Ergonomic manual colony counter

Abstract

Manual colony counter (1) comprising: - a face (2), referred to as the functional face, said functional face comprising a zone (3), referred to as the counting zone, on which is intended to rest a culture support for growing microorganisms that are intended to be counted manually, - a mobile part (4), movable relative to the functional face and designed to be arranged in at least two different positions: ● a position referred to as the deployed position (6), in which a surface of the mobile part forms a bearing surface (41) for the hand and / or the wrist and / or the forearm and / or the elbow of the user, and ● a position referred to as the stowed position (5).

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Ergonomic manual colony counter

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a counter for the manual counting of microorganisms and, in particular, for the manual counting of bacterial colonies.

[0005] The present invention finds applications in the field of research and in the agri-food, medical, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries.

[0006] State of the prior art

[0007] Manual colony counters are known in the state of the art.

[0008] State-of-the-art colony counters comprise a touch-sensitive area on which, usually, a Petri dish, comprising an agar on the surface of which the incensing and then the incubation have been previously carried out, is placed. The user will, by means of a stylus or a pen, exert pressure on each observable colony and will, generally, simultaneously mark the identified colony. Generally, the grip of the stylus or pen may require that, during the counting / marking operation, the hand of the operator with which he carries out the count is supported near the Petri dish. In addition, during the counting operation, the operator must adopt a particular position, relative to the Petri dish, so that the area of ​​the Petri dish observed is intersected by the visual axis.This particular position is not universal and common to all colony counters but it depends on the shape and arrangement of the counter and, in particular, on the arrangement of the lighting device of the touch zone.

[0009] Colony counters also include a counting function that increments each press made by the user, and therefore each colony identified, so that the total number of colonies contained in the petri dish analyzed is determined.

[0010] A recurring problem with state-of-the-art colony counters is that the user in charge of counting must perform this counting operation on a significant number of samples successively. Also, discomfort is quickly felt by the user due to the posture imposed on the user. An aim of the invention is, in addition, to propose a manual colony counter:

[0011] - whose ergonomics are optimized, and / or

[0012] - to reduce, or even eliminate, the discomfort felt by the user when counting and / or to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

[0013] Presentation of the invention

[0014] For this purpose, a manual colony counter is proposed comprising a face, called the functional face, said functional face comprising a zone, called the counting zone, on which, and / or in which, a culture support for microorganisms, preferably bacteria, intended to be counted manually, is intended to rest.

[0015] The manual colony counter comprises a movable part, relative to the functional face, arranged to be placed in at least two different positions:

[0016] - a position, called deployed, in which a surface of the moving part forms a support surface for the hand and / or wrist and / or forearm and / or elbow of the user, and

[0017] - a position, called withdrawn.

[0018] Preferably, the colony counter comprises an optical device arranged to backlight the culture medium.

[0019] Preferably, the counter may comprise or be arranged to communicate with a device arranged to increment each pressure exerted on the touch area.

[0020] Preferably, the area on which the microorganism culture support is intended to rest comprises the device arranged to increment each pressure exerted on the touch area. Preferably, the area on which the microorganism culture support is intended to rest is a touch area.

[0021] The counter may not include a device arranged to increment each press exerted on the touch area.

[0022] The touch area can be a touch surface.

[0023] The microorganism culture medium is, by way of non-limiting example, a petri dish. Preferably, the meter may comprise an additional support surface on the functional face. The additional support surface may serve as a support for the user's hand.

[0024] Preferably, the movable part is arranged to be moved relative to the functional face and / or relative to the existing additional bearing surface of the functional face.

[0025] Preferably, the bearing surface is adjacent or contiguous to the counting area.

[0026] Preferably, in the deployed position, the bearing surface may constitute an extension of the additional bearing surface of the functional face. Preferably, in the deployed position, the bearing surface and / or the moving part:

[0027] - extends beyond the functional face, and / or

[0028] - protrudes from the functional face, and / or

[0029] - forms a surface or element distinct from the functional face.

[0030] Preferably, in the folded position, the moving part does not offer a support surface for the user and, in particular, a support surface for the hand and / or wrist and / or forearm and / or elbow of the user.

[0031] Preferably, the pressure is exerted on the microorganism support which, by reaction, exerts pressure on the counting zone.

[0032] Preferably, the functional face extends primarily in one plane.

[0033] Preferably, when counting, the moving part is in the deployed position.

[0034] Preferably, the deployed position allows for greater comfort in using the colony counter for the user.

[0035] Preferably, when the colony counter is not in use the moving part is in the folded position.

[0036] Preferably, the folded position allows the colony counter to be more compact or less bulky to facilitate storage and / or reduce footprint.

[0037] Preferably, the surface of the moving part forming the bearing surface is an upper surface of the moving part.

[0038] Preferably, the counting area is capable of and / or arranged to allow illumination or backlighting of the growing medium.

[0039] Preferably, the counting area is capable of, more preferably arranged to, receive, more preferably to cooperate with, the culture support. Preferably, when the mobile part is in the deployed position, an axis connecting a center of the support surface to a center of the counting area, called the support axis, forms an angle λ of between 20° and 70°, preferably between 35° and 55°, with respect to a median axis extending between a side or a face of the functional face intended to be opposite the user, called the proximal side, and the center of the counting area.

[0040] The angle formed between the support axis and the medial axis can be a positive angle or a negative angle. Depending on the clockwise direction, the angle formed between the support axis and the medial axis can be a positive angle, preferably for right-handed users, and can be a negative angle, preferably for left-handed users.

[0041] Preferably, the median axis extends equidistant from two lateral sides of the colony counter.

[0042] Preferably, the two lateral sides of the colony counter each connect the proximal side of the colony counter to a side, called distal, of the colony counter which is opposite the proximal side.

[0043] Preferably, the functional face and the moving part, preferably the bearing surface of the moving part, preferably in the deployed position and / or in the folded position, form an angle less than or equal to 45° between them, preferably are parallel to each other.

[0044] Preferably, a plane along which the functional face and / or the additional support surface of the functional face mainly extends, called the plane of the functional face, and a plane in which the moving part and / or the support surface mainly extends, called the plane of the moving part, preferably in the deployed position and / or folded position, form an angle of less than 20° between them, preferably are parallel to each other.

[0045] Preferably, the plane of the functional face and the plane of the moving part form, preferably the plane of the support surface, preferably in the deployed position and / or folded position, are included in the same plane or are included in two combined planes.

[0046] Preferably, the functional face and the moving part, preferably the bearing surface of the moving part, preferably in the deployed position and / or folded position, form an angle less than or equal to 20° between them. Preferably, the functional face forms an angle of between 12.5° and 27.5° relative to a face, preferably a lower face, of the meter on which the latter is intended to rest.

[0047] Preferably, all four sides of the colony counter, i.e., the two lateral sides and the proximal and distal sides, connect the underside of the colony counter to the functional face.

[0048] Preferably, the angle formed between the functional face and the lower face of the colony counter is greater than or equal to 12.5°, preferably 15°, more preferably 16°, advantageously 17°, preferably 18°, even more preferably 19° and most preferably 20°. Preferably, the angle formed between the functional face and the lower face of the colony counter is less than or equal to 27.5°, preferably 25°, more preferably 24°, advantageously 23°, preferably 22°, even more preferably 21° and most preferably 20°.

[0049] Preferably, the counting area and / or the functional face comprises:

[0050] - a recess (31) comprising a base (8) on which the microorganism culture support is intended to rest, or

[0051] - an orifice comprising, around its periphery, one or more gripping means on which the microorganism culture support is intended to rest.

[0052] Preferably, the gripping means are capable and / or arranged to receive and / or support and / or retain and / or hold the microorganism culture support.

[0053] Preferably, the gripping means(s) form or constitute the device arranged to increment each pressure exerted.

[0054] Preferably, the recess and the bottom form a housing capable of receiving and / or arranged to receive and / or in which the growing medium is intended to rest.

[0055] Preferably, the orifice and the gripping means(s) form a housing capable of receiving and / or arranged to receive and / or support and / or retain and / or hold the culture medium and / or in which the culture medium is intended to rest.

[0056] Preferably, the recess is or includes a notch. Preferably, the tactile area forms the bottom of the recess.

[0057] Preferably, the recess is intended to cooperate with the growing medium.

[0058] Preferably, the recess has a shape suitable for receiving growing media.

[0059] Preferably, when the movable part is in the folded position, at least a portion, preferably all, of said movable part covers the counting area and / or the recess and / or the notch and / or the orifice.

[0060] Preferably, the covering, by the moving part, of the counting zone makes it possible to protect the colony counter, for example from shocks, liquid splashes or even dust.

[0061] Preferably, the movable part is arranged to be translated along the functional face or along a side adjoining the functional face.

[0062] Preferably, the movable part or a portion of the movable part arranged to be translated along the functional face or along a side adjoining the functional face may form a cover for the functional area.

[0063] Preferably, the moving part is arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation parallel to the functional face or about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the functional face.

[0064] The moving part, to ensure the transition from the folded position to the deployed position, and vice versa, can be retractable and / or foldable and / or pivoted or translated.

[0065] Preferably, the colony counter comprises a control unit arranged to:

[0066] - activate the colony counter in response to a move of the moving part from the retracted position to the extended position, and / or

[0067] - deactivate the colony counter in response to the moving part moving from the deployed position to the retracted position.

[0068] An activation of the colony counter may be understood to mean a transition from an on state to an inactive or deactivated state. An activation of the colony counter may be understood to mean a transition from an inactive or deactivated state to an on state. Preferably, the control unit may be arranged to activate and / or deactivate the colony counter.

[0069] Preferably, the colony counter, preferably the control unit, may be arranged to delay the activation and / or inactivation of the colony counter by a period of time. In other words, a period of time may separate the passage of the movable part from the retracted position to the extended position, or vice versa, from the activation, or respectively the inactivation, of the colony counter.

[0070] Preferably, the additional bearing surface of the functional face and / or the bearing surface of the moving part is formed by an elastic material.

[0071] Preferably, the elastic material is a polymer, more preferably an elastomer.

[0072] Preferably, the elastic material is a foam.

[0073] Preferably, the elastic material is neoprene or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer, denoted EPDM.

[0074] Preferably, the additional bearing surface of the functional face and / or the bearing surface of the moving part is smooth or has low roughness or is covered by a non-porous material.

[0075] Preferably, the microorganism culture medium intended to rest on the counting area is a Petri dish.

[0076] The colony counter may comprise one or more adapters, preferably removable, arranged to cooperate with the counting area and intended to:

[0077] - be inserted or introduced into the counting area, and

[0078] - receive culture support for microorganisms intended to be counted manually.

[0079] For each press on the touch area, the colony counter, preferably the control unit, can be arranged to:

[0080] - modulate, preferably briefly, a light intensity emitted by the optical device arranged to backlight the culture medium,

[0081] - emit an audible signal.

[0082] Preferably, the sound signal is emitted by an audio device of the colony counter, for example, a loudspeaker. The colony counter may comprise one or more optical filters intended and / or arranged to be placed on the counting area, the optical filter(s) are arranged to modulate or modify the contrast between the colonies and a culture medium in which the colonies are incubating.

[0083] Description of figures

[0084] Other advantages and particularities of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description of implementations and embodiments which are in no way limiting, and the following appended drawings: FIGURE 1a is a schematic representation in oblique view of a first embodiment of the colony counter according to the invention, FIGURE 1b is a schematic representation in side view of the first embodiment of the colony counter according to the invention, FIGURE 2a is a schematic representation in front view of the first embodiment of the colony counter according to the invention in which the moving part is in the folded position, FIGURE 2b is a schematic representation in front view of the first embodiment of the colony counter according to the invention in which the moving part is in the deployed position,FIGURE 3 is a schematic representation in oblique view of a second embodiment of the colony counter according to the invention, FIGURE 4a is a schematic representation in front view of the second embodiment of the colony counter according to the invention in which the moving part is in the folded position, FIGURE 4b is a schematic representation in front view of the second embodiment of the colony counter according to the invention in which the moving part is in the deployed position, FIGURE 5 is a schematic representation in front view of a third embodiment of the colony counter according to the invention in which the moving part is in the folded position, FIGURE 6 is a schematic representation in front view of the third embodiment of the colony counter according to the invention in which the moving part is in the deployed position. Description of the embodiments,

[0085] The embodiments described below being in no way limiting, it will be possible in particular to consider variants of the invention comprising only a selection of the described characteristics, isolated from the other described characteristics (even if this selection is isolated within a sentence comprising these other characteristics), if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art. This selection comprises at least one characteristic, preferably functional without structural details, or with only a part of the structural details if this part only is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention compared to the state of the prior art.

[0086] With reference to FIGURES 1 to 6, three embodiments of the manual colony counter 1 according to the invention are presented. Unless otherwise indicated, the characteristics described are common to each of the embodiments.

[0087] The colony counter 1 comprises a functional face 2. The functional face 2 comprises a counting area 3 on which a culture medium for microorganisms intended to be counted manually is intended to rest. The counting area 3 is capable of allowing backlighting of the culture medium. In the majority of cases, the culture medium is a Petri dish.

[0088] The colony counter 1 also comprises a lighting device arranged to backlight the counting area 3. The luminous flux emitted by the lighting device is adjustable.

[0089] The colony counter 1 further comprises a movable part 4 relative to the functional face 2. The movable part 4 is arranged to be disposed in at least two different positions. One position 6 is called the deployed position 6. In the deployed position 6, an upper surface of the movable part 4 forms a support surface 41 for the forearm and elbow of the user. The support surface may be formed by the entire upper surface 41 of the movable part 4. Another of the positions is called the folded position 5. In the folded position 5, the movable part 4 is not arranged so as to form a support surface 41 for the forearm and elbow of the user.

[0090] According to the embodiments presented, the functional face 2 comprises a support surface 7, called the additional support surface 7. The additional support surface 7 adjoins the counting area 3. The additional support surface 7 serves as a hand rest for the user. In the deployed position 6, the user can therefore rest his hand and arm during the counting in the same way as the position adopted for writing using a pen. According to the embodiment, and in a non-limiting manner, the support surface 41 and the additional support surface 7 are made of elastomer.

[0091] According to the embodiments presented, and in a non-limiting manner, the counting zone 3 comprises a recess 31. The bottom 8 of the recess 31 is formed by a transparent surface 8. The microorganism culture support is intended to rest on the transparent surface 8. The transparent surface 8 is a touch-sensitive surface arranged to increment each pressure exerted on the transparent surface 8 by the user.

[0092] According to the embodiments presented, the functional surface 2 comprises a screen 9 on which the incremented number of colonies appears. According to the embodiment, the functional face 2 further comprises a control panel 10. The control panel comprises controls for adjusting certain parameters of the counter such as, for example, the volume of the sound signal emitted by the counter during an increment and / or the type of sound signal emitted and / or the sensitivity of a sensor arranged to detect pressure exerted on the touch zone and / or a change in light intensity.

[0093] According to the embodiments presented, and with reference to FIGURE 1b, the upper surface of the functional face 2 forms an angle [3 of between 12.5° and 27.5° relative to the face 15 of the colony counter 1 on which the latter is intended to rest. This allows the user to carry out the count in a position in which the elbow is relaxed. According to the embodiment, and in a non-limiting manner, the angle [3 is 20°.

[0094] According to the embodiments presented, when the mobile part 2 is in the deployed position 6, the axis 11 connecting a center of the support surface 41 to a center of the counting zone 3 forms an angle λ of between 20° and 70° relative to the median axis 12 extending between the side, called the proximal side, of the functional face 2 intended to be opposite the user and the center of the counting zone 3. In addition, the support surface 41 is sufficiently large so that the user has sufficient latitude to position his forearm so that it forms an angle, relative to the median axis 12, which suits him and which is between 20° and 70°. According to the first embodiment, and with reference to FIGURES 1 and 2a, the moving part 4 is arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation 16 perpendicular to the upper surface 21 of the functional face 2. Furthermore, in the folded position 5, the moving part 4 covers the counting zone 3.Also, in the folded position 5, the movable part 4 is therefore used as a cover protecting the counting area 3. The colony counter 1 according to the first embodiment is suitable for both left-handed and right-handed people.

[0095] With reference to the first embodiment, a plane 13 along which an upper surface 21 of the functional face 2 extends is parallel to a plane 14 along which the upper surface 42 of the moving part 4 extends in the folded position 5. In practice, the plane 13 along which the upper surface 21 of the functional face 2 extends and the plane 14 along which the upper surface 42 of the moving part 4 extends in the folded position 5 preferably form an angle of less than 20° between them. According to the embodiment, the movement of the moving part 4 takes place only in the plane 14. Also, the upper surface 42 of the moving part 4 in the folded position 5 and in the deployed position 6 is included in the plane 14. This allows the user to carry out the counting in a position in which the wrist is relaxed.

[0096] With reference to the second embodiment, and with reference to FIGURES 3 and 4, the movable part 4 is arranged to be translated along the functional face 2. According to the embodiment, and in a non-limiting manner, the movable part 4 is arranged to be translated along the proximal side adjoining the functional face 2. The colony counter 1 according to the first embodiment is suitable for both left-handed and right-handed people.

[0097] With reference to the second embodiment, the movable part 4 could be arranged and arranged to be translated along one of the lateral sides adjoining the functional face 2. In this case, to suit right-handed and left-handed people, the colony counter 1 preferably comprises a movable part 4 arranged and arranged to be translated along one of the two lateral sides adjoining the functional face 2 and a movable part 4 arranged and arranged to be translated along the other of the two lateral sides adjoining the functional face 2. With reference to the first and second embodiments, the angle λ is adjustable. Indeed, by translating the movable part 4 more or less or by pivoting the movable part 4 more or less, the user will be able to adapt the position of the movable part 4 in its deployed position 6 and therefore the value of the angle λ to his morphology.

[0098] According to the third embodiment, and with reference to FIGURES 5 and 6, the movable part 4 is arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation 17 parallel to the upper surface 21 of the functional face 2. Furthermore, in the folded position 5, the movable part 4 covers the counting area 3. Also, in the folded position 5, the movable part 4 is therefore used as a cover protecting the counting area 3. The colony counter 1 according to the third embodiment is suitable for right-handed people. However, the colony counter 1 can be arranged so that the movable part 4 is removable and arranged to be arranged so as to be suitable for left-handed and right-handed people.

[0099] With reference to the third embodiment, the plane 13 along which an upper surface 21 of the functional face 2 extends is coincident with the plane 14 along which the upper surface 42 of the movable part 4 extends in the deployed position 6. The plane 13 along which an upper surface 21 of the functional face 2 extends is parallel with the plane 14 along which the upper surface 42 of the movable part 4 extends in the folded position 5. In practice, the plane 13 along which the upper surface 21 of the functional face 2 extends and the plane 14 along which the upper surface 42 of the movable part 4 extends in the deployed position 6 preferably form an angle of less than 20° between them. This allows the user to perform the counting in a position in which the wrist is relaxed.

[0100] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described and numerous adjustments can be made to these examples without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0101] Thus, in variants which can be combined with each other of the embodiments described above:

[0102] - in the deployed position 6, the surface 41 of the movable part 4 forms a support surface 41 for the hand and / or the wrist and / or the forearm and / or the elbow of the user, and / or - the additional support surface 7 serves as a hand rest and / or a hand wrist rest and / or a forearm rest for the user, and / or

[0103] - alternatively, the functional face 2 comprises an orifice intended to receive the microorganism culture support and one or more elements extending into the orifice from a periphery of the orifice.

[0104] In addition, the various features, forms, variations and embodiments of the invention may be combined with each other in various combinations to the extent that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Manual colony counter (1) comprising: - a face (2), called the functional face, said functional face comprises a zone (3), called the counting zone, on which a culture support for microorganisms intended to be counted manually is intended to rest, - a movable part (4), relative to the functional face, arranged to be placed in at least two different positions: • a position, called the deployed position (6), in which a surface of the moving part forms a support surface (41) for the hand and / or the wrist and / or the forearm and / or the elbow of the user, and • a position, called the folded position (5).

2. Counter (1) according to claim 1, in which, when the moving part (4) is in the deployed position (6), an axis (11) connecting a center of the support surface (41) to a center of the counting zone (3) forms an angle λ of between 20° and 70° relative to a median axis (12) extending between a side of the functional face intended to be opposite the user and the center of the counting zone.

3. Counter (1) according to claim 1 or 2, in which the functional face (2) and the moving part (4), in the deployed position (6), form an angle less than or equal to 45° between them, preferably are parallel to each other.

4. Meter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the functional face (2) forms an angle p of between 12.5° and 27.5° relative to a face (15) of the meter on which the latter is intended to rest.

5. Counter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the counting zone (3) comprises: - a recess (31) comprising a base (8) on which the microorganism culture support is intended to rest, or - an orifice comprising, around its periphery, one or more gripping means on which the microorganism culture support is intended to rest.

6. Counter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, when the moving part (4) is in the folded position (5), at least part of said moving part covers the counting area (3).

7. Counter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the movable part (4) is arranged to be translated along the functional face (2) or along a side adjoining the functional face.

8. Counter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the moving part (4) is arranged to pivot about an axis of rotation (17) parallel to the functional face (2) or about an axis of rotation (16) perpendicular to the functional face.

9. Counter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit arranged to: - activate the colony counter in response to a passage of the movable part (4) from the folded position (5) to the deployed position (6), and / or - deactivate the colony counter in response to the moving part moving from the deployed position to the retracted position.

10. Counter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the bearing surface (41) of the moving part (4) is formed by an elastic material.

11. Counter (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the microorganism culture support intended to rest on the counting zone (3) is a Petri dish.

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