SET COMPRISING A MICROPLATE, A LID AND A DEVICE FOR RELEASING A SNAP CONNECTION BETWEEN THE MICROPLATE AND THE LID

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a set comprising a microplate, also called microtiter plate, microtest plate or multiwell plate, a lid for covering the microplate and a device for releasing a snap connection between the microplate and the lid.

[0002] Microplates are used primarily in scientific and industrial laboratories with medical, molecular biology, or pharmaceutical applications for a wide variety of microbiological, cell biology, and immunological procedures. For example, microplates are used in PCR and the cultivation of microorganisms or cells.

[0003] Microplates have a frame with a plurality of wells for receiving sample liquid. Designs are known in which the wells are formed as depressions in an overall plate-shaped frame. In other designs, the wells are connected at the top to a plate of the frame, protrude downwards from the underside of the plate, and have an opening at the top of the plate. The outer edge of the plate can be connected to a downwardly projecting, circumferential side wall of the frame. The side wall can protrude further downwards from the plate than the wells ( skirted ). Furthermore, designs are known in which the side wall protrudes less from the plate than the vessels ( semi-skirted ). However, there are versions where the plate is not connected to a side wall ( unskirted). Well-known sidewall microplates have an extension at the bottom edge of the sidewall that allows them to be placed on top of another microplate. Microplates with large wells are also called "deepwell plates."

[0004] Microplates are defined by the ANSI / SLAS standards for microplates, particularly with regard to the base area ( footprint ) and the arrangement of the tubes in microplates with 96, 384, and 1,536 tubes are standardized. Microplates with 96 tubes are particularly common, with the tubes arranged in eight rows and twelve columns, each spaced 9 mm apart.

[0005] Also well-known are microplates and deep-well plates with 48 wells arranged in six rows and eight columns, which are used, for example, for cell cultures. These microplates are offered with the same footprint, or length and width, as the 96-well microplates, according to ANSI / SLAS standards for microplates.

[0006] DE 100 66 431 B4 describes a plastic microplate with a rigid lid that can be detachably attached to the top of the plate and at least one seal made of an elastic material between the lid and the plate. In one embodiment, plug-shaped seals protrude from the underside of the plate and engage in openings in the vessels so that, with sealing beads on their outer circumference, they form a sealing contact against the inner wall of the vessels when the lid is placed on the microplate. The lid has borders that project downwards from the edge of the plate, from which locking projections protrude inwards and can be locked into recesses in the side wall below the plate of the microplate. The borders of the lid have upwardly projecting handles that make it easier to grasp the lid. By pivoting the handles, the locking connection between the locking projections and the recesses can be released because the borders pivot along with them.The microplate and lid are not suitable for automated plate handling, particularly because the snap connection can be released using the handles.

[0007] Based on this, the invention is based on the object of providing a technology that enables a simple dissolution of a snap connection between microplate and lid, which can also be carried out in an automated process.

[0008] The object is achieved by a set according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the set are specified in subclaims and in the following description.

[0009] The set according to the invention comprises: a microplate comprising a rectangular first plate, a plurality of vessels arranged in rows and columns, connected to the top of the first plate, projecting downward from the underside of the first plate, and having an opening on the top of the first plate, and snap openings on at least two opposing lateral edges of the first plate, a lid comprising a second plate for placement on the top of the first plate and covering the openings of the vessels, and snap hooks projecting from the underside of the second plate on at least two opposing lateral edges of the second plate, wherein the lid, in a covering position with the second plate, sits on the top of the first plate, covers the openings of the vessels, and is snapped into the snap openings by the snap hooks, forming snap connections,and a release device for releasing the snap connections between the microplate and the lid, with at least two upstanding support projections and at least one receptacle therebetween for placing a microplate with at least two opposing edge regions of the first plate onto the support projections with the vessels engaging in the at least one receptacle and first sliding surfaces on mutually facing inner sides of the snap hooks on opposite edges of the first plate and second sliding surfaces on mutually facing outer sides of the support projections on opposite sides of the receptacle,wherein the first sliding surfaces on mutually facing inner sides of the snap hooks are inclined upwards towards each other and / or the second sliding surfaces on mutually facing outer sides of the support projections are inclined upwards towards each other and when the microplate with the snapped-on lid is placed on the unlocking device, the snap hooks are deflected outwards by the second sliding surfaces sliding on the first sliding surfaces and the snap connections are released.

[0010] In the set according to the invention, the lid is placed onto the microplate from above to cover the openings of the vessels and protect the liquid filled into the vessels from loss or contamination. The snap hooks are inserted into the snap openings until they engage behind the edge areas of the first plate adjacent to the snap openings, thereby forming snap connections between the microplate and the lid. The lid can be removed from the microplate again by placing the microplate, with the lid snapped onto it, onto the release device for releasing the snap connections ("release device"). When the microplate, with the snapped lid, is placed onto the release device, the snap hooks are deflected outwards as the second sliding surfaces slide over the first sliding surfaces, and the snap connections are released.Simply by placing the microplate closed by the lid onto the release device, the snap connections are released again and the lid can be lifted off the microplate in one more movement.

[0011] With the set according to the invention, the snap connections between the microplate and the lid can be easily established. Furthermore, the snap connections can be easily released by placing the microplate, together with the lid snapped onto it, onto the release device. Furthermore, it is possible to handle the lid automatically. The microplate can be closed and snapped shut by the lid by simply placing the lid onto the microplate using a machine. The snap connection can be released by simply placing the microplate covered by the lid onto the release device using a machine. Manual handling is also possible.

[0012] Another advantage is that existing microplates can be used with the set without modification. The set can be used with existing microplates as well as customized microplates and deep-well plates. The connection and disconnection of the snap connections can be automated using a laboratory automation system or dispensing machine, or manually performed by laboratory personnel.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the invention, each snap connection is arranged at least partially in the two lateral edges of the first plate. This facilitates the release of the snap connection by deflecting the snap hooks outward, because the snap hooks are released by their ends entering the snap openings of a first plate.

[0014] The snap openings can be formed exclusively in the lateral edges of the first plate, particularly in a microplate that does not have a side wall. A microplate with a side wall can also have the snap openings exclusively in the first plate, whereby the snap openings must be large enough for the snap hooks to be deflected until they no longer engage beneath the first plate and can be pulled out of the snap openings.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the microplate comprises a circumferential side wall projecting downward from the outer edge of the first plate, and each snap opening is formed at least partially in the upper edge region of the side wall. The at least partial formation of each snap opening in the upper edge region of the side wall facilitates the release of the snap connections by lateral deflection of the snap hooks.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, each snap opening is arranged partly in the lateral edge region of the first plate and partly in the upper edge region of the side wall. This embodiment offers the above advantages in combination.

[0017] The snap openings can also be formed exclusively in the side wall.

[0018] Furthermore, the formation of snap openings both at the edges of the first plate and in the side wall facilitates the demolding of the microplate from the injection molding tool during production by injection molding.

[0019] According to a further embodiment, the portion of the snap openings formed in the lateral edge region of the first plate has an upper boundary surface running parallel to the outer edge of the first plate, which is aligned with the inner side of the side wall or offset inwardly relative thereto, and which adjoins a lower boundary surface of the portion of the snap opening in the upper edge region of the side wall. This facilitates demolding of the microplate from the injection mold during injection molding.

[0020] According to a further embodiment, the microplate has two snap-in openings on each of the two long edges of the first plate, and the lid has two snap-in hooks on each of the two long edges of the second plate. This promotes a uniform, sealing fit of the lid to the microplate.

[0021] According to a further embodiment, the microplate has two snap-in openings on each of its two short edges, and the lid has two snap-in hooks on each of its two short edges. This further promotes the even contact of the lid with the microplate.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the snap hooks have a vertical bar and, at the lower end of the vertical bar, an inwardly projecting horizontal bar. This creates flexible snap hooks that allow for easy snapping into the snap openings and easy, targeted release.

[0023] According to a further embodiment, the horizontal web has a first sliding surface at the outer end on the underside.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the second plate has a recess on the lateral edges next to the connection with the snap-in hook, above the end of the snap-in hook. This facilitates the removal of the lid from a mold during injection molding.

[0025] According to a further embodiment, the microplate and / or the lid comprises at least one sealing element that seals the edge of each opening all the way around when the lid has snap connections with the microplate. This improves the tight closure of the vessels by the lid in the sealed position. The sealing element is, for example, an elastic flat material or an elastic material layer on the underside of the lid, which seals all openings of the microplate when the lid is snapped onto the microplate.

[0026] According to a further embodiment, the lid has sealing elements (covers) arranged in rows and columns on the underside of the second plate, each of which rests against an inner edge of one of the openings when the lid is snapped onto the microplate. This further improves the sealing engagement of the lid with the openings of the vessels in the sealing position. The sealing elements have, for example, a circular or annular base and rest circumferentially sealingly against the edge of the openings in the first plate and / or adjacent to the openings in the inner wall of the vessels.

[0027] According to another design, the sealing elements protrude downwards from the underside of the lid.

[0028] According to another embodiment, each sealing element is dome-shaped (e.g., hemispherical) or conical. This further improves the sealing of the container openings by the lid in the covering position.

[0029] According to another design, the grid of covers is cambered. Here, the inner covers are higher than the outer covers. This is advantageous for sealing a grid of covers, as it allows a deformed grid to lie flat against the grid. In other words, the most or first deformed areas in the center of the grid give way, and only then do they make contact with the later deformed areas at the edges.

[0030] According to a further embodiment, the first plate has at least one further snap opening between the lateral edges, the lid has at least one further downwardly projecting snap hook between the two lateral edges of the second plate, wherein the further snap hook is inserted into the further snap opening and snapped behind it to the underside of the first plate when the lid with the second plate rests against the upper side of the first plate of the microplate, and the further snap hook has at least one further first sliding surface, and / or the unlocking device for releasing the snap connections has a further second sliding surface which is designed to slide on the further first sliding surface when the microplate is placed on with the snapped-on lid, thereby releasing the snap connection. This further improves the sealing engagement of the lid with the microplate in the covering position.Additional snap hooks, positioned between the wells rather than at the edge, can enhance the holding force and evenly distribute the locking effect. The lid's snap hooks can be positioned not only at the edge but also between the wells. This allows the lids to be pressed more effectively against the edges of the openings on top of the first plate, creating a more reliable seal. For this to happen, additional snap openings (perforations) must be provided in the first plate, into which the additional snap hooks can also engage. The principle of locking by means of snap hooks and unlocking by displacement using sliding surfaces on the unlocking block is also used here.

[0031] According to a further embodiment, the unlocking device has a rectangular frame, the support projections are formed by frame strips of the frame, and the receptacle is formed by the inner sides of the frame. This enables a particularly simple design.

[0032] According to a further embodiment, the set comprises at least one of the following features: the microplate is made of a single or multiple plastics material, where appropriate the frame of the microplate is made of a different plastics material than the vessels, the lid is made of a single or multiple plastics material, where appropriate the second frame is made of a different plastics material than the seal, the release device is made of a single or multiple plastics material, of metal or of a combination of plastics and metal.

[0033] According to another embodiment, the microplate and / or the lid and / or the release device are injection-molded. According to another embodiment, the microplate and / or the lid are manufactured using a single-component or multi-component injection molding process.

[0034] According to a further embodiment, the microplate and / or the lid and / or the release device is vacuum-formed and / or assembled from injection-molded and vacuum-formed components and / or hot-stamped.

[0035] According to a further embodiment, the vessels have a volume of 0.5, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, 1.8, 2.0 or 2.5 ml each.

[0036] According to another embodiment, the microplate has 12, 24, 48, 96 or 384 wells.

[0037] According to another embodiment, the microplate is an ANSI / SLS microplate with 96, 384 or 1,536 wells or a deepwell plate.

[0038] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of an exemplary embodiment. In the drawings: Fig. 1 a microplate with snapped lid in a perspective view obliquely from above; Fig. 2 the microplate in a perspective view obliquely from below; Fig. 3 enlarged detail of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 the lid in a perspective view obliquely from above; Fig. 5 the lid in a perspective view obliquely from below; Fig. 6 the microplate with the snapped lid in a partial side view and in a partial section in the longitudinal direction; Fig. 7 the microplate with the snapped lid in an enlarged partial section; Fig. 8 a release device in a perspective view; Fig. 9 the release device with the microplate in place and the lid snapped into place in a vertical section; Fig. 10 the microplate and the lid before snapping into place in a perspective detailed view obliquely from above; Fig. 11 the microplate and the lid snapped into place in a perspective detailed view obliquely from above; Fig. 12 the microplate and the lid snapped into place on the release device when the snap connection is released in a perspective view obliquely from above.

[0039] In this application, the terms "horizontal" and "vertical" as well as "top" and "bottom" refer to an arrangement of the microplate with the edge of the side wall facing away from the first plate on a horizontal base and the lid on the top of the microplate.

[0040] According to Fig. 1 to 3 A microplate 1 comprises a rectangular first plate 2 and a circumferential side wall 4 with four sides 4.1 to 4.4, projecting downward from the outer edge 3 of the first plate 2. The first plate 2 and the side wall 4 are also referred to as a "frame."

[0041] In the first plate 2, 96 vessels 5 are arranged in eight rows and twelve columns, which are connected to the top of the first plate 2, project downwards from the underside of the first plate 2 and have an opening 6 at the top of the first plate 2.

[0042] Each opening 6 is surrounded by a small border 7 which projects upwards from the top of the first plate 2.

[0043] The vessels 5 have a downwardly tapered shape. They have a conical vessel section 5.1 connected to the first plate 2 at the top, with a diameter that decreases downwards, and a first downwardly curved, spherical-shell-shaped vessel base 5.2.

[0044] The side wall 4 has an outwardly projecting flange 8 at the lower edge. In vertical section, this has an inverted L-profile and forms an outwardly and downwardly projecting extension 9 of the side wall 4.

[0045] The microplate 1 has snap openings 10 at the edge of the first plate 2. Each snap opening 10 is arranged, in part 10.1, in the lateral edge region of the first plate 2 and in part 10.2 in the upper edge region of the side wall 4. The part 10.1 of the snap opening 10, which is formed in the lateral edge region of the first plate 2, has an upper boundary surface 11.1 running parallel to the outer edge of the first plate. From the lateral ends of each upper boundary surface 11.1, upper lateral boundary surfaces 11.2, 11.3 extend perpendicularly to the outer edge of the first plate 2.

[0046] The further part 10.2 of the snap openings 10, which is arranged in the upper edge region of the side wall 4, has a lower boundary surface 12.1 running parallel to the upper edge of the side wall 4. From the outer ends of each lower boundary surface 12.1, lower lateral boundary surfaces 12.2, 12.3 of the further part 10.2 of the snap openings 10 extend vertically upward to the upper edge of the side wall 4.

[0047] The upper boundary surface 11.1 is aligned with an inner side 13 of the side wall 4, which adjoins the lower boundary surface 12.1, or is offset inwards with respect to this inner side 13.

[0048] On each long side of the first plate 2, two snap openings 10 are arranged near a corner of the side wall 4. On the long sides of the first plate 2, the snap openings 10 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal central axis 14 of the first plate 2.

[0049] On each short side of the first plate 2, two snap openings 10 are arranged, each near a corner of the side wall 4. On the short sides of the first plate 2, the snap openings 10 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a transverse central axis 15 of the first plate 2.

[0050] The microplate 1 is made of a single or multiple plastics, with the first plate 2 and the side wall 4 optionally being made of a different plastic than the wells 5. For example, the microplate is made entirely of polystyrene, polycarbonate, or polypropylene, or the first plate 2 and side wall 4 are made of polycarbonate and the wells 5 are made of polypropylene, silicone, or liquid silicone rubber.

[0051] According to Fig. 1 to 3 A lid 16 is arranged on the microplate 1, which is inserted into the Figs. 4 and 5 is shown. The cover 16 has a rectangular second plate 17, which is congruent with the first plate 2.

[0052] The lid 16 has snap hooks 18 which project downwards from the upper outer edge 19 of the second plate 17.

[0053] Each snap hook 18 has a vertical web 20, which is connected at its upper end to the upper outer edge 19 of the second plate 17. Furthermore, each snap hook 18 has, at the lower end of the vertical web 20, a horizontal web 21 projecting inward, i.e., below the second plate 17. The horizontal web 21 has, at its outer end on the underside, a first sliding surface 22 inclined to the vertical.

[0054] The cover 16 has two snap hooks 18 on each of the two long sides of the second plate 17, each snap hook 18 being arranged at a corner of the second plate 17. The two snap hooks 18 on the two long sides of the second plate 17 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal central axis 14 of the second plate 17.

[0055] The cover 16 also has two snap hooks 18 on each of the two shorter sides of the second plate 17, each of which is arranged near a corner of the second plate 17. The snap hooks 18 on the two shorter sides are arranged symmetrically with respect to a transverse central axis 15 of the second plate 17.

[0056] As is particularly evident from Fig. 5 As can be seen, in the snap hooks 18 arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal center axis 14 and the transverse center axis 15, the first sliding surfaces 22 are arranged on mutually facing inner sides of the snap hooks 18, and these same first sliding surfaces 22 are inclined upwards toward one another. As a result, the first sliding surfaces 22 on the mutually facing inner sides of the snap hooks 18 form an acute angle with one another, the apex of which is arranged above the second plate 17.

[0057] The second plate 17 has a recess 23 above the horizontal web 22 of each snap hook 18. This facilitates the removal of the lid 16 from a mold during injection molding.

[0058] According to Fig. 4 to 6 the cover 16 has sealing elements 24 arranged in rows and columns on the underside of the second plate 17. Each sealing element 24 is dome-shaped (spherical shell-shaped) and held in a circular hole 25 in the second plate 17. To be held at the edge of the hole, each sealing element 24 has an outwardly projecting, circumferential upper flange 26 at the upper edge and, below and at a distance therefrom, an outwardly projecting, circumferential lower flange 27. Between the upper flange 26 and the lower flange 27 of each sealing element 24, the edge engages a hole 25 in the second plate 17, whereby the sealing element 24 is held to the second plate 17.

[0059] 96 sealing elements 24 are arranged in the second plate 17 in eight rows and 12 columns, wherein the arrangement of the sealing elements 17 corresponds to the arrangement of the vessels 5 in the microplate 1. The sealing elements 17 are designed such that each sealing element 17 can be partially inserted into a vessel 5 of the microplate 1, wherein the sealing element 17 lies sealingly against the upper edge of the vessel 5 on its inside, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 shown.

[0060] The cover 16 is manufactured by injection molding. The exemplary embodiment with the sealing elements 24 is manufactured using a multi-component injection molding process, wherein the second plate 17 is injection-molded in a first step and the sealing elements 24 are injection-molded onto the second plate 17 in a second step. The second plate 17 is made, for example, from polystyrene, polycarbonate, or polypropylene, and the sealing elements 24 are made from polypropylene, silicone, or liquid silicone rubber.

[0061] According to Fig. 8 A release device 28 comprises a rectangular frame 29 comprising four frame strips 29.1 to 29.4, which are connected to each other at corners of the frame 29. The lower edge of the frame 29 has a horizontal, flat bearing surface 30 for placing the frame 29 on a horizontal surface. At the top, the frame has a horizontal, flat support surface 21 for placing a microplate 1.

[0062] On the inside, the frame strips each have a flat inner surface 32.

[0063] On the outside, the frame 29 has a shoulder 33 running approximately halfway around its height.

[0064] Below the shoulder 33 and above the shoulder 33, the frame strips 29.1 to 29.4 each have a flat outer surface 34.1, 34.2.

[0065] Furthermore, the frame 29 has two vertical grooves 35.1, 35.2 on the narrow frame strips 29.1, 29.2 on the outside above the shoulder, each vertical groove 35.1, 35.2 being arranged next to a corner of the frame 29.

[0066] The frame 29 encloses a receptacle 36 which is bounded by the inner sides of the frame strips 29.1 to 29.4.

[0067] The frame 29 has a circumferential bevel 37 on the upper outer edge, which forms second sliding surfaces 38. The second sliding surfaces 38 form an angle to the vertical. On opposing frame strips 29.1 to 29.3, the second sliding surfaces 38 are arranged so that they are inclined upward toward each other. As a result, they form an acute angle with an apex above the frame 29.

[0068] The frame strips 29.1 to 29.4 form support projections 39.1 to 39.4 for placing the microplate 1.

[0069] According to Figs. 10 and 11 The lid 16 can be placed on the microplate 1, with the snap hooks 18 forming snap connections at the snap openings 10, where the horizontal webs 22 engage under the first plate 2 at the lateral edges. When the lid 16 is placed on the microplate 1, the sealing elements 24 engage sealingly in the openings 6 of the vessels 5, as shown in the Figs. 6 and 7 shown. In this position, the lid 16 is secured to the microplate 1 by the snap hooks 18.

[0070] The lid 16 is placed onto the microplate 1 from above. The snap hooks 18 on the lid 16 engage the snap openings 10 of the microplate 1. The snap hooks 18 snap into place behind the edges of the snap openings 10 and hold the lid 16 firmly on the microplate 1. Before the snap hooks 18 snap into place, the sealing elements 24 form a sealing contact in the upper area against the inside of the vessels 5 and cover them.

[0071] The lid 16 can be removed again by placing the microplate 1 with the snapped-on lid 16 onto the release device 28. The outer side and upper side of the release device 28 are designed to be negative to the inner side of the microplate 1. Consequently, the microplate 1 with the snapped-on lid 16 can be placed onto the frame 29 such that the frame 29 engages from below into the circumferential side wall 4 of the microplate and the vessels 5 are immersed in the receptacle 36. When placing the microplate 1 onto the release device 28, vertical ribs can engage into the grooves 35.1, 35.2 of the frame 29 for structural stiffening on the inner side of the side wall 4.

[0072] At the end of the placement movement, the first sliding surfaces 22 of the snap hooks 18 slide on the second sliding surfaces 38 of the frame 29, thereby bending the snap hooks 18 outwards. This releases the snap connections, allowing the lid 16 to be lifted off the microplate 1 and removed. This is shown in the Fig. 12 shown. The lid 16 can be pushed upwards by the frame 29. After the snap connections are released, the lid 16 can be removed from the microplate 1.

[0073] The placement and snapping of the lid 16 with the microplate 1 as well as the release of the snap connections and removal of the lid 16 from the microplate 1 can be carried out automatically, for example in a laboratory machine or dosing machine.

[0074] The microplate and the lid 16 can be handled by grippers of an automated system (e.g., Epmotion of the applicant).

[0075] Similar to the microplate 1, the lid 16 can be dimensionally stable and easy to handle due to the plastic used and, if necessary, structural reinforcement (ribbing or frame). The sealing elements 24 are preferably made of a correspondingly soft or elastic material. This is, for example, a thermoplastic material, e.g., a soft PP, PE, or TPE. Due to the flexibility of the sealing elements 24 and their arrangement in the grid of the vessels 5 of the microplate 1, each sealing element 24 can cover one vessel 5.

[0076] The cover 16 with the sealing elements 24 can consist of several assembled parts or be manufactured by two-component injection molding. List of reference symbols

[0077] 1Microplate 2First plate 3Outer edge 4Side wall 4.1-4.4Sides 5Vessels 5.1Vessel section 5.2Vessel bottom 6Opening 7Rim 8Flange 9Extension 10Snap opening 10.1Part of the snap opening 10.2Further part of the snap opening 11.1Upper boundary surface 11.2, 11.3Upper lateral boundary surface 12.1Lower boundary surface 12.2, 12.3Lower lateral boundary surface 13Inside 14Longitudinal central axis 15Transverse central axis 16Lid 17Second plate 18Snap hook 19Upper outer edge 20Vertical ridge 21Horizontal ridge 22First sliding surface 23Recess 24Sealing element 25Hole 26Upper flange 27Lower flange 28Release device 29Frame 29.1-29.4Frame strip 30Bearing surface 31Support surface 32Inner surface 33Step 34.1, 34.2Outer surface 35.1, 35.2Groove 36Receptacle 37Bevel 38Second sliding surface 39.1-39.4Support projection

Claims

1. A set, comprising: • a microplate (1), • having a rectangular first plate (2), • a large number of wells (5) which are arranged in rows and columns and connected at the top to the first plate (2), project downward from the underside of the first plate, and have an opening (6) on the upper side of the first plate, and • snap openings (10) on at least two mutually opposing lateral edges of the first plate (2), • a lid (16), • having a second plate (17) for placement onto the upper side of the first plate (2) and for covering the openings (6) of the wells (5) and • snap hooks (18) projecting from the underside of the second plate (17) on at least two mutually opposing lateral edges of the second plate (17), wherein the lid (16) rests with the second plate (17) on the upper side of the first plate (2) in a covering position, covers the openings (6) of the wells (5), and is snapped into the snap openings (10) by means of the snap hooks (18) so as to form snap connections, and • an unlocking device (28) for releasing the snap connections between the microplate (1) and the lid (16), • having at least two upwardly projecting support projections (39.1-39.4) and at least one receiving portion (36) therebetween for placing a microplate (1) with at least two mutually opposing edge regions of the first plate (2) onto the support projections with engagement of the wells (5) in the at least one receiving portion (36) and • first sliding surfaces (22) on inner sides of the snap hooks (18) that face one another on mutually opposing edges of the first plate (2) and second sliding surfaces (38) on outer sides of the support projections (39.1 - 39.4) that face away from one another on mutually opposing sides of the receiving portion (36), wherein the first sliding surfaces (22) on inner sides of the snap hooks (18) that face one another are inclined upward toward one another and / or the second sliding surfaces (38) on outer sides of the support projections (39.1-39.4) that face away from one another are inclined upward toward one another and, when placing the microplate (1) with snapped on lid (16) onto the unlocking device (28), the snap hooks (18) are deflected outward and the snap connections are released through sliding the second sliding surfaces (38) on the first sliding surfaces (22).

2. The set according to claim 1, wherein each snap opening (10) is arranged at least in part in the two lateral edges of the first plate (2).

3. The set according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the microplate (1) comprises a circumferential side wall (4) that projects downward from the outer edge of the first plate (2), and each snap opening (10) is formed at least in part in the upper edge region of the side wall (4).

4. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each snap opening (10) is arranged in one part (10.1) in the lateral edge region of the first plate (2) and in another part (10.2) in the upper edge region of the side wall (4).

5. The set according to claim 4, wherein the part (10.1) of the snap opening (10) that is formed in the lateral edge region of the first plate (2) comprises an upper boundary surface (11.1) that extends parallel to the outer edge of the first plate and that is flush with the inner side (13) of the side wall (4) or is offset inward relative thereto, which inner side adjoins a lower boundary surface (12.1) of the part (10.2) of the snap opening (10) in the upper edge region of the side wall (4).

6. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the microplate (1) comprises two snap openings (10) in each case on the two long edges of the first plate (2) and wherein the lid (16) comprises two snap hooks (18) in each case on the two long edges of the second plate (17).

7. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the microplate (1) comprises two snap openings (10) in each case on the two short edges of the first plate (2) and the lid (16) comprises two snap hooks (18) in each case on the two short edges.

8. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each snap hook (18) comprises a vertical portion ( / 20) and an inwardly projecting horizontal portion (21) at the lower end of the vertical portion.

9. The set according to claim 8, wherein the horizontal portion (21) comprises a first sliding surface (22) at the outer end on the underside.

10. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second plate (17) comprises a cutout (23) on the lateral edges next to the connection with the snap hook (18) above the hook end of the snap hook.

11. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which the microplate (1) and / or the lid (16) comprises at least one sealing element (24) which circumferentially seals the edge of each opening (6) when the lid (16) is snap-fitted to the microplate (1).

12. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the lid (16) comprises sealing elements (24) arranged on the underside of the second plate in rows and columns, each of which sealing elements abuts an inner edge of one of the openings (6) when the lid (16) has been snap-fitted to the microplate (1).

13. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, in the first plate (2), the microplate (1) comprises at least one further snap opening (10) between the lateral edges, the lid (16) comprises at least one downwardly projecting further snap hook (18) between the two lateral edges of the second plate (17), wherein further snap hook (18) is introduced into the further snap opening (10) and is snap-fitted therebehind on the underside of the first plate (2) when the lid (16), with the second plate (17), abuts the upper side of the first plate (2) of the microplate (1), and the unlocking device (28) and / or the further snap hook (18) comprises at least one further second sliding surface (38) which is designed to slide on the further first sliding surface (22) when the microplate (1) with the lid (16) snapped on is placed on so as to undo the snap connection.

14. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the unlocking device (28) comprises a rectangular frame (29), the support projections (39.1 to 39.4) are formed by frame strips (29.1 - 29.4) of the frame, the receiving portion (36) is delimited by the inner sides of the frame strips (29.1 - 29.4), and the support surface (31) is formed by the upper end surfaces of the frame strips.

15. The set according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising at least one of the following features: • the microplate (1) is manufactured from a single or from multiple plastics materials, wherein the frame thereof optionally consists of a different plastics material than the wells (5), • the lid (16) is manufactured from a single or from multiple plastics materials, wherein the second plate (17) optionally consists of a different plastics material than the sealing element (24), • the unlocking device (28) consists of a single or of multiple plastics materials, of metal, or of a combination of plastics material and metal, • the microplate (1) and / or the lid (16) and / or the unlocking device (28) is inj ection-molded.