Retaining clip for retaining a square bottle on a shaking platform of a laboratory shaking device

Abstract

The invention relates to a holding clip (2) for holding a square bottle (3) having flat sides (31) on an oscillation platform (12, 53) of a laboratory oscillation device (1, 5), comprising a base plate (20) having a securing means (201) for securing the holding clip (2) on the oscillation platform (12, 53), at least two holding arms (21) protruding from the base plate (20), which form a container accommodation space (23) arranged between the holding arms (21), and at least one elastic tensioning element (22) tensioned between the holding arms (21), wherein at least one flat abutment surface (215, 43) for abutting against a bottle (3) is arranged on the holding arms (21) respectively, and the holding arms (21) are constructed in such a way that the flat abutment surfaces (215, 43) can be abutted flat against one of the flat sides (31) of the square bottle (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a holding clip for holding a square bottle with flat sides on a shaking platform of a laboratory shaking device. Background Art

[0002] Similar laboratory oscillating devices include, for example, laboratory shakers and shaking incubators, and are used in numerous laboratories, for example in chemistry, pharmacy, biotechnology, microbiology, and many other fields. They are available as small desktop devices or large stand-alone units. These devices typically have one or more shaking platforms or trays on which a variety of containers, such as bottles, Erlenmeyer flasks, and microtiter plates, can be supported. The shaking platforms move at a generally adjustable speed, such as linear back-and-forth motion, orbital rotation, or three-dimensional tumbling motion. This allows the contents of the containers to be mixed and / or kept in motion on the shaking platforms. In the case of laboratory shakers, the shaking platforms can be exposed to the laboratory atmosphere or covered by a lid. Shaking incubators, on the other hand, have an interior space enclosed by a housing, in which several shaking platforms are typically arranged, moving individually or together, and controlled conditions exist within the interior space, such as a certain temperature and / or air humidity, and optionally a certain gas composition. Laboratory shakers and shaking incubators of the same type are described, for example, in EP 1201297 A1, WO 2005 / 107931 A1, EP 1445307 A1 and EP 1949955 A1 and are marketed by Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. under the name “Fisherbrand TM Schüttler", "Thermo Scientific TM Solaris TM and Thermo Scientific TM MaxQ TM "supply.

[0003] It is known to equip oscillating platforms of similar devices with various accessories to facilitate securing various containers to the oscillating platform, for example, using retaining clamps, holders, and webs. Retaining clamps of this type are known for round containers, such as Erlenmeyer flasks and bottles. These retaining clamps are typically secured to the oscillating platform using screws. These oscillating platforms have multiple holes, allowing the retaining clamp to be secured to the oscillating platform in a variety of positions as flexibly as possible. The retaining clamp typically includes a base plate with securing means for securing the retaining clamp to the oscillating platform, such as holes for screws. Furthermore, these retaining clamps typically include at least two retaining arms protruding from the base plate, which define a container-receiving space between the retaining arms. The retaining arms are typically secured to the base plate so that, due to the inherent elasticity of the retaining arm material (such as thin metal sheet or plastic), they can move toward or away from each other in the direction of the container-receiving space. At least one elastic pulling element, such as a spring, particularly a metal spring, is typically tensioned between the retaining arms. This allows the retaining arms to be pulled apart against the pulling force of the pulling element, which then pulls the arms toward each other. During use, the retaining arms are pulled apart counter to the pulling force of the pulling element, and then, for example, a bottle or Erlenmeyer flask is placed in the container receiving space. The pulling force of the pulling element causes the retaining arms, and often the pulling element, to rest against the bottle or Erlenmeyer flask, thereby securing it in the container receiving space. In known retaining clamps, the elasticity of the pulling element is particularly utilized to enable the retaining clamp to follow the circular contour of the container to be received, thereby tightly resting against the container and being able to engage it at a certain distance.

[0004] Extensive research by the inventors of the present invention has revealed that conventional retaining clamps designed for round containers are poorly or completely unsuitable for square containers, such as square bottles with flat sides. Attempting to use conventional retaining clamps designed for round containers to retain square bottles presents several problems. First, these retaining clamps typically form a circular receiving opening for the bottom of a bottle accommodated in the container receiving space, using their retaining arms and at least one pulling element. This means that the bottom of the square container itself cannot be used to pull the retaining arms apart when the container is placed in the container receiving space. While round containers, such as Erlenmeyer flasks, can be easily inserted into the retaining clamp with one hand, this is not the case with square containers. The retaining arms must be manually pulled apart with considerable effort to widen the receiving opening sufficiently to accommodate the square bottle. Furthermore, when conventional retaining clamps are used with square bottles, the pulling elements, which are typically constructed as metal springs, tend to abut against the outer surface of the bottle, particularly at points on the bottle's corners. Consequently, the oscillating motion of the oscillating device can cause point loading of the bottle, particularly at its corners, over an extended period of time, potentially damaging the material (e.g., glass or plastic) of the square bottle. In the worst case, the container could rupture, leading to the loss of the liquid or contamination. Finally, square containers typically have a higher volume than similarly sized round containers, which increases the overall weight of the square bottle during use. Due to the design of conventional retaining clamps, these clamps, with the aid of retaining arms or pulling elements, only rest against the square bottle at points or, at best, along a certain contact line. However, this corresponding point-like or line-like contact is insufficient to securely hold the bottle's considerable weight in the retaining clamp. Therefore, during operation, in addition to the movement caused by the oscillating platform, the square bottle in the retaining clamp undergoes another uncontrolled movement. This can, on the one hand, lead to the formation of harmful foam in the bottle. On the other hand, there is also the risk that the square bottle will not be sufficiently secured, detaching from the retaining clamp during operation and becoming damaged. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In light of this, the present invention aims to provide a retaining clamp suitable for square bottles with flat sides. On the one hand, it is necessary to reliably secure such containers on the shaking platform of a laboratory shaking device for extended periods of time. On the other hand, the square bottles should not be subject to significant wear during operation. Simplicity of operation is also a desired goal.

[0006] The solution for achieving the above-mentioned object of the present invention is a retaining clip in the independent claim. Preferred improvements are described in the dependent claims.

[0007] In particular, the solution is implemented in a holder clip of the type mentioned at the outset by arranging at least one flat abutment surface on the holding arm for abutment against the bottle, respectively, and by constructing the holding arm such that the flat abutment surface can abut flat against one of the flat sides of the square bottle. In the prior art, the holding arm and all other elements thereof that come into contact with the square bottle and in particular with the flat sides of the square bottle, abut only point-like or line-like thereon. According to the invention, the flat abutment surface provided for this purpose can come into contact with the square bottle and in particular with its sides flat. That is to say, it is a two-dimensionally extending contact surface, by the entire two-dimensional extension of which the flat abutment surface can come into contact with the square bottle and in particular with its sides. In this way, the entire contact surface is available for force transmission between the bottle and the holding arm, so that a much greater force can be transmitted to the bottle and absorbed by the bottle. Thus, even if the square bottle is heavy, the square bottle can be reliably secured in the holder clip. In addition, point-like loading on the bottle is avoided, so that the wear on the contact points or lines is not increased. Preferably, the flat abutment surface can abut against the sides of the square bottle over its entire extension. The size of the abutment surface is in particular at least 1 cm 2 , preferably at least 2 cm 2 , particularly preferably at least 3 cm 2 , very particularly preferably at least 4 cm 2 , for example at least 5 cm 2 .

[0008] The container-receiving space in this document refers to the volume within the retaining clamp designed to accommodate a square bottle. If a square bottle is placed in the retaining clamp, the container-receiving space will completely fill up with the bottle. Therefore, by definition, all components of the retaining clamp are outside the container-receiving space. However, it is important to distinguish between components of the retaining clamp that directly limit the container-receiving space and components that are located away from the container-receiving space. Once the square bottle is placed in the retaining clamp, the components of the retaining clamp that limit the container-receiving space abut or contact the square bottle. For example, a flat abutment surface arranged on a retaining arm defines the container-receiving space. If a square bottle is placed in the retaining clamp, this flat abutment surface abuts it flatly. When a retaining clamp component is described as being "outside the container-receiving space," it means that this component does not limit the container-receiving space and, in particular, does not come into contact with the square bottle accommodated in the retaining clamp. Therefore, components located outside the container-receiving space do not contact the square bottle. To this end, these components are arranged away from the container-receiving space to reliably prevent contact with the bottle when placed in the retaining clamp. In the present invention, it is specifically provided that only the specially provided abutment surface delimits the container receiving space and can come into contact with the rectangular bottle. This also at least partially includes a base plate, which forms the bottom of the container receiving space and thus delimits it vertically downward. All other elements of the retaining clamp are preferably arranged outside the container receiving space.

[0009] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the retaining arms has a flat abutment surface for contacting the square bottle. To this end, each of the retaining arms has a retaining member integrally formed therewith, wherein the retaining member has the abutment surface. In other words, the retaining member limits the container storage space.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively, a retaining tab may be arranged on at least one of the retaining arms. This retaining tab has a contact surface and is designed so that it can contact one of the flat side surfaces of the square bottle in a planar manner. In other words, the contact surface of the retaining tab delimits the container receiving space. In other words, the retaining tab is arranged on the retaining arm so that it extends planarly along the side surfaces of the container receiving space. When the square bottle is placed in the retaining clamp, the side surfaces of the container receiving space are replaced by the side surfaces of the square bottle, so that the retaining tab contacts them in a planar manner.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the retaining plate, and in particular its abutment surface, interacts with another abutment surface on the same retaining arm to secure the rectangular bottle or limit the container storage space. For example, two retaining plates, each with a corresponding abutment surface, may be arranged on a single retaining arm. Preferably, the two retaining plates, and in particular their abutment surfaces, are arranged substantially perpendicular to one another and are configured to contact two flat sides of the rectangular bottle connected by a corner. "Substantially" in this context, when referring to angles, means a deviation of at most ±15°, preferably at most ±10°, particularly preferably at most ±5°, and in particular at most ±2°. This applies throughout this specification. Furthermore, the retaining plate may also interact with an abutment surface on the retaining arm itself. For this purpose, the retaining plate, and in particular its abutment surface, is preferably arranged substantially perpendicular to the retaining element, and in particular its abutment surface. This is also achieved here by having the abutment surfaces of the retaining plate and the retaining arm abut against two different flat sides of the rectangular bottle connected by a corner. In other words, the abutment surface of the retaining tab or the abutment surface of the retaining tab and the retaining arm delimits two side surfaces of the container receiving space connected by a corner. In this way, the retaining arm securely receives the corner of a square bottle via the at least one retaining tab, thereby helping to securely and effectively hold the bottle in the retaining clip.

[0012] As a supplement or alternative to the abutment surface provided directly on the retaining arm, the retaining arm may also be equipped with a separate container bearing. For example, preferably, a detachable container bearing is arranged on the retaining arm, which can be fixed to the retaining arm by a fixing device, wherein the container bearing has an abutment surface. Separable means that the container bearing can be removed from the retaining arm in a non-destructive and reversible manner and can be installed again. To this end, the fixing device may include, for example, a screw connection, a plug-in connection, or a clamping connection, such as one with a dovetail guide and a complementary groove in another component. In this case, only the abutment surface on this container bearing or all the abutment surfaces on all container bearings will limit the container storage space. According to another alternative, the abutment surface on both the container bearing and the abutment surface on the retaining arm limit the container storage space, thereby being able to abut against the flat side of a square bottle. The container bearing is constructed as a separate part of the retaining clamp. Therefore, the container bearing does not need to be made of the same material as the retaining clamp, especially the retaining arm. Plastic or metal are preferred materials for the holding arm, while the container bearing is preferably made of plastic, in particular of a solid but resilient plastic such as natural rubber or rubber. In this way, the container bearing that contacts the square bottle can be made of a material that prevents the square bottle from wearing out during oscillating movements.

[0013] The container bearing may have only one abutment surface located in a single plane. However, according to a preferred embodiment, the detachable container bearing has at least two flat abutment surfaces connected by a corner. In this case, the retaining arm with the container bearing is advantageously constructed so that the two flat abutment surfaces can abut against two flat side surfaces of the square bottle connected by a corner in a planar manner. The abutment surfaces of the container bearing are preferably arranged substantially perpendicular to each other. In other words, both abutment surfaces of the container bearing limit the container accommodating space. The container bearing is constructed to accommodate a corner of the square bottle so that the two flat side surfaces of the bottle abut against the container bearing. The container bearing is constructed, for example, as an independent component with a basic rectangular shape, in which an elongated groove with a triangular cross-section is formed. In this case, the abutment surface of the container bearing is preferably composed of the two surfaces of the container bearing that limit the elongated groove.

[0014] In some embodiments of the present invention, the retaining arms are connected solely via the base plate and the at least one pulling element. In an alternative, equally preferred embodiment, two retaining arms, for example, two retaining arms each, are connected by a connecting element in an area remote from the base plate. Thus, the connecting element, together with the two retaining arms, is, for example, essentially U-shaped, with the retaining arms forming two legs and connected to the base plate. The connecting element also preferably has a flat abutment surface and is designed so that it can abut flatly against one of the flat sides of the rectangular bottle. In other words, the two connected retaining arms extend separately from the base plate and then connect remote from the base plate, particularly in the end region of the retaining arms opposite the base plate. The connecting element provided for this purpose is preferably also equipped with a flat abutment surface that limits the container storage space. Preferably, the abutment surface of the connecting element is parallel to the abutment surface of the retaining arms, particularly to the abutment surface of the retaining element of the retaining arms. Furthermore, the connected retaining arms and the connecting element are preferably made integrally from the same material.

[0015] According to an alternative embodiment, the connecting element has two abutment surfaces that are not parallel to the abutment surfaces of the retaining arms. Specifically, the connecting element has at least two flat abutment surfaces connected by a corner, and the retaining arms connected by the connecting element are constructed so that the two flat abutment surfaces can abut planarly against two flat side surfaces of the square bottle connected by a corner. Preferably, the two abutment surfaces of the connecting element are arranged substantially perpendicular to each other, so that the connecting element can accommodate the corners of the square bottle. Furthermore, preferably, the abutment surfaces of the connecting element are arranged substantially at a 45° angle relative to the abutment surfaces of the two retaining arms connected by the connecting element. In this way, the square bottle can be installed in two different placement positions in the container storage space, which are substantially offset by 45° from each other. In this embodiment, when the square bottle is placed in the retaining clamp, the entire container storage space is not always filled, because part of the container storage space can only be allocated to one of the two placement positions.

[0016] Preferably, the retaining clamp can be operated by an operator with one hand. That is, the operator can place a square bottle held in one hand into the retaining clamp and the container receiving space without having to use a second hand. In order to achieve this one-handed operation, according to a preferred embodiment, the retaining arm has a guide component, wherein the guide component is arranged on the side of the retaining arm facing away from the base plate and is bent outward from the container receiving space. Each retaining arm preferably has such a guide component. The guide components each form a sliding slope that funnels the square bottle from above into the container receiving space in a funnel-like manner. The function of the guide component is that the bottom of the square bottle, through a purely linear movement vertically into the container receiving space, pulls the retaining arms apart in the opposite direction to the pulling force of the pulling element, thereby introducing the square bottle into the container receiving space. As a result, it is very easy and simple for the operator to place the steering wheel into the retaining clamp.

[0017] As mentioned at the outset, it is particularly important to prevent the pulling element from coming into contact with the square bottles to prevent them from being worn. Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment, the pulling element is arranged on the guide member and outside the container receiving space. Thus, the pulling element is spaced a certain distance from the container receiving space so that it does not come into contact with the square bottle when it is placed into the container receiving space. This preferably applies to all pulling elements of the retaining clamp according to the present invention. The at least one, and preferably all, pulling elements are, for example, directly connected to the retaining arm and / or the retaining tab.

[0018] Alternatively, the retaining arms each have at least one spacer, which is arranged outside the container receiving space and, in particular, protrudes from the corresponding retaining arm in a direction away from the container receiving space, wherein the pulling element is arranged on the spacer of two adjacent retaining arms. The spacer is designed to provide a connection point for the at least one pulling element. Therefore, the pulling element is preferably fixed to the spacer and is tensioned between the retaining arms via the spacer. In a preferred embodiment, each retaining arm has two spacers and is connected to an adjacent retaining arm via a pulling element arranged on each of the spacers. In the case where two retaining arms are connected to one connecting part, each retaining arm preferably has only one spacer.

[0019] The spacer ensures that the at least one pulling element, and preferably all pulling elements, are arranged sufficiently far from the container receiving space so that they do not come into contact with the container receiving space when a rectangular bottle is located therein. Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment, the spacer and the pulling element are designed so that the pulling element is arranged outside the container receiving space, with the spacer being arranged in particular on the guide element. The guide element is also at least slightly spaced away from the container receiving space, so that the spacing between the pulling element and the container receiving space is further increased by arranging the spacer on the guide element. Alternatively, the spacer can also be arranged on the retaining arm itself, on the connecting element, or on the container bearing.

[0020] In the aforementioned embodiment, the spacer serves to position the pulling element outside the container-receiving space. This embodiment is an original and independent invention, and thus can be achieved even without planar contact with a square bottle via an abutment surface. Specifically, the present invention also relates to a retaining clip of the type described at the outset, characterized solely in that the retaining arms each include at least one spacer, which is arranged outside the container-receiving space and, in particular, protrudes from the respective retaining arm in a direction away from the container-receiving space, wherein the pulling element is arranged on the spacers of two adjacent retaining arms. The preferred refinements, features, and effects described above and below, including the refinement employing planar contact, also apply to this original and independent invention and are therefore omitted to avoid repetition.

[0021] In the case of a square bottle being placed in the container accommodation space of the holding clamp, the at least one pulling element serves to press the abutment surface of the holding clamp against the side of the square bottle, thereby securing the bottle. This applies in particular to all pulling elements. In order to achieve this as reliably as possible, according to a preferred embodiment, two pulling elements are arranged on two opposite sides of the container accommodation space. The directions of the pulling forces caused by these pulling elements are preferably parallel to one another. In particular in embodiments in which the two holding arms are connected by a connecting part, these pulling elements are sufficient and preferably each connect one holding arm connected with the first connecting part with the opposite holding arm via the container accommodation space, which is connected with the other holding arm on the opposite side by a second connecting part. In other embodiments, preferably four pulling elements can be provided, of which two are arranged on each of two opposite sides of the container accommodation space. These respectively opposite pulling elements also have parallel directions of the pulling forces caused by them. In the case of four pulling elements, the directions of the pulling forces caused by these pulling elements of the two pairs of opposite pulling elements are offset by substantially 90° from one another. The directions of the pulling forces of the pulling elements can be parallel to the sides of the container accommodation space or the sides of the square bottle, for example. In this case, the pulling elements are tensioned parallel to the sides. Alternatively, the directions of the pulling forces of the pulling elements can also be offset by substantially 45° with respect to the sides of the container accommodation space or the sides of the square bottle, for example. In this case, the pulling elements are tensioned through the corners of the square bottle or the container accommodation space.

[0022] In principle, it's common practice for retaining clamps for round bottles to provide and use different retaining clamps for different bottle sizes. This also applies to the retaining clamp of the present invention for square bottles. On the other hand, retaining clamps aren't limited to precisely standardized bottle sizes; therefore, the retaining clamp of the present invention also accommodates at least a certain degree of variation in bottle sizes. However, in particular, retaining clamps for square bottles must ensure that the abutment surface maintains planar contact with the side surfaces of the square bottle, even with slightly varying sizes. This isn't a problem with conventional retaining clamps for round bottles, but it presents a challenge for retaining clamps for square bottles. To this end, according to a preferred embodiment, at least one retaining arm, and preferably all retaining arms, has a deformation arc, wherein the deformation arc is designed such that the distance between two opposing retaining arms relative to the container receiving space is variable. This movement of the retaining arm should not be confused with the widening movement of the retaining arm in the area away from the base plate for bottle placement. In addition to this widening movement, the deforming arc enables the retaining arm to move linearly, at least slightly, in a direction perpendicular to its direction of extension, away from the base plate in the area adjacent to the base plate. In other words, this direction is parallel to the surface extension of the base plate and, viewed from the holding arm, points toward or away from the holding arm relative to the container receiving space. In other words, the deformation arc is designed so as to enable or provide elasticity of the holding arm in this direction. This allows the use of the same holding clamp with square bottles of different sizes, where the elongation differences between the bottles are in the order of a few millimeters. To reliably secure the bottles in the holding clamp, holding clamps of different sizes must be used when the differences are significant. The deformation arc is generally designed as a square or round U-shaped arc in the holding arm near the base plate, preferably integrally with the holding arm and made of the same material. The projection or protrusion of the deformation arc is arranged outside the container receiving space.

[0023] The retaining arm is preferably fixed to the base plate by a deformation arc. The deformation arc is particularly preferably arranged between the base plate and the abutment surface on the retaining arm. In this case, for example, when the retaining arm is pulled apart on the side opposite the base plate to insert a square bottle, the elasticity of the deformation arc also contributes to the deflection movement of the retaining arm.

[0024] The square bottle is particularly well secured in the retaining clamp when two opposing retaining arms relative to the container receiving space are pulled toward each other by at least one pulling element. According to another advantageous embodiment, the at least one pulling element is arranged in the region of the retaining arm facing away from the base plate. For example, in a preferred embodiment, two opposing retaining arms, whose spacing is variable via at least one deformation arc, are connected by at least one pulling element. However, these retaining arms do not need to be directly connected by the at least one pulling element; for example, the connection to the opposing retaining arm can also be established via another retaining arm and another pulling element. The important point is that, when the square bottle is ultimately located in the container receiving space, all retaining arms are urged by the pulling element in the direction of the container receiving space.

[0025] The present invention encompasses a variety of different technical solutions for the base plate and / or the retaining arms. The base plate and / or the retaining arms are, for example, made of metal (e.g., sheet metal) or plastic. The base plate is preferably integrally formed with the retaining arms and, in particular, is made of the same material. For example, at least two retaining arms can be used, which are arranged on the base plate opposite each other with respect to the container receiving space. Three retaining arms can also be used. Preferably, four retaining arms are provided, in particular retaining arms of identical construction. The retaining arms can, for example, be arranged symmetrically on the base plate around the container receiving space. The retaining arms preferably protrude substantially perpendicularly from the base plate. The base plate itself can, for example, have different basic shapes. For example, the base plate can be circular or oval. Particularly preferably, the base plate has a rectangular, in particular square, basic shape. This basic shape can be modified (in particular in the corner regions) by attaching the retaining arms to the base plate, for example, by not forming the corners of the rectangular basic shape because the retaining arms are attached thereto. In principle, the base plate is constructed as a flat, planar component. The base plate has a top side that forms the bottom of the container-receiving space and vertically delimits the container-receiving space downward. The retaining arms extend from the top side of the base plate. Furthermore, the base plate has a bottom side that is configured to be fixed to and in contact with the oscillation platform of the laboratory oscillating device. Furthermore, the base plate has an outer periphery that forms the transition from the top side to the bottom side, thus forming the outer edge of the base plate. In other words, the outer periphery of the base plate is its end sides. In this case, the retaining arms are preferably arranged on the outer periphery of the base plate. That is, the retaining arms are not connected to the top side of the base plate, but to the outer periphery. Furthermore, the retaining arms are preferably arranged opposite each other with respect to the base plate and / or the container-receiving space. In this way, the base plate and the retaining arms form a container-receiving space for securely securing the square bottle. In this case, the retaining arms can be configured to contact the side surfaces of the square bottle via the abutment surfaces. In this case, the corners of the square bottle are free and, for example, are located between the abutment surfaces of the retaining arms. Alternatively, the retaining arm can be constructed to contact the corner of the square bottle via the abutment surface. However, in this case, the side surfaces of the square bottle connected by the corner are also at least partially contacted. That is, contacting the corner here also means contacting the two side surfaces of the square bottle connected by the corner. By contacting the corner of the square bottle, a very reliable support is achieved in the retaining clamp. Particularly preferably, the retaining arm and the at least one pulling element, in particular all pulling elements, form an open ring, which completely surrounds the container accommodating space on the side of the retaining clamp facing away from the base plate. That is, the open ring forms an opening for the square bottle to be placed in the container accommodating space or in the retaining clamp. Therefore, the open ring is arranged on the side of the retaining clamp opposite to the base plate.The split ring preferably also has a rectangular, such as a square, basic shape. Alternatively, an octagonal split ring can also be provided. The corners of the split ring can, for example, be formed by contact surfaces connected by corners. In addition to the retaining arms and the tensioning element, other components of the retaining clamp can also contribute to the formation of the split ring, such as guide elements, spacers, retaining plates, and connecting elements. In this case, the split ring is further formed by one or more elements from the group of the aforementioned components.

[0026] Further preferred embodiments of the retaining arms are characterized in that they are arranged, for example, on side surfaces of the outer periphery of a base plate having a rectangular basic shape. This means, for example, that the retaining arms are not arranged at the corners, but rather, in particular, in the area between the corners of the base plate having a rectangular basic shape. Thus, for example, a retaining arm may be arranged on each side of the outer periphery of the base plate having a rectangular basic shape. The retaining arms may, for example, be arranged centrally on the side surfaces of the outer periphery of the base plate. In this case, the retaining arms are arranged on the outer periphery of the base plate so as to be centered between the corners of the base plate. Alternatively, the retaining arms may be arranged eccentrically on the side surfaces of the outer periphery of the base plate. In this case, the retaining arms are arranged offset along one of the side surfaces of the outer periphery toward one of the corners of the base plate, for example, in an area adjacent to one of the corners. For example, at least one retaining arm, and preferably all retaining arms, may be arranged on one side of the outer periphery of the base plate, but extending to one of the corners. Furthermore, for example, two retaining arms may be arranged on two opposing sides of the outer periphery of the base plate, with the other two sides of the outer periphery of the base plate being free of retaining arms. As mentioned above, the holding arms, which are each arranged on one side of the outer circumference of the base plate, can be connected to one another, ie, can have connecting parts, for example.

[0027] Furthermore, the retaining arms can be arranged, for example, at the corners of the base plate's outer periphery. For example, a retaining arm can be arranged at each of the corners of the base plate's outer periphery. In this embodiment, it is particularly preferred that the planar extent of the retaining arms, in particular the retaining element and / or the contact surface, is arranged substantially offset by 45° relative to the side surfaces of the base plate's outer periphery.

[0028] In addition to the aforementioned retaining clip, the present invention also relates to a kit comprising such a retaining clip and a square bottle (particularly a square bottle accommodated in a container receptacle). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a laboratory oscillating device incorporating the aforementioned retaining clip. For these aspects of the present invention, reference is made to the description relating to the retaining clip to avoid repetition. All features, effects, and advantages described with respect to the retaining clip also apply to the kit and laboratory oscillating device of the present invention incorporating the retaining clip. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0030] Figure 1 A laboratory shaker with an oscillating platform is schematically shown;

[0031] Figure 2 Schematically illustrates a shaking incubator with a shaking platform;

[0032] Figure 3 A first embodiment of a retaining clip is schematically shown;

[0033] Figure 4 Schematically shown Figure 3 The retaining clip shown is coupled with a square bottle received in the container receiving space;

[0034] Figure 5 A second embodiment of a retaining clip is schematically shown;

[0035] Figure 6 A third embodiment of a retaining clip is schematically shown;

[0036] Figure 7 schematically illustrates a fourth embodiment of a retaining clip; and

[0037] Figure 8 A fifth embodiment of a retaining clip is shown schematically. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] The same or similar components are denoted by the same reference numerals in the figures. Repeated components are not specifically marked in every figure.

[0039] Figure 1 The figure shows a laboratory shaker 1 having a housing part 11 and an oscillating platform 12. Housing part 11 houses, for example, control electronics and a drive motor, which are used to set the oscillating platform 12 into oscillating motion during operation of the laboratory shaker 1. This allows, for example, liquids in containers placed on the oscillating platform 12 to be mixed and kept in motion. For securing the retaining clip according to the present invention, the oscillating platform 12 has fastening points 121, for example, boreholes for screws.

[0040] Figure 2 Shown is a shaking incubator 5, which is Figure 1The main difference of the shown laboratory shaker 1 is the housing 50, which surrounds an interior space 52, which is closed by a door 51, in which an oscillating platform 53 is arranged. On the oscillating platform 53 there is also a fixed point (not shown separately here) for holding a holder or the like. By means of the holder, which is not shown separately for reasons of clarity, for example a square bottle 3 or another square container can be fixed on the oscillating platform 53. The oscillating platform 53 is moved by means of a drive 54, which is arranged in the bottom region of the incubator here. In the interior space 52, the desired temperature and / or the desired composition of the interior atmosphere, for example a predetermined air humidity, can be set in a known manner. For placing the sample containers, there can also be a plurality of oscillating platforms 53 in the interior space instead of one, which are also moved by the drive 54.

[0041] In the following, a plurality of specific embodiments of the holder will be described. In order to avoid repetitions, not all details of all embodiments will be repeated. Thus, the individual features of these embodiments apply to the other embodiments as well, and vice versa, even if the respective combination is not mentioned literally. Any combination of two or more features from different embodiments is possible and included in the scope of the present application, unless the features are obviously mutually exclusive.

[0042] Figure 3 A first embodiment of the holder 2 is shown. The holder 2 is constructed to fix a square bottle 3 on an oscillating platform 12, 53 of one of the laboratory shakers 1, 5. To this end, the holder 2 has a base plate 20, whose circumferential edge is referred to as the outer periphery 200. The base plate 20 has at least one fixing means 201 for fixing the base plate 20 and the holder 2 on the oscillating platform 12, 53. The fixing means 201 comprises for example a drill hole, through which a screw can be passed. In the shown embodiment, four holding arms 21 protrude substantially perpendicularly from the base plate 20. The holding arms 21 are formed for example from a metal plate or a planar plastic plate. Together with the base plate 20, they enclose a container accommodation space 23 for accommodating a square bottle 3, which will be described in detail below.

[0043] The holding arms 21 are arranged on the outer periphery 200 of the base plate 20, in particular on the corners of the base plate 20, which have a substantially rectangular basic shape, with the corners being cut off by the arrangement of the holding arms, respectively, by means of a deformation arc 213. The deformation arc 213 is constructed as an outwardly protruding U-shaped bulge of the holding arm 21, which serves for both a deflection movement of the holding arm 21 on its bearing on the base plate 20 and an increase of the distance to the oppositely arranged holding arm 21, which will be described in detail below. In the shown embodiment, the deformation arc 213 has a square shape with a bent U-shaped course. Figure 3 In the shown embodiment, the deformation arc 213 has a square shape with a bent U-shaped course.

[0044] Furthermore, each retaining arm 21 has a retaining element 210, which in turn includes a flat abutment surface 215. The abutment surface 215 is designed to bound the container-receiving space 23. This container-receiving space is also bounded by the top side of the base plate 20. All other components of the retaining clamp 2 are arranged outside the container-receiving space 23. The abutment surface 215 is specifically designed to abut flatly against the side surfaces of the square bottle 3 once the square bottle is placed in the retaining clamp 2. The bottle 3 is flatly contacted by the abutment surface 215 of the retaining arm 21, thereby reliably holding the heavy square bottle 3 in the retaining arm 2.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining arms 21 each have a guide member 211 on the side opposite the base plate 20. The guide members 211 are bent outward relative to the retaining arms 21, and in particular the retaining member 210 or the abutment surface 215. Thus, on the side facing the container receiving space 23, the guide members 211 each form a sliding slope that can serve as a guide for the bottom of the square bottle 3, thereby guiding the square bottle 3 from top to bottom into the container receiving space 23.

[0046] Furthermore, on the holding arm 21, specifically, Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, two spacers 212 are arranged on each guide member 211. Like the guide member 211, the spacers 212 are integrally formed with the retaining arms 21 and extend from the container-receiving space 23. This is the purpose of the spacers 212, which are designed to secure the pull elements 22, which in turn are designed as, for example, metal coil springs. The pull elements 22 should be arranged outside the container-receiving space 23 to reliably prevent contact between the pull elements 22 and the rectangular bottles 3 located therein. A spacer 212 is arranged on each side of the retaining arms 21 that is adjacent to the adjacent retaining arms 21. Furthermore, a spacer 212 is arranged on the end of the retaining arms 21 opposite the base plate 20. The spacers 212 ensure that a pull element 22 is tensioned between adjacent retaining arms 21. In other words, each retaining arm 21 is connected to two other retaining arms 21 via two pull elements 22. In general, the retaining arm 21 forms an open ring 24 with the guide member 211 , the spacer 212 and the pulling element 22 , which forms an entrance for the square bottle 3 to enter the container accommodating space 23 .

[0047] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment of the retaining clip 2 shown, the Figure 4The following illustrates the introduction of a square bottle 3 into the container receiving space 23. The square bottle 3 has flat side surfaces 31, each connected to another by a corner 32. Furthermore, the bottle 3 has a bottom, which is not visible in the selected view. To insert the square bottle into the retaining clamp 2, the bottle 3 is moved from top to bottom into the open ring 24 of the retaining clamp 2. The bottle 3 slides along the sliding surface formed by the guide members 211 via the bottom and / or side surfaces 31. As the bottle 3 descends further, the distance between the opposing retaining arms 21 increases, and the open ring 24 widens, causing the pulling element 22 to tighten. The retaining arms 21 are pulled apart until the body of the square bottle 3 is compressed between the retaining arms 21, particularly between the retaining members 210. Subsequently, as the bottle descends further, the bottle 3 slides along the retaining members 210. Depending on the size of the bottle 3, the retaining arms 21, particularly the retaining members 210, may be pushed away from the container receiving space 23 along the deformation arc 213, thereby increasing the distance between the opposing retaining arms 21. In this way, the bottle 3 is lowered until it rests on the base plate 20. The function of the pulling element 22 is to achieve the smallest possible widening of the open ring 24, so that the abutment surface 215 bears flatly against the side surface 31 of the square bottle 3. At this point, the square bottle is fixed in the holding clamp 2 by the contact with the holding arm 21 and by the tensile stress of the pulling element 22, so that it follows the defined movement of the oscillating platform 12, 53, and there is no risk of the bottle 3 falling out of the holding clamp 2.

[0048] To insert the bottle 3 into the retaining clip 2, the bottle 3 simply needs to be lowered vertically from the top down into the container receiving space 23. The elastic deformation of the retaining clip 2, particularly the deformation arc 213 and the elastic deformation of the pulling element 22, allows the entire retaining arm 21 to be adjusted to precisely accommodate and ensure the planar contact of the abutment surface 215 against the bottle 3. Thus, an operator holding the bottle 3 in the lid area with one hand, for example, can simply and uncomplicatedly insert the bottle 3 into the retaining clip 2 or container receiving space 23 without the need for a second hand. This one-handed operation is particularly useful in laboratory environments.

[0049] Figure 5 An alternative embodiment of a retaining clip 2 is shown. This retaining clip 2 also comprises a base plate 20 with a rectangular basic shape. The base plate 20 is in particular square and has a plurality of boreholes as fixing means 201. The retaining arms 21 are arranged on the side surfaces of the periphery 200 of the base plate 20 and are offset eccentrically. Specifically, the retaining arms 21 are fixed to the side surfaces of the periphery 200 in such a way that they each contact a corner of the base plate 20 or are flush with this corner. In this embodiment, each retaining arm 21 also has a deformation arc 213. The deformation arc 213 is designed here as a rounded, U-shaped projection of the retaining arm 21. Unlike the previous embodiment of the retaining clip 2, Figure 5The shown retaining clip does not have a guide element 211. Therefore, another embodiment of the retaining clip 2 (not shown) corresponds essentially to Figure 5 , but this embodiment includes an additional guide component 211.

[0050] In addition to the abutment surface 215 of the holding member 210 of the holding arm 21, Figure 5 The illustrated embodiment also includes an additional retaining tab 214 for each retaining arm 21. In other words, each retaining arm 21 in this embodiment is equipped with a retaining tab 214. Specifically, this retaining tab is constructed at the same vertical height as the abutment surface 215 of the retaining member 210. Furthermore, the retaining tab 214 is arranged on the side of the retaining arm 21 facing away from the base plate 20. Each retaining arm 21 has a retaining tab 214 on only one side, resulting in an overall asymmetric retaining arm 21. Each retaining tab 214 includes a flat abutment surface 215 on the side facing the container-receiving space 23. This flat abutment surface 215 is also designed to flatly abut against one of the flat side surfaces 31 of the square bottle 3. In other words, this abutment surface 215 also delimits the container-receiving space 23. Specifically, the retaining tab 214 protrudes laterally from the retaining member 210 of the retaining arm 21 and is constructed so that the abutment surface 215 of the retaining tab 214 is substantially perpendicular to the abutment surface 215 of the retaining member 210. In this way, each retaining arm 21 can contact the corner 31 of the square bottle 3 in the container accommodating space 23 with the abutment surface 215 of the retaining part 210 and the retaining piece 214, so that the abutment surface 215 abuts against the two flat side surfaces 31 of the bottle 3 connected by the corner 32.

[0051] On each of the retaining plates 214, a spacer 212 of the retaining arm 21 is arranged. Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the split ring 24 is formed in its entirety by the retaining arm 21 or its retaining part 210 , the retaining piece 214 , the spacer piece 212 and the pulling element 22 . Figure 5 The embodiment shown does not have a guide element 211, so that the contact surface 215 of the retaining element 210, and the retaining element 210 itself, extends from the deformation arc 213 to the end of the retaining arm 21 facing away from the base plate 20. As a result, the contact surface between the retaining arm 21 and the side surface 31 of the bottle 3 is particularly large, which contributes to a very secure holding of the bottle 3.

[0052] exist Figure 6In the shown embodiment, four holding arms 21 are arranged on the four corners of the outer periphery 200 of the square base plate 20. However, unlike in the previous embodiments, the holding arms 21 do not comprise holding parts 210. In other words, the holding arms 21 do not have any abutment faces 215 integrated into the holding arms 21 themselves. For this purpose, one container bearing 4 is arranged on each holding arm 21. The container bearings 4 are constructed as separate parts and are detachably fixed on the holding arms 21. Alternatively, the container bearings can also be mounted in an inseparable manner, such as glued, on the holding arms. Fixing means 42 are provided for the detachable fixing, for example in the shown embodiment one, in particular two, screw connections are employed for each container bearing 4. The detachable container bearings 4 can be constructed of a different material than the holding arms 21, such as of a rubber material, which prevents the bottles 3 from being abraded during the operation of the laboratory shaker 1, 5 when coming into contact with the bottles 3. Each container bearing 4 has two flat abutment faces 43, which are arranged essentially perpendicular to each other and form a common corner accommodation 41. The corner accommodation 41 is constructed to contact the corner 32 of the square bottle 3. For this purpose, the flat abutment faces 43 are constructed to abut on the flat side 31 of the bottle 3, which is connected by the corner 32, when the bottle 3 is located in the container accommodation space 23 of the holding clip 2. In the shown embodiment, the container accommodation space 23 is limited only by the abutment faces 43 of the container bearings 4 and the base plate 20. All other parts of the holding clip 2 are located outside the container accommodation space 23. Figure 6 In the shown embodiment, the container accommodation space 23 is limited only by the abutment faces 43 of the container bearings 4 and the base plate 20. All other parts of the holding clip 2 are located outside the container accommodation space 23.

[0053] In the shown embodiment, the container accommodation space 23 is limited only by the abutment faces 43 of the container bearings 4 and the base plate 20. All other parts of the holding clip 2 are located outside the container accommodation space 23. Figure 6 In the shown holding clip 2, the spacer 212 does not extend in a direction away from the container accommodation space 23. Rather, the spacer 212 extends essentially parallel to the side 31 of the square container or arranged in the side 31 of the square container in the container accommodation space 23. However, in this embodiment, this is sufficient to ensure that the pulling element 22 is still located outside the container accommodation space 23, since the container bearings 4 extend from the holding arms 21 in the direction of the container accommodation space 23 and to the respective opposite container bearing 4. In this way, the corner accommodation 41 of the container bearing 4 and the container accommodation space 23 can be arranged offset inwardly, whereby a sufficient spacing of the container accommodation space 23 from the pulling element 22 is achieved.

[0054] Figure 7Another embodiment of a holding clip 2 is shown. The holding clip 2 likewise has a base plate 20 with a square basic shape. Here likewise four holding arms 21 are provided which protrude from the base plate 20. However, the holding arms 21 are arranged only on two opposite sides of the outer periphery 200 of the base plate 20. The other two opposite sides of the outer periphery 200 do not have any holding arms 21. Furthermore, the holding arms 21 are eccentrically offset on the sides of the outer periphery 200 such that they reach up to or are flush with the corners of the base plate 20. The holding arms 21 herefrom protrude essentially perpendicularly upwards from the base plate 20.

[0055] The holding arms 21 arranged on the same side of the outer periphery 200 are connected on their end facing away from the base plate 20 by a connecting component 216. The connecting component 216 is in particular integrally produced with the holding arms 21 and the base plate 20 and is made of the same material. The connecting component likewise has a planar extent and in particular also comprises a flat abutment face 215 which can abut against one of the flat sides 31 of the square bottle 3. The abutment face 215 of the connecting component 216 is in particular parallel to the abutment face 215 of the holding component 210 of the holding arms 21. It is particularly preferred that the holding components 210 and the connecting components 216 of the holding arms 21 connected to one another form a common, continuous flat abutment face 215 which can abut against one of the flat sides 31 of the square bottle 3.

[0056] Furthermore, the holding arms 21 connected by the connecting component 216 also each have a holding tab 214 which is essentially perpendicular to the connecting component 216 and the holding component 210 of the holding arm 21. As already mentioned above, the holding tab 214 in turn has a further abutment face 215 which is essentially perpendicular to the common abutment face 215 of the connecting component 216 and the holding component 210. The holding tabs 214 on the connected holding arms 21 are in particular opposite one another with respect to the container accommodation space 23. In this way, the common abutment face 215 of the connecting component 216 and the holding component 210 can extend essentially from one corner 32 of the bottle 3 over the entire flat side 31 of the bottle 3 to the other corner 32. Thus, when the bottle 3 is placed into the container accommodation space 23, the common abutment face 215 abuts against the bottle 3 over the entire side 31. Furthermore, the two corners 32 delimiting the side 31 are also surrounded by the holding tabs 214 which abut against the other sides 31 of the bottle 3 which are connected to the corners 32.

[0057] On the holding tabs 214, one spacing tab 212 each is arranged which protrudes away from the container accommodation space 23. On the side of the outer periphery 200 of the base plate 20 opposite the connected holding arms 21, two further connected holding arms 21 are arranged which are constructed mirror-symmetrically to the first pair of connected holding arms 21 with respect to the container accommodation space 23. The two pulling elements 22 are tensioned between the two pairs of connected holding arms 21 by the spacing tabs 212. Thus, Figure 7The embodiment shown only requires two pulling elements 22, which are parallel to the side of the container receiving space 23 or the side 31 of the bottle 3. The holding clamp 2 makes particularly large-area contact with the square bottle 3 as soon as it is placed in the container receiving space 23, so that Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, the bottle 3 can be fixed very reliably on the holding clamp 2 .

[0058] Figure 8 The embodiment shown corresponds largely to Figure 7 In the embodiment shown, please refer to the relevant description to avoid repetition. Unlike the above embodiment, the connecting member 216 does not have a contact surface 215 arranged parallel to the contact surface 215 of the retaining member 210. Figure 8 The connecting part 216 in the illustrated embodiment is configured as a corner that projects outward (i.e., away from the container receiving space 23). Thus, the connecting part 216 comprises, in particular, two substantially mutually perpendicular flat abutment surfaces 215 that are configured to abut against two side faces 31 of the bottle 3 connected by a corner 32. In other words, the connecting part 216 is configured to accommodate the corners 32 of the bottle 3 supported in the container receiving space 23. In this way, two different placement positions of the square bottle 3 can be achieved in the same retaining clip 2. One placement position corresponds to Figure 7 The embodiment shown shows a position in which the corners 32 of the bottle 3 are positioned at the connection point between the retaining tab 214 and the retaining arm 21. Another placement position is offset 45° from this position, so that two diagonally opposite corners 32 of the bottle 3 are accommodated by the connecting element 216. The other two corners 32 of the square bottle 3 face the two pull elements 22, but due to the spacing, in particular the spacing tab 212, there is no contact between these corners 32 and the pull elements 22. Providing these two different placement positions makes the retaining clamp 2 particularly flexible. In principle, these two placement positions can be designed for bottles 3 of the same size. However, according to a preferred embodiment, these two placement positions are designed for bottles 3 of different sizes. By appropriately arranging and sizing the connecting elements 216, for example, square bottles 3 of two different size classes can be secured in the same retaining clamp 2. In order to ensure a sufficient distance between the corners 32 of the bottle 3 and the pulling element 22, according to a preferred embodiment, the position in which the two corners 32 of the bottle 3 are accommodated by the connecting member 216 includes a smaller container accommodating space 23 than the position in which the corners 32 of the bottle 3 are accommodated by the retaining piece 214 and the retaining member 210.

[0059] In summary, the present invention can securely hold a square bottle 3 or other square container in the holding clamp 2 on the oscillating platform 12 , 53 in a reliable, low-wear, and easy-to-operate manner.

Claims

1. A holding clamp (2) for holding a square bottle (3) with flat sides (31) on an oscillating platform (12, 53) of a laboratory oscillating device (1, 5), comprising: - a base plate (20) having base plate fixing means (201) for fixing the retaining clamp (2) on the oscillating platform (12, 53); - at least two retaining arms (21) protruding from the base plate (20), the retaining arms forming a container receiving space (23) arranged between the retaining arms (21); and - at least one elastic pulling element (22) tensioned between the retaining arms (21), It is characterized by: At least one flat abutting surface (215, 43) for abutting against the square bottle (3) is respectively arranged on the holding arm (21), and the holding arm (21) is constructed so that the abutting surface (215, 43) can abut against one of the flat side surfaces (31) of the square bottle (3) in a planar manner, and the holding arm (21) has at least one spacer (212) respectively, which is arranged outside the container accommodating space (23) and protrudes from the corresponding holding arm (21) in a direction away from the container accommodating space (23), and the elastic pulling element (22) is arranged on the spacer (212) of two adjacent holding arms (21), and at least one holding arm (21) has a deformation arc (213), wherein the deformation arc (213) is constructed so that the distance between the two relative holding arms (21) relative to the container accommodating space (23) is variable.

2. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized by: All retaining arms (21) have the deformation arc (213).

3. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized by: The retaining arms (21) each have a retaining component (210) integrally formed with the corresponding retaining arm (21), wherein the retaining component (210) has the abutting surface (215).

4. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 3, It is characterized by: A holding piece (214) is arranged on at least one holding arm (21), wherein the holding piece (214) has a contact surface (215) and is constructed in such a way that the contact surface (215) of the holding piece can contact one of the flat side surfaces (31) of the square bottle (3) in a planar manner.

5. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 4, It is characterized by: The retaining piece (214) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the retaining member (210).

6. Retaining clip (2) according to claim 5, It is characterized by: The abutment surface (215) of the retaining piece (214) is arranged substantially perpendicular to the abutment surface (215) of the retaining component (210).

7. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized by: A detachable container bearing (4) is arranged on the holding arm (21), and the container bearing can be fixed on the holding arm (21) by a container bearing fixing device (42), wherein the container bearing (4) has a contact surface (43).

8. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 7, It is characterized in that The separable container bearing (4) has at least two flat abutment surfaces (43) connected by a corner, and the holding arm (21) with the container bearing (4) is constructed so that the two abutment surfaces (43) of the container bearing can abut in a planar manner against two flat side surfaces (31) of the square bottle (3) connected by a corner.

9. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The two holding arms (21) are connected in an area away from the base plate (20) via a connecting part (216), wherein the connecting part (216) also has a flat abutment surface (215) and is constructed in such a way that the abutment surface (215) of the connecting part can abut against one of the flat side surfaces (31) of the square bottle (3) in a planar manner.

10. Retaining clip (2) according to claim 9, It is characterized in that The connecting component (216) has at least two flat abutting surfaces (215) connected by a corner, and the holding arm (21) connected by the connecting component (216) is constructed so that the abutting surfaces (215) of the two connecting components can abut against the two flat side surfaces (31) of the square bottle (3) connected by a corner in a planar manner.

11. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The holding arm (21) has a guide part (211), wherein the guide part (211) is arranged on a side of the holding arm (21) facing away from the base plate (20) and is bent outward from the container receiving space (23).

12. Retaining clip (2) according to claim 11, It is characterized by The elastic pulling element (22) is arranged on the guide component (211) and outside the container accommodating space (23).

13. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The spacer (212) and the elastic pull element (22) are designed in such a way that the elastic pull element (22) is arranged outside the container receiving space (23).

14. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 11, It is characterized in that The spacer (212) and the elastic pulling element (22) are constructed in such a way that the elastic pulling element (22) is arranged outside the container receiving space (23) and the spacer (212) is arranged on the guide component (211).

15. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that Two elastic pulling elements (22) are arranged on two opposite sides of the container accommodating space (23).

16. Retaining clip (2) according to claim 15, It is characterized in that The deformation arc (213) is arranged between the bottom plate (20) and the abutment surfaces (215, 43) on the retaining arm (21).

17. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that Two opposing holding arms (21) with a variable distance therebetween via at least one deformation arc (213) are connected via at least one elastic pulling element (22).

18. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The base plate (20) and / or the retaining arm (21) have at least one of the following features: - provided with exactly four retaining arms (21); - the retaining arm (21) protrudes substantially vertically from the base plate (20); - the base plate (20) has a rectangular basic shape; - the retaining arms (21) are arranged on the outer periphery (200) of the base plate (20); - the retaining arms (21) are arranged opposite each other relative to the base plate (20) and / or the container receiving space (23); - the retaining arm (21) is configured to contact the flat side surface (31) of the square bottle via the abutment surface (215, 43); - the retaining arm (21) is configured to contact the corner (32) of the square bottle via the abutment surface (215, 43); The retaining arm (21) and at least one of the elastic pulling elements (22) form an open ring (24), which completely surrounds the container receiving space (23) on the side of the retaining clamp (2) facing away from the base plate (20); - The open ring (24) is further formed by one or more elements from the group consisting of a guide part (211), a spacer (212), a retaining piece (214) and a connecting part (216).

19. Retaining clip (2) according to claim 18, It is characterized in that The four holding arms (21) are holding arms (21) with the same structure.

20. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 18, It is characterized in that The base plate (20) has a square basic shape.

21. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The retaining arm (21) has at least one of the following features: - the holding arms are arranged on the sides of the outer periphery (200) of the base plate (20) having a rectangular basic shape; - a holding arm (21) is arranged on each side of the outer circumference (200) of the base plate (20) having a rectangular basic shape; - the retaining arm is arranged centrally on the side of the outer periphery (200) of the base plate (20); - the holding arms are arranged eccentrically offset on the side of the outer periphery (200) of the base plate (20); - Two retaining arms (21) are arranged on two opposite sides of the outer circumference (200) of the base plate (20).

22. Retaining clip (2) according to claim 21, It is characterized in that The other two side surfaces of the outer periphery (200) of the bottom plate (20) do not have any retaining arms (21).

23. The retaining clip (2) according to claim 1, It is characterized in that The retaining arm (21) has at least one of the following features: - the retaining arms are arranged at corners of the outer periphery (200) of the base plate (20); - A retaining arm (21) is arranged at each of the corners of the outer circumference (200) of the base plate (20).

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