Cassette opening device for disc cassettes, and method based on such a device

Abstract

The invention relates to a cassette opening device for a cassette comprising discs stacked one on top of the other, separated by a connecting structure between the discs. The cassette opening device comprises: - upper (PS) and lower (PI) gripping structures receiving said discs; characterized by: - ​​a cylinder integral with the gripping structures (PS, PI); - a control means (I) for said cylinder to separate the gripping structures (PS, PI) and destroy the connecting structure so as to open the cassette. The invention further relates to a method based on such a device. Abstract figure: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Cassette opening device for disc cassettes, and method based on such a device

[0001] The invention relates to the field of cassette opening devices for sample cassettes used in biology.

[0002] This type of cassette is illustrated in [Fig. 1]. Cassette C comprises a set of discs D superimposed on each other, separated by a membrane junction J between the discs.

[0003] These cassettes are closed by means of a press and are difficult to open. Indeed, there is very little grip between the discs: approximately 2 mm x 2 mm on half a diameter.

[0004] Some cassette suppliers offer a tool in the form of a forked spatula to be inserted between the discs and operated by leverage to open the cassette.

[0005] Unfortunately, this tool requires having a good grip on the cassette by hand, and manually applying significant force via the spatula with a high risk of injury to the operator.

[0006] Another bulky tool has been proposed, but it is manual, bulky and expensive.

[0007] A first objective of the present invention is to propose a tool solution limiting the need for manual effort to open the cassette.

[0008] A second objective is to propose a compact device solution, allowing better gripping of the cassette discs when opening.

[0009] A third objective is to propose a solution limiting the risk of injury to operators.

[0010] To achieve these objectives, the invention proposes a cassette opening device for a cassette comprising discs superimposed on each other, separated by a joining structure between the discs, the cassette opening device comprising: - an upper grip structure at least partially receiving at least one upper disc; - a lower grip structure at least partially receiving at least one lower disc, characterized in that the cassette opening device further comprises: - a jack whose ends are fixed to the upper grip structure and to the lower grip structure; - a means for controlling said cylinder to extend its ends so as to move away the upper grip structure from the lower grip structure, and thus destroy the joining structure to open the cassette.

[0011] Advantageously, the invention provides a compact instrument with a jack limiting the need for manual effort. The gripping structures allow for a better grip of the cassette discs. In addition, the device limits the risk of injury to operators.

[0012] According to a variant, the upper grip structure entirely receives said upper disc; and the lower grip structure entirely receives said lower disc.

[0013] This makes it possible to improve the precision of the opening by better gripping the cassette on one or more discs on each side of the junction structure to be destroyed.

[0014] According to a variant, the gripping structures each comprise a jaw having a concave receiving zone laterally receiving said disc, a plate fixed to said jaw, inserted between two discs opposite the joining structure. In particular, the plate is intended to come into contact with the corresponding disc from above (lower disc) or above (upper disc).

[0015] The concave receiving area makes it possible to design a receiving area corresponding to the shape of one or more discs for shape cooperation between the jaws and the discs. The pad makes it possible to have at least one contact point to move the upper disc away from the lower disc.

[0016] According to a variant, the plate has a second concave receiving zone receiving, towards the top or the bottom, said disc.

[0017] This makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the pad by means of several contact zones between the pad and the corresponding disc.

[0018] According to one variant, the jaw is produced by three-dimensional printing, and the plate is made of metal, in particular stainless steel.

[0019] This allows to improve the precision of the jaw shape for better shape cooperation; and to have rigidity on the plate.

[0020] According to a variant, the cassette opening device comprises an intermediate part integral with the upper gripping structure, fixed to the jack on the one hand, and coupled to the lower gripping structure on the other hand by means of at least one sliding coupling structure.

[0021] This makes it easier to assemble the device and to have a cassette opening guided along the sliding structure, for example in a rectilinear manner.

[0022] According to a variant, the cassette opening device comprises a housing comprising a cover, enclosing the jack and preferably the intermediate part.

[0023] This allows the mechanism of the device to be hidden and protected.

[0024] According to a variant, the housing comprises side pieces on the hood, the side pieces including side holes.

[0025] This makes it possible to hide the device laterally, and to provide an aesthetic structure.

[0026] According to one variant, the hood comprises an upper panel attached to a rear panel.

[0027] This makes it possible to implement a rigid structure to improve the rigidity of the cassette opening device, when it is mainly produced using 3D printing.

[0028] The invention further relates to a method of opening a cassette comprising discs superimposed on each other, separated by a joining structure between the discs, by means of a cassette opening device according to the invention, the method comprising the following steps: - arranging at least one upper disk of the cassette in the upper grip structure, and at least one lower disk in the lower grip structure; - activating the control means of said jack to extend its ends so as to move the upper gripping structure away from the lower gripping structure, and thus destroy the joining structure to open the cassette.

[0029] The invention will be further detailed by the description of non-limiting embodiments, and on the basis of the appended figures, among which: - [Fig.l] illustrates a side view of a cassette for a cassette opening device according to the invention; - [Fig.2] illustrates a view in space of a cassette opening device according to a first embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.3] illustrates a side view of the cassette opening device of [Fig.2], without a side piece; - [Fig.4] illustrates a top view of the cassette opening device of figures 2 and 3, equipped with the cover; - [Fig.5] illustrates a top view of the cassette opening device of figures 2 to 4, without the cover; - [Fig.6] illustrates a view in space of a cassette opening device according to a second embodiment of the invention; - [Fig.7] illustrates a side view of the cassette opening device of [Fig.6], without a side piece; - [Fig.8] illustrates a view in space of the lower part of the cassette opening device of figures 6 to 7; - [Fig.9] illustrates a view in space of the intermediate part of the cassette opening device of figures 6 to 8.

[0030] The invention relates to a cassette opening device for a cassette C such as that illustrated in [Fig.l]. This type of cassette C comprises discs D superimposed on each other on the others, separated by a junction structure J between the discs D, for example for samples in biology.

[0031] As can be seen in Figures 2 to 5, the cassette opening device according to the first embodiment is in the form of a housing comprising a cover C1 closing the mechanism of the device. The cassette opening device measures for example approximately 146x115x102 mm. The cover C1 has an “L” shaped structure with a top panel fixed to a rear panel.

[0032] In addition, the housing comprises side pieces PF lateral to the cover CL. The side pieces PF may comprise side orifices as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0033] The cassette opening device comprises an upper grip structure PS, and a lower grip structure PI.

[0034] The upper grip structure PS comprises an upper jaw MS and a metal plate P. The upper jaw has a concave receiving area, in particular in the shape of a “U” or a “C” open towards the cassette C. The upper jaw MS laterally receives said disc D.

[0035] The plate P has a concave zone following that of the upper jaw. The plate is inserted between two discs D opposite the junction structure J.

[0036] The lower grip structure PI has a similar arrangement to that of the upper grip structure PS, including a lower jaw MI and a pad P.

[0037] In the illustrated variant, the gripping structures PS, PI, in particular the jaws MS, MI, fully receive at least two discs D, for better gripping.

[0038] According to the invention, the cassette opening device further comprises a jack V and a control means I for the jack, such as a jack switch.

[0039] The cylinder V comprises two ends, one of which is fixed to the upper grip structure PS, and the other is fixed to the lower grip structure PI. Thus, a command by the control means I, extends the cylinder by consequently moving the upper grip structure PS away from the lower grip structure PI. This results in the tearing of the junction structure J and the opening of the cassette C.

[0040] In particular, the jaws MS, MI are produced by three-dimensional printing. The plate P is made of metal, in particular stainless steel.

[0041] In the preferred arrangement of the invention, the cassette opening device comprises an intermediate piece IS between the cylinder V and the jaws MS, MI.

[0042] The intermediate part IS is integral with the upper grip structure PS. It is fixed to the jack V by means of a sliding coupling structure CP, visible in [Fig.5], cooperating with the intermediate part IS. The sliding coupling structure CP has a prismatic arrangement with vertical height. It preferably has a polygonal base comprising acute and / or obtuse angles, for example a triangular base.

[0043] A fixing part F1, visible in [Fig.3], is arranged on the lower jaw M1, and coupled to the cylinder V, in particular from below the cylinder V.

[0044] The cover Cl encloses and masks the cylinder V and the intermediate piece IS, above and behind. In addition, the side pieces PF enclose and mask the cylinder V on the sides.

[0045] The cassette opening device according to the second embodiment, visible in figures 6 to 9, is sized for a 90kg cylinder, for greater reliability and strength. As a result, the cassette opening device is enlarged and measures for example approximately 201x115x182 mm.

Claims

Claims

1. Cassette opening device for a cassette (C) comprising discs (D) superimposed on each other, separated by a joining structure (J) between the discs (D), the cassette opening device comprising: - an upper gripping structure (PS) receiving at least partially at least one upper disc (D); - a lower gripping structure (PI) receiving at least partially at least one lower disc (D), characterized in that the cassette opening device further comprises: - a jack (V) whose ends are fixed to the upper gripping structure (PS) and to the lower gripping structure (PI); - a control means (I) of said jack (V) for extending its ends so as to move the upper gripping structure (PS) away from the lower gripping structure (PI), and thus destroy the joining structure (J) to open the cassette (C).

2. Cassette opening device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the upper gripping structure (PS) entirely receives said upper disc (D); and the lower gripping structure entirely receives said lower disc (D).

3. Cassette opening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping structures (PS, PI) each comprise a jaw (MS, MI) having a concave receiving zone laterally receiving said disc (D), and a plate (P) fixed to said jaw (MS, MI), inserted between two discs (D) opposite the junction structure (J).

4. Cassette opening device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the plate has a second concave receiving zone receiving, towards the top or the bottom, said disc.

5. Cassette opening device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the jaw (M) is produced by three-dimensional printing, and the plate (P) is made of metal, in particular stainless steel.

6. Cassette opening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate part (IS) integral with the upper gripping structure (PS), fixed to the jack (V) on the one hand and coupled to the lower gripping structure (PI) on the other hand by means of at least one sliding coupling structure (CP).

7. Cassette opening device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a housing comprising a cover (Cl), enclosing the jack (V) and preferably the intermediate part (IS).

8. Cassette opening device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the housing comprises side pieces (PF) lateral to the cover (Cl), the side pieces (PF) comprising lateral orifices.

9. Cassette opening device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the cover (Cl) comprises an upper panel fixed to a rear panel.

10. Method for opening a cassette (C) comprising discs (D) superimposed on each other, separated by a joining structure (J) between the discs (D), by means of a cassette opening device according to one of the preceding claims, the method comprising the following steps: - placing at least one upper disc (D) of the cassette (C) in the upper gripping structure (PS), and at least one lower disc (D) in the lower gripping structure (PI); - engaging the control means (I) of said jack (V) to extend its ends so as to move the upper gripping structure (PS) away from the lower gripping structure (PI), and thus destroy the joining structure (J) to open the cassette (C).

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