Tool for seizing and ejecting closure plugs for tubes receiving samples to be analysed, and use of such a tool

Abstract

The subject of the invention relates to a tool for manipulating a plurality of plugs, taking the form of a comb (1) comprising: - a body (7) provided with a row of teeth (4) having pointed distal portions (4p) spaced apart in a linear direction in order to engage with the cavities of the plugs; - a system for separating the plugs from the teeth (4) that comprises a slide returned elastically and guided to slide with respect to the body (7) in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the teeth, the slide being provided with the fingers of the comb, which are movable by sliding between the teeth (4), and a control (11a) which is accessible from a first portion (1a) of the comb and which, when pressed to move translationally, causes the fingers of the comb to slide in the direction of the pointed distal portions (4p) in order to eject the plugs from the teeth (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of tools for handling stoppers sealing tubes receiving samples of chemical or biological solutions to be analyzed.

[0002] The tool according to the invention finds particularly advantageous applications for handling stoppers closing tubes receiving samples of chemical or biological solutions to be analyzed and used in the context of processes carrying out a polymerization chain reaction (“PCR”) and similar processes. Prior art

[0003] The state of the art has proposed numerous solutions for handling the stoppers equipping tubes for receiving a chemical or biological solution to be analyzed.

[0004] Patent application WO 13019912 describes a tool for handling a plurality of plugs closing tubes spaced apart and arranged in a linear manner. These plugs have an upper surface with a cavity. The tool is in the form of a comb comprising a body having a first part for gripping by an operator's hand and a second part for picking up the plugs. This second part comprises a plurality of projecting fingers spaced apart and aligned in a linear manner along an axis of rotation. The fingers are provided with projecting parts cooperating with the cavities of the plugs in order to release the plugs from the tubes by a pivoting movement of the tool around the axis of rotation. Such a tool is of simple design and makes it possible to simultaneously unplug a series of tubes, then possibly to reintroduce the plugs into the tubes.However, in some applications, these plugs must be separated from the tool fingers for disposal. However, this operation is relatively long and delicate to carry out and presents risks of contamination for the operator.

[0005] Patent EP 2 390 223 describes a portable device for plugging and unplugging a plurality of receptacles with caps each having an upper surface with a cavity. This device comprises a portable housing extended by a handle to be grasped by the hand of an operator. This housing contains a motorized rotational drive system for a set of pins extending projecting from the housing to each cooperate by friction with a cavity of the cap. This motorized system simultaneously rotates each pin in opposite directions to plug and unplug the plurality of receptacles.

[0006] This device also comprises an ejection plate configured to separate the plurality of caps from the set of pins. For this purpose, the handle has a trigger moving a sliding drawer cooperating with a plate via inclined surfaces transforming the translational movement of the trigger into a sliding movement of the plate in a perpendicular direction which is parallel to the direction of extension of the pins. The sliding plate is mounted integral with the ejection plate which comprises openings each crossed by a pin. The sliding of the ejection plate towards the distal end of the pins makes it possible to separate the caps relative to the pins.

[0007] Such a device is specifically adapted for plugging and unplugging a plurality of receptacles with screw caps. In addition, such a device has a complex and expensive design.

[0008] US Patent 6,109,139 describes a tool for uncapping a plurality of linearly spaced tubes. Each tube is closed by a cap having an upper surface comprising a cavity. This tool comprises a body having a first portion for gripping by an operator, in the form of a plate having two major faces extending on either side of a major plane. This body has a second portion located in a coplanar relationship with said first portion and adapted to grip or grasp the plurality of caps. This second portion comprises a row of fixed pegs projecting from said body and spaced linearly to align with said caps. The pegs are adapted to cooperate by friction with the cavities of the caps. By a rocking movement of the tool, the caps are removed from the tubes using the pegs.This tool also includes a separation system configured to separate fixed pegs, the plurality of caps. This separation system includes a plate surrounding by fingers, the pegs on three of their sides. The plate is urged to bear against the second part of the body using springs. This plate extends on the side of one face of the body by a rim on which the application of pressure leads to the pivoting of the plate causing the fingers to move outwards and towards the distal ends of the pegs, thus facilitating the removal of the caps relative to the fingers.

[0009] Such a tool is particularly suitable for easily uncapping and recapping tubes with caps without affecting the contents of these tubes. Such a tool is not suitable for disposing of caps in a waste container, without risk of contamination for the operator. Indeed, the actuating edge of the plate is located close to the pegs, leading to a risk of contamination for the operator. Furthermore, the pivoting movement of the plate facilitates the separation of the caps with respect to the fingers during the tube recapping operation but does not ensure safe and complete separation of the caps with respect to the pegs. In addition, the use of this tool requires both hands of the operator and presents a difficulty in holding the tubes at the same time as the tool. Statement of the invention

[0010] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a tool of simple design for gripping stoppers closing tubes receiving samples of chemical or biological solutions to be analyzed, but also for completely and safely separating the stoppers from the tool, without risk of contamination for the operator.

[0011] To achieve such an objective, the subject of the invention relates to a tool for handling a plurality of spaced and linearly arranged plugs, each having an upper surface with a cavity, the tool being in the form of a comb having two main faces extending on either side of a main plane and having a first part for gripping by an operator and a second part for taking the plugs when applying to the first part, a pivoting movement perpendicular to the main plane, this tool comprising: a body provided with a row of teeth projecting from the second part of the comb in directions of extension parallel to each other and spaced in a linear direction to cooperate with the cavities of the caps; a system for separating the caps from the teeth comprising a control for moving fingers of the comb engaged between the teeth.

[0012] According to the invention: * the teeth have pointed distal parts oriented in directions substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the comb so as to engage in the plugs during the pivoting movement; * the separation system comprises a drawer elastically returned and guided in sliding relative to the body in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the teeth, the drawer being provided with the fingers of the comb, movable in sliding between the teeth and the control accessible from the first part of the comb and of which a translational support ensures the sliding of the fingers of the comb in the direction of the pointed distal parts to eject the plugs from the teeth.

[0013] In addition, the tool according to the invention may further comprise in combination at least one and / or other of the following additional characteristics: the first part of the comb has an opening which opens onto the two main faces, this opening being arranged at a distance from a proximal side of the first part of the comb to ensure the passage of the operator's fingers for gripping the tool; the drawer control is located between the opening and the proximal side of the first part of the comb; the drawer control is accessible from the proximal side of the first part of the comb; the first part of the comb has a rectangular shape, being delimited by two lateral sides connected to the proximal side, the drawer control being located in a corner of the proximal side; the body is in the form of a plate externally delimiting a main face of the comb and slidingly guiding the drawer produced in the form of a plate externally delimiting the other main face of the comb;the body is provided with a blade which is deformable in flexion, the end of which rests on the drawer so that the drawer is subjected to a return force during its sliding stroke; the pointed distal part of each tooth is connected to the body by a connecting segment delimiting a clearance space for the engagement of the pointed distal parts in the plugs; the pointed distal part of each tooth has a rear face extending coplanar with the rear face of the fingers of the comb.;

[0014] Another object of the invention is to propose a use of such a tool making it possible to simplify and make safer the operations of removing the caps closing the tubes receiving samples of chemical or biological solutions to be analyzed, but also the operations for disposing of such caps.

[0015] To achieve such an objective, the subject of the invention relates to a use of a tool for handling a plurality of caps consisting of: providing at least one series of tubes spaced apart and arranged linearly and each closed by a plug having an upper surface with a cavity; providing a tool in the form of a comb having two main faces extending on either side of a main plane and having a first part for gripping by an operator and a second part for taking the plugs, this tool comprising a body provided with a row of teeth projecting from the second part of the comb in directions of extension parallel to each other while being spaced in a linear direction to cooperate with the cavities of the plugs and having pointed distal parts oriented in directions substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the body,the tool comprising a system for separating the caps from the teeth comprising a drawer elastically returned and guided in sliding relative to the body in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the teeth, the drawer being provided with fingers movable in sliding between the teeth and a control accessible from the first part of the body and of which a translational support, ensures the sliding of the fingers of the drawer in the direction of the pointed distal parts; take the comb by its first part with one hand; engage the teeth inside the cavities of the caps to ensure the gripping of the caps by the pointed distal parts of the teeth; apply a pivoting movement to the comb in a direction perpendicular to the main plane to release the caps from the tubes; and ensure by at least one finger of the operator, a translational support on the drawer control to eject the caps from the teeth.

[0016] According to one variant of use, the first part of the comb is taken by the hand of the operator whose fingers are engaged through an opening made in the comb. According to another variant of use, the thumb of the operator's hand provides translational support on the drawer control. Brief description of the drawings

[0017] [ Fig. 1 ]There Figure 1 is a perspective view from the front face of an exemplary embodiment of the tool according to the invention. Fig. 2 ]There Figure 2 is a perspective view from the reverse side of the tool according to the invention illustrated in Figure 1 . [ Fig. 3 ]There Figure 3 is a plan view of the reverse side of the tool according to the invention. Fig. 4 ]There Figure 4 is a side view of the tool according to the invention. Fig. 5 ]There Figure 5 is a partially broken away perspective view showing the tool in a first position of use. Fig. 6 ]There Figure 6 is a perspective view analogous to the Figure 5 but showing the tool in a second position of use. Fig. 7A-7E ]THE Figures 7A à 7E are side views of the tool according to the invention in different positions during its use, namely respectively presentation, gripping of the cap, removal of the cap, extraction of the cap from the tube and separation of the cap from the tool. Description of the embodiments

[0018] As can be seen from the drawings, the subject of the invention relates to a tool 1 intended to be used by an operator to simultaneously manipulate a plurality of stoppers 2 each closing a tube 3 for receiving a chemical or biological solution to be analyzed. Each stopper 2 has an upper surface 2a in which a cavity 2b opens, delimited by a cylindrical wall 2c rising from a bottom 2d possibly provided with an insertion slot for a pipette. Typically, the stoppers 2 are made of a rubber-type material.

[0019] Conventionally, the tubes 3 are positioned in a support by being spaced apart and arranged in rows or lines parallel to each other so that the plugs 2 closing such tubes 3 are also positioned with a determined spacing pitch, in rows or lines parallel to each other. The tool 1 according to the invention is adapted to handle a plurality of plugs 2 spaced apart and arranged linearly on a series of tubes 3.

[0020] The tool 1 according to the invention is a flat tool in the form of a comb provided with a row of teeth 4 each adapted to cooperate with a stopper 2. In the example illustrated in the drawings, the tool 1 has eight teeth 4 aligned so that it can simultaneously handle from one to eight stoppers 2 but it is clear that the tool 1 can be manufactured to have a different number of teeth 4.

[0021] This comb 1 has two main faces, namely a front face 1r and a back face 1v extending on either side of a main plane P. This comb 1 comprises a first part 1a for gripping by an operator and a second part 1b for gripping the caps 2 when applying to the first part a pivoting movement perpendicular to the main plane P as will be explained in detail in the rest of the description. The first part 1a of the tool is sized so that an operator's hand can grip and manipulate the tool so that this first part 1a has a much larger surface area than the second part 1b which is limited to the area in which the teeth 4 are located.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment variant illustrated in the drawings, the first part 1a of the comb 1 has a generally rectangular shape defined with respect to a main direction X and to a transverse direction Y perpendicular to the main direction X, the main directions X and transverse Y being taken in a plane parallel to the main plane P and perpendicular to a lateral direction Z according to which the thickness of the comb is defined. The first part 1a of the comb 1 is delimited by two lateral sides 1l parallel to each other and to the main direction X. These two lateral sides 1l are connected to a proximal side 1p and, opposite, to a distal side 1d from which the second part of the comb 1b extends. The proximal side 1p and the distal side 1d are parallel to each other and to the transverse direction Y.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment variant illustrated in the drawings, the first part 1a of the comb 1 comprises an opening 5 opening onto the two main faces 1r, 1v, and sized to allow the passage of the operator's fingers for gripping the tool. In the example illustrated, the opening 5 has a rectangular shape with a dimension in the transverse direction Y adapted to ensure the passage of the operator's fingers and in particular, the side-by-side positioning of the operator's four fingers with the exception of the thumb. This opening 5 is arranged at a distance from the proximal side 1p so that the first part 1a of the comb located between this opening 5 and the proximal side 1p can be supported, by the back face 1v with the palm of the hand and, by the front face, with the four folded fingers of the operator's hand.In this position of grasping the comb, it should be noted that the proximal side 1p is resting on the palm of the hand ensuring a good grip of the comb.

[0024] According to another embodiment variant not illustrated, the comb 1 does not have the opening 5. According to this variant, the thumb of the operator rests on the front face 1r of the comb while the other four fingers of the hand of the operator rest on the back face 1v, considering that the proximal side 1p can rest on the palm of the hand. It should be noted that this position for gripping the comb can be used even for the comb provided with the opening 5. In this case, the thumb rests on the front face 1r of the first part 1a of the comb located between the opening 5 and the proximal side 1p while the other four fingers of the hand rest on the back face 1v of this first part 1a of the comb located between the opening 5 and the proximal side 1p.

[0025] According to a characteristic of the invention, the comb 1 comprises a body 7 provided with teeth 4. According to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the body 7 is in the form of a flat plate 7a forming the first part 1a of the comb. This plate 7a delimits by its external face, a main face of the comb, namely the front face 1r. The plate 7a is provided with a fallen edge 7t extending along the two lateral sides 1l and the proximal side 1p of the comb.

[0026] This body 7 is provided with a row of teeth 4 projecting into the second part 1b of the comb in extension directions parallel to each other and to the main direction X. The plate 7a is therefore extended opposite its proximal side 1p, by the teeth 4 positioned from the distal side 1d of the plate, in a linear direction parallel to the transverse direction Y. The teeth 4 are regularly spaced in a linear direction parallel to the transverse direction Y to cooperate with the cavities 2b of the plugs 2.

[0027] It should be noted that the plate 7a also has a hole delimiting the opening 5 of the comb and whose proximal edge located closest and parallel to the proximal side 1p is provided with a bearing edge 7r extending at right angles to the plate. When the operator's fingers are engaged through the opening 5, the comb 1 is taken by one hand of the operator between the bearing edge 7r and the proximal side 1p.

[0028] According to a characteristic of the invention, the teeth 4 have pointed distal portions 4p oriented in directions substantially perpendicular to the main plane P of the body so as to engage in the plugs 2 and more precisely in the cylindrical wall 2c delimiting the cavities 2b of the plugs. The pointed distal portions 4p are oriented to be located on the same side as a main face of the comb, namely the front face 1r in the illustrated example.

[0029] In other words, the teeth 4 each have a front face 4a and, opposite, a rear face 4b facing the same side as the front face 1r and the back face 1v respectively. The front face 4a and the rear face 4b of each tooth 4 are connected by flat lateral faces 4i parallel to each other and to the main direction X. The pointed distal parts 4p thus project from the front faces 4a of the teeth. Each pointed distal part 4p is adapted to penetrate or anchor itself in the material of the plug 2 so that the plug 2 is secured to the tooth 4. Thus, the pointed distal part 4p and the plug 2 are made of materials whose hardness is adapted to allow penetration of the plug by the pointed distal part 4p leading to an obstacle connection between the plug 2 and the tooth 4.The pointed distal parts 4p are produced in any suitable manner by one or more points, barbs, claws or hooks for example, arranged to project from the front faces 4a, at the level of the distal end of the teeth 4.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment variant, the pointed distal part 4p of each tooth 4 is connected to the body 7 by a connecting segment 4l so as to delimit a clearance space 9 to facilitate the engagement of the pointed distal parts 4p in the plugs 2. This clearance space 9 or chamfer thus serves to clear the teeth 4 during insertion into the plug 2. As is more precisely shown in the Figure 4 , each tooth 4 comprises a connecting segment 4l starting from the plate 7a in the opposite direction of the recto face 1r so that the pointed distal part 4p is located set back from the recto face 1r. Thus, in the lateral direction Z perpendicular to the main plane P, the pointed distal parts 7p are offset from the recto face 1r.

[0031] In the illustrated example, each connecting segment 4l of a tooth 4 extends inclined in the plane perpendicular to the main plane P and defined by the main direction X and the lateral direction Z. Each connecting segment 4l of a tooth 4 is extended by an end segment 4e extending parallel to the main direction X and provided at its end, on the front face, with the pointed distal part 4p. It should be noted that the rear face 4b of the end segment 4e of the tooth is located in a plane substantially coplanar with the back face 1v of the comb. Preferably, a chamfer 4c is provided on the rear face 4b of the end segment 4e of each tooth 4, from the free end of this end segment, to facilitate the operation of extracting the plugs, as will be better understood in the remainder of the description.

[0032] According to another characteristic of the invention, the comb 1 comprises a separation system 8 making it possible to ensure complete separation between each tooth 4 and the plug 2 gripped by the pointed distal part 4p of these teeth. This separation system 8 comprises at least one control and in the example illustrated, two controls 11a, 11b for moving fingers 12 engaged between the teeth 4 and adapted to exert a force on the plugs 2 to detach them from the teeth 4.

[0033] According to the invention, the separation system 8 comprises a drawer 13 elastically biased and guided in sliding relative to the body 7 in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the teeth 4, i.e. to the main direction X. This drawer 13 is provided with fingers 12 and controls 11a, 11b, a translational support of which ensures the sliding of the fingers 12 in the direction of the pointed distal parts 4p to eject the plugs 2 from the teeth 4. The drawer 13 is therefore able to occupy a first position called rest for which no force is exerted on the controls 11a, 11b and a second position called ejection for which a pressure on one and / or the other of the controls 11a, 11b leads to the expulsion of the plugs 2 relative to the teeth 4.

[0034] According to an advantageous embodiment, the drawer 13 is produced in the form of a flat plate 13a assembled with the body 7 and forming the first part 1a of the comb. This plate 13a of the drawer delimits by its external face, a main face of the comb, namely the reverse face 1v. It should be noted that the plate 13a of the drawer is provided with a fallen edge 13t extending along the two lateral sides 1l and the proximal side 1p of the comb. The plate 13a of the drawer also has a hole delimiting the opening 5 of the comb and having a dimension adapted to allow the positioning of the support return 7r of the body and the sliding of the drawer 13 relative to the body 7.

[0035] This plate 13a of the drawer is provided with a row of fingers 12 projecting into the second part 1b of the comb in extension directions parallel to each other and to the main direction X. The plate 13a of the drawer is therefore extended opposite the proximal side 1p, by the fingers 12 positioned from the distal side 1d, in a linear direction parallel to the transverse direction Y. The fingers 12 are spaced apart from each other to be engaged between the teeth 4. More precisely, the fingers 12 of the drawer are engaged between the flat lateral faces 4i of the teeth 4. Advantageously, the fingers 12 are guided in sliding with play, between the teeth 4. Each finger 12 extends projecting from the distal side of the plate 13a in a direction parallel to the main direction X. It should be noted that the fingers 12 are located set back from the distal end of the teeth 4 when the drawer 13 occupies its position of rest ( Figures 1, 2 , 4 And 5) while in the ejection position, the fingers 12 extend substantially to the pointed distal parts 4p of the teeth 4 ( Figures 6 And 7E ).

[0036] Each finger 12 has a front face 12i and, opposite, a rear face 12j facing the same side as the front face 1r and the back face 1v respectively. Each finger 12 comprises a segment 12a for connection to the plate 13a of the drawer, extending in a direction parallel to the main direction X. This connection segment 12a is connected by an intermediate segment 12b which extends in a direction parallel to the main direction X, by a thrust segment 12c whose free end or edge is intended to come to bear on the plug 2 to release it from the teeth 4.

[0037] Preferably, each intermediate segment 12b extends from the plate 13a of the drawer in the opposite direction to the front face 1r so that the thrust segment 12c is located set back from the front face 1r. Advantageously, the rear face of the thrust segment 12c of the fingers 12 is located in a plane extending coplanar with the rear face 4b of the teeth 4 of the comb.

[0038] The drawer 13 is slidably guided by the body 7 along the main direction X using a sliding guide system 15 of any type known per se. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the sliding guide system 15 comprises oblong-shaped slots 7l arranged for example in the flanged edges 7t of the body 7 and in which are engaged sliding tabs 13p extending projecting from the flanged edges 13t of the drawer 13. The drawer 13 and the body 7 are assembled together by the engagement, by elastic deformation, of the sliding tabs 13p inside the slots 7l.

[0039] The translational movement of the drawer 13 is ensured by one and / or the other of the controls 11a, 11b. Advantageously, the drawer 13 is equipped with the controls 11a, 11b which are arranged on the drawer 13 in order to be easily actuated by the operator.

[0040] Each control 11a, 11b of the drawer 13 is advantageously accessible from the first part 1a of the comb so as to avoid contamination of the operator when actuating the control. According to an advantageous variant embodiment, the drawer 13 comprises, as a control, a support key 11a accessible from the proximal side 1p of the first part 1a of the comb. Preferably, this support key 11a is located in a corner of the proximal side 1p and more precisely in the upper right corner when the comb is seen from its front face 1r, with its teeth 4 positioned horizontally. Thus, as is more precisely shown in Figures 1, 2 And 4 , this support key 11a is arranged to project from the plate 13a of the drawer to extend over a part of the proximal side 1p and the lateral side 1l. It should be noted that the plate 7a of the body 7 has a cutout 7d for housing the support key 11a.

[0041] According to an additional characteristic, the drawer 13 comprises, as a control, a support rib 11b rising from the back face 1v and located between the opening 5 and the proximal side 1p of the first part 1a of the comb. The drawer 13 can be moved in translation from its rest position to its ejection position, by a force exerted at the proximal side of the comb and / or the back face of the comb.

[0042] According to an advantageous embodiment characteristic, the drawer 13 is elastically returned, to pass, when the pressure force on the controls 11a, 11b is removed, from the ejection position to the rest position. The drawer 13 automatically returns to its rest position by means of an elastic return system 17 of any type known per se. According to the example illustrated more precisely in Figures 5 And 6, the elastic return system 17 comprises a deformable blade 17a in flexion, one end of which is connected to the drawer 13 in a direction parallel to the transverse direction Y. The other end of this deformable blade 17a is supported on a stop 7b adjoining the body 7 so that it undergoes the force to be restored to the drawer 13 during the sliding movement of the drawer in the main direction X. At the end of its movement stroke, the drawer 13 is subjected to a return force bringing it back to its rest position.

[0043] According to an advantageous embodiment feature, the comb 1 is provided with an end-of-travel stop for the drawer 13 limiting its sliding to a position corresponding to the ejection position of the caps. This end-of-travel stop can be produced in any suitable manner. This end-of-travel stop can be produced, for example, by the bottoms of the slots 7l on which the sliding tabs 13p of the drawer come into abutment or by the cutout 7d on which the pressure key 11a comes into contact.

[0044] According to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the comb 1 according to the invention comprises two parts assembled together, namely the body 7 and the drawer 13. The comb 1 according to the invention is of simple and inexpensive design. Of course, the comb 1 can be produced in a different manner, for example in the form of a flat housing in which the drawer 13 is guided in sliding.

[0045] The use of the comb 1 according to the invention is relatively simple and follows directly from the preceding description.

[0046] The comb 1 illustrated in the drawings is provided with eight teeth 4 so that the comb can be used to simultaneously handle from one to eight caps 2 each closing a tube 3. Typically, these tubes 3 are held in position in a holder so as to be spaced and arranged in a linear manner. In the example illustrated in Figure 7A , the tubes 3 and consequently the plugs 2 are aligned parallel to the transverse direction Y, with a spacing pitch corresponding to the spacing pitch between the teeth 4 of the comb 1.

[0047] The operator, who takes the comb 1 with one hand by its first part 1a, positions it to orient the teeth 4 in a direction parallel to the transverse direction Y and in a position such that a tooth 4 is located directly above each cap 2 to be removed ( Figure 7A ). The operator then engages the teeth 4 inside the cavities 2b of the stoppers 2 to ensure that the stoppers are gripped by the pointed distal parts 4p of the teeth. It should be noted that the engagement of the pointed distal parts 4p of the teeth 4 in the wall 2c of the stoppers can be facilitated if the comb occupies, with respect to the vertical plane, an inclined position (movement M1) as illustrated in Figure 7B Such an inclined position of the comb allows the teeth 4 to be engaged inside the cavities 2b of the stoppers while allowing the insertion of a portion of the stoppers into the clearances 9 presented by the teeth 4.

[0048] The operator then applies a pivoting movement to the comb according to a movement M2 of vertical straightening and tilting beyond the vertical plane and in a direction perpendicular to the main plane P ( Figure 7C ). Such a pivoting movement combined with a lifting movement of the comb makes it possible to release from the tubes 3, the plugs 2 which are attached to the teeth 4 ( Figure 7D ). This operation of extracting the corks is carried out effortlessly since the rotational movement of the comb acts as a lever effect.

[0049] The caps 2 are hooked onto the teeth 4 of such a comb which can be moved to be positioned above a recovery receptacle 18 ( Figure 7E ). To release the caps 2, the operator presses with at least one finger on the control 11a and / or 11b to move the drawer 13 in translation, the fingers 12 of which provide a thrust on the caps 2 leading to their complete separation from the teeth 4. The caps 2 are ejected automatically and simultaneously from the comb 1 to be recovered in the recovery receptacle 18.

[0050] The gripping of the comb 1 for its use can be carried out in different ways. According to a preferred example, the first part 1a of the comb is taken by a hand of the operator whose fingers except the thumb are engaged through the opening 5 so that the first part 1a of the comb located between this opening 5 and the proximal side 1p is supported, by the back face 1v with the palm of the hand and, by the front face, with the four folded fingers of the hand of the operator. The proximal side 1p of the comb can be supported on the palm of the hand. According to this type of grip, the thumb of the hand of the operator who has the comb in hand, can easily press the support key 11a of the drawer located in the upper rear corner of the comb, to ensure the separation of the caps from the teeth.

[0051] According to a different gripping of the comb, the operator's thumb rests on the front face 1r while the other four fingers of the operator's hand rest on the back face 1v, considering that the proximal side 1p can rest on the palm of the hand. The sliding of the drawer 13 can be obtained by a force exerted by the fingers on the support rib 11b and / or the support key 11a.

Claims

1. Tool intended for manipulating a plurality of spaced-apart caps (2) that are arranged linearly and each have an upper surface with a cavity (2b), the tool being in the form of a comb (1) having two main faces (1r, 1v) extending on either side of a main plane (P) and having a first portion (1a) designed to be gripped by an operator and a second portion (1b) designed to grip the caps when a pivoting movement perpendicular to the main plane is applied to the first portion, this tool comprising: - a body (7) provided with a row of teeth (4) projecting from the second portion of the comb in directions of extent that are parallel to one another and spaced apart in a linear direction so as to be intended to cooperate with the cavities in the caps; - a separation system (8) for separating the caps (2) from the teeth (4) having a control means (11a, 11b) for moving fingers (12) of the comb that are engaged between the teeth (4); - the tool being characterized in that: * the teeth (4) have pointed distal portions (4p) oriented in directions substantially perpendicular to the main plane (P) of the comb, so as to be intended to engage in the caps (2) during the pivoting movement; * the separation system (8) has a slide (13) that is elastically returned and slidably guided with respect to the body (7) in a direction parallel to the direction of extent of the teeth, the slide (13) being provided with the fingers (12) of the comb, which can slide between the teeth (4), and with the control means (11a, 11b) that is accessible from the first portion (1a) of the comb and, when pressed in translation, causes the fingers (12) of the comb to slide towards the pointed distal portions (4p) in order to eject the caps (2) from the teeth (4).

2. Tool according to Claim 1, wherein the first portion (1a) of the comb has an opening (5) that opens onto the two main faces (1r, 1v), this opening being formed at a distance from a proximal side (1p) of the first portion (1a) of the comb in order to ensure the passage of the operator's fingers for gripping the tool.

3. Tool according to Claim 2, wherein the control means (11b) of the slide (13) is located between the opening (5) and the proximal side (1p) of the first portion (1a) of the comb.

4. Tool according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means (11a) of the slide (13) is accessible from the proximal side (1p) of the first portion (1a) of the comb.

5. Tool according to one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the first portion (1a) of the comb has a rectangular shape, being delimited by two lateral sides (11) connected to the proximal side (1p), the control means (11a) of the slide being located in a corner of the proximal side (1p).

6. Tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (7) is in the form of a plate (7a) externally delimiting one main face (1r) of the comb and slidably guiding the slide (13) produced in the form of a plate (13a) externally delimiting the other main face (1v) of the comb.

7. Tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (7) is provided with a flexurally deformable strip (17a), the end of which bears against the slide (13) such that the slide (13) is urged by a return force during its sliding travel.

8. Tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pointed distal portion (4p) of each tooth (4) is connected to the body by a connecting segment (41) delimiting a clearance space (9) for the engagement of the pointed distal portions (4p) in the caps.

9. Tool according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pointed distal portion (4p) of each tooth (4) has a rear face (4b) extending so as to be coplanar with the rear face of the fingers (12) of the comb.

10. Use of a tool (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 9 for manipulating a plurality of caps (2) consisting in: - providing at least one series of spaced-apart tubes (3) that are arranged linearly and each closed by a cap (2) having an upper surface (2a) with a cavity (2b); - providing a tool in the form of a comb (1) having two main faces (1r, 1v) extending on either side of a main plane (P) and having a first portion (1a) for being gripped by an operator and a second portion (1b) for gripping the caps (2), this tool comprising a body (7) provided with a row of teeth (4) projecting from the second portion of the comb in directions of extent that are parallel to one another and being spaced apart in a linear direction in order to cooperate with the cavities (2b) in the caps and having pointed distal portions (4p) oriented in directions substantially perpendicular to the main plane of the body, the tool comprising a separation system (8) for separating the caps (2) from the teeth (4) having a slide (13) that is elastically returned and slidably guided with respect to the body in a direction parallel to the direction of extent of the teeth (4), the slide (13) being provided with fingers (12) that can slide between the teeth (13) and with a control means (11a, 11b) that is accessible from the first portion (1a) of the body and, when pressed in translation, causes the fingers (12) of the slide to slide towards the pointed distal portions (4p); - gripping the first portion (1a) of the comb (1) with one hand; - engaging the teeth (4) inside the cavities (2b) in the caps (2) in order to grip the caps using the pointed distal portions (4p) of the teeth; - applying a pivoting movement to the comb (1) in a direction perpendicular to the main plane (P) in order to release the caps (2) from the tubes; - and, using at least one of the operator's fingers, pressing in translation on the control means (11a, 11b) of the slide in order to eject the caps (2) from the teeth (4).

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