channel (1120) and the container pressure media channel (2120) are connected in a fluid-tight manner, and to separate the machine connection part (1100) and the container connection part (2100) from one another by vertically moving the machine connection part (1100) in a second vertical direction opposite to the first, wherein first the fluid-tight connection between the machine pressure media channel (1120) and the container pressure media channel (2120) is separated and then the fluid-tight connection between the machine cover media channel (1110) and the container cover media channel (2110) is separated. [2] Arrangement (1) according to claim 1, wherein the vending machine cover media channel (1110) has a vertically extending tube (1113) projecting from the vending machine connection part base body (1130) with a first sealing surface formed by a tube outer wall (11131). [3] Arrangement (1) according to claim 2, wherein the automatic connection part (1100) has a sleeve (1140) surrounding the pipe (1113) at a distance and having a second sealing surface formed by a sleeve inner wall (1141). [4] Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the vending machine printing media channel (1120) has a printing media bore (1122) in the vending machine connection part body (1130). [5] Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container cover media channel (2110) has a cover media passage (2113) in the container connection part base body (2130) with a third sealing surface formed by a cover media passage inner wall (21131). [6] Arrangement (1) according to a combination of claims 5 and 2, wherein the machine cover media channel (1110) and the container cover media channel (2110) are connected in a fluid-tight manner by the first and third sealing surfaces being connected in a fluid-tight manner. [7] Arrangement according to claim 6, wherein a cover media seal (2114), in particular an O-ring, is arranged between the first and third sealing surfaces. [8] Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container pressure media channel (2120) has a pressure media passage (2123) in the container connection part base body (2130). [9] Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container connection part (2100) has a fourth sealing surface formed by a container connection part main body outer wall (2131). [10] Arrangement (1) according to a combination of claims 9 and 3, wherein the machine pressure medium channel (1120) and the container pressure medium channel (2120) are connected in a fluid-tight manner by the second and fourth sealing surfaces being connected in a fluid-tight manner. [11] Arrangement according to claim 10, wherein a pressure media seal (2124), in particular an O-ring, is arranged between the second and fourth sealing surfaces. [12] Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the automatic coverslipping media channel (1110) has a valve (1114). [13] Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage container (2000) comprises a container (2200) and the container connection part (2100). [14] Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coverslipping machine (1000) has a mechanical toggle lever drive (1200) for vertically moving the machine connection part (1100). [15] Arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an opening of the container cover media channel (2110) and an opening of the container pressure media channel (2120) are arranged concentrically to a central axis (M) of the storage container (2000). [16] Arrangement comprising the coverslipper (1000) of the arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a cleaning container (4000), wherein the cleaning container (4000) has a cleaning container (4100), wherein the arrangement is configured to at least partially immerse the automatic coverslipping media channel (1110) into the cleaning container (4100) by vertically moving the automatic coverslipping machine connection part (1100) in the first vertical direction when the coverslipping machine (1000) and the cleaning container (4000) are connected.

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