Kit comprising microwell plate, cover and device for releasing snap connection between microwell plate and cover

Abstract

The invention relates to a kit comprising: a microwell plate having a rectangular first plate, a plurality of containers and at least two snap-in openings on opposite lateral edges of the first plate, the containers are arranged in rows and columns, are connected with the first plate on the upper surface, protrude downwards from the lower side of the first plate and are provided with openings on the upper side of the first plate; a cover having a second plate for placing on the upper side of the first plate and for covering the opening of the container, and snap hooks protruding from the lower side of the second plate on at least two mutually opposite lateral edges of the second plate, the cover is placed on the upper side of the first plate through the second plate, covers the opening of the container and is clamped into the clamping opening through the clamping hook to form a clamping connection; and an unlocking device for releasing the snap connection between the microwell plate and the lid, the unlocking device having at least two raised support projections and at least one receptacle between the support projections in order to release the receptacle from the microwell plate when the container is embedded in the at least one receptacle. Placing the microwell plate on the support projection with at least two mutually opposite edge regions of the first plate; the first sliding surfaces are arranged on the inner sides, facing each other, of the clamping hooks on the edges, opposite to each other, of the first plate, and the second sliding surfaces are arranged on the outer sides, away from each other, of the supporting protrusions on the side faces, opposite to each other, of the containing part. The first sliding surfaces on the mutually facing inner sides of the snap hooks are inclined upwards in opposite directions and / or the second sliding surfaces on the mutually facing outer sides of the support projections are inclined upwards in opposite directions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a kit comprising a microplate and a cover for covering the microplate, the microplate also being called a microtiter plate, a microtest plate or a multi-well plate, and a device for releasing a snap-fit ​​connection between the microplate and the cover. Background Art

[0002] Microplates are used in scientific and industrial laboratories, in particular in the fields of medicine, molecular biology or pharmaceutical applications, for various microbiological, cell biological and immunological processes. For example, microplates are used for PCR and for the cultivation of microorganisms or cells.

[0003] The microplate has a frame with a plurality of containers (channels) for accommodating sample liquids. Some embodiments are known in which the container is configured as a recess in a generally plate-shaped frame. In other embodiments, the container is connected to the plate of the frame above, protrudes downward from the lower side of the plate and has an opening on the upper side of the plate. The outer edge of the plate can be connected to the surrounding side wall protruding downward from the frame. The side wall can protrude downward from the plate more than the container (with a skirt). In addition, such an embodiment is also known, in which the side wall protrudes downward from the plate less than the container (semi-skirt). But there is also such an embodiment, in which the plate is not connected to the side wall (without skirt). The known microplate with side wall has an extension on the lower edge of the side wall, and the microplate can be mounted on the upper side of another microplate using the extension. The microplate with a large container is also called a "deep well plate".

[0004] Microplates are standardized according to the ANSI / SLAS standard for microplates, in particular with regard to the base surface (footprint) and with regard to the arrangement of the containers for microplates with 96, 384 and 1536 containers. Microplates with 96 containers are particularly widely used, wherein the containers arranged in 8 rows and 12 columns each have a distance of 9 mm from one another.

[0005] Also known are microplates and deep-well plates with 48 containers in 6 rows and 8 columns, which are used, for example, for cell culture. According to the standard ANSI / SLAS for microplates, this microplate has the same base surface or length and width as a microplate with 96 containers.

[0006] DE 100 66 431 B4 describes a microplate made of plastic, which has a rigid cover detachably mounted on the upper side of the plate and at least one seal made of elastic material between the cover and the plate. In one embodiment, a plug-shaped seal protrudes from the lower side of the plate, which is embedded in the opening of the container, so that when the cover is placed on the microplate, the seal rests on the inner wall of the container with its sealing ridges on the periphery. The cover has a frame protruding downward from the edge of the plate, and a locking protrusion protrudes inward from the frame, which can be locked into a recess in the side wall below the plate of the microplate. The frame of the cover has a handle protruding upward, which facilitates the gripping of the cover. The locking between the locking protrusion and the recess can be released by swinging the handle, because the frame also swings together. In particular, because the snap connection must be released by means of a handle, the microplate and the cover are not suitable for automated plate handling. Summary of the invention

[0007] Starting from this, the object of the present invention is to provide a technical solution which makes it possible to easily release the snap connection between the microplate and the cover, which can also be completed in an automated process.

[0008] This object is achieved by a kit according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the kit are given in the dependent claims and in the following description.

[0009] According to the kit of the present invention, the kit comprises:

[0010] A microplate, the microplate having:

[0011] • Rectangular first plate,

[0012] • a plurality of containers arranged in rows and columns, connected to the first plate at the top, protruding downward from the lower side of the first plate and having openings on the upper side of the first plate, and

[0013] • snap-on openings on at least two mutually opposite lateral edges of the first plate,

[0014] • A cover having:

[0015] • a second plate for placement on the upper side of the first plate and for covering the opening of the container, and

[0016] • snap hooks projecting from the underside of the second plate on at least two mutually opposite lateral edges of the second plate, wherein in the covering position the lid is placed with the second plate on the upper side of the first plate, covering the opening of the container and snapping into the snap openings with the snap hooks to form a snap connection; and

[0017] • an unlocking device for releasing the snap connection between the microplate and the cover, the unlocking device comprising:

[0018] • at least two vertical supporting projections and at least one receptacle between the supporting projections, so that the microplate with at least two mutually opposite edge regions of the first plate can be placed on the supporting projections when the container is inserted into the at least one receptacle, and

[0019] • A first sliding surface and a second sliding surface, the first sliding surface is located on the inner sides of the snap hooks on the opposite edges of the first plate, and the second sliding surface is located on the outer sides of the support protrusions on the opposite sides of the accommodating portion, and the first sliding surfaces on the inner sides of the snap hooks are inclined upward and / or the second sliding surfaces on the outer sides of the support protrusions are inclined upward and towards each other.

[0020] In the kit according to the present invention, the cover is placed on the microplate from above to cover the opening of the container and protect the liquid filled in the container to prevent loss or contamination. At this time, the snap hook sinks into the snap mouth until the snap hook overlaps the edge area of ​​the first plate adjacent to the snap mouth from the back, thereby forming a snap connection between the microplate and the cover. By placing the microplate together with the cover that is snapped with the microplate on an unlocking device for releasing the snap connection ("unlocking device"), the cover can be released from the microplate again. When the microplate is placed on the unlocking device together with the snapped cover, the snap hook is deflected outwards and the snap connection is released by sliding on the first sliding surface through the second sliding surface. The snap connection is released again only by placing the microplate closed by the cover on the unlocking device, and the cover can be lifted off the microplate in further movement.

[0021] In the kit according to the invention, a snap-on connection between the microplate and the cover can be easily established. Furthermore, the snap-on connection can be easily released by placing the microplate together with the cover snapped into it on the unlocking device. Furthermore, the cover can also be operated automatically. With the help of an automatic device, the microplate can be closed and snapped into place by the cover by simply placing the cover onto the microplate. With the help of an automatic device, the snap-on can be released by simply placing the microplate covered by the cover onto the unlocking device. Manual operation is also possible.

[0022] Another advantage is that existing microplates can be used without modification for the kit. The kit can be used with existing microplates as well as with adapted microplates and deep-well plates. The establishment and release of the snap connection are suitable both for automated implementation by laboratory automation or automatic metering devices and for manual implementation by laboratory personnel.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, each snap connection is at least partially arranged in the two lateral edges of the first plate. Thus, it is easy to release the snap connection by deflecting the snap hook outwards, because the snap hook is released by its end entering (leaving) the snap opening of the first plate.

[0024] In particular, for microplates without side walls, the snap opening can be formed only in the lateral edge of the first plate. Microplates with side walls can also have snap openings only in the first plate, in which case the snap openings must be formed large enough that the snap hooks can be deflected until they no longer overlap the first plate from behind and can be pulled out of the snap openings.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the microplate comprises a surrounding side wall protruding downward from the outer edge of the first plate, and each snap-in opening is formed at least partially in the upper edge region of the side wall. By forming each snap-in opening at least partially in the upper edge region of the side wall, it is facilitated to release the snap connection by lateral deflection of the snap hook.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, a portion of each snap-in opening is arranged in the lateral edge region of the first plate, and another portion is arranged in the upper edge region of the side wall. This embodiment achieves a combination of the above-mentioned advantages.

[0027] The snap-fit ​​opening may also be formed only in the side wall.

[0028] Furthermore, the fact that the snap-in openings are formed both on the edge of the first plate and in the side walls facilitates demoulding of the microperforated plate from the injection mold during production by injection molding.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the portion of the snap-fit ​​opening formed in the lateral edge region of the first plate has an upper boundary surface extending parallel to the outer edge of the first plate, the upper boundary surface being flush with the inner side of the side wall or offset inwardly relative to the inner side, the inner side being adjacent to the lower boundary surface of the portion of the snap-fit ​​opening in the upper edge region of the side wall. This facilitates demoulding of the microporous plate from the injection mold during production by injection molding.

[0030] According to another embodiment, the microporous plate has two snap-fit ​​openings on the two long edges of the first plate, and the cover has two snap-fit ​​hooks on the two long edges of the second plate, thereby facilitating the cover to be evenly and tightly attached to the microporous plate.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the microplate has two snap-in openings on two short edges, and the cover has two snap-in hooks on two short edges, which further helps the cover to rest evenly on the microplate.

[0032] According to another embodiment, the snap hook has a vertical strip and has an inwardly protruding horizontal strip at the lower end of the vertical strip. Thus a flexible snap hook is achieved, which can be easily inserted into the snap opening and easily and specifically released.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the horizontal strip has a first sliding surface at the outer end on the underside.

[0034] According to another embodiment, the second plate has a notch on the lateral edge beside the connection with the snap hook above the hook end of the snap hook. Thus, during injection molding, it is convenient to demould the cover from the injection mold.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the microplate and / or the cover has at least one sealing element, which seals the edge of each opening circumferentially when the cover has a snap connection to the microplate. This improves the sealing closure of the container by the cover in the sealed position. The sealing element is, for example, an elastic flat material or a layer of elastic material on the underside of the cover, which seals all openings of the microplate when the cover is snapped onto the microplate.

[0036] According to another embodiment, the cover has sealing elements (covers) arranged in rows and columns on the underside of the second plate, each of which rests against the inner edge of one of the openings when the cover is snapped onto the microplate. This further improves the sealing contact of the cover on the opening of the container in the sealing position. The sealing elements have, for example, a circular or annular base surface and rest in a circumferentially sealing manner against the edge of the opening in the first plate and / or against the inner wall of the container adjacent to the opening.

[0037] According to a further embodiment, the sealing element projects downward from the underside of the cover.

[0038] According to another embodiment, each sealing element is dome-shaped (for example hemispherical) or conical. This further improves the sealing of the lid against the container opening in the covering position.

[0039] According to another embodiment, the grid structure of the cover is arched. Here, the inner cover is higher than the outer cover. This is advantageous for sealing the grid structure of the cover, because it allows the deformed grid structure to lie flat. In other words, the largest or first deformed area in the center of the grid structure yields before coming into contact with the later deformed areas at the edges.

[0040] According to another embodiment, the first plate has at least one other snap-in opening between the lateral edges, the lid has at least one other snap-in hook protruding downwards between the two lateral edges of the second plate, when the lid is abutted on the upper side of the first plate of the microplate with the second plate, the other snap-in hook is introduced into the other snap-in opening and snaps on the lower side of the first plate behind the other snap-in opening, and the other snap-in hook has at least one other first sliding surface, and / or the unlocking device for unlocking the snap-in connection has another second sliding surface, the other second sliding surface is configured to slide on the other first sliding surface when placing the microplate together with the snap-in lid under the condition of releasing the snap-in connection. Thus, the sealing of the lid on the microplate in the covering position is further improved. The other snap-in hooks that are not arranged on the edge but between the containers can help to realize the uniform distribution of the holding force and the locking effect. The snap-in hooks of the lid can be arranged not only at the edge, but also between the ducts. Thus, the cover can be pressed against the edge of the opening on the upper side of the first plate better and can be more reliably sealed. For this purpose, another snap opening (through hole) must be present in the first plate, in which the other snap hook can also be latched. The principle of latching by means of the snap hook and unlocking by pushing by means of the sliding surface on the unlocking block is also utilized here.

[0041] According to another embodiment, the unlocking device has a rectangular frame, the support projection is formed by frame bars of the frame, and the receptacle is formed by the inner side of the frame. This achieves a particularly simple embodiment in terms of construction.

[0042] According to another embodiment, the kit includes at least one of the following features:

[0043] • the microplate is made of a single or multiple plastics, and if necessary, the frame of the microplate is made of a different plastic than the container,

[0044] • the cover is made of a single or multiple plastics and, if necessary, the second plate is made of a different plastic than the sealing element,

[0045] • The unlocking device is made of a single plastic or multiple plastics, metal or a combination of plastic and metal.

[0046] According to another embodiment, the microplate and / or the cover and / or the locking device are injection molded. According to another embodiment, the microplate and / or the cover are produced by a single-component or multi-component injection molding process.

[0047] According to another embodiment, the microplate and / or the cover and / or the unlocking device are vacuum molded and / or assembled from injection molded and vacuum molded components and / or are hot stamped.

[0048] According to a further embodiment, the containers each have a volume of 0.5, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0 or 2.5 ml.

[0049] According to a further embodiment, the microplate has 12, 24, 48, 96 or 384 containers.

[0050] According to a further embodiment, the microplate is a microplate according to ANSI / SLS with 96, 384 or 1536 wells or a deep-well plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of an embodiment.

[0052] Figure 1 A microplate with a snapped-on lid is shown in a perspective view from obliquely above;

[0053] Figure 2 The microplate is shown in a perspective view viewed obliquely from below;

[0054] Figure 3 Show Figure 2 Magnified details of

[0055] Figure 4 The lid is shown in a perspective view from obliquely above;

[0056] Figure 5 The lid is shown in a perspective view from obliquely below;

[0057] Figure 6 A microplate with a snapped-on cover is shown in a partial side view and a partial cross-sectional view in the longitudinal direction;

[0058] Figure 7 A microplate with a snap-on lid is shown in an enlarged partial cross-sectional view;

[0059] Figure 8 The unlocking device is shown in a perspective view;

[0060] Fig. 9 The unlocking device is shown in a vertical sectional view with a microplate placed therein and a cover snapped to the microplate;

[0061] Fig.10 The microplate and the cover are shown before snapping on in a perspective detail from obliquely above;

[0062] Fig.11 The microplate and the cover snapped onto the microplate are shown in a perspective detail view from obliquely above;

[0063] Fig.12 The perspective view from obliquely above shows the microplate on the unlocking device and the cover snapped onto the microplate when the snap connection is released. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0064] In the present application, “horizontal” and “vertical” as well as “upper” and “lower” refer to an arrangement of the microplate in which the edge of the side wall facing away from the first plate is on a horizontal base and the cover is on the upper side of the microplate.

[0065] according to Figures 1 to 3 The microplate 1 comprises a rectangular first plate 2 and a surrounding side wall 4 with four side edges 4.1 to 4.4 protruding downward from an outer edge 3 of the first plate 2. The first plate 2 and the side wall 4 are also referred to as "frames".

[0066] 96 containers 5 are arranged in eight rows and twelve columns in the first plate 2 , which containers are connected to the first plate 2 at the top, which containers protrude downward from the bottom side of the first plate 2 and have openings 6 on the top side of the first plate 2 .

[0067] Each opening 6 is surrounded by a small frame 7 which protrudes upward from the upper side of the first plate 2 .

[0068] The container 5 has a shape that tapers downwards and has a conical container section 5.1 connected to the first plate 2 at the top, the container section having a diameter that tapers downwards and a first container bottom 5.2 that is curved downwards in the shape of a spherical shell.

[0069] The side wall 4 has an outwardly protruding flange 8 on the lower edge. The flange has an inverted L-shaped profile in a vertical section and forms an outwardly and downwardly protruding extension 9 of the side wall 4.

[0070] The microplate 1 has a snap-on opening 10 on the edge of the first plate 2. A portion 10.1 of each snap-on opening 10 is arranged in the lateral edge region of the first plate 2 and another portion 10.2 is arranged in the upper edge region of the side wall 4. The portion 10.1 of the snap-on opening 10 formed in the lateral edge region of the first plate 2 has an upper boundary surface 11.1 extending parallel to the outer edge of the first plate. The upper lateral boundary surfaces 11.2, 11.3 extend perpendicularly to the upper boundary surface from the lateral end of each upper boundary surface 11.1 to the outer edge of the first plate 2.

[0071] The other part 10.2 of the snap opening 10 arranged in the upper edge region of the side wall 4 has a lower boundary surface 12.1 extending parallel to the upper edge of the side wall 4. The lower lateral boundary surfaces 12.2, 12.3 of the other part 10.2 of the snap opening 10 extend vertically upward from the outer end of each lower boundary surface 12.1 to the upper edge of the side wall 4.

[0072] The upper boundary surface 11 . 1 is flush with the inner side 13 of the side wall 4 or is offset inwardly relative to the inner side 13 , which adjoins the lower boundary surface 12 . 1 .

[0073] Two snap-in openings 10 are arranged on each long side of the first plate 2 near a corner of the side wall 4. On the long sides of the first plate 2, the snap-in openings 10 are arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal center axis 14 of the first plate 2.

[0074] Two snap-in openings 10 are respectively arranged near a corner of the side wall 4 on each short side of the first plate 2. On the short sides of the first plate 2, the snap-in openings 10 are symmetrically arranged about the transverse center axis 15 of the first plate 2.

[0075] The microplate 1 is made of a single or multiple plastics, and if necessary, the first plate 2 and the side wall 4 are made of a plastic different from that of the container 5. For example, the microplate is entirely made of polystyrene, polycarbonate or polypropylene, or the first plate 2 and the side wall 4 are composed of polycarbonate, and the container 5 is made of polypropylene, silicone or liquid silicone rubber.

[0076] according to Figures 1 to 3 , set on microplate 1 Figure 4 and 5 The cover 16 shown in FIG. The cover 16 has a rectangular second plate 17 that is configured congruently with the first plate 2 .

[0077] The cover 16 has snap hooks 18 projecting downwardly from an upper outer edge 19 of the second plate 17 .

[0078] Each snap hook 18 has a vertical strip 20, which is connected at the upper end to the upper outer edge 19 of the second plate 17. In addition, each snap hook 18 has a horizontal strip 21 at the lower end of the vertical strip 20, which protrudes inward, that is, below the second plate 17. The horizontal strip 21 has a first sliding surface 22 inclined relative to the vertical direction on the lower side at the outer end.

[0079] The cover 16 has two snap hooks 18 on the two long sides of the second plate 17, each snap hook 18 is arranged at a corner of the second plate 17. The two snap hooks 18 on the two long sides of the second plate 17 are symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal center axis 14 of the second plate 17.

[0080] On the two short sides of the second plate 17, the cover 16 also has two snap hooks 18 respectively, wherein each snap hook is arranged near a corner of the second plate 17. The snap hooks 18 on the two short sides are arranged symmetrically about the transverse center axis 15 of the second plate 17.

[0081] As especially by Figure 5 As can be seen, for the snap hooks 18 arranged symmetrically about the longitudinal center axis 14 or the transverse center axis 15, the first sliding surfaces 22 are respectively arranged on the inner sides of the snap hooks 18 facing each other, and these first sliding surfaces 22 are inclined upward toward each other. Therefore, the first sliding surfaces 22 on the inner sides of the snap hooks 18 facing each other form an acute angle with each other, and the apex of the acute angle is arranged above the second plate 17.

[0082] The second plate 17 has a notch 23 above the horizontal strip 22 of each snap hook 18. This facilitates the demoulding of the cover 16 from the mold during injection molding.

[0083] according to Figures 4 to 6 The cover 16 has sealing elements 24 arranged in rows and columns on the lower side of the second plate 17. Each sealing element 24 is dome-shaped (spherical shell-shaped) and is held in a circular hole 25 in the second plate 17. In order to be held on the edge of the hole, each sealing element 24 has an outwardly protruding, circumferential upper flange 26 on the upper edge and an outwardly protruding circumferential lower flange 27 below and at a distance from the upper flange. The edge on the hole 25 of the second plate 17 is embedded between the upper flange 26 and the lower flange 27 of each sealing element 24, thereby holding the sealing element 24 on the second plate 17.

[0084] 96 sealing elements 24 are arranged in eight rows and twelve columns in the second plate 17, and the arrangement of the sealing elements 17 corresponds to the arrangement of the containers 5 in the microplate 1. The sealing elements 17 are configured so that each sealing element 17 can be partially inserted into the container 5 of the microplate 1. Figure 6 and 7 As shown in FIG, the sealing element 17 rests sealingly on the inner side of the container 5 at the upper edge of the container.

[0085] The cover 16 is manufactured by injection molding. The embodiment with the sealing element 24 is manufactured by a multi-component injection molding method, in which the second plate 17 can be injection molded in a first step, and the sealing element 24 can be injection molded onto the second plate 17 in a second step. The second plate 17 is made of polystyrene, polycarbonate or polypropylene, for example, and the sealing element 24 is made of polypropylene, silicone or liquid silicone rubber.

[0086] according to Figure 8The unlocking device 28 has a rectangular frame 29, which includes four frame bars 29.1 to 29.4, which are connected to each other at the corners of the frame 29. The lower edge of the frame 29 has a horizontal flat support surface 30 for placing the frame 29 on a horizontal substrate. The frame has a horizontal flat support surface 21 for placing the microplate 1 on the upper side.

[0087] The frame strips each have a planar inner surface 32 on the inner side.

[0088] The frame 29 has on the outside a shoulder 33 which extends around approximately half the height.

[0089] The frame strips 29 . 1 to 29 . 4 have a flat outer surface 34 . 1 , 34 . 2 below the shoulder 33 and above the shoulder 33 .

[0090] Furthermore, the frame 29 has two vertical grooves 35 . 1 , 35 . 2 on the outer side above the shoulder on the narrow frame strips 29 . 1 , 29 . 2 , each of which is arranged near a corner of the frame 29 .

[0091] The frame 29 surrounds a receptacle 36 which is delimited by the inner sides of the frame strips 29 . 1 to 29 . 4 .

[0092] The frame 29 has a circumferential chamfer 37 on the outside at the upper edge, which forms a second sliding surface 38. The second sliding surface 38 is at an angle to the vertical. The second sliding surfaces 38 are arranged on the opposite frame strips 29.1 to 29.3 so that they are inclined upwards towards each other. Therefore, the second sliding surfaces are at an acute angle with each other having a vertex above the frame 29.

[0093] The frame bars 29 . 1 to 29 . 4 form support projections 39 . 1 to 39 . 4 for receiving the microplate 1 .

[0094] according to Fig.10 and 11 , the cover 16 can be placed on the microplate 1, where the snap hooks 18 form a snap connection at the snap openings 10, in which the horizontal strips 22 overlap the first plate 2 from below at the lateral edges. Figure 6 and 7 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the cover 16 is placed on the microplate 1 , the sealing element 24 engages sealingly in the opening 6 of the container 5 . In this position, the cover 16 is fixed to the microplate 1 by the snap hooks 18 .

[0095] The cover 16 is placed from above onto the microplate 1. Here, the snap hooks 18 on the cover 16 sink into the snap openings 10 of the microplate 1. The snap hooks 18 snap into place behind the edges of the snap openings 10 in a form-fitting manner and hold the cover 16 securely on the microplate 1. Before the snap hooks 18 snap in, the sealing element 24 rests sealingly on the inner side of the container 5 in the upper region and covers the container.

[0096] By placing the microplate 1 together with the locked cover 16 on the unlocking device 28, the cover 16 can be removed again. The outer side and the upper side of the unlocking device 28 are designed to be opposite / complementary to the inner side of the microplate 1. Therefore, the microplate 1 can be placed together with the cover 16 locked thereto on the frame 29, so that the frame 29 is embedded from below in the side wall 4 surrounding the microplate, and the container 5 is sunk into the receiving part 36. When the microplate 1 is placed on the unlocking device 28, the vertical ribs on the inner side of the side wall 4 for structural reinforcement can be embedded in the grooves 35.1, 35.2 of the frame 29.

[0097] At the end of the placement movement, the first sliding surface 22 of the snap hook 18 slides on the second sliding surface 38 of the frame 29, and the snap hook 18 is bent outwards. The snap connection is thus released, so that the cover 16 can be lifted and removed from the microplate 1. Fig.12 At this point, the cover 16 can be pushed upwards by the frame 29. After the snap connection is released, the cover 16 can be removed from the microplate 1.

[0098] The placement and snap-fitting of the cover 16 to the microplate 1 as well as the release of the snap-fitting connection and the removal of the cover 16 from the microplate 1 can be automatically performed, for example, in a laboratory automation device or an automatic metering device.

[0099] The microplate and the cover 16 can be handled by a gripper of an automated system, such as Epmotion, a product of the applicant.

[0100] Similar to the microplate 1 , the cover 16 can be dimensionally stable and easy to handle due to the plastic used and, if necessary, by structural reinforcements (ribs or frames).

[0101] The sealing element 24 is preferably formed of a corresponding soft or elastic material. The material is, for example, a thermoplastic material, such as soft PP, PE or TPE. Due to the flexibility of the sealing element 24 and the arrangement of the sealing element corresponding to the grid structure of the container 5 of the microplate 1, each sealing element 24 can cover one container 5.

[0102] The cover 16 with the sealing element 24 can consist of a plurality of parts which are assembled together or can be manufactured by two-component injection molding.

[0103] Reference numerals list

[0104] 1 microplate

[0105] 2 First Board

[0106] 3 Outer edge

[0107] 4 Sidewall

[0108] 4.1-4.4 Side

[0109] 5 Containers

[0110] 5.1 Container segment

[0111] 5.2 Container bottom

[0112] 6 Opening

[0113] 7 Border

[0114] 8 Flange

[0115] 9 Extension

[0116] 10 buckle mouth

[0117] 10.1 Part of the buckle mouth

[0118] 10.2 Another part of the buckle

[0119] 11.1 Upper Boundary Surface

[0120] 11.2, 11.3 Upper lateral boundary surface

[0121] 12.1 Lower Boundary Surface

[0122] 12.2, 12.3 Lower lateral boundary surface

[0123] 13Inside

[0124] 14Longitudinal center axis

[0125] 15 horizontal axis

[0126] 16. Lid

[0127] 17 Second Board

[0128] 18 snap hook

[0129] 19 Upper outer edge

[0130] 20 vertical slats

[0131] 21 horizontal slats

[0132] 22 First sliding surface

[0133] 23Gap

[0134] 24 Sealing elements

[0135] 25 holes

[0136] 26 Upper flange

[0137] 27 Lower flange

[0138] 28 unlocking device

[0139] 29 Frames

[0140] 29.1-29.4 frame strip

[0141] 30 Support surface

[0142] 31 Support surface

[0143] 32Inner surface

[0144] 33 shoulder

[0145] 34.1, 34.2 External surface

[0146] 35.1, 35.2 slots

[0147] 36 Accommodation

[0148] 37 chamfer

[0149] 38 Second sliding surface

[0150] 39.1-39.4 support protrusions.

Claims

1. A kit, comprising: • A microplate (1), said microplate comprising: • a rectangular first plate (2), • a plurality of containers (5) arranged in rows and columns, connected to the first plate (2) at the top, protruding downward from the lower side of the first plate and having openings (6) on the upper side of the first plate, and • snap-on openings (10) on at least two mutually opposite lateral edges of the first plate (2), • a cover (16), said cover having: • a second plate (17) for placement on the upper side of the first plate (2) and for covering the opening (6) of the container (5), and • snap hooks (18) protruding from the underside of the second plate (17) on at least two mutually opposite lateral edges of the second plate (17), wherein in the covering position the lid (16) is placed with the second plate (17) on the upper side of the first plate (2), covering the opening (6) of the container (5) and snapping into the snap opening (10) with the snap hooks (18) to form a snap connection; and • an unlocking device (28) for releasing the snap connection between the microplate (1) and the cover (16), the unlocking device comprising: • at least two vertical supporting projections (39.1-39.4) and at least one receptacle (36) between the supporting projections, so that the microplate (1) can be placed on the supporting projections with at least two mutually opposite edge regions of the first plate (2) when the container (5) is inserted into the at least one receptacle (36), and • A first sliding surface (22) and a second sliding surface (38), the first sliding surface being located on the inner sides of the snap hooks (18) on the opposite edges of the first plate (2) and facing each other, and the second sliding surface being located on the outer sides of the support protrusions (39.1-39.4) on the opposite sides of the accommodating portion (36) and facing away from each other, the first sliding surface (32) on the inner sides of the snap hooks (18) facing each other being inclined upwards towards each other and / or the second sliding surface (38) on the outer sides of the support protrusions (39.1-39.4) facing away from each other being inclined upwards towards each other.

2. The kit according to claim 1, wherein: Each snap-on opening (10) is at least partially arranged in two lateral edges of the first plate (2).

3. The kit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The microporous plate (1) comprises a surrounding side wall (4) protruding downward from the outer edge of the first plate (2), and each snap-in opening (10) is at least partially formed in the upper edge region of the side wall (4).

4. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: A portion (10.1) of each snap-in opening (10) is arranged in a lateral edge region of the first plate (2), and another portion (10.2) is arranged in an upper edge region of the side wall (4).

5. The kit according to claim 4, wherein: The portion (10.1) of the snap-fit ​​opening (10) formed in the lateral edge region of the first plate (2) has an upper boundary surface (11.1) extending parallel to the outer edge of the first plate, the upper boundary surface is flush with the inner side (13) of the side wall (4) or offset inwardly relative to the inner side, and the inner side is adjacent to the lower boundary surface (12.1) of the portion (10.2) of the snap-fit ​​opening (10) in the upper edge region of the side wall (4).

6. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The microplate (1) has two snap-fit ​​openings (10) on two long edges of the first plate (2), and the cover (16) has two snap-fit ​​hooks (18) on two long edges of the second plate (17).

7. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The microporous plate (1) has two snap-on openings (10) on two short edges of the first plate (2), and the cover (16) has two snap-on hooks (18) on two short edges.

8. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein: Each snap hook (18) has a vertical strip (20) and an inwardly protruding horizontal strip (21) at the lower end of the vertical strip.

9. The kit according to claim 8, wherein: The horizontal strip (21) has a first sliding surface (22) at the outer end on the underside.

10. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein: The second plate (17) has a notch (23) on the lateral edge next to the connection to the snap hook (18) above the hook end of the snap hook.

11. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The microplate (1) and / or the cover (16) have at least one sealing element (24) which circumferentially seals the edge of each opening (6) when the cover (16) is snapped onto the microplate (1).

12. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein: The cover (16) has sealing elements (24) arranged in rows and columns on the lower side of the second plate, each of which abuts against the inner edge of one of the openings (6) when the cover (16) is snapped onto the microplate (1).

13. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein: The microplate (1) has at least one further snap-in opening (10) between the lateral edges in the first plate (2), and the cover (16) has at least one further snap-in hook (18) protruding downward between the two lateral edges of the second plate (17); when the cover (16) is placed with the second plate (17) on the upper side of the first plate (2) of the microplate (1), the further snap-in hook (18) is introduced into the further snap-in opening (10) and snaps behind the further snap-in opening on the lower side of the first plate (2); and the unlocking device (28) and / or the further snap-in hook (18) have at least one further second sliding surface (38) which is configured to slide on the further first sliding surface (22) when the snap connection is released when the microplate (1) is placed together with the snap-in cover (16).

14. A kit according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein: The unlocking device (28) has a rectangular frame (29), the frame bars (29.1-29.4) of the frame form supporting protrusions (39.1 to 39.4), the receiving portion (36) is defined by the inner side of the frame bars (29.1-29.4), and the supporting surface (31) is formed by the upper end surface of the frame bars.

15. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising at least one of the following features: • the microplate (1) is made of a single plastic or multiple plastics, and if necessary, the frame of the microplate is made of a different plastic than the container (5), • the cover (16) is made of one or more plastics, and if necessary, the second plate (17) is made of a different plastic than the sealing element (24), • the unlocking device (28) is made of a single or multiple plastics, metal or a combination of plastic and metal, • The microplate (1) and / or the cover (16) and / or the locking device (28) are injection molded.

Images