Auxiliary device for sorting microcentrifuge tubes

Abstract

The utility model discloses an auxiliary device for sorting microcentrifuge tubes, which comprises a sorting assembly and a supporting assembly, the sorting assembly comprises a sorting box, a plurality of centrifuge tube grooves 2 are arranged at the bottom of the sorting box in parallel, a movable push plate 4 is horizontally and slidably arranged in the sorting box, and a movable baffle 5 is vertically and slidably arranged on one side of the sorting box. By means of the simple structure, the multiple EP pipes in the box body are automatically overturned to be in the state that the pipe covers face upwards through gravity, the serial numbers on the pipe covers are fully exposed, the scattered EP pipes with the serial numbers can be relatively orderly concentrated on one side of the sorting box, and experimenters can sort the EP pipes with the target serial numbers in batches conveniently. The device is simple in structure and easy and convenient to operate, and the sorting efficiency of the EP pipes can be effectively improved with low cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of experimental equipment technology, and in particular to a microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device. Background Technology

[0002] Microcentrifuge tubes (EP tubes) are indispensable tools in molecular biology experiments, primarily used for the separation, concentration, and preservation of trace reagents. They are often used in conjunction with microcentrifuges to achieve efficient separation of biological macromolecules such as DNA, RNA, and proteins through high-speed centrifugation. EP tubes feature a conical bottom design to facilitate precipitate accumulation, a rounded opening for enhanced mechanical strength, and a frosted surface and safety lock for easy labeling and sealing, reducing the risk of contamination.

[0003] EP tubes are often numbered on their caps. Due to space constraints, not all centrifuge tubes are arranged in an orderly fashion in the container. In many cases, thousands of EP tubes are stacked haphazardly in the collection box / bag, with many caps facing down or obscured by other EP tubes. Current technology lacks an auxiliary sorting device for EP tubes. Researchers must manually flip over each cap-down EP tube one by one and then individually identify the number on its cap, resulting in extremely low sorting efficiency and consuming a significant amount of time and effort. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art, and to provide a micro-centrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device that can assist experimental personnel in quickly and centrally sorting thousands of EP tubes in batches, so that the tube caps are automatically and in batches flipped upwards, fully and in batches exposing the serial numbers, which is convenient for experimental personnel to quickly compare and confirm, and improves the sorting efficiency of EP tubes with target serial numbers.

[0005] This utility model provides a microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device, including: a sorting component and a support component; wherein the sorting component can be used alone or in combination with the support component;

[0006] The sorting assembly includes a sorting box, with several centrifuge tube grooves arranged parallel to each other at the bottom of the sorting box; a movable push plate that matches the cross-section of the sorting box and the centrifuge tube grooves is horizontally slidably arranged inside the sorting box; and a movable baffle is vertically slidably arranged on one side of the sorting box.

[0007] Preferably, a raised portion is provided between adjacent centrifuge tubes.

[0008] Preferably, the outer side of the sorting box has fixed edges that are higher than the bottom surface on only three sides, and the other side is an open movable edge; of the three fixed edges of the sorting box, two are parallel edges that are parallel to each other, and the other is a vertical edge that is perpendicular to the two parallel edges; the height of the vertical edge is lower than that of the parallel edges; the total length of the two parallel edges of the sorting box is longer than the bottom of the sorting box.

[0009] Preferably, the height of the movable push plate is higher than the vertical edge of the sorting box; when the movable push plate slides to the starting position, one side of it abuts against the inner side of the vertical edge of the sorting box; when the movable push plate is pushed, all the EP tubes in the centrifuge tube grooves located on the same baseline are pushed sequentially and gather towards the movable edge of the sorting box.

[0010] Preferably, the sorting assembly further includes a first limiting clamp and a second limiting clamp. The first limiting clamp can be engaged with the edge of the sorting box at the starting position of the movable push plate to prevent the movable push plate from sliding away from the starting position. The second limiting clamp can be engaged with the edge of the sorting box where the movable baffle is inserted to prevent the movable baffle from detaching from the sorting box.

[0011] Preferably, the inner side of the parallel perimeter of the sorting box is provided with a ramp that does not affect the engagement of the first limiting clamp and the second limiting clamp, and does not affect the sliding of the movable push plate and the movable baffle; the outer side of the parallel perimeter of the sorting box is also provided with a handle.

[0012] Preferably, the support assembly includes a support frame, a support tray is fixedly disposed on the upper part of the support frame, the upper surface of the support tray is used to place the sorting assembly, and a support baffle is disposed on one side of the support tray; the two vertical sides of the support baffle are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the support frame, and together with the support tray, form a sliding channel for the EP tube.

[0013] Preferably, the collection box can be placed at the bottom of the support frame, and the opening above the collection box is directly opposite the EP tube sliding channel formed by the support baffle and the support tray.

[0014] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0015] 1. This utility model is equipped with a centrifugal tube groove that can support the EP tube cap and allow the tube body to fall. With the help of gravity, the EP tube in the groove will automatically flip and keep the tube cap facing upward, so as to fully expose the serial number.

[0016] 2. This utility model provides a raised part between adjacent centrifuge tube slots and an inclined surface on the four walls of the sorting box to fully reduce the horizontal area that can support the EP tube body, so that multiple EP tubes falling into the box are less likely to stack and are more likely to slide into the centrifuge tube slot to form a tube cap facing upward.

[0017] 3. This utility model device can replace the hands of the experimenter, allowing the EP tubes to be flipped and laid flat, and enabling multiple scattered EP tubes to be relatively orderly gathered on one side, which is convenient for the experimenter to identify and sort in batches, greatly improving the sorting efficiency of EP tubes.

[0018] 4. This utility model also provides a collection device for the remaining EP tubes after sorting, which facilitates the separate management of sorted and unsorted EP tubes by experimental personnel, avoids confusion, avoids repeated sorting work, and improves the sorting efficiency of EP tubes. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments;

[0020] Figure 1 This is an external view of the sorting components of a microcentrifuge tube auxiliary sorting device.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of the sorting box for the sorting assembly;

[0022] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the sorting box for the sorting assembly;

[0023] Figure 4 Front view of the active push plate of the sorting component;

[0024] Figure 5 Front view of the active baffle of the sorting component;

[0025] Figure 6 Detailed diagram of the insertion status of the active baffle for the sorting component;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a front view of the first limiting clamp of the sorting component;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a structural diagram of the second limiting clamp of the sorting component;

[0028] Figure 9 A detailed view of point A of the sorting component;

[0029] Figure 10 Detailed view of section B of the sorting component;

[0030] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing the scattered state of numbered microcentrifuge tubes.

[0031] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing the centralized status of numbered microcentrifuge tubes.

[0032] Figure 13 An external view of the support components of a microcentrifuge tube auxiliary sorting device;

[0033] Figure 14 This is a cross-sectional view of a microcentrifuge tube auxiliary sorting device;

[0034] Figure 15 This is an overall view of the microcentrifuge tube auxiliary sorting device.

[0035] Legend:

[0036] 1. Sorting box; 2. Centrifuge tube trough; 3. Raised section; 4. Movable push plate; 41. Push tooth; 42. Push plate slider; 43. Push plate arch groove; 5. Movable baffle; 51. Stop tooth; 52. Baffle slide bar; 53. Baffle arch groove; 6. Handle; 7. Push plate slide groove; 8. Baffle slide groove; 9. First limit clamp; 10. Second limit clamp; 11. EP tube; 12. Support frame; 13. Support tray; 14. Support baffle; 15. Collection box. Detailed Implementation

[0037] This section will describe in detail the specific embodiments of the present utility model. The preferred embodiments of the present utility model are shown in the accompanying drawings. The purpose of the drawings is to supplement the textual description with graphics, so that people can intuitively and vividly understand each technical feature and the overall technical solution of the present utility model, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0038] Reference Figure 1-15 This invention provides a microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device, including a sorting component and a support component. The sorting component can be used independently or placed on top of the support component for combined use. The sorting component is used to centrally arrange scattered EP tubes, allowing the EP tubes to be laid flat and flipped in batches, forming a state where the tube caps are facing upwards and the numbers are exposed, assisting researchers in completing the batch sorting of EP tubes. The support component is used to assist in collecting the remaining EP tubes after sorting, separating the sorted remaining EP tubes from the unsorted EP tubes, avoiding confusion and duplicate sorting, and improving sorting efficiency.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown, the sorting assembly includes a sorting box 1, which has a rectangular box-like structure. The outer side of the sorting box 1 has fixed edges on three sides that are higher than the bottom surface, and one side is an open, movable edge. Of the three fixed edges of the sorting box 1, two are parallel edges, and the other is a vertical edge perpendicular to the two parallel edges. The height of the vertical edge is lower than that of the parallel edges.

[0040] The bottom of the sorting box 1 has several centrifuge tube grooves 2 along a direction parallel to the parallel perimeter. The centrifuge tube grooves 2 are used to support the fallen EP tubes and keep the tube caps of the EP tubes facing upwards. Inside the sorting box 1, a movable push plate 4 is slidably arranged along the direction parallel to the perimeter. The movable push plate 4 can push the EP tubes to slide horizontally in the centrifuge tube grooves 2. A movable baffle 5 is slidably arranged vertically at the open side of the sorting box 1. The movable baffle 5 acts as a movable perimeter of the sorting box 1 and can prevent the EP tubes from sliding out of the sorting box 1.

[0041] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the centrifuge tube trough 2 has a trapezoidal inclined groove with a larger top and a smaller bottom. The maximum diameter of the top of the centrifuge tube trough 2 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the EP tube cap, but slightly larger than the maximum diameter of the EP tube body. This allows the EP tube cap to be secured at the upper surface of the trough opening, and the tube body to slide down into the trough under gravity. Furthermore, raised portions 3 are spaced apart between adjacent centrifuge tube troughs 2. The cross-section of the raised portion 3 is an arc shape with an opening facing downwards. Its maximum diameter is smaller than the minimum diameter of the EP tube. The raised portions 3 prevent adjacent centrifuge tube troughs 2 from having a sufficiently flat area to support the EP tube and maintain horizontal balance. This causes most of the fallen EP tubes to roll and slide into the nearest centrifuge tube trough 2 instead of staying on the bottom upper surface of the sorting box 1.

[0042] Furthermore, the inner surfaces of the two parallel perimeters of the sorting box 1 are also provided with ramps, so that EP tubes falling along the side direction cannot stay in the corner area between the parallel perimeters of the sorting box 1 and the centrifuge tube slot 2, but instead slide into the nearest centrifuge tube slot 2. Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the two parallel perimeters of the sorting box 1 are also provided with handles 6. The handles 6 are easy for the experimenter to grip, and a slight shaking of the sorting box 1 can cause the stacked EP tubes to scatter, so that each EP tube can slide into the centrifuge tube slot 2 and keep the tube cap facing upward under the action of gravity.

[0043] The bottom of the sloping inner surface of the two parallel perimeters of the sorting box 1 is provided with a push plate groove 7, and the movable push plate 4 can slide horizontally between the vertical perimeter and the movable perimeter of the sorting box 1 along the push plate groove 7. Figure 4 As shown, the front view of the movable push plate 4 is adapted to the cross-section of the box body at the center of the sorting box 1. The lower part of the movable push plate 4 is provided with push teeth 41 adapted to the cross-section of the centrifuge tube trough 2, and the number of push teeth 41 is the same as the number of centrifuge tube trough 2. Push plate sliders 42 adapted to the push plate slide grooves 7 are provided on both sides of the movable push plate 4. The middle part of the movable push plate 4 is provided with push plate arch grooves 43 adapted to the raised part 3, and the number of push plate arch grooves 43 is the same as the number of raised parts 3.

[0044] Furthermore, the height of the movable push plate 4 is higher than the vertical side of the sorting box 1, which facilitates the experimenter to grasp the upper part of the movable push plate 4 and push the movable push plate 4 back and forth. When the movable push plate 4 slides to the starting position, one side of the movable push plate 4 can抵触 the inner side of the vertical side of the sorting box 1. The side view section of the movable push plate 4 can be set as an inclined surface or an arc surface that is narrower at the top and wider at the bottom, serving as a supplementary side for the vertical side of the sorting box 1 to facilitate the EP tubes to slide into the box body of the sorting box 1. At the starting position of the movable push plate 4, there is a notch area on the inclined surface of the inner surface of the parallel sides on both sides of the sorting box 1. This notch is only used for the clamping of the first limit clamp 9. When the first limit clamp 9 is removed, this notch does not affect the horizontal sliding of the movable push plate 4 inside the sorting box 1.

[0045] As Figure 7 and Figure 9 shown, the front view section of the first limit clamp 9 is a deformed "Ji" shape, with a horizontal upper end and inwardly retracted clamping ends on both sides. The minimum inner diameter of its clamping ends is slightly smaller than the width of the side of the sorting box 1, and the maximum outer diameter of the upper end is wider than the width of the side of the sorting box 1. The first limit clamp 9 can be clamped in the notch area at the intersection of the vertical side and the parallel side of the sorting box 1 and阻拦 the movable push plate 4 from sliding inside the sorting box 1. When it is necessary to shake the box body of the sorting box 1 so that the stacked EP tubes can smoothly slide into the centrifuge tube slots 2, the first limit clamp 9 is clamped at the notch of the parallel side in front of the movable push plate 4, which can prevent the movable push plate 4 from sliding disorderly in the box with the shaking. When it is necessary to push the movable push plate 4 to concentrate the EP tubes towards the movable side of the sorting box 1, the first limit clamp 9 can be removed.

[0046] When pushing the movable push plate 4, the push teeth 41 on the same reference line simultaneously push all the EP tubes on the same reference line in all the centrifuge tube slots 2 in the same direction, causing the EP tubes scattered at the bottom of the sorting box 1 to gather on the same side.

[0047] The total length of the two parallel sides of the sorting box 1 is longer than the bottom of the sorting box 1, that is, the lower end of the movable side of the sorting box 1 has no bottom support, and the EP tubes will slide out of the centrifuge tube slots 2 when they are pushed here. At the movable side of the sorting box 1, the inner surfaces of the two parallel sides are straight surfaces, and baffle chutes 8 are relatively opened at the upper part. The movable baffle 5 can slide and insert into the baffle chutes 8.

[0048] As Figure 5 shown, the front view section of the movable baffle 5 is adapted to the box body section of the sorting box 1 without a bottom edge. The lower part of the movable baffle 5 is provided with retaining teeth 51 adapted to the upper part of the cross-section of the centrifuge tube slots 2, and the number of retaining teeth 51 is the same as the number of centrifuge tube slots 2; both sides of the movable baffle 5 are provided with baffle slide strips 52 adapted to the baffle chutes 8; a baffle arch groove 53 adapted to the raised part 3 is opened in the middle of the movable baffle 5.

[0049] As Figure 6 As shown, the cross-sections of the baffle groove 8 and the baffle slide bar 52 are mutually compatible T-shapes, and the height of the T-shaped baffle slide bars 52 on both sides of the movable baffle 5 is the same as the height of the T-shaped baffle groove 8. When the movable baffle 5 is fully inserted into the baffle groove 8, the top of the movable baffle 5 is flush with the top surface of the sorting box 1. At this time, the baffle teeth 51 can block the upper end of the centrifuge tube groove 2, preventing the EP tube from sliding down from the centrifuge tube groove 2.

[0050] like Figure 8 As shown, the sorting assembly also includes a second limiting clamp 10. The front view of the second limiting clamp 10 is the same as that of the first limiting clamp 9. The difference between the second limiting clamp 10 and the first limiting clamp 9 is that a slot with the same width as the movable baffle 5 is provided on one side of the second limiting clamp 10.

[0051] like Figure 10 As shown, the second limiting clamp 10 can be engaged with the side of the sorting box 1 at the baffle slide 8, and its slot can clamp the two sides of the movable baffle 5. The top of the clamp covers the T-shaped baffle slide 8 and the baffle slide bar 52, so that the movable baffle 5 cannot be detached from the sorting box 1. When the second limiting clamp 10 is removed, the movable baffle 5 can be completely detached from the sorting box 1.

[0052] The first limiting clamp 9 and the second limiting clamp 10 can be made of metal.

[0053] The EP tubes have serial numbers on their caps. When using the sorting assembly provided by this invention to assist in sorting numbered EP tubes, first place the sorting box 1 on a flat surface, push the movable push plate 4 back to its starting position, and secure it on both sides with the first limiting clamp 9. Insert the movable baffle 5 into the baffle groove 8 and secure it with the second limiting clamp 10. Pour an appropriate number of EP tubes into the sorting box 1. If the EP tubes are stacked, gently shake the sorting box 1 using the handle 6 to slide all the EP tubes into the centrifuge tube groove 2, ensuring that the caps of all EP tubes are facing upwards. Figure 11 As shown, because the EP tubes are scattered throughout the bottom of the box, the field of vision is relatively dispersed, making it difficult to distinguish the specific numbers on the tube caps or compare them with the target number list printed on the paper strip. Remove the first limiting clamp 9 and push the movable push plate 4 towards the movable baffle 5, causing the EP tubes to concentrate towards one side of the sorting box 1. Figure 12 As shown, the field of vision is relatively focused at this time, making it easier to distinguish the specific number on the tube cover. The sorting personnel can place the target number list strip on the box next to the movable push plate 4, and check the target number list one by one to pick out the EP tube with the required number.

[0054] It is understood that the centrifuge tube trough 2 in the sorting box 1 provided by this utility model can be designed with different size standards to assist in the sorting of EP tubes of different specifications and models.

[0055] like Figures 13 to 15 As shown, the support assembly includes a support frame 12. A support tray 13 is provided on the upper part of the support frame 12. The support tray 13 has a trapezoidal cross-section, forming a trapezoidal platform shape that is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom. The support tray 13 divides the support frame 12 into upper and lower spaces. The upper surface of the trapezoidal platform of the support tray 13 is slightly lower than the top edge of the support frame 12, used to place the sorting components. Three vertical sides are fixedly connected to the inner side of the support frame 12, with the inclined sides corresponding to the falling direction of the EP tube. A support baffle 14 is provided on the upper part of the support frame 12, corresponding to the inclined sides of the support tray 13. The support baffle 14 has two triangular vertical sides that are completely perpendicular to the horizontal plane. The hypotenuses of the two triangular vertical sides are fixedly connected to the two sides of the rectangular inclined side. The two triangular vertical sides of the support baffle 14 are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the support frame 12, and the inclined sides of the support baffle 14 are parallel to the inclined sides of the support tray 13. The inclined sides of the support baffle 14 and the support tray 13 together form a sliding channel for the EP tube. The support baffle 14 can change the falling direction of the EP tubes sliding from the sorting box 1, causing them to slide into the internal space of the support frame 12 below the support tray 13. The interior of the support frame 12 below the support tray 13 and the support baffle 14 is a cuboid space with an opening on one side, and a collection box 15 is placed on the bottom surface by pushing and pulling.

[0056] In use, place the sorting assembly on the support tray 13, with the end of the movable baffle 5 on the same side as the support baffle 14. After sorting the current batch of EP tubes, remove the second limiting clamp 10, pull out the movable baffle 5, and continue to push the movable push plate 4 towards the end of the movable baffle 5, so that the non-target EP tubes fall down the support baffle 14 into the collection box 15 below. Then repeat the sorting of the next batch of EP tubes.

[0057] The embodiments of the present utility model have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present utility model is not limited to the above embodiments. Within the scope of knowledge possessed by those skilled in the art, various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device, characterized in that, include: Sorting components and support components; The sorting component can be used alone or in combination with the support component; The sorting assembly includes a sorting box (1), and a plurality of centrifuge tubes (2) are arranged parallel to each other at the bottom of the sorting box (1); a movable push plate (4) matching the cross-section of the sorting box (1) and the centrifuge tubes (2) is slidably arranged horizontally inside the sorting box (1); and a movable baffle (5) is slidably arranged vertically on one side of the sorting box (1).

2. The microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A raised portion (3) is provided between adjacent centrifuge tubes (2).

3. The microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The sorting box (1) has fixed edges on three sides that are higher than the bottom surface, and an open movable edge on the other side. Of the three fixed edges of the sorting box (1), two are parallel edges that are parallel to each other, and the other is a vertical edge that is perpendicular to the two parallel edges. The height of the vertical edge is lower than that of the parallel edges. The total length of the two parallel edges of the sorting box (1) is longer than the bottom of the sorting box (1).

4. The microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The height of the movable push plate (4) is higher than the vertical edge of the sorting box (1); when the movable push plate (4) slides to the starting position, one side of it abuts against the inner side of the vertical edge of the sorting box (1); when the movable push plate (4) is pushed, all the EP tubes (11) in the centrifuge tube troughs (2) located on the same baseline are pushed in sequence and gather towards the movable edge of the sorting box (1).

5. The microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The sorting assembly further includes a first limiting clamp (9) and a second limiting clamp (10). The first limiting clamp (9) can be engaged with the edge of the sorting box (1) at the starting position of the movable push plate (4) to prevent the movable push plate (4) from sliding away from the starting position. The second limiting clamp (10) can be engaged with the edge of the sorting box (1) where the movable baffle (5) is inserted to prevent the movable baffle (5) from detaching from the sorting box (1).

6. The microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner side of the parallel perimeter of the sorting box (1) is provided with a ramp that does not affect the engagement of the first limiting clamp (9) and the second limiting clamp (10) and does not affect the sliding of the movable push plate (4) and the movable baffle (5); the outer side of the parallel perimeter of the sorting box (1) is also provided with a handle (6).

7. The microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The support assembly includes a support frame (12), and a support tray (13) is fixedly installed on the upper part of the support frame (12). The upper surface of the support tray (13) is used to place the sorting assembly. A support baffle (14) is provided on one side of the support tray (13). The two vertical sides of the support baffle (14) are fixedly connected to the inner wall of the support frame (12) and together with the support tray (13) form a sliding channel for the EP tube.

8. The microcentrifuge tube sorting auxiliary device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The collection box (15) can be placed at the bottom of the support frame (12), and the opening above the collection box (15) is directly opposite the EP tube sliding channel formed by the support baffle (14) and the support plate (13).

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