Package and assembly for holding two rectangular pipette tip carriers

Abstract

A package and assembly for holding two rectangular pipette tip carriers. The package (20) comprises a peripheral side wall (21) having two longitudinal and transverse sides, providing a rectangular box (24) having a channel connecting an opening on the top and bottom of the box surrounded by a top rim (25) and a bottom rim (26), the top rim being vertically spaced from the bottom rim. The top rim (25) is configured to support one of the two pipette tip carriers (1) and the bottom rim (26) is configured to support the other of the two pipette tip carriers (1). At least one projection (27) extends vertically from the top rim and at least one projection (28) extends vertically from the bottom rim, where each projection is configured to pass through a complementary channel (11) in the two pipetting tip carriers for positioning the two carriers horizontally relative to each other on the rectangular cartridge (24).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a package for holding two rectangular pipetting tip carriers, the pipetting tip carriers holding multiple disposable tips for use in pipetting devices. Background Technology

[0002] In analytical laboratories, pipettes are commonly used to receive and dispense small volumes of liquid. Automated liquid handling platforms are frequently used for this purpose, capable of simultaneously receiving and / or dispensing liquid volumes with high accuracy and still high throughput. Such liquid handling platforms typically include a pipetting robot equipped with disposable or single-use pipette tips to avoid cross-contamination between samples or processed liquids. Liquid handling platforms typically incorporate these disposable or single-use pipette tips, i.e., they provide carrier plates or trays or even stacks of such carrier trays equipped with pipette tips. These carrier trays typically comprise a matrix of pipette tip arrays arranged such that the pipetting head of the pipetting robot can receive one or more of these tips. Multichannel pipetting heads can collect one or more rows of pipettes or arrays of pipettes from the carrier tray by attaching each pipette tip to a pipette. Since pipettes are used by the robot to aspirate and dispense sample liquids and are discarded after use, this increases the demand for disposable pipette tips that need to be stored within the pipetting robot. The storage units in the pipetting robot need to be resupplyed with pipette carriers loaded with pipette tips. Pipettes with advanced tips need to be manufactured and packaged in a compact and robust manner for transporting the carrier plate to its location in a pipetting robot.

[0003] EP 628484B discloses a packaging unit for a pair of panels holding pipetting tips, the panels having an edge flange around the panel for engaging a spacer frame for holding two spaced-apart panels. The pipetting tips face each other, and the tips are in an interlocking arrangement. The spaced-apart pair of panels are packaged in a separate cardboard container with a wing that closes the container and covers the panels holding the pipetting tips.

[0004] US 5318753 A discloses a box for holding a top panel and a bottom panel having multiple openings for pipetting tips. The top and bottom panels are spaced apart in a container, with the tips of the pipetting tips facing each other. The box can be closed by two lids covering the top and bottom panels, as well as the pipetting tips. Summary of the Invention

[0005] There is a need for an effective and environmentally friendly packaging for pipette tip carriers used in disposable pipette tips, requiring less material in both the pipette carrier and the packaging. Furthermore, a simple and stable packaging solution is preferred to secure the pipette carrier during transport.

[0006] The object of this invention is to provide an alternative packaging for pipetting carriers that requires less material and provides a stable protective shell for the pipetting carrier and the pipettes within it.

[0007] These objectives are achieved by a package for holding two rectangular pipette tip carriers, the pipette tip carriers holding multiple disposable tips for use in a pipetting device, the package comprising:

[0008] - Peripheral sidewalls, having two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides, thereby providing a rectangular box having channels connecting an opening at the top and an opening at the bottom of the rectangular box.

[0009] - A rectangular, horizontally oriented top edge, the top edge surrounding an opening on the top and vertically spaced from a rectangular, horizontally oriented bottom edge, the bottom edge surrounding an opening on the bottom of the rectangular box.

[0010] The top edge is configured to support one of the two rectangular pipette tip carriers, and the bottom edge is configured to support the other of the two rectangular pipette tip carriers.

[0011] At least one protrusion extends vertically from the top edge and at least one protrusion extends vertically from the bottom edge, wherein each of the at least one protrusion is configured to pass through a complementary channel in each of the two pipette tip carriers for positioning the two pipette tip carriers horizontally relative to each other on the rectangular box.

[0012] The first aspect relates to a package for holding two rectangular pipette tip carriers, the pipette tip carriers being held or configured to hold a plurality of disposable tips for use in a pipetting device. The package includes peripheral sidewalls having two longitudinal sides and two transverse sides, thereby providing a rectangular box having a channel connecting openings on the top and bottom of the rectangular box. A rectangular, horizontally oriented top edge surrounds the opening on the top and is vertically spaced from a rectangular, horizontally oriented bottom edge surrounding an opening on the bottom of the box. The top edge is configured to support one of the two rectangular pipette tip carriers, and the bottom edge is configured to support the other of the two rectangular pipette tip carriers. An engagement between the bottom edge and the top edge vertically spaces the two pipette tip carriers vertically apart from each other. The package includes at least one protrusion or flap extending vertically from the top edge and at least one protrusion or flap extending vertically from the bottom edge, wherein each of the at least one protrusion or flap is configured to pass through a complementary channel in each of the two pipette tip carriers for horizontally positioning the two pipette tip carriers relative to each other on the rectangular box. The engagement between the opening and the flap in the pipette tip carrier stabilizes the packaging by preventing warping of the peripheral sidewalls of the box, and thereby ensuring axial spacing between the two pipette tip carriers during impact or mechanical loading, such as during transport. The top and bottom edges are constructed as plates or skirts supporting the pipette tip carriers, and complementary channels are located in the plates of the carriers, preferably in the skirt sections.

[0013] The protrusion or flap may include barbs for passing through complementary channels in the pipetting tip carrier via the barbs, and then axially displacing in the horizontal direction to temporarily secure the pipetting tip carrier to the packaging.

[0014] The protrusions or flaps can be integrated into the peripheral wall of the box, or they can be attached to the peripheral wall as separate parts. When the box is folded from a stamped sheet of material, the flaps can be integrated into the box.

[0015] The engagement between the at least one protrusion or flap and the complementary channel prevents the pipette tip carrier from moving in the horizontal plane along the longitudinal or lateral side of the top or bottom edge, while allowing the pipette tip carrier to move vertically. Optionally, the pipette tip carrier must move horizontally to release the carrier from the barb. The engagement between the flap and the complementary channel is a releasable engagement, allowing the pipette tip carrier to be removed from the packaging in a vertical direction. This engagement secures the top and bottom edges of the packaging to the pipette tip carrier, for example, to a plate, so that the vertical load on the pipette tip carrier is effectively transferred to the rectangular box, and prevents warping of the box or misalignment of the pipette tip carrier from the top or bottom edge into the box. This engagement further stabilizes the rectangular box, preventing it from deforming into a parallelogram.

[0016] The bottom and top edges of the packaging are vertically spaced apart, thus axially separating the two pipetting tip carriers when the bottom and top edges engage the carriers. The space within the rectangular box can be used for the pipetting tips.

[0017] In one embodiment, at least one protrusion or fin extending vertically from the top edge and at least one protrusion or fin extending vertically from the bottom edge are aligned relative to each other, i.e., they are horizontally positioned at the same location on the top and bottom edges. A symmetrical arrangement of the pipetting tip carriers is achieved when the two pipetting tip carriers have complementary channels at the same location in the skirt.

[0018] In one embodiment, at least one protrusion or fin extending vertically from the top edge and at least one protrusion or fin extending vertically from the bottom edge are misaligned relative to each other; that is, they are horizontally positioned at different locations on the top and bottom edges. An asymmetrical arrangement of the pipetting tip carriers is achieved when the two pipetting tip carriers have complementary channels at the same location in the skirt.

[0019] At least one protrusion or wing extending vertically from the top edge and at least one protrusion or wing extending vertically from the bottom edge may protrude from the longitudinal side of the peripheral sidewall. Alternatively, at least one protrusion extending vertically from the top edge and at least one protrusion extending vertically from the bottom edge may protrude from the transverse side of the peripheral sidewall.

[0020] The packaging may include two protrusions extending vertically from two opposite sides of the top or bottom edge of the box. The two protrusions or flaps may extend from two lateral sides of the rectangular box, or from two longitudinal sides of the box. The two protrusions or flaps on the box are combined with a pipette tip carrier having two complementary channels in the skirt to facilitate efficient load transfer from the pipette tip carrier to the packaging and to stabilize the rectangular box.

[0021] The top cap can be attached to and extends vertically from the top edge, and the bottom cap can be attached to and extends vertically from the bottom edge. The top and bottom caps are configured to flex for horizontal alignment of the top cap with the top edge and the bottom cap with the bottom edge to cover two rectangular pipette tip carriers. The top and bottom caps can initially extend vertically, and the caps can be attached to the box via predetermined fold lines. The top and bottom caps can be integrated into a box, for example, stamped from a piece of cardboard, or the caps can be attached to the box as separate parts.

[0022] The top cover may be attached to one of the longitudinal or transverse sides of the top edge, and at least one protrusion or flap extending from the top edge extends from the other of the longitudinal or transverse sides of the top edge. The bottom cover may be attached to one of the longitudinal or transverse sides of the bottom edge, and wherein at least one protrusion extending from the bottom edge extends from the other of the longitudinal or transverse sides of the bottom edge.

[0023] The top and bottom covers may each include a closure for sealing the package. The closure can extend from either the top or bottom cover and can be configured as complementary closure slits in the peripheral walls of the box. The rectangular box is closed after the carrier is inserted, and the top and bottom covers are tilted before closing, which further stabilizes the package mechanically.

[0024] The packaging can be made from cardboard sheets or plastic sheets, and is preferably made by stamping or laser-cutting peripheral wall elements, flaps or protrusions, and a lid from a single sheet, then folding and securing the packaging into a box shape. The cardboard sheet can be coated or laminated with another material. This other material can reinforce the cardboard. The packaging can be made from composite materials or foam materials. The cardboard sheet or plastic or foam sheet can be, for example, embossed or partially cut to display the trademark. The trademark or technical information, such as production date, expiration date, or recycling instructions, can be printed on the outer surface of the packaging. Additional vertically oriented folds can further mechanically reinforce the packaging.

[0025] The second aspect relates to a component comprising the aforementioned packaging and two pipetting tip carriers holding a plurality of disposable tips for use in a pipetting device, wherein each of the two pipetting tip carriers includes a rectangular skirt or plate having a lower surface for engaging each top edge or bottom edge of a rectangular box such that the lower surfaces of the two pipetting tip carriers face each other.

[0026] Each pipetting tip carrier's rectangular plate or skirt includes at least one opening that provides complementary channels for at least one protrusion or wing extending vertically from the top edge or from the bottom edge.

[0027] The at least one opening is preferably a rectangular opening. In an embodiment, the pipette tip carrier includes two openings positioned on opposite sides of the pipette tip carrier, for example, positioned on two lateral sides or two longitudinal sides of a rectangular pipette tip carrier.

[0028] The pipette tip carrier includes a plurality of pipette orifices or channels for nesting disposable pipette tips, wherein each disposable pipette tip includes a pipette connected to a collar, the collar engaging the pipette orifice, and wherein the pipette of the pipette carrier engaging the top edge engages with the pipette of the disposable pipette tip nested in the pipette carrier engaging the bottom edge. Typically, the outer diameter of the pipette collar exceeds the inner diameter of the channel, allowing the collar to abut the top surface of the carrier, while the outer diameter of the pipette is lower than the inner diameter of the channel, allowing the pipette to extend through the channel.

[0029] For example, by inserting two pipette tip carriers and attaching the caps to the box, the top and bottom caps can be folded from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The top cap, attached to the top edge of the package, and the bottom cap, attached to the bottom edge of the package, can cover the two rectangular pipette tip carriers.

[0030] The package and the two pipette tip carriers can be further enclosed in a secondary package. The secondary package can be a blister pack, peel-off bag, foil, paper packaging, etc. The secondary package provides a barrier against gas diffusion, allowing the component to be packaged in an inert gas environment (e.g., nitrogen). The secondary package can be made of a polyamide film optionally coated with a polyolefin (PP, PE) layer. The secondary package can demonstrate its effectiveness as a barrier against contamination, such as biocontamination by DNA / RNA fragments or endotoxins. The component packaged in the secondary package can be sterilized using gamma rays, electron beams, or X-ray radiation. Alternatively, the secondary package can include a porous membrane, such as a Tyvek membrane, which allows for gas sterilization using hydrogen peroxide or ethylene oxide gas.

[0031] These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below, and will be set forth with reference to the embodiments described below. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which present:

[0033] Figure 1 : A perspective view from the top of the pipette tip carrier according to the invention,

[0034] Figure 2 : A perspective view of the bottom of the pipette tip carrier according to the present invention,

[0035] Figure 2a : A bottom view of a pipette tip carrier according to another embodiment,

[0036] Figure 3 Maintain details of the corner sections of the pipette tip carrier and the gripper of the pipetting robot.

[0037] Figure 4aThe pipette allows for the use of a pipetting robot to pick up details of the thin rectangular skirt segment of the first row of pipetting tips.

[0038] Figure 4b The pipette allows for the use of a pipetting robot to pick up details of the medium-thickness rectangular skirt segment of the first row of pipetting tips.

[0039] Figure 4c The thick rectangular skirt section of the pipette tip prevents the use of a pipetting robot from picking up details of the first row of pipette tips due to the collision between the pipette tip's collar adapter and the skirt before the pipette tip is picked up.

[0040] Figure 4d Details of the thin rectangular skirt segment for detecting missing tips in the pipette carrier.

[0041] Figure 4e The pipette carrier's ring adapter, due to its rigid stop on the skirt of the carrier, prevents the detection of details in the rectangular skirt segment lacking the tip.

[0042] Figure 5 Used for Figure 1 and Figure 2 The shown pipetting tip carrier is packaged in an unfolded configuration.

[0043] Figure 6 Used for Figure 1 and Figure 2 The folded packaging of the pipette tip carrier shown.

[0044] Figure 7 : Maintain the packaging of both pipette tip carriers.

[0045] Figure 8 : Figure 7 The longitudinal section of the package shown is...

[0046] Figure 9 Used for Figure 1 and Figure 2 A perspective top view of the spacer of the pipette tip carrier shown.

[0047] Figure 10 : Perspective bottom view of the spacer used for pipetting tip carriers

[0048] Figure 11 : An exploded view of two spacers, with three pipette tip carriers positioned between them.

[0049] Figure 12 Stacking of pipette tip carrier and spacer

[0050] Figure 13 : Figure 12 The longitudinal section of the stack,

[0051] Figure 14 Details of the stacked corner sections,

[0052] Figure 15 Details of spacer-to-spacer stacking via spacer protrusions and openings in the longitudinal skirt segment of the pipetting tip carrier.

[0053] Figure 16 : Details of the corner section, cross-sectional view.

[0054] List of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0055] 1. Rectangular pipette tip carrier 37 longitudinal side

[0056] 2. Disposable pipette tip 38 lateral side

[0057] 3. Rectangular top plate 39, upper surface

[0058] 4. Upper edge of the surrounding wall 40

[0059] 5. Rectangular skirt 41. Lower surface

[0060] 6 Hollow cylinder 42 Bottom edge

[0061] 7. Circular opening 43. Load transfer element

[0062] 8 channels, 44 protrusions

[0063] 9 ribs, connecting ribs, 45 stop surfaces

[0064] 10. Skirt ribs 46. Protruding ends

[0065] 11 Openings, 47 Ribs

[0066] 12 Vertical distance between the top and bottom edges of the longitudinal side 48

[0067] 13. Length of the load transfer element on the lateral side (49 mm).

[0068] 14 openings, corner openings, 50 ledges

[0069] 15 Corner ribs 51 protrusions

[0070] 16 Corner perimeter wall 52 Protrusions

[0071] 17 Bottom surface 53 Opening

[0072] 18 Bottom wall 54 Spring element

[0073] 19 Guide component 55 Cutout

[0074] 20 Packaging 56 Support Ribs

[0075] 21 Peripheral sidewall 57 Gap

[0076] 22 Longitudinal side 58 Marking segment

[0077] 23 Lateral side 59 Notch

[0078] 24 Rectangular box, 60 Ridge

[0079] 25 Top edge 61 Gripper for pipetting robot

[0080] 26 Bottom edge 62 Pipette

[0081] 27. Protrusions extending from the top edge; 63. Slits in the wing.

[0082] 28 Protrusions extending from the bottom edge; 64 Closed winglets

[0083] 29 Top cover 65 Pre-set fold line; Pre-set crease

[0084] 30 base cover 66 foldable panel

[0085] 31 Closed lid 67 Corrugated structure

[0086] 32 Pipette collar 68 Pipette box

[0087] 33 Pipettes 69 Stacks

[0088] 34 Rectangular spacer 70 Collar adapter

[0089] 35 Horizontal base surface 71 Reinforcing ribs

[0090] 36. Surrounding sidewalls Detailed Implementation

[0091] Definition: The distal or distal direction is defined by the direction of liquid flow; therefore, the distal tip of a pipette is defined by the outlet of the pipette tip, and the proximal end is opposite to the distal end. The term "below" means the lower layer or under; the term "above" means located above or on top. The word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple. For example, "opening" does not exclude the fact that there may be two openings that functionally or structurally achieve the purpose of "opening".

[0092] The top and bottom perspective views of the pipette tip carrier 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention are respectively in... Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown in the diagram. The pipetting tip carrier 1 has a rectangular shape, wherein a rectangular top plate 3 is surrounded by a peripheral wall 4 that connects the top plate 3 to a rectangular skirt 5. The top plate 3 defines a horizontal plane, and the rectangular skirt 5 is also horizontally oriented. The top plate 3 includes a plurality of circular openings 7, which are organized in a matrix of rows and columns according to ANSI / SLAS microplate standards, such as according to the 96 well plate standard (ANSI SLAS 4-2004(R2012): Well Location). A hollow cylinder 6 is suspended at or begins from the circular openings 7, thereby providing a matrix of channels 8 through the pipetting tip carrier 1. The pipetting tip carrier can releasably hold a disposable pipetting tip 2 (see diagram) using the channels 8. Figure 3 The peripheral wall 4 may include marking segments 58 for printing information, such as trademark names or two-dimensional or three-dimensional barcodes for identification or logistical purposes. The peripheral wall 4 may also include notches 59. The rectangular skirt 5 includes longitudinal sides 12 and transverse sides 13 and is relatively thin to achieve a material-saving product. The thickness of the skirt is less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm, and more preferably less than 1.5 mm. The relatively thin rectangular skirt 5 is reinforced by a plurality of edge ribs 10 connecting the top surface of the rectangular skirt 5 to the peripheral wall 4. The edge ribs 10 also provide guidance and limit horizontal play for a cap that can be placed on top of the pipette tip carrier 1. The top surface of the edge ribs 10 can be used to mechanically detect the presence of the pipette tip carrier by the gripper of a pipetting robot. Marking segments 58 may be provided in the space between two edge ribs 10 on the peripheral wall or on the top surface of the skirt 5. The rectangular skirt 5 includes openings 14 at each corner of the pipette tip carrier, which are adapted to engage complementary protrusions of a spacer to be positioned below the pipette tip carrier, as will be discussed further below. Alternatively, the openings 14 engage protrusions of a pipette cartridge fixed to the stage of the pipetting robot. Rounded edges may surround each opening 14, providing an inlet segment, such as a multifaceted edge, for guiding the protrusion during the stacking of the spacer and pipette tip carrier. The rounded edges may further locally reinforce the rectangular skirt 5 in the corner segments. The openings 14 may be sized to allow horizontal clearance between the openings 14 and the protrusions of the spacers, or may allow a frictional fit engagement between the outer surface of the protrusion and the inner surface of the opening 14. A form-fit engagement allows the spacer and carrier assembly to be temporarily transported by clamping the carrier alone. Preferably, only the spacer is clamped by the pipetting robot in a form-fit or frictional fit engagement.

[0093] Corner ribs 15 can connect opening 14 or a rounded edge surrounding opening 14 to the peripheral wall 4, preferably to a corner 16 of the peripheral wall. The rectangular skirt 5 may also include at least one opening 11, preferably two openings 11 penetrating the two longitudinal sides 12 or the two transverse sides 13 of the skirt. Openings 11 can be rectangular, circular, or triangular in shape and provide passageways for complementary protrusions of the upper spacer. The corners of the openings can be rounded, and the edges of the openings may include facets. Openings 11 may be surrounded by edges for mechanically supporting the rectangular skirt 5 surrounding the openings 11. The rectangular skirt 5 may include cutouts 55 that provide passageways for the protrusions of the upper spacer.

[0094] The pipette tip carrier 1 may include a bottom wall 18 extending vertically from the bottom surface 17 of the rectangular skirt 5. The bottom wall 18 surrounds the matrix of channels 8, and the end of the cylinder 6 providing the channels 8 is preferably flush with or flush with the bottom surface 17 of the rectangular skirt 5. Alternatively, the cylinder penetrates and extends beyond the bottom surface 17, but extending the cylinder further beyond the bottom surface 17 may result in unnecessary material use. Further extension of the cylinder can mechanically strengthen the pipette tip carrier. The cylinder 6 can be directly connected to an adjacent cylinder via connecting ribs 9 to mechanically strengthen the pipette tip carrier. The cylinder 6 may also intersect with an adjacent cylinder without using connecting ribs 9, and the cylinder 6 can be connected to the inner surface of the peripheral wall 4 via connecting ribs, or as... Figure 2 As shown, the cylinder may intersect with the inner surface of the peripheral wall 4. The thickness of the ribs can vary depending on their location within the carrier, as required by the localized mechanical stress in the carrier under vertical loading. The ribs 9 in the center of the carrier may be thicker than those in the outer region facing the skirt 5.

[0095] The notch 59 on the bottom wall 18 of the carrier may include a horizontal ridge 60, which can serve as a vertical position holder for stacking multiple carriers, or the notch may provide an engaging connector between two carriers or between a carrier and a pipette. The guide member 19 on the bottom wall 18 may be used for self-alignment or clamping purposes. The notch 59 and / or the guide member 19 may locally reinforce the bottom wall 18.

[0096] Figure 2a An alternative embodiment of the pipetting tip carrier is shown. A view on the bottom surface 17 shows two openings 11 in the skirt of the carrier and a bottom wall 18 penetrating from the bottom surface 17. Multiple channels 8 for the pipetting tip are surrounded by a cylinder connected to each other by connecting ribs 9. Figure 2a The illustrated embodiment is further mechanically supported by a reinforcing rib 71 that connects two connecting ribs 9 to another rib providing vertical directional reinforcement. The reinforcing rib 71... Figure 2aThe reinforcing ribs are oriented vertically and parallel to the transverse side of the pipetting tip carrier. Alternatively, the reinforcing ribs are oriented horizontally parallel to the longitudinal side of the pipetting tip carrier. In yet another embodiment, there are both horizontally and vertically oriented reinforcing ribs 71.

[0097] Figure 3 Details of a corner section of the carrier 1 holding the pipette tip 2 are shown. The pipette 2 includes a collar 32 that engages with a top plate 3 of the carrier and a pipette 33 extending from the collar 32 through a channel. A gripper 61 of the pipetting robot abuts the top surface of the edge rib 10, for example, to mechanically detect the presence of a tray. The pipetting robot may include a pipette head 62 for collecting the pipette tip 2, see [link to documentation]. Figures 4a to 4e The thickness and position of the rectangular skirt 5 define the height of the peripheral wall 4, which may affect the matrix pick-up of single rows from the pipetting tips in the carrier (see...). Figures 4a to 4c ) or detect missing sections at the pipette tip (see Figure 4d and Figure 4e Accessibility of the pipette tip 62. The pipette tip 62 includes a plurality of collar adapters 70, which are lowered by the pipetting robot toward the collar 32 of the pipette 2 for picking up the pipette. The descent process stops when the collar adapter 70 of the pipette tip abuts a mechanical stop (e.g., the rectangular skirt 5 of the carrier 1), and the thin rectangular skirt 5 ( Figure 4a and Figure 4b This provides sufficient accessibility to the pipettes in the carrier for picking up single rows of pipettes, while adjacent collar adapters 70 do not contact the skirt 5 surrounding the carrier. If the pipetting robot detects a hard block before effectively picking up pipettes from the carrier, tip picking may be compromised, or picking up individual rows may damage the pipetting robot's hardware, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4c The thickness of the skirt 5 affects the proximity of the collar adapter 70 to the skirt 5 before the adjacent collar adapter 70 can capture the pipette tip 2 from the first row. The thickness of the rectangular skirt 5 may also affect the detection of missing rows of pipettes in the pipette tip carrier. Figure 4d A pipette tip carrier 1 with a missing first row of pipettes 2 is shown, and the firmware of the pipetting robot can detect the missing row because the vertical position of the pipette tip 62 with the collar adapter 70 will typically detect an increase in the vertical force required to pick up the pipettes, as the collar adapter 70 may need to elastically deform the edge of the pipette collar 32. The collar adapter adjacent to the collar adapter entering the channel 8 of the pipette carrier 1 does not abut against the thin-walled rectangular skirt 5. Figure 4e The thicker circumferential skirt 5 shown will result in a hard stop on the collar adapter 70 adjacent to the collar adapter entering the first row channel 8, and the hard stop on the skirt will be detected before the missing row can be detected by the pipetting robot's firmware. Therefore, the thin-walled circumferential skirt 5 can provide a universal solution when used in a pipetting robot.

[0098] Example of packaging 20 for pipetting tip carrier in Figures 5 to 8 As shown in the figure. Packaging 20 is based on a foldable sheet 66, which is stamped from a sheet of material such as cardboard, coated cardboard, plastic, or composite material. The foldable sheet 66 includes two longitudinal sides 22 connected by a transverse side 23. Each longitudinal side 22 includes two protrusions or flaps, flaps or protrusions 27 and 28, which extend from the top edge 25 and bottom edge 26 of packaging 20 after the sheet 66 is folded into a rectangular box 24 (see figure). Figure 6 A top cap 29 and a bottom cap 30 are attached to one of the two lateral sides 23, and a closing cap or closing flap extends from the top and bottom caps, respectively. A closing slit 63 is included in the other of the two lateral sides 23 and is configured to engage the closing cap 31. A closing flap 64 is attached to one of the lateral sides 23 for closing the rectangular box 24. Fold lines or predetermined creases are integrated into a foldable flap 66, such as perforated lines or cut lines 65. The two protrusions or flaps 27 or 28 may include barbs for releasably securing the pipette tip carrier to the package.

[0099] Piece 66 can be folded into the shape of... Figure 6 The rectangular box 24 shown provides a folded package 20. A top edge 25 and a bottom edge 26 extend from the upper and lower surfaces of the longitudinal side 22 and the transverse side 23, respectively, providing a top opening and a bottom opening for insertion of two pipetting tip carriers 1. The top and bottom openings are surrounded by the top and bottom edges, respectively. Protrusions or flaps 27 and 28 extend from the top edge 25 and the bottom edge 26, respectively. A top cap 29 and a bottom cap 30 are bendable in a vertical direction, allowing access to the carrier beyond the top and bottom edges to close the package.

[0100] Figure 7An assembly including package 20 and two pipette tip carriers 1 is shown. Each carrier 1 is inserted, with its respective bottom surface 17 of the skirt 5 facing the top edge 25 and bottom edge 26 of package 20. A pipette 33, releasably connected to the two pipette tip carriers, is enclosed within a rectangular box 24, and two flaps 27 extending from the top edge 25 engage an opening 11 in one of the two pipette tip carriers. Two flaps 28 extending from the bottom edge 26 engage two openings 11 in the other of the two pipette tip carriers. Optional barbs on the flaps can provide temporary fixation of the carrier to the package. The bottom surface 17 of the rectangular skirt 5 of each pipette tip carrier is supported by the top edge 25 and bottom edge 26 of the rectangular box 24, and the engagement between the protrusions 27, 28 and the opening 11 prevents dislodgement between the rectangular skirt 5 of the carrier and the rectangular box 24. Package 20 is closed by folding the top cap 29 and bottom cap 30 so that the caps are aligned with the horizontal surfaces of the pipette tip carriers. The closure 31 uses a slit 63 (see Figure 5 ) Attached to the horizontal side 23 of the packaging. Figure 8 A longitudinal section of a package containing two pipette tip carriers that hold the pipette tips is shown. The pipettes 33 of each carrier engage with each other to save space for arranging the pipette tips 2. After opening the closure 31 and tilting the top cover 29 and bottom cover 30 toward the vertical position, two pipette tip carriers 1 can be removed from each side of the box.

[0101] Figure 9 and Figure 10 A rectangular spacer 34 for stacking pipette tip carriers is shown. The spacer 34 includes a horizontal base surface 35 surrounded by peripheral sidewalls 36, which are oriented substantially vertically relative to the base surface 35. The base surface 35 includes a semi-circular opening 53, the center of which is oriented to have the same pattern as the channel 8 in the pipette tip carrier. The semi-circular openings may intersect to form a plurality of shamrock-shaped openings. The openings provide channels for the pipette tip 33 to engage with the pipette tip carrier positioned on top of the spacer 34 and prevent the collar 33 from misaligning from the pipette tip carrier positioned below the spacer 34. The horizontal base surface 35 is reinforced by a corrugated structure 67 to allow material to be added to the base surface where mechanically necessary. The peripheral sidewalls 36 include two longitudinal sides 37 and two transverse sides 38, providing upper edges 40 and lower edges 42 oriented parallel to each other. The shelf 50 protrudes upward from the upper surface 39 of the upper edge, and the protrusion 51 protrudes downward from the lower surface 41 of the lower edge 42. Protrusions 44 protrude upward from the upper surface 39 at each corner of the rectangular spacer 34. A protrusion 52 protrudes from the center of the rectangular spacer 34 toward the upper edge 40. Figure 9 ), and also protrudes from the center toward the lower edge 42 ( Figure 10 Load transfer elements 43 are located at each corner of the rectangular spacer 34, and include protrusions 44 and stop surfaces 45. Optionally, additional load transfer elements may exist between the corners of the spacer. Figure 14 and Figure 15 The lieutenant general provided further details about the load transfer elements. Figure 10 The perspective bottom view further shows the spring element 54, which surrounds the stop surface 45 at each corner, and the spring element 54 is connected to the bottom surface of the horizontal base surface 35, and the free end of the spring element 54 can flex toward the center or corner of the rectangular spacer 34. The spring element 54 can be mechanically supported by support ribs 56 projecting from the bottom surface of the base 35. The load transfer element 43 provides the transfer of vertical load from the spacer to the spacer below, while the spring element 54 provides proper alignment of the spacers in the spacer stack.

[0102] Figure 11 An exploded view depicting a stack of alternating spacers 34 and pipette tip carriers 1 is shown. Each pipette tip carrier 1 is positioned such that an opening 14 at each corner is located on a protrusion 44 at each corner of the spacer below. A protrusion 51 projecting from the lower edge 42 of each spacer 34 aligns with a cutout 55 and an opening 11 in the rectangular skirt 5 of each pipette tip carrier 1, such that the opening 11 provides a channel for the protrusion, preferably not contacting or adjacent to the protrusion 51, thereby avoiding vertical load transfer from the spacer 34 to the pipette tip carrier 1 positioned below the spacer. The clearance between the protrusion 51 on the spacer and the cutout 55 or opening 11 on the carrier in the horizontal plane is sufficient to avoid direct contact.

[0103] The stack of spacer 34 and carrier 1 in the stack 69 Figure 12As shown in the diagram. The stack is placed on top of a pipette cassette 68 that releasably holds the stack, such that the stack or a portion thereof can be removed by the gripper of a pipetting robot. The pipette cassette 68 can be secured to the worktable of the pipetting robot. Each pipette tip carrier 1 is placed on the upper surface 39 of the upper edge 40 of the lower spacer. Optionally, the carrier is supported by a ledge 50. A protrusion 51 projecting downward from the lower edge of each spacer abuts the upper surface 39 of the lower spacer via a cutout 55 or via an opening 11 in the rectangular skirt 5 of each pipette tip carrier 1. The vertical load of the pipette tip carrier 1 within the vertical space or gap between the two spacers 34 and applied to the top of the stack is transferred via the rectangular skirt 5 to the upper edge 40 of the first spacer 34, and the vertical load is then transferred to the second spacer 34 via load transfer elements 43 at each corner of the first spacer and / or via a protrusion 51 extending from the lower edge of the first spacer. The vertical load is ultimately transferred to the stage of the pipetting robot via the pipetting cartridge 68. Details of the load transfer via the load transfer element 43 are as follows: Figure 14 The details of load transfer via protrusion 51 are shown in [the diagram]. Figure 15 As shown in the image.

[0104] Figure 13 The longitudinal section of the stack is depicted. The vertical load from the pipetting tip carrier 1 on top is transferred to the upper edge 40 of the first spacer 34 via the rectangular skirt 5. The first spacer 34 includes a base surface 35 surrounded by peripheral sidewalls 36, and the base surface 35 is reinforced by a corrugated structure 67 (see also...). Figure 9 In the event that the pipette carrier 34 on top flexes or bends due to a vertical load, the protrusion 52, which does not contact the pipette tip carrier below or above in the resting position, can additionally absorb the vertical load, thereby transferring a small portion of the central load from the pipette tip carrier on top to the first spacer, and ultimately from the first spacer to the next pipette tip carrier.

[0105] Figure 14 The details of the load transfer element are shown in the figure. Starting from the bottom: the spacer below the pipette tip carrier provides a protrusion 44 through the corner opening 14 of the pipette tip carrier 1, and the top surface 46 of the protrusion 44 abuts against the stop surface 45 of the spacer positioned above the pipette tip carrier 1. A gap 57 exists between the two spacers (see...). Figure 15This gap can be used for the pipette tip carrier to prevent load transfer to the carrier. The vertical height of the peripheral wall 36 is defined by the distance 48 between the upper edge 40 and the lower edge 42, while the height of the load transfer element 43 is defined by the vertical distance 49 between the end of the protrusion 46 and the stop surface 45. The vertical distance 49 exceeds the height 48 of the peripheral wall 36, thus leaving a gap below the lower edge 42 of each spacer for use with the pipette tip carrier. Each pipette tip carrier can be placed on the upper edge 40 of the first spacer 34, the second spacer 10 can be placed on top of the first spacer, and the lower edge 42 of the second spacer will not contact the rectangular skirt 5 surrounding the pipette tip carrier.

[0106] Figure 15 Further details of the protrusion 51 of the spacer that engages with the top surface of the lower spacer are shown. The protrusion 51, which projects downward from the longitudinal side of the lower surface 41 of the upper spacer 34, abuts the upper surface 39 of the lower spacer 34 via an opening 11 in the pipetting tip carrier 1. The abutment of the protrusion 51, which projects downward from the lateral side, provides a comparable cross-sectional view, the only difference being that the opening 11 is replaced by a cutout 55.

[0107] Therefore, the vertical load applied to the pipette tip carrier can be transferred via load transfer elements 43 at each corner, and / or via protrusions 51 on the longitudinal side of the spacer, and / or via protrusions 51 on the lateral side of the spacer, in the form of a stack of spacers and carriers, for direct spacer-to-spacer load transfer. Optionally, a portion of the vertical load is transferred via the central protrusion 52 for spacer-to-carrier loading.

[0108] like Figure 10 , Figure 15 and Figure 16As shown, spacer 34 includes a spring element 54 at each corner. When spacer 34 is placed on top of another spacer carrying a pipette tip carrier, this placement may be accompanied by a horizontal displacement of one spacer relative to the other. The spring element 54 at each corner is used to compensate for or eliminate play in the horizontal plane. The spring element 54 protrudes from the bottom surface of the horizontal base 35 toward the lower edge 42 and may flex along the diagonal of the rectangular spacer toward the center or toward the corner of the peripheral wall 36. The spring element 54 of the spacer may have a semi-circular shape for at least partially surrounding a protrusion 44 projecting upward from the lower spacer. When the protrusion 44 of the lower spacer is engaged, the spring element of the top spacer at each corner may flex, thereby self-centering the spacer relative to the lower spacer and compensating for horizontal misalignment or providing a barrier against twisting the stack of spacers. The twisting barrier provides a resilient realignment force when the top of the stack is twisted relative to the bottom of the stack. Reliable pickup of the pipette from the carrier depends on the accuracy of the pipetting robot's movements and the dimensional tolerances of the stacking of the spacer and pipetting tip carrier. Therefore, a self-centering spring element can reduce the cumulative tolerances caused by the placement and handling of the spacer and carrier. The flexibility or elasticity of the spring element can be adjusted by the material used for spring element 54 and / or the wall thickness of the spring element and / or by using support ribs 56 projecting along the rear surface of spring element 54 toward the end of the spring element. Spring element 54 can surround a stop surface 45 at each corner, thus serving as a guide element during spacer placement to guide the post 44 of the lower spacer toward the stop surface of the upper spacer, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 16 .

[0109] Figure 15 A gap 57 between the two spacers 34 is also shown, which can be used to place the pipetting tip carrier 1 between the two spacers. The height of the gap 57 is determined by the length 49 of the transfer element and... Figure 14 The difference between the vertical distance 48 between the upper and lower edges of the spacer shown is defined. Figure 14 A spring element 54, engaging with the protrusion 44 of the lower spacer, is also shown in the longitudinal cross-section. The spring element 54, for guiding and aligning the spacer, functions during the stacking or pile-up of the spacer and pipette tip carrier. This operational step in laboratory automation procedures is accomplished by picking up the stack before initiating the liquid handling process, thereby achieving vertical loading of the stack. Therefore, the combination of spacer and tray shown above allows for proper alignment during stacking and efficient transfer of vertical load during liquid handling, and this, combined with the spacer and pipette tip carrier, requires less material and has a lower carbon footprint during manufacturing.

[0110] The fact that certain elements or steps are described only in different parts should not preclude the existence of further meaningful combinations of these elements or steps.

Claims

1. A package for holding two rectangular pipette tip carriers, the pipette tip carriers (1) holding a plurality of disposable tips (2) for use in a pipetting device, the package (20) comprising: - a peripheral side wall (21) having two longitudinal sides (22) and two lateral sides (23) providing a rectangular box (24) having a passage connecting an opening on a top and an opening on a bottom of the rectangular box, - a rectangular and horizontally oriented top rim (25) surrounding the opening on the top and vertically spaced from a rectangular and horizontally oriented bottom rim (26) surrounding the opening on the bottom of the rectangular box (24), wherein the top rim (25) is configured to support one of the two rectangular pipette tip carriers (1) and the bottom rim (26) is configured to support the other of the two rectangular pipette tip carriers (1), characterized in that at least one protrusion (27) vertically extends from the top rim and at least one protrusion (28) vertically extends from the bottom rim, wherein each of the at least one protrusions is configured to pass through a complementary passage in each of the two pipette tip carriers for horizontally positioning the two pipette tip carriers relative to each other on the rectangular box (24).

2. The package of claim 1, wherein, The at least one protrusion (27) vertically extending from the top rim and the at least one protrusion (28) vertically extending from the bottom rim are aligned relative to each other, i.e. they are horizontally positioned at the same position on the top rim (25) and the bottom rim (26).

3. The package of claim 1, wherein, The at least one protrusion (27) vertically extending from the top rim and the at least one protrusion (28) vertically extending from the bottom rim are not aligned relative to each other, i.e. they are horizontally positioned at different positions on the top rim (25) and the bottom rim (26).

4. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The at least one protrusion (27) vertically extending from the top rim and the at least one protrusion (28) vertically extending from the bottom rim protrude from the longitudinal sides (22) of the peripheral side wall (21).

5. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The at least one protrusion (27) vertically extending from the top rim and the at least one protrusion (28) vertically extending from the bottom rim protrude from the lateral sides (23) of the peripheral side wall (21).

6. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, Two protrusions (27, 28) vertically extend from two opposite sides of the top rim (25) or the bottom rim (26).

7. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, A top cover (29) is attached to and vertically extends from the top rim (25) and wherein a bottom cover (30) is attached to and vertically extends from the bottom rim (26), the top cover (29) and the bottom cover (30) being configured to be flexible for horizontally aligning the top cover (29) with the top rim (25) and the bottom cover (30) with the bottom rim (26) for covering the two rectangular pipette tip carriers.

8. The package of claim 7, wherein, The top cover (29) is attached to one of the longitudinal sides (22) or the lateral sides (23) of the top rim (25) and wherein at least one protrusion (27) extending from the top rim extends from the other of the longitudinal sides or the lateral sides of the top rim and wherein the bottom cover (30) is attached to one of the longitudinal sides (22) or the lateral sides (23) of the bottom rim (26) and wherein at least one protrusion (28) extending from the bottom rim extends from the other of the longitudinal sides or the lateral sides of the bottom rim.

9. The package of claim 7, wherein, The top cover (29) and the bottom cover (30) each comprise a closure cap (31) for closing the package.

10. The package of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The package is made of paperboard or plastic sheet material.

11. An assembly comprising a package according to any of the preceding claims and two pipette tip carriers holding a plurality of disposable tips for use in a pipetting device, characterized in that, Each of the two pipette tip carriers (1) comprises a rectangular skirt (5) having a lower surface for engaging each top rim (25) or bottom rim (26) of the rectangular box such that the lower surfaces of the two pipette tip carriers (1) face each other.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein, The rectangular skirt (5) of each pipette tip carrier (1) comprises at least one opening (11) providing a complementary passage for at least one protrusion (27) extending vertically from the top rim (25) or the at least one protrusion (28) extending vertically from the bottom rim (26).

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein, The at least one opening (11) is a rectangular opening.

14. The assembly of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The pipette tip carrier comprises a plurality of pipette holes (8) for nesting disposable pipette tips (2) and wherein each disposable pipette tip comprises a pipette (32) connected to a collar (33) engaging one of the plurality of pipette holes (8) and wherein the pipettes (32) of the pipette carrier engaging the top rim (25) intermesh with the pipettes (32) of the disposable pipette tips nested in the pipette carrier engaging the bottom rim (26).

15. The assembly of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein, The package comprises a top cover (29) attached to the top rim and a bottom cover (30) attached to the bottom rim wherein the top cover and the bottom cover cover the two rectangular pipette tip carriers.

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