Multifunctional cap opener for biological experiment

Abstract

The invention discloses a multifunctional cap opener for a biological experiment, which is adaptive to opening and closing requirements of an EP tube, a centrifugal tube, a reagent bottle and a PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) row tube by integrating a slit, a notch, a gradually-changed groove and an arch-shaped edge structure. The design of the asymmetric tooth-shaped protrusions and the lever is adopted, the operation intensity is remarkably reduced, and the light weight (smaller than 70 g) and the low cost are achieved by combining the hollowed-out part and the ergonomic holding part. The tool is suitable for high-flux experiment scenes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of biological and chemical experimental instruments, and in particular to a cover opening tool integrating multiple structures, which is used for efficiently and labor-savingly opening and closing containers with covers of different specifications in laboratories, including EP tubes, centrifuge tubes, PCR strip tubes and reagent bottles. Background Art

[0002] In biological and chemical experiments, experimenters need to frequently operate containers with lids (such as EP tubes, PCR strip tubes, 4-15ml centrifuge tubes, reagent bottles, etc.).

[0003] The prior art has the following problems:

[0004] 1. Manual operation is inefficient and easy to damage: EP tubes need to be squeezed repeatedly to open the lid, and long-term operation can easily lead to strain on the thumb joint; reagent bottle caps are often difficult to open with bare hands because they are sealed too tightly.

[0005] 2. The tools are single and have poor adaptability: Existing auxiliary tools (such as wrenches and pry bars) are only designed for a single container and cannot be adapted to bottle caps of multiple specifications, which requires experimenters to be equipped with multiple tools and increases management costs.

[0006] 3. The operation of the strip tubes is cumbersome: the batch opening and closing of the PCR strip tubes need to be operated one by one, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

[0007] 4. Insufficient ergonomic design: Existing tools are not comfortable to hold, lack labor-saving structures, and are prone to fatigue after long-term use.

[0008] Prior art literature references: CN202223370156.8 discloses an EP tube cover opener, but it is only suitable for a single size, cannot be operated in batches, and has a single function; CN202222242729.2 proposes an 8-row tube capping tool, but it still has a single function and lacks functions such as bottle cap tightening and EP tube batch capping. Summary of the invention

[0009] Purpose of the Invention

[0010] In view of the defects of the prior art, the present invention provides a multifunctional lid opener, which achieves the following goals through structural integration and innovative design: 1. Suitable for containers of various specifications (EP tubes, centrifuge tubes, reagent bottles, PCR strip tubes); 2. Improve opening and closing efficiency and support batch operation; 3. Optimize mechanical design and reduce operation intensity; 4. Lightweight and low cost.

[0011] Technical Solution

[0012] A multifunctional cover opener for biological experiments, which is integrally formed from a plastic or metal sheet, and is characterized by comprising the following structures: Slit structure: at least one slit is set on the plate, the deepest part of the slit is greater than 1mm from the opening, and the total length is greater than 2cm, which is used to adapt to the edge of the EP tube and centrifuge tube cover; Bend arrangement unit: the slits described in claim 1 can be bent to form multiple structural units arranged along a straight line (variance < 0.1); Notch structure: 8 or 12 straight-line notches are set on the edge of the plate, with a notch spacing of 1.7-2mm and a height of 2.5-3.5mm, which are used to quickly pry open the PCR strip tube cover; Arched groove edge: One side of the plate has an arched edge, and a groove (width 7.5-8.5mm) is set on its side for pressing the PCR strip tube cap; Gradient groove: The surface of the plate is provided with a gradient groove with one side narrow and the other side wide (suitable for cylinders with a diameter of ≤7cm), and the inner wall of the groove is provided with an asymmetric tooth-shaped protrusion; Hollow structure: The plate has a hollow area, and the edges are rounded or chamfered to reduce its own weight and enhance the stability of holding.

[0013] Preferred solution

[0014] 1. The narrow side of the asymmetric tooth-shaped protrusion faces the narrow end of the gradual groove, and the angle between the narrow side and the inner wall is 60°-90°. The angle between the wide side of the asymmetric tooth-shaped protrusion and the inner wall is 10°-45°, forming a ratchet effect to increase the friction of screwing the cap; 2. The grip has concave texture and rounded corners, which conforms to the ergonomic design; 3. Anti-slip protrusions are added on the inner side of the edge of the arched groove to prevent slipping during operation.

[0015] Beneficial Effects

[0016] Multifunctional integration: through the integration of slits, notches, grooves and other structures, it is suitable for EP tubes, centrifuge tubes, reagent bottles, PCR strip tubes, reducing the number of tools; Efficient batch operation: The slit structure can open 6 EP tubes at the same time, and the notch structure enables the rapid opening and closing of PCR strip tubes; Labor-saving design: The asymmetric tooth-shaped protrusion is combined with the lever structure to reduce the torque required for tightening the cap (according to the torque ratio, the tightening force is reduced by more than 300%). Lightweight and low cost: The hollow design makes the weight less than 70g, reducing manufacturing costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the cover opener.

[0019] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the back structure of the cover opener.

[0020] Figure 3-Figure 7 Schematic diagram of the cover opener operation (corresponding to the EP tube, centrifuge tube, reagent bottle, and PCR cover opening and closing scenarios respectively).

[0021] The reference numerals are described as follows: 1, curved slit; 2, slit spacer; 3, straight slit; 4, notch; 5, notch spacer; 6, gradual groove; 7, hollow structure; 8, arched edge; 9, tooth-like protrusion; 10, rounded corner structure; 11, concave texture structure; 12, groove structure on the side of the bottom end; 13, observation window; 14, EP tube cover orientation correction cavity; 15, chamfered structure; 16, grip; 17, thumb press protrusion DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The specific embodiments of the present invention are further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", etc. indicate positions or positional relationships based on the positions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, which are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention. A "slit" is an elongated slit-like opening with an opening spacing less than one-quarter of the total length. A "straight line" is an approximate straight line with a variance less than 0.1.

[0023] Example 1: Batch decapping of EP tubes

[0024] Adjust the EP tube rack so that the tube cap faces right. The correction chamber (14) of the cap opener covers the tube cap and moves to the left. The slit spacing area (2) will continue to correct the direction of the tube cap so that the protruding edge of the tube cap falls into the curved slit (1). The gripping part (16) can be lifted to open 6 EP tubes at the same time. Figure 3 ).

[0025] Example 2: Opening the lid of a single 4-15 ml centrifuge tube Insert the edge protrusion of the cap of any 4-15ml centrifuge tube into the straight line gap (3), and then turn the centrifuge tube to the right to open the 4-15ml centrifuge tube ( Figure 4 ).

[0026] Example 3: Opening and closing the reagent bottle Insert the bottle cap into the gradient groove (6) and rotate it counterclockwise. The long gentle slope of the asymmetric tooth-shaped protrusion (9) reduces the rotation resistance, and the short steep slope increases the bite force to prevent slipping. This ratchet effect will continue to clamp the bottle cap, and combined with the lever effect of the grip (16), it is easy to open. Similarly, if it is rotated clockwise, the bottle cap will be tightened ( Figure 5 ).

[0027] Example 4: Uncapping PCR tube strips Insert the jagged notch (4) of the cover opener into the gap just below the tube cover of the PCR strip tube, press the protruding part (17) of the gripping part with the thumb of the right hand, and pull the edge of the gripping part upward with the fingers of the right hand, and the tube cover of the strip tube will be pried up. At the same time, the pressure of the thumb of the right hand provides downward pressure for the prying fulcrum, so that when the cover is opened, the entire PCR tube will not be pulled up. ( Figure 6 )

[0028] Example 5: Closing the lid of PCR strip tubes After the tube cover is initially positioned, the arched edge (8) moves along the row of tubes, and the groove (12) presses the tube cover to achieve a "zipper-like" quick cover closure ( Figure 7 ), the groove structure (12) on the side of the bottom can effectively prevent slipping. At the same time, the grip (16) is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom to accommodate hands of any size and better control the direction. The rounded corners (10) and the concave patterns (11) are used to increase comfort and friction. Figure 7 ) The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present invention. These improvements and substitutions should also be regarded as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A multifunctional cover opener for biological experiments, characterized in that: include: The body is made of plastic or metal sheet; at least one slit, the deepest part of the slit is greater than 1mm from the opening, and the total length is greater than 2cm; 8 or 12 notches are arranged in a straight line on the edge of the sheet, with a spacing of 1.7-2mm and a height of 2.5-3.5mm; one side of the sheet is an arched edge, and a groove with a width of 7.5-8.5mm is provided on its side; Gradient groove, with a narrow groove at one end and a wide groove at the other end, and an asymmetric tooth-shaped protrusion on the inner wall; hollow structure, with rounded or chamfered edges.

2. The cover opener according to claim 1, characterized in that: The slits are bent to form a plurality of structural units arranged along a straight line.

3. The cover opener according to claim 1, characterized in that: The narrow side of the asymmetric tooth-shaped protrusion faces the narrow end of the gradual groove, and the angle between the narrow side and the inner wall is 60°-90°. The angle between the wide side of the asymmetric tooth-shaped protrusion and the inner wall is 10°-45°.

4. The cover opener according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gripping portion is provided with concave textures and rounded corners.

5. The cover opener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: Total weight <70g.

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