Ergonomic manual colony counter

Abstract

A manual colony counter (1) comprises a face (2), referred to as a functional face, comprising an area (3), referred to as a counting zone, for placing a culture support for culturing microorganisms in order to manually count the microorganisms, a movable part (4), movable relative to the functional face and designed to be arrangeable in at least two different positions, referred to as a deployment position (6), wherein the surface of the movable part forms a support surface (41) for the user's hand and / or wrist and / or forearm and / or elbow, and a position referred to as the folded position (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a counter for manually counting microorganisms, in particular to manually counting bacterial colonies.

[0002] The invention can be applied in the research field as well as in the agri-food, medical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Background Art

[0003] Manual colony counters are known in the art.

[0004] Prior art colony counters include a touch zone, on which a petri dish is typically placed, the surface of the dish containing agar, which has been previously inoculated and incubated. The user applies pressure to each visible colony with a stylus or pen, typically marking the identified colonies at the same time. Typically, holding the stylus or pen may require the operator to support the counting hand near the petri dish during the counting / marking process. In addition, during the counting process, the operator must adopt a specific posture relative to the petri dish to ensure that the observed area of ​​the petri dish intersects the line of sight. This specific posture is not universal and does not apply to all colony counters, but depends on the shape and layout of the counter, in particular the layout of the touch zone lighting.

[0005] The colony counter also includes a counting function that accumulates each pressure applied by the user (i.e. each identified colony) to determine the total number of colonies in the analyzed culture dish.

[0006] A common problem with prior art colony counters is that the user responsible for counting needs to perform counting operations on a large number of samples in sequence. Because the user is forced to adopt a specific posture, discomfort will quickly occur.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a manual colony counter:

[0008] - its ergonomic design is optimized, and / or

[0009] - Can reduce or even eliminate user discomfort during counting and / or prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Summary of the invention

[0010] For this purpose, a manual colony counter is proposed, which comprises a surface called a functional surface, which contains an area called a counting zone, which is used to place a culture support of microorganisms (preferably bacteria) for manual counting.

[0011] The manual colony counter comprises a component movable relative to a functional surface and designed to be arranged in at least two different positions:

[0012] - a position, referred to as the deployed position, in which a surface of the movable part forms a support surface for the hand and / or wrist and / or forearm and / or elbow of the user,

[0013] - A position called the folded position.

[0014] Preferably, the colony counter comprises an optical device for backlighting the culture support.

[0015] Preferably, the counter may include or be designed to communicate with a device for accumulating each pressure exerted on the touch area.

[0016] Preferably, the area for placing the microorganism cultivation support comprises a device for accumulating each pressure applied to the touch area. Preferably, the area for placing the microorganism cultivation support is a touch area.

[0017] The counter may not include means for accumulating each pressure exerted on the touch area.

[0018] The touch area may be a touch surface.

[0019] The microorganism cultivation support may be, by way of non-limiting example, a culture dish.

[0020] Preferably, the counter can include an additional support surface on the functional surface. The additional support surface can be used as a support for the user's hand.

[0021] Preferably, the movable part is designed to be movable relative to the functional surface and / or an additional support surface existing on the functional surface.

[0022] Preferably, the support surface is adjacent to or continuous with the counting zone.

[0023] Preferably, in the deployed position, the support surface can constitute an extension of the functional surface and / or the movable part.

[0024] - extends beyond the functional surface, and / or

[0025] - protrudes from the functional surface, and / or

[0026] - Forming a surface or element that is different from the functional surface.

[0027] Preferably, in the folded position the movable part does not provide a support surface for the user, in particular a support surface for the hand and / or wrist and / or forearm and / or elbow of the user.

[0028] Preferably, pressure is applied to the microorganism support, exerting pressure on the counting area through a reaction force.

[0029] Preferably, the functional surface extends predominantly along one plane.

[0030] Preferably, during counting, the movable part is in the deployed position.

[0031] Preferably, the unfolded position can provide users with better comfort in using the colony counter.

[0032] Preferably, when the colony counter is not in use, the movable part is in the folded position.

[0033] Preferably, the folded position makes the colony counter more compact or reduces its volume, facilitating storage and / or reducing the space occupied.

[0034] Preferably, the surface of the movable component forming the support surface is an upper surface of the movable component.

[0035] Preferably, the counting zone is capable of and / or is designed to allow illumination or backlighting of the culture support.

[0036] Preferably, the counting area is capable of (preferably designed to) receive a cultivation support, more preferably cooperates with a cultivation support.

[0037] Preferably, when the movable part is in the expanded position, the axis connecting the center of the support surface and the center of the counting area (called the support axis) forms an angle λ with a central axis, which extends between one side or one surface of the functional surface (called the proximal side, designed to face the user) and the center of the counting area, and the angle λ is between 20° and 70°, preferably between 35° and 55°.

[0038] The angle between the support axis and the central axis can be a positive angle or a negative angle. According to the clockwise direction, the angle between the support axis and the central axis can be a positive angle (preferably applicable to right-handed users) or a negative angle (preferably applicable to left-handed users).

[0039] Preferably, the central axis extends equidistantly between the two side faces of the colony counter.

[0040] Preferably, the two side surfaces of the colony counter are respectively connected to a proximal side of the colony counter and a side surface called a distal side, the distal side being opposite to the proximal side.

[0041] Preferably, the functional surface and the movable part, preferably the supporting surface of the movable part, preferably form an angle smaller than or equal to 45°, preferably parallel to each other, in the unfolded position and / or in the folded position.

[0042] Preferably, the angle formed between the plane in which the functional surface and / or the additional supporting surface of the functional surface mainly extends (referred to as the functional surface plane) and the plane in which the movable part and / or the supporting surface mainly extends (referred to as the movable part plane), preferably in the unfolded position and / or the folded position, is less than 20°, and they are preferably parallel to each other.

[0043] Preferably, the functional surface plane and the movable component plane, preferably the support surface plane, preferably in the unfolded position and / or folded position, lie in the same plane or in two merged planes.

[0044] Preferably, the angle formed between the functional surface and the movable component, preferably the supporting surface of the movable component, preferably in the unfolded position and / or in the folded position, is less than or equal to 20°.

[0045] Preferably, an angle formed between the functional surface and a surface of the counter, preferably the bottom surface, which is designed to be a surface for placing the counter, is between 12.5° and 27.5°.

[0046] Preferably, four side surfaces of the colony counter, namely the two side surfaces and the proximal side and the distal side, connect the bottom surface of the colony counter with the functional surface.

[0047] Preferably, the angle formed between the functional surface and the bottom surface of the colony counter is greater than or equal to 12.5°, preferably 15°, more preferably 16°, advantageously 17°, preferably 18°, more preferably 19°, and most preferably 20°. Preferably, the angle formed between the functional surface and the bottom surface of the colony counter is less than or equal to 27.5°, preferably 25°, more preferably 24°, advantageously 23°, preferably 22°, more preferably 21°, and most preferably 20°.

[0048] Preferably, the counting area and / or the functional surface comprises:

[0049] - a recess (31), including a bottom (8), for placing a microorganism culture support, or

[0050] - a hole, the edges of which contain one or more gripping devices for placing a microbial culture support.

[0051] Preferably, the gripping device is capable and / or designed to receive and / or support and / or fix and / or hold the microorganism cultivation support.

[0052] Preferably, the gripping means forms or constitutes means for accumulating each application of pressure.

[0053] Preferably, the recess and the bottom form a receiving space which is capable of receiving and / or is designed to receive a cultivation support and / or in which a cultivation support is placed.

[0054] Preferably, the hole and the gripping means form a receiving space capable of receiving and / or supporting and / or fixing and / or holding the culture support and / or placing a culture medium therein.

[0055] Preferably, the groove is or comprises a notch.

[0056] Preferably, the touch area forms the bottom of the groove.

[0057] Preferably, the recess is designed to cooperate with a cultivation support.

[0058] Preferably, the recess is shaped to receive a growing medium.

[0059] Preferably, at least a portion, preferably all, of the movable part covers the counting area and / or the groove and / or the indentation and / or the hole when the movable part is in the folded position.

[0060] Preferably, the movable part covering the counting area is able to protect the colony counter, for example from shocks, liquid splashes or dust.

[0061] Preferably, the movable component is designed to translate along the functional surface or along a side adjacent to the functional surface.

[0062] Preferably, the movable component or a part thereof is designed to translate along the functional surface or along a side adjacent to the functional surface, so as to form a cover of the functional area.

[0063] Preferably, the movable component is designed to rotate about a rotation axis parallel to the functional surface or a rotation axis perpendicular to the functional surface.

[0064] The movable part may be retractable and / or foldable and / or rotatable and / or translatable in order to ensure the transition from the folded position to the unfolded position and vice versa.

[0065] Preferably, the colony counter comprises a control unit designed to:

[0066] - activating the colony counter in response to movement of the movable member from the folded position to the unfolded position, and / or

[0067] - deactivating the colony counter in response to movement of the movable member from the deployed position to the folded position.

[0068] Activation of the colony counter may mean a transition from an operational state to an inactive or deactivated state. It is understood that activation of the colony counter may be a transition from an inactive or deactivated state to an operational state. Preferably, the control unit may be arranged to activate and / or deactivate the colony counter.

[0069] Preferably, the colony counter, preferably the control unit, can be arranged to postpone activation and / or deactivation of the colony counter for a period of time. In other words, the period of time can separate the passage of the movable part from the retracted position to the deployed position from the activation or deactivation of the colony counter, and vice versa.

[0070] Preferably, the additional support surface of the functional surface and / or the support surface of the movable component is made of an elastic material.

[0071] Preferably, the elastic material is a polymer, more preferably an elastomer.

[0072] Preferably, the resilient material is foam.

[0073] Preferably, the elastic material is neoprene or ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM).

[0074] Preferably, the additional support surface of the functional surface and / or the support surface of the movable component is smooth or has a low roughness or is covered with a non-porous material.

[0075] Preferably, the microorganism culture support for placement on the counting area is a culture dish.

[0076] The colony counter may include one or more adapters, preferably removable, designed to be used in conjunction with the counting zone and to:

[0077] - inserting or introducing into the counting area, and

[0078] - Receive microbial culture supports for manual counting.

[0079] For each pressure exerted on the touch zone, the colony counter, preferably the control unit, can be designed to:

[0080] - regulating, preferably temporarily regulating, the light intensity emitted by the optical means for backlighting the cultivation support,

[0081] - Sound a signal.

[0082] Preferably, the sound signal is emitted by an audio device of the colony counter, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a speaker.

[0083] The colony counter may include one or more optical filters designed and / or arranged on the counting area, the optical filters being used to adjust or change the contrast between the colonies and the culture medium in which the colonies are incubated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0084] Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will emerge from a reading of the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments and examples and the accompanying drawings:

[0085] FIG. 1a is a schematic oblique view of a first embodiment of a colony counter according to the present invention,

[0086] FIG. 1b is a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a colony counter according to the present invention,

[0087] FIG2a is a schematic front view of a first embodiment of a colony counter according to the present invention, wherein the movable part is in a folded position.

[0088] FIG2 b is a schematic front view of a first embodiment of a colony counter according to the present invention, wherein the movable part is in an extended position.

[0089] Figure 3 is a side view schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a colony counter according to the present invention,

[0090] FIG4a is a schematic front view of a second embodiment of a colony counter according to the present invention, wherein the movable part is in a folded position.

[0091] FIG4 b is a front view schematically showing a second embodiment of a colony counter according to the present invention, wherein the movable part is in an extended position.

[0092] Figure 5 is a front view schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a colony counter according to the present invention, wherein the movable part is in a folded position,

[0093] Figure 6 It is a front view schematic diagram of a third embodiment of a colony counter according to the present invention, wherein the movable component is in an extended position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0094] The embodiments described below are not limiting and in particular variants of the invention may be considered which include only a portion of the features isolated from the other described features (even if these features are described in the same sentence), as long as the selection of these features is sufficient to bring technical advantages or to distinguish the invention from the prior art. This selection includes at least one feature, preferably a functional feature without involving structural details, or only involving a portion of the structural details, as long as this portion is sufficient to bring technical advantages or to distinguish the invention from the prior art.

[0095] Refer to Figures 1 to Figure 6 , shows three embodiments of the manual colony counter 1 according to the present invention. In the absence of contrary description, the described features are common to each embodiment.

[0096] The colony counter 1 comprises a functional surface 2. The functional surface 2 comprises a counting area 3 for placing a culture support of microorganisms to be counted manually. The counting area 3 is capable of backlighting the culture support. In most cases, the culture medium is a culture dish.

[0097] The colony counter 1 further comprises an illumination device for backlighting the counting area 3. The luminous flux emitted by the illumination device is adjustable.

[0098] The colony counter 1 further comprises a component 4 that is movable relative to the functional surface 2. The movable component 4 is designed to be arranged in at least two different positions. One position is called the unfolded position 6. In the unfolded position 6, the upper surface of the movable component 4 forms a support surface 41 for supporting the forearm and elbow of the user. The support surface can be formed by the entire upper surface 41 of the movable component 4. The other position is called the folded position 5. In the folded position 5, the movable component 4 is not arranged to form a support surface 41 for the forearm and elbow of the user.

[0099] According to the embodiment shown, the functional surface 2 comprises a support surface 7, called additional support surface 7. The additional support surface 7 is adjacent to the counting area 3. The additional support surface 7 serves as a hand support for the user. In the unfolded position 6, the user can rest his hands and arms during the counting process, similar to the posture when writing with a pen. According to an embodiment, non-limiting example, the support surface 41 and the additional support surface 7 are made of an elastomer.

[0100] According to the illustrated embodiment, which is not limiting, the counting area 3 comprises a recess 31. The bottom 8 of the recess 31 is formed by a transparent surface 8. The microorganism culture support is placed on the transparent surface 8. The transparent surface 8 is a touch surface for accumulating each pressure applied to the transparent surface 8 by the user.

[0101] According to the embodiment shown, the functional surface 2 comprises a screen 9 for displaying the accumulated number of colonies. According to an embodiment, the functional surface 2 also comprises a control panel 10. The control panel comprises controls for adjusting certain parameters of the counter, such as the volume of the sound signal emitted by the counter during accumulation and / or the type of sound signal emitted and / or the sensitivity of the pressure detection sensor on the touch area and / or the change of the light intensity.

[0102] According to the embodiment shown, and with reference to FIG. 1 b , the upper surface of the functional surface 2 forms an angle β with respect to the surface 15 for placing the colony counter 1 , the angle β being between 12.5° and 27.5°. This allows the user to count with the elbows relaxed. According to an embodiment, not limiting, the angle β is 20°.

[0103] According to the embodiment shown, when the movable part 2 is in the deployed position 6, the axis 11 connecting the center of the support surface 41 and the center of the counting zone 3 forms an angle λ of 20° to 70° with respect to a central axis 12 extending between the side of the proximal edge of the functional surface 2 facing the user and the center of the counting zone 3. The support surface 41 is large enough so that the user has enough freedom to position his forearm at an angle suitable for him, which is between 20° and 70°, with respect to the central axis 12.

[0104] According to the first embodiment, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 a , the movable part 4 is arranged to rotate about a rotation axis 16 perpendicular to the upper surface 21 of the functional surface 2. Furthermore, in the folded position 5, the movable part 4 covers the counting area 3. Thus, in the folded position 5, the movable part 4 serves as a cover protecting the counting area 3. The colony counter 1 according to the first embodiment is suitable for both left-handed and right-handed people.

[0105] With reference to the first embodiment, the plane 13 along which the upper surface 21 of the functional surface 2 extends is parallel to the plane 14 along which the upper surface 42 of the movable part 4 extends in the folded position 5. In fact, the plane 13 along which the upper surface 21 of the functional surface 2 extends and the plane 14 along which the upper surface 42 of the movable part 4 extends in the folded position 5 preferably form an angle of less than 20°. According to this embodiment, the movement of the movable part 4 is performed only in the plane 14. Therefore, the upper surface 42 of the movable part 4 is located in the plane 14 in both the folded position 5 and the unfolded position 6. This enables the user to count with the wrist relaxed.

[0106] Refer to the second embodiment and refer to Figure 3 4 , the movable part 4 is arranged to translate along the functional surface 2. According to this embodiment, and in a non-limiting manner, the movable part 4 is arranged to translate along the proximal side adjacent to the functional surface 2. The colony counter 1 according to the first embodiment is suitable for both left-handed and right-handed people.

[0107] Referring to the second embodiment, the movable part 4 may be arranged to translate along any side edge adjacent to the functional surface 2. In this case, in order to accommodate right-handed and left-handed people, the colony counter 1 preferably includes a movable part 4 arranged to translate along one of the two side edges adjacent to the functional surface 2, and another movable part 4 arranged to translate along the other of the two side edges adjacent to the functional surface 2.

[0108] With reference to the first and second embodiments, the angle λ is adjustable. In fact, by translating the movable part 4 more or less or by rotating the movable part 4 more or less, the user can adjust the position of the movable part 4 in the deployed position 6 according to his body shape, thereby adjusting the value of the angle λ.

[0109] According to the third embodiment, and referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the movable part 4 is arranged to rotate around the rotation axis 17 parallel to the upper surface 21 of the functional surface 2. In addition, in the refolded position 5, the movable part 4 covers the counting area 3. Therefore, in the refolded position 5, the movable part 4 serves as a cover to protect the counting area 3. The colony counter 1 according to the third embodiment is suitable for right-handed people. However, the colony counter 1 can be arranged so that the movable part 4 is detachable and can be adjusted to be suitable for left-handed people and right-handed people.

[0110] Referring to the third embodiment, the plane 13 along which the upper surface 21 of the functional surface 2 extends coincides with the plane 14 along which the upper surface 42 of the movable part 4 extends in the unfolded position 6. The plane 13 along which the upper surface 21 of the functional surface 2 extends is parallel to the plane 14 along which the upper surface 42 of the movable part 4 extends in the folded position 5. In practice, the plane 13 along which the upper surface 21 of the functional surface 2 extends and the plane 14 along which the upper surface 42 of the movable part 4 extends in the unfolded position 6 preferably form an angle of less than 20°. This enables the user to count with the wrist in a relaxed position.

[0111] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described and many adjustments may be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0112] Therefore, in a variant combinable with the previous embodiment:

[0113] - in the deployed position 6, the surface 41 of the movable part 4 forms a support surface 41 for the hand and / or wrist and / or forearm and / or elbow of the user, and / or

[0114] - the additional support surface 7 serves as a hand and / or wrist and / or forearm support for the user, and / or

[0115] - As an alternative, the functional surface 2 comprises a hole for receiving a microorganism cultivation support and one or more elements extending from the periphery of the hole into the hole.

[0116] Furthermore, the different features, shapes, variations and embodiments of the present invention may be combined with one another in various combinations as long as they are not contradictory or exclusive to one another.

Claims

1. Manual colony counter (1), comprising: - surface (2), called the functional surface, including an area (3), called the counting area, for placing a microorganism culture support to be manually counted, - The movable part (4) can be arranged in at least two different positions relative to the functional surface: a position referred to as the deployed position (6), in which the surface of the movable part forms a support surface (41) for the hand and / or wrist and / or forearm and / or elbow of the user, A position called the retracted position (5).

2. The counter (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that When the movable part (4) is in the deployed position (6), the axis (11) connecting the center of the support surface (41) and the center of the counting area (3) forms an angle λ of 20° to 70° relative to a central axis (12) extending between the user-facing side of the functional surface and the center of the counting area.

3. The counter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The angle formed by the functional surface (2) and the movable component (4) in the unfolded position (6) is less than or equal to 45°, and they are preferably parallel to each other.

4. Counter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The functional surface (2) forms an angle β of 12.5° to 27.5° with respect to the surface (15) for placing the counter.

5. Counter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The counting area (3) comprises: - a recess (31) comprising a bottom (8) for placing a microorganism culture support, or - a hole, the periphery of which includes one or more gripping devices for placing a microorganism culture support.

6. Counter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that When the movable part (4) is in the folded position (5), at least part of the movable part covers the counting area (3).

7. Counter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The movable component (4) is arranged to translate along the functional surface (2) or along a side adjacent to the functional surface.

8. Counter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The movable part (4) is arranged to rotate around a rotation axis (17) parallel to the functional surface (2) or around a rotation axis (16) perpendicular to the functional surface.

9. A counter (1) according to any preceding claim, comprising a control unit arranged to: - activating the colony counter in response to the movable member (4) moving from the retracted position (5) to the deployed position (6), and / or - deactivating the colony counter in response to movement of said movable member from the deployed position to the retracted position.

10. Counter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The supporting surface (41) of the movable component (4) is made of elastic material.

11. Counter (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The microorganism culture support member placed on the counting area (3) is a culture dish.

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