Shelf for holding multiple culture dishes and shipping package having the same

Abstract

The present application relates to a shelf (1) for holding a plurality of culture dishes (P), comprising a main body (2) having a plurality of adjacent and spaced holding portions (3), each holding portion being configured to receive and support a culture dish (P) in an orientation substantially parallel and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (X) of the shelf (1), wherein each holding portion (3) comprises a positioning feature (4) for positioning a culture dish (P) in the holding portion (3) and allowing insertion of the culture dish (P) from a lateral side in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X). The holding portion (3) and the positioning feature (4) comprise, respectively, a pair of partition elements (11) spaced apart from each other to define a slot (1) therebetween, the slot being configured to receive a culture dish (P).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a shelf for holding multiple petri dishes and a transport package, preferably in the form of a blister pack with a shelf. This application particularly relates to the testing field in pharmaceutical and food processing, and more particularly to environmental monitoring of clean or ultra-clean processing areas. It is also applicable to other processing situations where the cleanliness of the processing area or environment needs to be determined and monitored, such as in the semiconductor, electronics, or aircraft manufacturing industries. Background Technology

[0002] To monitor environmental conditions in enclosed processing areas of the aforementioned types, a common practice in passive air sampling is to place one or more culture plates in the active area of ​​the production area and expose them to the surrounding air, allowing them to capture the largest number of particles in the air. Larger particles tend to settle on the plates more quickly due to gravity. Smaller particles require more time to settle due to factors such as airflow. Culture plates work best in static areas. Airborne microorganisms can settle on the plates individually or as colonies.

[0003] When actively monitoring air in production areas, a microbial air sampler is used to force air into or onto a collection medium for a specific time period. The collection medium can be a standard petri dish, or, depending on the requirements, a nutrient agar-based test medium or other suitable test medium.

[0004] Culture media (e.g., in the form of petri dishes, culture plates, or settling plates (these terms are used interchangeably in this specification)) must be repeatedly transferred to and removed from the production area for further processing and evaluation. This is typically done manually, where one or more plates or petri dishes are manually transported into and out of the production area through aseptic transfer ports. However, manual handling of petri dishes involves a high risk of contamination when handling culture plates after the lids, covers, or seals have been opened, and the transfer of culture plates is unsafe during introduction, installation, removal, and further processing, especially when multiple culture plates are handled simultaneously as a collection or in batches or groups (e.g., in stacks). Furthermore, maintaining several culture plates in a group during a series of processing steps is a complex task and requires measures such as bundling or tying several culture plates together and / or labeling them.

[0005] Furthermore, such individual culture dishes are not particularly suitable for batch or stacked automated processing, as they typically consist of a culture plate holding the nutrient medium and a releasable lid or cover covering the plate. Automated processing equipment struggles to securely clamp, hold, and transfer the smooth cylindrical outer surfaces of the culture plate and / or lid / cover because they require defined positions and orientations for clamping, and there is a high risk that the lids may be accidentally opened, displaced, or removed from their culture plates during various stages of processing, thereby jeopardizing the test results.

[0006] US 2002 / 053525 A1 discloses a box arrangement for containing petri dishes or the like. This arrangement includes a box-shaped housing designed to be stackable and having a slotted opening on one side for inserting or removing petri dishes from the interior space of the housing. The box-shaped housing is stackable and has finger-operated means arranged on opposite ends for at least partially pushing the petri dishes out of the housing through the opening. While this box arrangement provides safe transport of petri dishes held within the interior space of the housing, it is not useful for automated processing because it specifically involves manual finger manipulation to release the petri dishes, at least from the housing. Furthermore, the stacking capability is not particularly reliable and is also unsuitable for automated processing of the stacking of the housings.

[0007] The desired process is one that is at least partially or preferably fully automated, without involving manual handling steps for introducing, installing and removing culture medium plates from the production area, or further stages of the evaluation process.

[0008] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide an apparatus for such partially or fully automated processes, which can be used with commercially available standard culture medium plates, preferably so-called petri dishes.

[0009] Therefore, this application aims to provide an apparatus for holding multiple petri dishes and transport packaging, preferably in the form of a blister pack with multiple petri dishes, which allows for the safe handling of petri dishes or sedimentation plates used for microbial air sampling in classified or unclassified environments, reducing the risk of false positives and final product contamination. It allows for the safe handling of waste management for passive or active microbial air sampling during air testing, from storage and transportation to the sampling area, sampling, counting, and in a fully or partially automated process, i.e., at least manual handling should not be excluded. Summary of the Invention

[0010] According to this application, this objective is achieved by providing a shelf for holding multiple culture dishes, a transport package for multiple culture dishes, and a blister pack having multiple culture dishes. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0011] Specifically, this application provides a shelf for holding multiple culture dishes, including a body having multiple adjacent and spaced-apart holding portions, each holding portion being configured to receive and support culture dishes in a substantially parallel (substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the shelf) orientation, wherein each holding portion includes positioning features for positioning the culture dishes in the holding portion and allowing the culture dishes to be inserted from the lateral side in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

[0012] Preferably, the retaining portion and the positioning feature each include a pair of spacer elements spaced apart from each other to define a groove between them, the groove being configured to receive a culture dish.

[0013] Preferably, each separator element includes one or more resilient protrusions configured to releasably engage with the edge / edge of the culture dish when the culture dish is placed in the tank, preferably at the tip of the protrusion.

[0014] Preferably, each separator element includes a pair of resilient protrusions, wherein each protrusion preferably extends into a different one of the slots adjacent to the separator element by means of an inclination from a reference plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, such that one of the protrusions releasably engages with the edge / edge of a culture dish in said slot, and the other protrusion releasably engages with the edge / edge of a lid of a culture dish in an adjacent slot.

[0015] Preferably, the holding portion and positioning features are formed and configured to allow the gripper of the manipulation device or a pair of fingers to be inserted from the lateral side for gripping / clamping the circumferential outer wall of the culture dish when the culture dish is placed in the holding portion.

[0016] Preferably, the partition elements are connected by a pair of spaced-apart transverse support beams that extend in the longitudinal direction of the shelf and carry the partition elements that define the holding portion therebetween, so as to form a bracket-like self-supporting structure.

[0017] Preferably, the bracket-like self-supporting structure has a window that opens to different lateral sides, preferably to the lateral side opposite to the lateral side for inserting the culture dish, which allows visual inspection of the culture dish when it is received in the holding portion.

[0018] Preferably, the bracket-like self-supporting structure includes a support configured to hold the bracket-like self-supporting structure in an upright orientation, such that the culture dish can be received and supported in a substantially horizontal orientation within the holding portion.

[0019] This application also provides a transport package for multiple petri dishes, including a shelf as defined herein and a box-shaped container configured to removably receive and surround the shelf.

[0020] Preferably, the box-shaped container is formed as a single-piece blister cavity, preferably formed from a formable sheet or web material, and more preferably formed by thermoforming or cold forming or a combination thereof.

[0021] Preferably, the box-shaped container and the shelf are made of the same material.

[0022] Preferably, the transport packaging also includes multiple petri dishes contained in slots on a shelf.

[0023] This application also provides a blister pack having a plurality of culture dishes, comprising: a transport pack as defined herein, wherein the plurality of culture dishes are contained in a shelf within a box-shaped container in a sterile environment; and a gas barrier film for sealing the opening of the box-shaped container, preferably at least partially transparent.

[0024] Therefore, this application provides a shelf for holding multiple culture dishes. It is compatible with environmental monitoring in fully automated processes. In particular, it allows for the precise positioning and holding of a collection or batch of culture dishes together in a device that can be used during all steps or stages of the monitoring process, including packaging and shipping, during introduction into clean production areas, setting up in loading and unloading areas, using grippers or robotic arms to pick up individual culture dishes to transfer them to critical areas for passive or active air monitoring, during removal from clean production areas, and during incubation, reading, and / or storage. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying exemplary schematic drawings, in which: Figure 1a This is a perspective view of a shelf for holding multiple petri dishes according to one embodiment; Figure 1b This is a perspective view of a shelf for holding multiple petri dishes according to another embodiment; Figure 2a yes Figure 1a A perspective view of a shelf in which petri dishes are supported. Figure 2b yes Figure 1b A perspective view of a shelf in which petri dishes are supported. Figure 3 yes Figure 1a The shelf is in an inverted perspective view; Figure 4 yes Figure 1a A partial sectional side view showing details of the shelving; Figure 5 This is how it is viewed from the adjacent tank towards the lid of the petri dish. Figure 1aA partial sectional side view of the groove of the shelf; Figure 6 This is how it is observed from an adjacent tank towards the petri dish. Figure 1a A partial sectional side view of the slot of the shelf, which is in an inverted orientation; Figure 7 This is how it is viewed from the adjacent tank towards the lid of the petri dish. Figure 1a A partial cutaway side view of the groove of the shelf, which is in an inverted orientation; Figure 8a yes Figure 2a The shelves are in an inverted orientation partial sectional perspective view; Figure 8b yes Figure 2b The shelves are in an inverted orientation partial sectional perspective view; Figure 9 It is similar to the view in Figure 8, but viewed from another direction. Figure 2a Partial sectional perspective view of the shelf; Figure 10 This is as seen from the axial end. Figure 2a A perspective view showing the details of the shelving; Figure 11a yes Figure 2a The shelf is in an upright perspective view, showing the gripper engaging with the petri dish in the shelf; Figure 11b yes Figure 2b The shelf is in an upright perspective view, showing the gripper engaging with the petri dish in the shelf; Figure 12 This is how it is viewed from the adjacent tank towards the lid of the petri dish. Figure 1a A partial sectional side view of the groove of the shelf; Figure 13 yes Figure 10 A perspective view of the shelf, and a partially cut-out side view, showing the engaged state of the gripper; Figure 14a This is a perspective view of a transport package in the form of a box-shaped container, in which... Figure 2a Individual shelves are placed in the container in an inverted orientation; Figure 14b This is a perspective view of a transport package in the form of a box-shaped container, in which... Figure 2b A pair of shelves are adjacent to each other; Figure 15a It is as if viewed from another direction Figure 14a A partial cross-sectional perspective view of the transport packaging; Figure 15b It is as if viewed from another direction Figure 14b A partial cross-sectional perspective view of the transport packaging; Figure 16 yes Figure 2a A perspective view of the shelf in an upright orientation on the external support before it is joined; Figure 17 This is as shown from below to reveal the details of the support structure. Figure 16 A perspective view of the shelves and supports; Figure 18 yes Figure 2a A perspective view of the shelf in a horizontal orientation on the holding or transport bracket before engagement; and Figure 19 yes Figure 1b A partial sectional perspective view of the shelf, showing details of the dividing elements. Detailed Implementation

[0026] For the purposes of this application, terms such as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “parallel,” and similar terms—unless explicitly indicated—are considered to mean “substantially horizontal,” “substantially vertical,” “substantially vertical,” and “substantially parallel,” provided that this does not negatively affect functionality. Preferably, the term “substantially” means a deviation of up to 10°, more preferably up to 5°, even more preferably up to 4° or 3°, and even more preferably up to 2° or 1° from the horizontal, vertical, and perpendicular directions, respectively.

[0027] The invention will be described using two embodiments of shelf 1 as examples. Similar views of the shelves in the embodiments are distinguished by adding the letter "a" or "b" to the drawing numbers. Therefore, even if a specific drawing of an embodiment is not provided, the description applies to both embodiments when a specific drawing is referenced without the addition of the letter "a" or "b", unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0028] An embodiment of a shelf 1 for holding multiple culture dishes P as defined herein typically includes a body 2 in the form of a three-dimensional frame having multiple adjacent and regularly spaced holding portions 3, each holding portion 3 being configured to receive and support the culture dishes P in a substantially parallel orientation (which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X of the shelf 1), wherein the holding portions 3 are aligned adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction X (see [reference]). Figure 2a / 2b, where multiple petri dishes P are placed on a shelf, and see also Figure 3 and 4 (where direction X is indicated).

[0029] Each holding portion 3 includes a positioning feature 4 for positioning the culture dish P within the holding portion 3 and allowing the culture dish P to be inserted from the lateral front side along an insertion direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. The lateral front side is as follows: Figure 1a The top side shown in / 1b and 2a / 2b, and as shown in Figure 3The bottom side of the shelf in the inverted orientation shown.

[0030] The retaining portion 3 and the positioning feature 4 each include a pair of separating elements 11 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X to define a slot or shelf 12 therebetween, the slot or shelf 12 being configured to removably receive the culture dish P. In this embodiment, the slots 12 are arranged to align in the axial direction X to form an aligned stack of a row of culture dishes. Alternative arrangements with staggered arrangements in two or more rows of substantially parallel aligned culture dishes are also possible, but are not shown in the figures.

[0031] Each dividing element includes a base 11a (see...) Figure 6 The base 11a and one or more resilient protrusions 11b-i, which protrude from the base 11a and are configured to releasably engage with the edge / rim of the culture dish P, preferably at the end or free tip of each protrusion, when the culture dish P is placed in the slot 12. The edge / rim of the culture dish P may be the edge / rim of the dish D or the lid L, and common culture dishes typically have such an edge or rim extending around the periphery of the top / bottom. Some resilient protrusions may also engage with the flat surface of the dish or lid by resiliently pressing against the surface, or may serve as a support (see [reference needed]). Figure 7 (11d in the middle).

[0032] Multiple elastic protrusions can be present in different orientations, and the preferred embodiment has a central protrusion 11b and a pair of laterally symmetrically arranged additional protrusions 11c. The central protrusion 11b is formed and sized to engage with the edge / rim of the culture dish D at its innermost position in the insertion direction. Figure 6 As shown, a pair of laterally symmetrically arranged additional protrusions 11c are formed to engage with the edge / rim of the lid L of the culture dish in the adjacent groove at positions on the two lateral sides at the innermost position in the insertion direction, as... Figure 7 As shown.

[0033] In this structure, each separating element 11 includes at least a pair of resilient protrusions, each resilient protrusion preferably extending into a different slot adjacent to the separating element 11 by means of an inclination from a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. At least one of the protrusions releasably engages with the edge / edge of the dish D of the culture dish P in one slot 12, and at least one other protrusion releasably engages with the edge / edge of the lid L of the culture dish P in the adjacent slot 12. In this regard, each resilient protrusion may also include multiple resilient protrusions, and the difference lies essentially only in the intended engagement positions. Figure 4 Details of the separating element are shown, which has protrusions that slope toward different adjacent slots from a plane perpendicular to the axial direction X.

[0034] In this embodiment, the protrusions extend from the base 11a in the insertion direction of the culture dish into the groove, i.e., they face the rear side of the shelf (e.g., in...). Figure 3 , 4 The numbers 6 and 7 are highlighted on the top side.

[0035] Figure 1b , 2b Examples 8b, 11b, 14b, 15b, and 19 illustrate different embodiments with different arrangements of protrusions for releasable engagement with the edge / rim of the culture dish in the holding portion 3. Figure 1b As shown in / 2b, the elastic protrusions can extend from the base 11a in different directions, and they can also protrude from the base 11a in opposite directions. In this embodiment, the base 11a is simplified to a rod bridging a pair of transverse supports 11k rising from the transverse support beam 13, while in another embodiment, the base 11a is more like a plate-shaped semi-disc.

[0036] The separating element 11 may include an extension portion 11d extending from the base 11a toward the rear or front side (see...). Figure 7 This extension 11d is provided to additionally support and separate the culture dishes in the compartment 12, and / or to serve as a support for lifting the shelf 1 from the support surface in a substantially horizontal orientation to avoid contact between the culture dishes and the support surface. The extension 11d may also be provided only at the separating element at the end in the axial direction.

[0037] exist Figure 1b In the embodiment of / 2b, the extension portions 11d are interconnected to form a transverse rod 11j extending in the axial direction. However, in this embodiment, the extension portions may also be configured to separate from each other at their tips, while Figure 1a In the embodiment of / 2a, interconnections in the form of transverse bars can also be provided. Furthermore, in both basic embodiments, the number of extensions can be reduced, such that the extensions are located only at some separating elements.

[0038] Figure 8a Figures 8b and 9 show details of the engagement between the tips of the protrusions 11b and 11c and the edges / rims of the cap L and dish D of the culture dish in the inserted state. The engagement of the protrusions is achieved once the culture dish is fully inserted into the retaining portion 3. This engagement is defined by a shape-locking engagement created by a small protrusion at the tip of the protrusion that, due to its elasticity, straddles the edge / rim of the culture dish and provides some resistance to movement of the culture dish in the opposite direction. However, this resistance is designed to allow the culture dish to be removed from the shelf by means of a gripper from an automated manipulation device or by hand. However, in any case, it is designed to prevent the culture dish from accidentally falling from the shelf during routine handling, which includes flipping the shelf to an inverted or upright orientation.

[0039] The retaining portion 3 and the positioning feature 4 are typically formed and configured to allow the gripper of the manipulation device or a pair of fingers to be inserted from the front lateral side for grasping / clamping the circumferential outer wall Pc of the culture dish when it is placed in the retaining portion 3. This situation occurs in... Figure 11a / 11b and Figure 13 As shown in the image.

[0040] The spacer elements 11 of the spaced-apart retaining portions 3 are interconnected by a pair of transverse support beams 13, which are spaced apart in the width direction Y perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X, and extend in the longitudinal direction X of the shelf 1 so as to be substantially parallel to each other (see, for example, see...). Figure 1a / 1b and Figures 5 to 7 ).

[0041] The support beam 13 accordingly carries a plurality of partition elements 11 to form a frame or bracket-like self-supporting structure for the shelf 1. The support beam has a plate-like shape with a flat upper and / or lower surface that projects laterally and can be placed on supports in the transport package or in a holding device described later to position the shelf in a stable and well-defined posture. The support beam also provides the possibility of holding the shelf by hand or via an external gripper without the risk of contact with the petri dishes within the shelf. The plate-like shape of the beam provides sufficient rigidity to prevent bending or deformation during handling.

[0042] The frame or bracket-like self-supporting structure formed by the support beam 13 and the dividing element 11 has a continuous window 14 that opens to a lateral side different from the lateral side used for inserting the culture dish. Figure 6 and 7 As shown, window 14 is formed on the side opposite to the lateral side used for insertion, and window 14 allows for visual inspection of all culture dishes when they are received in the holding portion. A specific advantage of arranging window 14 on the rear side in the insertion direction is that the shelf with the culture dishes can be placed upside down in the transport package, and the culture dishes can still be visually inspected and / or the tags with barcode data matrices or RFID on the culture dishes can still be read through window 14 without removing the shelf from its packaging (see [link to product details]). Figure 14a / 14b and 15a / 15b).

[0043] like Figure 12 and 13As shown, the transverse support beam 13 moves a distance D from the virtual horizontal plane passing through the center of the culture dish held in the shelf toward the rear side of the shelf. This allocates more free space for easy grasping and handling of the culture dish by hand or via a gripper G around its diameter. Due to the engagement of the elastic protrusion with the edge / friction of the culture dish, the culture dish is still not easily dropped from the holding portion despite the large free and unsupported circumference.

[0044] like Figure 16 and 17 As shown, the bracket-like self-supporting structure may include an external support 7 configured to hold the structure in an upright orientation, such that the culture dish P can be received and supported in a substantially horizontal orientation in the corresponding holding portion 3 of the shelf 1. The shelf 1 may preferably have a notch or other feature on its lateral side, and more preferably at the support beam 13, to allow engagement between rods or other mating holding elements 15, thereby securing the shelf in the support. Figure 16 and 17 The rod 15 shown is merely an example, and various designs are possible to achieve the purpose of releasably holding the shelf in an upright orientation without hindering the insertion and removal of the petri dish from the holding portion.

[0045] exist Figure 16 and 17 In the example of bracket 7 shown, retaining elements 15 can be biased toward each other and thus engage with the mating engagement portion of the shelf by means of a spring or elastic band or spring 16 that biases the retaining elements into the engaged position. Figure 17 As shown, the spring or elastic band can be placed in a recess at the bottom of the base plate of the bracket 7 so as to be concealed from the outside. Therefore, as Figure 16 As shown, the retaining element can pivot on the support column 18 erected from the base 19.

[0046] Shelf 1, as defined in this article, is also similar to... Figure 18 The transport or holding bracket or device 21 shown is compatible. This transport or holding bracket or device can be used in conjunction with an automated transfer mechanism for transferring shelves to or from an isolator or clean production area. The bracket or holding device 21 may be provided with an engagement feature 15 corresponding to... Figure 17 The mounting features of the bracket 7 shown are compatible with or suitable for engagement with the mating joint of the shelf as described above. In this case, the shelf can be easily moved between various stages of the process, wherein the shelf 21 or the bracket 7 is provided to hold the shelf in the correct orientation.

[0047] In addition, Figure 1bIn the embodiment of / 2b, the extension portions 11d are interconnected to form a transverse bar 11j extending in the axial direction, the transverse bar being used as such Figure 14b and 15b The handle shown allows for gripping and lifting of the shelf from a box-shaped container, as described later, when the transverse support beam 13 is inaccessible or not present. The transverse bar 11j serving as handle 22 may resemble the support beam but protrude in a different direction.

[0048] The shelves can be integrally formed from any suitable material, preferably plastic, and preferably by injection molding. Other manufacturing processes are also available, including 3D printing. If the shelves are designed for multiple uses and require sterilization between uses, metal in the form of cast metal, sheet metal, or 3D-printed metal can be used. The shelves can be formed from interconnected different elements, such as a pair of transverse support beams 13 connected to multiple dividing elements 11, either fixed and inseparable (i.e., by gluing or welding) or releasable (by shape-locking engagement or by mechanical fasteners such as screws). In this configuration, shelves of different sizes for different numbers of culture dishes to be grouped can be easily constructed by providing support beams 13 of different lengths and configured to be connected to the same dividing elements 11 at the desired spacing.

[0049] like Figure 14a As shown in 14b and 15a / 15b, a shelf 1 with a set of petri dishes can be packaged and sealed in a bag (not shown) or in the cavity 22 of a more rigid box-shaped container 21, which removably receives and completely surrounds the shelf with the petri dishes. Thus, the shelf, together with the box-shaped container or bag, forms a transport package 20 for multiple petri dishes P. The shelf and support can be arranged in the transport package for use if desired, but the support 7 can be omitted if the shelf itself is sufficient for the desired processing and purpose.

[0050] The box-shaped container 21 is formed as a single-piece blister cavity, preferably from a formable sheet of plastic material, and more preferably by thermoforming, cold forming, or a combination of both. The container 21 can be designed for single use or reusable.

[0051] The opening of the box-shaped container 21 is configured to be sealed by a gas barrier membrane (preferably at least partially transparent) to form a blister pack. This sealed transport package, together with the collection of sterile culture dishes held on a shelf, provides a useful unit for environmental monitoring as described in the introduction of this specification. In a preferred embodiment, the box-shaped container 21 and the shelf 1 are made of the same material, thus facilitating waste disposal of the material after use.

[0052] Traceable elements in the form of barcodes, data matrices, or RFID can be housed and provided on this shelf 1 or on the box container 21 and / or directly on the petri dish P.

[0053] Based on traceability elements, all critical process data can be recorded and linked via integrated RFID-type systems or external systems (e.g., cloud-based systems). For example, such a process may include multiple typical stations or stages where specific data is collected and recorded, such as storage stage S1 (time / date of entry, storage temperature, humidity level, expiration date management, FIFO management), transport stage S2 (duration and temperature), grouping stage S3 (location or group to which each petri dish belongs), transfer stage S4 (location and time), air sampling stage S5 (duration, location, time / date, linking of plate ID to shelf ID), incubation stage S6 (time / date of entry, actual temperature, humidity level, oxygen level), and counting stage S7 (time / date and counting results), where counting is performed to determine the quantity of contaminants. At step S8, all data is exported and transferred to a memory, from where it can be accessed and further processed.

[0054] Traceability can be achieved externally via a dedicated RFID reader system connected to a central system, but RFID (or data matrix) readers can also be directly driven by an air monitoring system, which allows for full traceability of the process board, including: - Use a data matrix reader to perform positive detection on the processed board. - Use data matrices or RFID to perform positive monitoring of the storage location of the pallets (e.g., transport cages); - Allows reading and writing information in RFID tags on multiple shelves containing plates or petri dishes; - Each label may contain the following information: batch number, location number, assembly number, plate ID, and the plate's location in the stack or within the blister pack; - The time it takes to place the plate in the isolator and remove it from the isolator; - Sampling hours, compliance of air monitoring parameters, operator, events during the sampling environment when blister packs were present.

Claims

1. A shelf (1) for holding multiple petri dishes (P), comprising: The main body (2) has a plurality of adjacent and spaced-apart holding portions (3), each holding portion being configured to receive and support the culture dish (P) in a substantially parallel orientation, the substantially parallel orientation being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X) of the shelf (1). Each holding portion (3) includes a positioning feature (4) for positioning the petri dish (P) within the holding portion (3) and allowing the petri dish (P) to be inserted from the lateral side in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X). The holding portion (3) and the positioning feature (4) each include a pair of separating elements (11) spaced apart from each other to define a groove (12) therebetween, the groove being configured to receive the culture dish (P). Each of the partition elements (11) includes a first elastic protrusion and a second elastic protrusion extending into a first groove and a second groove, respectively, each of the first groove and the second groove being adjacent to the partition element (11) such that the first elastic protrusion is releasably engaged with the edge of the dish (D) of the culture dish (P) in the first groove, and the second elastic protrusion is releasably engaged with the edge of the lid (L) of the culture dish (P) in the second groove.

2. The shelf (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The first elastic protrusion and the second elastic protrusion extend into the first groove and the second groove respectively by tilting from a reference plane (Z) perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X).

3. The shelf (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The holding portion (3) and the positioning feature (4) are formed and configured to allow the gripper (G) or a pair of fingers of the manipulation device to be inserted from the lateral side for gripping / clamping the circumferential outer wall (Pc) of the culture dish (P) when the culture dish (P) is placed in the holding portion (3).

4. The shelf (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The partition element (11) is connected by a pair of spaced-apart transverse support beams (13) that extend in the longitudinal direction (X) of the shelf (1) and carry the partition element (11) that defines the holding portion (3) therebetween, so as to form a bracket-like self-supporting structure.

5. The shelf (1) according to claim 4, wherein, The bracket-like self-supporting structure has a window (14) that opens to a lateral side different from the lateral side for inserting the culture dish (P), and the window (14) allows visual inspection of the culture dish (P) when it is received in the holding portion (3).

6. The shelf (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The window (14) is open to the lateral side opposite to the lateral side for inserting the culture dish (P).

7. The shelf (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The bracket-like self-supporting structure includes a support (7) configured to hold the bracket-like self-supporting structure in an upright orientation, such that the culture dish (P) can be received and supported in the holding portion (3) in a substantially horizontal orientation.

8. A transport package (20) for multiple petri dishes (P), comprising: Shelf (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and A box-shaped container (21) is configured to removably receive and surround a shelf (1).

9. The transport packaging (20) for multiple petri dishes (P) according to claim 8, wherein, The box-shaped container (21) is formed as a single-piece blister cavity.

10. The transport packaging (20) for multiple petri dishes (P) according to claim 9, wherein the box-shaped container is formed of a formable sheet or web material.

11. The transport packaging (20) for a plurality of culture dishes (P) according to claim 10, wherein the box-shaped container is formed by thermoforming or cold forming or a combination thereof.

12. The transport packaging (20) for a plurality of petri dishes (P) according to claim 8, wherein, The box-shaped container (21) and the shelf (1) are made of the same material.

13. The transport package (20) for a plurality of culture dishes (P) according to any one of claims 8 to 12, further comprising a plurality of culture dishes (P) contained in the slot (12) of the shelf (1).

14. A blister pack having multiple petri dishes (P), include: According to claim 13, the transport packaging (20) wherein the plurality of petri dishes (P) are contained in a shelf (1) in the box-shaped container (21) in a sterile environment; and Gas barrier membrane for sealing the opening of box-shaped container (21).

15. The blister packaging according to claim 14, wherein, The gas barrier membrane is at least partially transparent.

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