Micropore plate film sealing adapter and universal micropore plate film sealing machine

Abstract

The utility model discloses a microwell plate film sealing adapter and a universal microwell plate film sealing machine, the microwell plate film sealing adapter comprises a first base body with a variable height and a second base body with a fixed height, the external shape of the first base body is matched with a machine cabin of the film sealing machine, and a skirt edge placing area is formed on the first base body; the second base body is arranged on the first base body, the skirt placing area is arranged on the periphery of the second base body, limiting holes corresponding to micropores of a micropore plate are formed in the side face, away from the first base body, of the second base body, and a plurality of limiting channels corresponding to the limiting holes are further formed in the second base body. One end of the limiting channel communicates with the limiting hole, and the other end of the limiting channel extends in the direction perpendicular to the height direction of the second base body. According to the utility model, one film sealing machine not only can be suitable for film sealing of a deep-hole plate, but also can be suitable for film sealing of a 384-hole plate and a 96-hole plate, so that the universality of the film sealing machine for the micro-hole plate is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of microplate sealing machine technology, specifically to a microplate sealing adapter and a universal microplate sealing machine. Background Technology

[0002] Microplates commonly used in biological experiments include deep-well plates, 96-well plates, and 384-well plates. To prevent sample evaporation and avoid cross-contamination, a sealing machine is typically used to cover the well openings of the microplate with a thin film for sealing. However, since the height of deep-well plates is typically 30–45 mm, while the height of 96-well and 384-well plates is typically 10–20 mm, existing sealing machines suitable for deep-well plates are not suitable for sealing 96-well and 384-well plates. A separate sealing machine needs to be designed specifically for 96-well and 384-well plates, resulting in poor versatility of existing microplate sealing machines. Utility Model Content

[0003] To overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, this utility model provides a microplate sealing adapter and a universal microplate sealing machine to solve the technical problem of poor versatility of existing microplate sealing machines, which cannot be simultaneously applied to the sealing of deep-hole plates, 96-well plates and 384-well plates.

[0004] To achieve the above-mentioned technical objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0005] In a first aspect, this utility model provides a microplate sealing adapter, comprising:

[0006] A highly variable first substrate, the external shape of which is adapted to the sealing machine compartment, and the first substrate having a skirt placement area;

[0007] A second substrate with a fixed height is disposed on the first substrate. The skirt placement area is disposed around the second substrate. The side of the second substrate away from the first substrate has limiting holes corresponding to the micropores of the microporous plate. The second substrate also forms a plurality of limiting channels corresponding to the limiting holes. One end of the limiting channel is connected to the limiting hole, and the other end of the limiting channel extends along the height direction perpendicular to the second substrate.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first substrate and the second substrate are integrally formed structures.

[0009] In some embodiments, the side lengths of the four sides of the bottom surface of the second substrate are all smaller than the side lengths of the four sides of the top surface of the first substrate respectively, to form the skirt placement area.

[0010] In some embodiments, the limiting channel is provided at both ends of the second substrate.

[0011] In some embodiments, an auxiliary channel corresponding to each of the limiting channels is further included. The auxiliary channel is vertically opened inside the first substrate and communicates with the limiting channels and the limiting holes.

[0012] In some embodiments, the auxiliary channel is disposed at both ends of the first substrate.

[0013] Secondly, this utility model provides a universal microplate sealing machine, comprising:

[0014] The sealing machine body includes at least one machine compartment; and at least one microporous plate sealing adapter as described in the first aspect of this utility model, wherein the microporous plate sealing adapter is disposed in the machine compartment and is used to adapt different microporous plates to the machine compartment.

[0015] In some embodiments, the sealing machine body further includes a frame, a drive assembly, a lifting assembly, and a heat sealing assembly. The drive assembly is fixed on the frame, one end of the lifting assembly is connected to the drive assembly, and the heat sealing assembly is fixed to the other end of the lifting assembly. The sealing end of the heat sealing assembly faces the machine compartment.

[0016] In some embodiments, the heat-sealing assembly includes a first pressure plate, a second pressure plate, a connecting rod, a scraper, and a heating element. The first pressure plate is fixedly connected to the lifting assembly. One end of the connecting rod passes through the first pressure plate and is slidably connected to it. The other end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected to the second pressure plate. The second pressure plate has at least one notch. The heating element is disposed in the notch. The scraper is arranged around the heating element, and one end of the scraper is fixedly connected to the first pressure plate. The other end of the scraper can pass through the gap between the heating element and the notch or retract from the gap under the action of the first pressure plate.

[0017] In some embodiments, the heat-sealing assembly further includes a first elastic member and a second elastic member, the first elastic member being sleeved on the outside of the connecting rod located outside the space enclosed by the scraper, and the second elastic member being sleeved on the outside of the connecting rod located inside the space enclosed by the scraper.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model mainly include:

[0019] Firstly, the microporous plate sealing adapter provided by this utility model has a first base adapted to the housing of a sealing machine, and the first base has a skirt placement area; a second base is provided for placing microporous plates without skirts or microporous plates with skirts. The skirt of the microporous plate with skirts can be placed in the skirt placement area of ​​the first base, and the limiting holes on the second base correspond to the micropores of the microporous plate. In this way, both microporous plates without skirts and microporous plates with skirts can be placed in the housing of the sealing machine through the adapter of this utility model. At the same time, the height of the first base is designed to be variable, while the height of the second base is designed to be fixed. In this way, it can accommodate 384-hole plates and 96-hole plates, as well as the slight height difference caused by convex and flat panels, so as to improve the sealing effect of the microporous plate.

[0020] Secondly, the universal microplate sealing machine provided by this utility model can not only meet the sealing requirements of deep-hole plates, but also meet the sealing requirements of 384-well plates and 96-well plates, as well as microplates with and without skirts, thus improving the versatility of the microplate sealing machine. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the microporous plate sealing adapter for the 96-well plate described in this utility model;

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A sectional view;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the microporous plate sealing adapter for the 384-well plate described in this utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A sectional view;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the universal microporous plate sealing machine described in this utility model;

[0026] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the heat-sealing component and the machine compartment of this utility model.

[0027] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0028] 100, Adapter; 110, First base; 111, Skirt placement area; 120, Second base; 121, Limiting hole; 130, Limiting channel; 140, Auxiliary channel.

[0029] 200. Sealing machine body; 210. Machine compartment; 211. Protrusion; 220. Frame; 230. Drive assembly; 240. Lifting assembly; 250. Heat sealing assembly; 251. First pressure plate; 252. Second pressure plate; 253. Connecting rod; 254. Scraper; 255. Heating element; 256. First elastic element; 257. Second elastic element. Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0031] Existing sealing machines for heat sealing microporous plates have fixed machine chamber dimensions. Furthermore, the commonly used microporous plates include deep-hole plates, 384-well plates, and 96-well plates. Deep-hole plates are relatively tall, while 384-well and 96-well plates are roughly the same height but much smaller. Therefore, the machine chambers of existing sealing machines can only be used for deep-hole plates or either 384-well or 96-well plates simultaneously, resulting in poor versatility.

[0032] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model designs a microplate sealing adapter and a universal microplate sealing machine, enabling one sealing machine to be used simultaneously for deep-hole plates, 384-well plates, and 96-well plates, thus improving the versatility of the microplate sealing machine.

[0033] In actual microplate sealing, since the height of deep-well plates is much greater than that of 384-well and 96-well plates, sealing machines are usually designated for sealing deep-well plates. The universal microplate sealing machine provided by this invention is suitable for sealing deep-well plates, while an adapter 100 is designed to handle the sealing of both 384-well and 96-well plates using the same sealing machine.

[0034] like Figures 1-4As shown, the first aspect of this utility model provides a microplate sealing adapter 100, including a first base 110 with variable height and a second base 120 with fixed height. The external shape of the first base 110 is adapted to the sealing machine compartment 210, and the first base 110 forms a skirt placement area 111. The second base 120 is disposed on the first base 110, and the skirt placement area 111 is located around the second base 120. The side of the second base 120 away from the first base 110 is provided with limiting holes 121 corresponding to the micropores of the microplate. The second base 120 also forms a plurality of limiting channels 130 corresponding to the limiting holes 121. One end of the limiting channel 130 communicates with the limiting hole 121, and the other end of the limiting channel 130 extends along a direction perpendicular to the height of the second base 120.

[0035] The microporous plate sealing adapter 100 provided by this utility model is used for adapting 96-well and 384-well plates in a deep-hole plate sealing machine. In use, the first substrate 110 is placed in the sealing machine chamber 210, and the microporous plate is placed on the second substrate 120. The micropores of the microporous plate correspond to the limiting holes 121 and are inserted into the limiting channels 130. It is understood that both 96-well and 384-well plates include those with and without skirts, and are divided into flat and convex types. If the microporous plate has a skirt, the skirt is placed in the skirt placement area 111. If it is a convex plate, the total height of the microporous plate plus the adapter will increase slightly. Therefore, the height of the first substrate 110 is designed to be variable, determined according to actual height requirements. Thus, the microporous plate sealing adapter provided by this utility model is applicable to all types of 384-well and 96-well plates, improving the versatility of existing microporous plate sealing machines.

[0036] In one embodiment, the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 are integrally formed structures.

[0037] In one embodiment, the side lengths of the four sides of the bottom surface of the second base 120 are all smaller than the side lengths of the four sides of the top surface of the first base 110 respectively, to form the skirt placement area 111.

[0038] In one embodiment, both the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 are rectangular structures, and the distance from the bottom of the four sides of the first substrate 110 to the top of the four sides of the second substrate 120 is the same, so as to ensure uniform stress on the microporous plate.

[0039] In one embodiment, the limiting channel 130 is disposed through both ends of the second base 120.

[0040] In one embodiment, an auxiliary channel 140 corresponding to the limiting channel 130 is also included. The auxiliary channel 140 is vertically opened inside the first base 110 and is connected to the limiting channel 130 and the limiting hole 121.

[0041] In one embodiment, the limiting hole 121, the limiting channel 130, and the auxiliary channel 140 are connected to form an integral cylindrical channel, or it can be a conical shape with a diameter that gradually decreases from the limiting hole 121 to the auxiliary channel 140, so as to ensure that the micropores of the microplate are limited and prevent them from shaking.

[0042] It should be noted that the auxiliary channel 140 can be omitted if the limiting channel 130 can meet the limiting requirements. On the one hand, it can increase the support strength of the first substrate 110, and on the other hand, it can simplify the manufacturing process. However, if the limiting channel 130 cannot meet the limiting requirements of the micropore, it is necessary to set the auxiliary channel 140 to strengthen the limiting and support.

[0043] In one embodiment, the auxiliary channel 140 is provided through both ends of the first base 110 or only through one end near the limiting channel 130.

[0044] Secondly, such as Figures 5-6 As shown, this utility model provides a universal microplate sealing machine, including a sealing machine body 200 and at least one adapter 100 as described in the first aspect of this utility model. The sealing machine body 200 includes at least one machine compartment 210, and the microplate sealing adapter 100 is disposed in the machine compartment 210 for adapting different microplates to the machine compartment 210.

[0045] The universal microplate sealing machine provided by this utility model, through the adapter 100, can not only meet the sealing requirements of deep-hole plates, but also 384-well plates and 96-well plates, as well as the sealing requirements of microplates with and without skirts, thus improving the versatility of the microplate sealing machine.

[0046] In one embodiment, the sealing machine body 200 further includes a frame 220, a drive assembly 230, a lifting assembly 240, and a heat sealing assembly 250. The drive assembly 230 is fixed to the frame 220, one end of the lifting assembly 240 is connected to the drive assembly 230, and the heat sealing assembly 250 is fixed to the other end of the lifting assembly 240. The sealing end of the heat sealing assembly 250 faces the machine compartment 210.

[0047] The lifting assembly 240 moves up and down on the frame 220 under the drive of the drive assembly 230, which in turn drives the heat sealing assembly 250 to move up and down to heat seal the microporous plate in the machine compartment 210.

[0048] It is understood that the frame 220, drive assembly 230 and lifting assembly 240 are common components of existing sealing machines, and this utility model has not made any improvements to them. Therefore, this utility model does not provide a detailed description of the frame 220, drive assembly 230 and lifting assembly 240.

[0049] In one embodiment, the heat-sealing assembly 250 includes a first pressure plate 251, a second pressure plate 252, a connecting rod 253, a scraper 254, and a heating element 255. The first pressure plate 251 is fixedly connected to the lifting assembly 240. One end of the connecting rod 253 passes through the first pressure plate 251 and is slidably connected to it. The other end of the connecting rod 253 is fixedly connected to the second pressure plate 252. The second pressure plate 252 has at least one notch. The heating element 255 is disposed in the notch and fixedly connected to the connecting element 253. The scraper 254 is disposed around the heating element 255, and one end of the scraper 254 is fixedly connected to the first pressure plate 251. The other end of the scraper 254 can pass through the gap between the heating element 255 and the notch or retract from the gap under the action of the first pressure plate 251. The retraction of the scraper 254 can cut the sealing film.

[0050] In one embodiment, the heat-sealing assembly 250 further includes a first elastic element 256 and a second elastic element 257. The first elastic element 256 is sleeved on the outside of the connecting rod 253 located outside the space enclosed by the scraper 254, and the second elastic element 257 is sleeved on the outside of the connecting rod 253 located inside the space enclosed by the scraper 254. Further, a protrusion 211 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 210. The first elastic element 256 is provided to ensure that the second pressure plate 252 is in close contact with the protrusion 211, and the second elastic element 257 is provided to ensure that the heating element 255 is in close contact with the microporous plate, thereby ensuring a sealing effect.

[0051] It should be noted that this utility model does not limit the number of operable microplates. This embodiment heat-seales two microplates simultaneously, but in actual use, it can also use one, three, or four, etc. There are no restrictions on the specifications or shape of the microplates. Commonly available sizes based on the volume they can hold are 0.2ml, 0.5ml, 1.2ml, 1.6ml, and 2.2ml. Based on the shape of the bottom of each micropore, they can be classified as pointed, round, or flat. Based on the presence or absence of a skirt, they can be classified as fully skirted, half-skirted, or without a skirt. Based on the shape of the opening of each micropore, they can be classified as round or square. Based on the edge of each micropore, they can be classified as flat or convex plates. There are no restrictions on the material of the microplate, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, and cyclic olefin polymers. There are no restrictions on the material of the sealing film, such as aluminum foil composite film, polypropylene film, polyethylene film, polytetrafluoroethylene film, polyester film, polymethylpentene film, and thermoplastic elastomer film, etc.

[0052] In summary, the microplate sealing adapter and universal microplate sealing machine provided by this utility model are compatible with various microplates and have the advantage of good sealing effect. After setting the heat sealing time of the heat sealing thermometer, pressing the start button will automatically seal the film, which has the advantage of simple operation.

[0053] The specific embodiments of this utility model described above do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this utility model. Any other corresponding changes and modifications made based on the technical concept of this utility model should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of this utility model.

Claims

1. A microplate membrane sealing adapter, characterized by, include: A highly variable first substrate, the external shape of which is adapted to the sealing machine compartment, and the first substrate having a skirt placement area; A second substrate with a fixed height is disposed on the first substrate. The skirt placement area is disposed around the second substrate. The side of the second substrate away from the first substrate has limiting holes corresponding to the micropores of the microporous plate. The second substrate also forms a plurality of limiting channels corresponding to the limiting holes. One end of the limiting channel is connected to the limiting hole, and the other end of the limiting channel extends along the height direction perpendicular to the second substrate.

2. The microplate membrane sealing adapter of claim 1, wherein, The first substrate and the second substrate are integrally formed structures.

3. The microplate membrane sealing adapter of claim 1, wherein, The side lengths of the four sides of the bottom surface of the second substrate are all smaller than the side lengths of the four sides of the top surface of the first substrate, respectively, to form the skirt placement area.

4. The microplate membrane sealing adapter of claim 1, wherein, The limiting channel extends through both ends of the second substrate.

5. The microplate membrane sealing adapter of claim 4, wherein, It also includes auxiliary channels that correspond one-to-one with the limiting channels. The auxiliary channels are vertically opened inside the first base and are connected to the limiting channels and the limiting holes.

6. The microplate membrane sealing adapter of claim 5, wherein, The auxiliary channel extends through both ends of the first substrate.

7. A universal microplate sealer, characterized by, include: A sealing machine body, the sealing machine body including at least one machine compartment; as well as At least one microplate sealing adapter as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the microplate sealing adapter is disposed in the housing for adapting different microplates to the housing.

8. The universal microplate sealer of claim 7, wherein, The sealing machine body also includes a frame, a drive assembly, a lifting assembly, and a heat sealing assembly. The drive assembly is fixed on the frame, one end of the lifting assembly is connected to the drive assembly, and the heat sealing assembly is fixed to the other end of the lifting assembly. The sealing end of the heat sealing assembly faces the machine compartment.

9. The universal microplate sealer of claim 8, wherein, The heat sealing assembly includes a first pressure plate, a second pressure plate, a connecting rod, a scraper, and a heating element. The first pressure plate is fixedly connected to the lifting assembly. One end of the connecting rod passes through the first pressure plate and is slidably connected to it. The other end of the connecting rod is fixedly connected to the second pressure plate. The second pressure plate has at least one notch. The heating element is disposed in the notch. The scraper is arranged around the heating element, and one end of the scraper is fixedly connected to the first pressure plate. The other end of the scraper can pass through the gap between the heating element and the notch or retract from the gap under the action of the first pressure plate.

10. The universal microplate sealer of claim 9, wherein, The heat-sealing assembly further includes a first elastic element and a second elastic element. The first elastic element is sleeved on the outside of the connecting rod located outside the space enclosed by the scraper, and the second elastic element is sleeved on the outside of the connecting rod located inside the space enclosed by the scraper.

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