Modular storage system for a laboratory refrigerator

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular storage system for a laboratory refrigerator. The object of the present invention is to specify a storage system for a laboratory refrigerator, which storage system is suitable for storing reagents, carrying out tests and storing test results, can be produced simply and cost-effectively, is easy to handle and can be easily stored and transported in good order, and in particular can receive the standard laboratory vessels flexibly and by hand within the storage system, in a way that can be quickly reorganized if necessary, and yet still permits defined sample positions in order to allow inventories to be taken in an efficient manner. The object is achieved by the system comprising the following individual components: a refrigerator box (1) consisting of a base (11), a side wall (12) which is provided on its outer face with a handle (121) and can be closed by a lid (13) so as to enclose an interior (14), at least one lifter (2) with hooks (21) and at least one module block (3) for receiving and holding reaction vessels, wherein the lifter (2) and at least one module block (3) can be placed in the interior of the refrigerator box, the lifter (2) makes it possible to carry at least one module block (3), in which the lifter (2) is formed in an L shape and has hooks (21) at its upper edge, and the side wall (12) of the refrigerator box (1) is provided with slits (122) at its upper edge for suspending the hooks (21) of the lifter (21), in order to position the lifter (2) in the interior (14) of the refrigerator box (1), and the lid (13) and the base (11) each have, on their outer faces directed away from the interior (14), a matching locking structure (4) of such form that at least one depression (413) on the top of the lid (13) and at least one border (411) on the base (11) of the refrigerator box (1) are provided which allow locking when several refrigerator boxes (1) are stacked one on top of another, by the depression (413) and the border (411) engaging in each other.

Description

[0001] Modular laboratory refrigerator storage system

[0002] The invention relates to a modular laboratory refrigerator storage system.

[0003] To date, various solutions are known for the orderly storage, transport and warehousing of objects, especially for storage in refrigerators.

[0004] For example, DE 3 434 174 A1 discloses a BAG-IN-BOX that can be inserted into a reusable beverage container crate, whereby the contents can be accommodated in one or more containers and the BAG-IN-BOX can be stacked in several rows and in several layers on top of each other on standard pallets and thus transported, for example for storage in cold rooms.

[0005] DE 3 903 645 A1 discloses a device for storing reagents, carrying out tests and storing test results, comprising a vessel with an opening in the top and a plug-on closure, wherein the side walls of the vessel in the upper region have an inward projection of the thickness of the wall, the bottom of the vessel is higher than the lower edge of the side walls, and the closure of a vessel is formed by a further vessel of the same shape, which can be plugged with the inner surface of its side walls below the bottom onto the outer surface of the side walls of the vessel stacked underneath above the projection.

[0006] DE 10 2004 002 959 A1 discloses a device with a positioning structure for producing a rack, tray, rinsing device or sterile box for the preparation, storage, transport, placement, holding, provision and treatment of products, in particular for medical, laboratory, sanitary or similar products.

[0007] These previously known technical solutions are only partially suitable for the various, but standardized containers used in the laboratory, such as tubes, bottles, Eppendorf® tubes and Eppendorf® caps (so-called Eppi's), microtiter plates, slides, etc. ..., for the orderly storage, transport and storage, especially in refrigerators.

[0008] In particular, laboratory refrigerators only have a crude organization system for storing laboratory samples or similar items, such as tiered shelves or drawers that may be subdivided. This has the disadvantage that, for example, the rear area of ​​the shelves is difficult to access, as it is obstructed by the containers positioned in the front rows. Furthermore, various sample racks are difficult to stack in the drawers, resulting in a messy storage environment that leads to constant searching in the laboratory refrigerator. This is due to an inefficient layout that cannot be remedied even by using the Tupperware® containers familiar from private households.

[0009] In addition, there are no defined sample positions, which can be assigned flexibly depending on the size of the standardized laboratory vessels in order to enable effective inventory within the storage system.

[0010] Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a laboratory refrigerator storage system suitable for storing reagents, conducting tests and storing test results, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to handle and easy to store and transport in good order, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art, which in particular can accommodate the standardized laboratory vessels flexibly and by hand within the storage system, can be quickly restructured as required, and yet still allow defined sample positions for effective inventory.

[0011] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features of the

[0012] 1. Patent claim is solved. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subordinate patent claims.

[0013] The essence of the invention is that a laboratory refrigerator storage system that can be assembled from individual components

[0014] (= modular storage system) is provided which is suitable for the storage of reagents, the performance of tests and the storage of test results in laboratory refrigerators, as well as being simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to handle and easy to store and transport in good order with addressable sample locations.

[0015] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the figures and exemplary embodiments, without being limited to them. These show:

[0016] Fig. 1 : a schematic representation of a first embodiment of the modular storage system in open 3D representation,

[0017] Fig. 2: a schematic representation of two embodiments of the modular storage system according to Fig. 1 stacked on top of each other, in open 3D representation,

[0018] Fig. 3: a schematic representation of a second embodiment of the refrigerator box with 1 lifter with three segments and 1 lifter with two segments in the interior,

[0019] Fig. 4: a schematic representation of a third embodiment of the refrigerator box with 2 lifters, wherein one lifter is suspended in the slots of the side wall and one lifter is arranged in the interior, in a closed 3D representation,

[0020] Fig. 5: a schematic representation of the third embodiment of the refrigerator box with 2 lifters according to Fig. 4, wherein one lifter is suspended in the slots of the side wall and one lifter is arranged in the interior, in an open 3D representation,

[0021] Fig. 6: a lateral 2D representation of the third embodiment of the refrigerator box with 2 lifters according to Fig. 4, wherein one lifter is suspended in the slots of the side wall and one lifter is arranged in the interior and various module blocks are arranged on both lifters,

[0022] Fig. 7: a schematic open 3D representation of the third embodiment of the refrigerator box with 2 lifters according to Fig. 4, wherein a lifter with three segments is suspended in the slots of the side wall and a lifter with two segments is arranged in the interior and various module blocks are arranged on both lifters,

[0023] Fig. 8: a schematic open 3-view of the embodiment according to Fig. 7, with various module blocks arranged on both lifts,

[0024] Fig. 9: another open 3-view of the embodiment according to Fig. 7, with further different module blocks arranged on both lifts, are oblique side view,

[0025] Fig. 10: a lateral 3-view of the embodiment according to Fig. 7, with further different module blocks arranged on both lifts,

[0026] Fig. 11: a schematic 3D representation of a first embodiment of a lifter with two segments,

[0027] Fig. 12: a schematic 3D representation of a first embodiment of a lifter according to Fig. 11 in open 3D representation,

[0028] Fig. 13: a schematic 3D representation of a second

[0029] Design of a lifter with two segments,

[0030] Fig. 14: a schematic 3D representation of a second

[0031] Embodiment of a lifter according to Fig. 13 in open 3D representation,

[0032] Fig. 15: a schematic 3D representation of a third

[0033] Design of a lifter with three segments,

[0034] Fig. 16: a schematic 3D representation of a third

[0035] Embodiment of a lifter according to Fig. 15 with three segments in open 3D representation,

[0036] Fig. 17: a schematic 3D representation of a first embodiment of a module block for thinner tubes, Fig. 18: a schematic 3D representation of a second embodiment of a module block for thicker tubes,

[0037] Fig. 19: a schematic 3D representation of a first embodiment of a cover for the module block according to Fig. 17,

[0038] Fig. 20: a schematic 3D representation of a second embodiment of a cover for the module block according to Fig. 18,

[0039] Fig. 21: a schematic 3D representation of a third

[0040] Design of a module block for lumpy parts,

[0041] Fig. 22: a schematic 3D representation of a fourth

[0042] Design of a module block for lumpy parts with three sub-chambers,

[0043] Fig. 23: a schematic 3D representation of a fifth embodiment of a module block for three bottles,

[0044] Fig. 24: a schematic 3D representation of a sixth embodiment of a module block for bottles,

[0045] Fig. 25: a schematic 3D representation of a seventh embodiment of a module block for ten tubes,

[0046] Fig. 26: a schematic 3D representation of an eighth embodiment of a module block for ten bottles,

[0047] Fig. 27: a schematic closed 3D representation of a ninth embodiment of a module block for slides,

[0048] Fig. 28: a schematic open 3D representation of the eighth embodiment of a module block for slides according to Fig. 27,

[0049] Fig. 29: a schematic closed 3D representation of an eleventh embodiment of a module block for 2 ml and 5 ml Eppi's, Fig. 30: a schematic closed 3D representation of a twelfth embodiment of a module block 2 ml and 5 ml Eppi's according to Fig. 29 in a refrigerator box,

[0050] Fig. 31: a schematic closed 3D representation of a thirteenth embodiment of a module block for slides, Fig. 32: a schematic closed 3D representation of an embodiment of a module block for slides according to Fig. 31 rotated by 180° “upside down”.

[0051] The modular laboratory refrigerator storage system for storing, in particular, standardized laboratory vessels for reagents, conducting tests and storing test results in a laboratory refrigerator comprises the following individual components:

[0052] - a refrigerator box (1) consisting of a base (11), a side wall (12) which is provided on its outside with a handle (121) and which can be closed with a lid (13) so that an interior space (14) is enclosed by them (see Fig. 1),

[0053] - at least one lifter (2) with hook (21) (see Fig. 3 to 6) and

[0054] - at least one module block (3) for receiving and holding reaction vessels (see Fig. 8 to 10), wherein the lifter (2) and at least one module block (3) can be placed in the interior of the refrigerator box, at least one module block (3) can be carried by means of the lifter (2), in which the lifter (2) is L-shaped and has hooks (21) on its upper edge, and the side wall (12) of the refrigerator box (1) is provided with slots (122) on its upper edge for suspending the hooks (21) of the lifter (21) in order to position the lifter (2) in the interior (14) of the refrigerator box (1) (see Fig.11 to 16), and the lid (13) and the base (11) each have a suitable locking structure (4) on their outer sides facing away from the interior (14) in the form that at least one recess (413) is provided on the upper side of the lid (13) and at least one edge (411) is provided on the base (11) of the refrigerator box (1), which enable locking when several refrigerator boxes (1) are stacked on top of one another, in which the recess (413) and edge (411) engage with one another (see Fig. 1 to 2).

[0055] The individual components of the storage system are designed so that all standardized laboratory vessels, from 2 ml and 5 ml Eppis to 15 ml and 50 ml tubes, 10 to 80 ml flacons, 250 ml and 250 ml bottles, microscope slides, etc., can be stored in an addressable manner using the module blocks (3) (see Figs. 17 to 32). The individual components are serviceable and replaceable as wear parts. The differently designed module blocks (3) serve to hold the various standardized laboratory vessels (see Figs. 17 to 32).

[0056] Optionally, guide rails (123) can also be attached to the inside of the side wall (12) of the refrigerator box (1), which guide the lifter (2) along the side wall (12) when lifting it in and out and prevent the module blocks (3) from tipping off the lifter (2).

[0057] Advantageously, the individual components are made of plastic and are manufactured using known plastic extrusion or embossing processes or by 3D printing.

[0058] A particular advantage is that the refrigerator box of the storage system has a handle on one of its outer sides, with which the box can be easily handled by the human hand, for example, for inserting or removing it from the refrigerator.

[0059] The Lifter (2)

[0060] - allows the contents of the refrigerator box to be lifted out in the form of modular blocks (3) to make them easier to access,

[0061] - has a wing that is divided into segments (basically 1, 2, 3 or more segments are possible),

[0062] - has locking structures (holes, grooves) in each segment, into which the module blocks (3) with a corresponding matching counter structure on their block underside can lock on the segment surfaces (further structures on the segment surface are optional, into which other laboratory vessels can lock directly, e.g. locking groove for standard well plates, etc.),

[0063] - has one or more hooks (21) on its back, for hanging in the slots (122) of the side wall (12) of the refrigerator box edge, and - can have lateral extensions on its back wall, which are guided by the optional guide rails (123) along the side wall (12) of the refrigerator box (1), and thus prevent tipping due to the load when lifting the lifter (2) in and out.

[0064] The module block (3) is used to hold and hold standardized reaction vessels.

[0065] The module block (3) for reaction 1.5 ml / 1.5 - 2 ml / 5 ml

[0066] (Eppis) has the following characteristics:

[0067] -each with corner columns, which have the segment structure (holes, grooves) and allow a locking stacking with other blocks,

[0068] - Corner columns have a height corresponding to the required space for the reaction vessels,

[0069] - with slots for the reaction vessels (with recesses of appropriate size),

[0070] - with optional lid (dark storage) for 0.5 ml Eppis, 1.5 to 2 ml Eppis and 5 ml Eppis.

[0071] The covers for module blocks (3) for from 0.5 to 5 ml

[0072] (lid in have the following characteristics:

[0073] - Recesses for the corner columns, the corner columns also lock the lid,

[0074] - the blocks can be stacked on top of each other with or without lids.

[0075] The module block (3) for 50 ml (Falcons) has

[0076] Features on:

[0077] The design of this module block (3) is potentially also possible with corner columns (of an appropriate height to accommodate the reaction vessels), which feature locking structures (holes, grooves) and allow for locking stacking with other module blocks (3). However, given the overall height of the module block (3) (including the reaction vessel), further stacking options can be omitted if the total height of the refrigerator box is already exhausted.

[0078] The module block (3) for 15 ml reaction vessels (Falcons) has the following features:

[0079] The design of this module block (3) is potentially also possible with corner columns (of appropriate height to suit the reaction vessels), which have locking structures (holes, grooves) and allow locking stacking with other module blocks (3).

[0080] However, given the total height of the module block (3) (including reaction vessel), further stacking options can be omitted if the total height of the refrigerator box (1) is already exhausted.

[0081] The module block (3) as a slide box (slide box with lid) has the following features:

[0082] Lid of this slide box:

[0083] -Top of lid with inverted segment structures (holes, grooves) that allow locking stacking with other blocks,

[0084] -Underside of the lid with a circumferential recess on the edge that locks into the edge of the slide box when closed, as well as a hook on the underside that allows the opened lid to be hung on the edge of the slide box.

[0085] The module block (3) can also be designed as a coverslip box with a lid (like a microscope slide box).

[0086] The module block (3) as -Box, with lid

[0087] Features on:

[0088] - optionally equipped with inserts for standard material,

[0089] - spans an area of ​​1, 2 or 3 segments (e.g.: spanning 2 segments), - serves for the storage of non-standardized utensils, as well as dark storage,

[0090] - has a loose lid (for dark storage),

[0091] - Lid top with inverted locking structure (holes, grooves), which allows locking stacking with other blocks

[0092] - Lid underside with a circumferential recess that locks into the edge of the slide box when closed, as well as a hook on the underside that allows the opened lid to be hung on the edge of the slide box.

[0093] The module block (3) in the form of inserts for the to individually changeable the has the following features:

[0094] - for slides

[0095] - for reaction vessels: 1.5 - 2 ml or 0.5 ml (Eppis)

[0096] The (4) in the form of invaginated structures on the upper side of the li have the following characteristics:

[0097] - one circumferential groove and holes (troughs)

[0098] - further recesses are optional (e.g. groove for corrugated sheets)

[0099] The locking structures (4) in the form of protruding structures at the bottom of the module blocks (3) have the following features:

[0100] - allow locking into the lifter segments and stacking of the blocks among each other

[0101] Examples for 1 using the example of a block for reaction vessels for 1.5-2 ml

[0102] - Pins (locking in holes)

[0103] - Edges (locking in grooves) (or also: spring, locking in groove)

[0104] - Combination of tenons and edges

[0105] Examples for 2 using the example of a storage box (bottom side facing upwards)

[0106] - Tenons, complete for all spanned segments

[0107] - Cones, of which only the outer structures of the spanned segments - Edges (or edge sections), complete for all spanned segments

[0108] - Edges (or edge sections), of which only the outer structures of the spanned segments

[0109] - Combination of tenons and edges, complete for all spanned segments

[0110] - Combination of tenons and edges, of which only the outer structures of the spanned segments

[0111] The modular structure can also have the following features:

[0112] 1 or 2 lifters (2) can be inserted into the refrigerator box (1), with the same or different number of segments.

[0113] The possibility of combining lifts (2) of different sizes (number of segments) makes it possible to offer refrigerator boxes (1) of different depths, based on the same segment and block system (e.g. 2+2, 2+3, 3+3).

[0114] The lifters (2) can be pulled up and grasped using the thumb grip along the side wall (12) of the refrigerator box (1) and can be hooked into the slot (122) provided for this purpose using the hook (21) on the edge of the refrigerator box (1).

[0115] This ensures access to the segment surfaces for loading, unloading, and stacking the module blocks (3). The lifters (2) can then be lifted and unhooked from their handles and lowered back into the refrigerator box (1).

[0116] Example of a possible loading with different module blocks (3) (illustration without equipping with reaction vessels):

[0117] The storage system described above has the advantage that it can be used to store, transport and store in the laboratory refrigerator a wide variety of standardized containers, such as tubes, bottles, Eppendorf® tubes and Eppendorf® caps (so-called Eppi's), microtiter plates, slides, etc. in an orderly and addressable manner.

[0118] It is a storage system suitable for the storage of reagents, the performance of tests and the storage of test results, which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, easy to handle and easy to store and transport in good order, which in particular can accommodate the standardized laboratory vessels flexibly and by hand within the storage system, which can be quickly restructured as required, and at the same time enables defined sample positions for effective inventory (^addressable sample locations).

[0119] All features presented in the description, the embodiments and the following claims can be essential to the invention both individually and in any combination with one another.

[0120] List of reference symbols

[0121] I - Refrigerator box - Floor - Side wall

[0122] 121 - Handle

[0123] 122 - Slot

[0124] 123 - Guide rails

[0125] 13 - Cover 2 - Lifter

[0126] 21 - Hook

[0127] 22 - Segment

[0128] 3 - Module block

[0129] 4 - Locking structure 411 - Edge

[0130] 413 - Hollow

Claims

1. Modular laboratory refrigerator storage system for storing reagent containers, conducting tests and storing test results in a laboratory refrigerator comprising the following individual components: - a refrigerator box (1) consisting of a base (11), a side wall (12) which is provided on its outside with a handle (121) and which can be closed with a lid (13) so that an interior space (14) is enclosed by them, - at least one lifter (2) with hook (21) and - at least one module block (3) for receiving and holding reaction vessels, wherein the lifter (2) and at least one module block (3) can be placed in the interior of the refrigerator box, at least one module block (3) can be carried by means of the lifter (2), in which the lifter (2) is L-shaped and has hooks (21) on its upper edge, and the side wall (12) of the refrigerator box (1) is provided with slots (122) on its upper edge for suspending the hooks (21) of the lifter (2) in order to position the lifter (2) in the interior (14) of the refrigerator box (1), and the lid (13) and the base (11) each have a suitable locking structure (4) on their outer sides facing away from the interior (14) in the form of at least one recess (413) on the upper side of the lid (13) and at least one edge (411) on the base (11) of the refrigerator box (1) are provided which enable locking when stacking several refrigerator boxes (1) on top of each other,in which the trough (413) and edge (411) interlock., 2. Modular laboratory refrigerator storage system according to claim 1, characterized in that guide rails (123) are attached to the inside of the side wall (12) of the refrigerator box (1), which guide the lifter (2) along the side wall (12) when lifting it in and out and thereby prevent the module blocks (3) from tipping off the lifter (2).

3. Modular laboratory refrigerator storage system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lifter (2) - has a supporting surface which is divided into one segment (22) or into several segments (22), - in each segment (22) has locking structures in the form of holes or grooves into which the module blocks (3) can lock onto the segment surfaces with a correspondingly matching counter-structure on the underside of the block, and - has lateral extensions on its rear wall, which are guided by the guide rails (123) along the side wall (12) of the refrigerator box (1), whereby tipping due to load when lifting the lifter (2) in and out can be prevented.

4. Modular laboratory refrigerator storage system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the module block (3) has holders for standardized laboratory vessels.

5. Modular laboratory refrigerator storage system according to claim 4, characterized in that the holders are designed for reaction vessels with 1.5 ml, 1.5 to 2 ml and 5 ml volumes, for reaction vessels of 0.5 to 5 ml volume, for 15 ml or 50 ml flacons, as a slide box or for small parts made of a storage box.

6. Modular laboratory refrigerator storage system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5, characterized in that the locking structures (4) are inverted structures on the upper side of the segments of the lifter (2) in the form of a circumferential groove, holes or troughs or others.

7. Modular laboratory refrigerator storage system according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the individual components cooling box (1), lifter (2) and module blocks (3) of the storage system are designed so that all Standardized laboratory vessels, from 2 ml and 5 ml Eppi's to 15 ml and 50 ml tubes, 10 to 80 ml flacons up to 250 ml and 250 ml bottles, microscope slides can be stored in the storage system in an addressable manner, whereby the individual components are auditable and replaceable as wearing parts and the differently designed module blocks (3) serve to hold the various, standardized laboratory vessels.

8. Modular laboratory refrigerator storage system according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that all individual components and their parts are made of plastic.

9. Modular laboratory refrigerator storage system according to claim 8, characterized in that the plastic base is 3D-injected.

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