Capping device, decapping system, and method for decapping tubes - Patents.com

Abstract

A capping / removal device (2) for reversibly attaching and removing caps (5) to tubes (4) accommodated in tube seats (32) of a microplate (3) includes a drum member (22) having a cap stamp (223) and a frame structure (21) that supports the drum member (22) such that the drum member (22) is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the frame structure (21). The capping / removal device (2) is configured to rotate the drum member (22) in a first rotation direction (62) when a microplate (3) accommodating tubes (4) is moved in a first path direction (61) along a predetermined path (25) relative to the frame, and to rotate the drum member (22) in a second rotation direction (64) when the microplate (3) accommodating tubes (4) is moved in a second path direction (63) along the predetermined path (25) relative to the frame. The first rotational direction (62) is opposite to the second rotational direction (64), and the first path direction (61) is opposite to the second path direction (63). The cap stamp (223) is configured to detach caps (5) from tubes (4) when the microplate (3) containing the tubes (4) is moved in the first path direction (61). The cap stamp (223) is configured to connect caps (5) to tubes (4) when the microplate (3) containing the tubes (4) is moved in the second path direction (63).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a capping device, and more particularly to a capping system comprising such a capping device, and to a method of capping and uncapping tubes with such a capping device. [Background technology]

[0002] Standardized microplates are commonly used in the chemical, microbiological, and pharmaceutical industries and in chemical, microbiological, and pharmaceutical research. In particular, the microplate standard established by the Society for Biomolecular Screening (SBS) (whose successor is the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS)) and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) defines microplates that are 127.76 mm long and 85.48 mm wide, with 96, 384, or 1536 wells or receptacles. The wells or receptacles of such standardized microplates usually have a circular or square cross-section and a symmetrical base that may be flat, rounded, or pyramidal.

[0003] Furthermore, in many research and development activities, containers such as tubes of suitable dimensions are filled with fluids, such as chemical or microbiological assays that contain several components to be processed. These fluids are often mixed within the tubes to establish homogenous conditions. The tubes may be made of glass, plastic, or other suitable materials, and may be, for example, test tubes, microcentrifuge tubes, capillary tubes, storage tubes, library reformatting tubes, etc.

[0004] For handling and processing of the tubes, it is known to place the tubes in a microplate with suitable wells or receptacles as tube seats. In particular, each tube seat is typically configured to receive one tube. In this context, standardized microplates as described above can be extremely beneficial, since they allow the use of equipment that is adjusted or configured according to the respective standard. For example, it is possible to efficiently use robotic devices in the multiple applications of the microplates. This allows for an error-free positioning or orientation of the microplates, not only because of the defined size and position of the wells or receptacles, but also for example the corners cut according to the standard. In particular, such standardized microplates are beneficial when it is desired to use the microplates in automated processing or automated processing steps.

[0005] It is known to seal the open end of a tube with a foil or similar structure to protect the material or sample inside the tube. For example, JP 2013-244969 A describes a blood collection tube capping device. Thus, to access the material or sample inside the tube, the foil must be torn off or punctured from the tube so that the inside of the tube can be accessed. In this context, for relatively small tubes, such as tubes for microplates with 384 or 1536 wells or receptacles, such known sealing or closing and opening of the tube is relatively difficult. Usually, the tube and foil are disposed of after use or processing.

[0006] To improve the situation in this regard, a microplate system has been developed that comprises a standardized microplate with seats and a number of receptacles. Each of the receptacles comprises a tube shaped to be held in a seat of the microplate and a removable cap. In one embodiment, the cap is configured to be pressed into or onto the tube. In use, the cap can be repeatedly opened and closed by bringing the cap onto the tube and removing or pulling the cap from the tube.

[0007] Although such microplate systems allow efficient handling and manipulation of the tubes, it is often necessary to open and close several or all of the tubes arranged in the microplate. When using known standard equipment, such as standard handling robots, such capping and uncapping can be cumbersome.

[0008] Thus, there is a need for an apparatus that allows for efficient removal and installation of tube caps in microplates, particularly standardized microplates having 96, 384, or 1536 wells, receptacles, or tube seats. Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, this need is solved by a capping device as defined by the features of independent claim 1, by a capping system as defined by the features of independent claim 9 and by a method as defined by the features of independent claim 15. Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0010] In one aspect, the present invention is a capping device for reversibly capping and decapping tubes received in tube seats of a microplate, the capping device comprising a drum member having a cap stamp and a frame structure supporting the drum member such that the drum member is rotatable about an axis of rotation relative to the frame structure.

[0011] The capping / removal device is configured to rotate the drum member in a first rotational direction when the microplate containing the tubes is moved in a first path direction along a predetermined path relative to the frame. The capping / removal device is further configured to rotate the drum member in a second rotational direction when the microplate containing the tubes is moved in a second path direction along a predetermined path relative to the frame structure. Thereby, the first rotational direction is opposite to the second rotational direction, and the first path direction is opposite to the second path direction. For example, if the first rotational direction is clockwise, the second rotational direction is counterclockwise.

[0012] The cap stamp is configured to detach the caps from the tubes when the microplate containing the tubes is moved in a first path direction along the predetermined path, and the cap stamp is configured to connect the caps to the tubes when the microplate containing the tubes is moved in a second path direction along the predetermined path.

[0013] The predetermined path may in particular be a linear path extending underneath the drum member, such a path allowing efficient operation of the capping device, in particular efficient interaction between the microplate and the drum member for capping and uncapping.

[0014] The microplates to which the present invention pertains may be microplates according to standards established by the Society for Biomolecular Screening (SBS) (whose successor is the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS)) and approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In particular, such standards provide for microplates 127.76 mm long and 85.48 mm wide, containing 96, 384, or 1536 wells or receptacles.

[0015] More specifically, the microplates according to the invention may advantageously have a predetermined length and a predetermined width, whereby the length may be within the range of about 127 mm to about 129 mm, about 127.3 mm to 128.3 mm, or 127.26 mm to 128.26 mm, or about 127.76 mm, and the width may be within the range of about 84 mm to about 86 mm, about 84.9 mm to 86 mm, or 84.98 mm to 85.98 mm, or about 85.48 mm.

[0016] The invention may be advantageous for microplates having 96, especially 384 or 1536 receptacles or wells. In such microplates, the wells or receptacles, and therefore the associated tubes, have a relatively small size such that they are relatively difficult to close. Therefore, the (semi-)automatic capping and uncapping of such tubes according to the invention is particularly beneficial.

[0017] When the microplate containing the tubes is moved in a first path direction, thus rotating the drum member in a first rotation direction, and when the microplate containing the tubes is moved in a second path direction, thus rotating the drum member in a second rotation direction, the cap stamp of the drum member can move relative to the microplate around the axis of rotation. In this way, the cap stamp can move closer to or farther away from the tubes contained in the microplate. Depending on the direction of rotation, the cap stamp can thus hold the caps to remove them from the tubes (capping) or place them in the tubes (attaching the caps). In this way, a very efficient attachment or removal of the caps from the tubes can be performed. Furthermore, the rotational movement of the drum member can prevent the tubes from being lifted relative to the microplate and thus ultimately removed from the microplate.

[0018] Preferably, the capping / uncapping device comprises a guiding mechanism configured to define the movement of the microplate along a predetermined path, such that the movement of the microplate can be predefined so as to establish a well-coordinated cooperation between the microplate, the tube and the drum member.

[0019] Thereby, the guiding mechanism preferably comprises a carriage with a microplate seat configured to receive the microplate, the microplate seat enabling the microplate to be accurately positioned in a predefined position and orientation.

[0020] In one embodiment, the carriage and the drum member each include a drive, such as an electric motor. The two drives are synchronized to move the carriage relative to the drum member. In this embodiment, the capping / uncapping device can be operated fully automatically.

[0021] The guide mechanism preferably comprises a path piece extending along the predetermined path, and the carriage is coupled to the path piece such that the carriage can move along the path piece. The path piece may comprise one or more rails or similar elements configured to precisely set the predetermined path.

[0022] The carriage of the guide mechanism preferably has a height adjustment structure configured to manipulate the microplate seat to adjust the height or distance between the microplate and the drum member when a microplate is received in the microplate seat In this manner, microplates of different heights and / or tubes of different lengths can be processed with the same capping apparatus.

[0023] Preferably, the capping / decapping device comprises a rotation mechanism configured to rotate the drum member when the microplate is moved along a predetermined path. In particular, the rotation mechanism can be designed to actively rotate the drum member in conjunction with the movement of the microplate. Such active rotation can be caused by one or more specific motors or similar drives, or can be caused by the movement of the microplate. In case of multiple motors, the motors are advantageously synchronized to achieve proper and efficient operation.

[0024] Thereby, the rotation mechanism preferably comprises a toothed rack and a gear attached to the drum member, the toothed rack engaging the gear such that the drum member rotates when the toothed rack moves relative to the drum member. Conveniently, the toothed rack extends at least partially along a predetermined path. Moreover, in an advantageous embodiment, the gear is fixed to the drum member. Such interacting toothed rack and gear allow for an efficient and direct conversion of a typical linear or translational motion of a microplate into a rotational motion of the drum member. In particular, such a mechanism may be beneficial in manual embodiments of the capping / uncapping device. Moreover, a first path direction may be reliably coupled or associated with a first rotational direction and a second path direction with a second rotational direction.

[0025] Preferably, the toothed rack of the rotation mechanism is fixed to the carriage of the guide mechanism, in this way the toothed rack can be fixed relative to the microplate seat of the carriage such that a movement of a microplate placed in the microplate seat moves the toothed rack simultaneously and identically.

[0026] Preferably, the drum member has a drum body and the cap stamp extends radially from the drum body. Such a design of the drum member allows the cap stamp to be efficiently moved vertically or toward and away from the tubes contained within the microplate, whereby the cap stamp can interact with the tubes to bring caps to or remove caps from the tubes.

[0027] Preferably, the cap stamp is configured to engage the caps such that the caps are removed from the tubes by a drum member rotating in a first rotational direction when the microplate containing the tubes is moved in a first path direction, and to release the caps such that the caps are attached to the tubes by a drum member rotating in a second rotational direction when the microplate containing the tubes is moved in a second path direction. Such a cap stamp configuration efficiently allows caps to be attached to tubes in the microplate by moving the microplate along the first path direction, and caps to be removed from the tubes by moving the microplate in the second path direction.

[0028] Preferably, the drum member includes an array of cap stamps that allow capping or uncapping of multiple tubes located in multiple tube seats in a microplate at once, allowing efficient cap removal and provision when multi-well microplates are used to handle large numbers of tubes.

[0029] Thus, the drum member preferably includes at least one further row of cap stamps, such a design allowing efficient row-by-row capping of at least two rows of tubes or arrays of tubes disposed in a multi-well microplate.

[0030] In another aspect, the present invention is a capping / removal system comprising a capping / removal device as described above, a microplate having at least one tube seat, at least one tube housed in the at least one tube seat of the microplate, and at least one cap associated with the at least one tube housed in the at least one tube seat of the microplate.

[0031] By means of the capping system according to the present invention and its preferred embodiments described below, the effects and benefits of the above-mentioned capping device and its preferred embodiments can be efficiently achieved.

[0032] The at least one cap and the at least one tube may be embodied for any suitable connection that allows for efficient, reversible and sufficiently tight closure of the tube. Preferably, the at least one cap includes a first press-fit structure and the at least one tube includes a second press-fit structure that corresponds to the first press-fit structure of the cap.

[0033] The term "press fit" as used in this context refers to a form of fastening between close-fitting mating parts, i.e., cap and tube, and particularly relates to an interference or friction fit that produces a joint that is held together by friction after the parts are pressed together. The first and second press fit configurations may include an elastic portion of, e.g., the cap and a rigid portion of, e.g., the tube, that abut when the cap is connected to the tube.

[0034] By providing corresponding press-fit features for the cap and tube, the cap can be effectively attached or connected to the tube, such as by being pushed onto the tube, and likewise can be effectively detached or removed from the tube by being pulled from the tube, particularly such pushing and pulling can be effected along the longitudinal axis of the tube.

[0035] Thereby, the first press-fit structure of the cap is preferably pressed against the second press-fit structure of the tube when the cap and the tube are connected. Such pressing exerts a frictional force which may be sufficient to hold the cap firmly on the tube. For example, such pressing may be achieved by providing either the cap or the tube, or a part thereof, with an elastically deformable material. Thus, advantageously, the cap is made of a relatively elastic and soft material and the tube is made of a relatively stiff material.

[0036] The first press-fit feature of the cap can include a sealing bulge on the outer periphery of the cap, which can provide, for example, elasticity for deformation when the cap is connected to a tube, such that the tube can be tightly closed to provide a safe seal to the interior of the tube.

[0037] The at least one cap preferably comprises a snap cavity having an opening that is accessible when the at least one cap is connected to a tube, such a snap cavity allowing for an efficient snap-fit ​​connection.

[0038] As a result, the snap cavity of the at least one cap has a first snap-fit ​​structure, a front surface of the cap stamp of the drum member facing the first rotational direction has a second snap-fit ​​structure that mates with the first snap-fit ​​structure of the snap cavity of the at least one cap, and a rear surface of the cap stamp of the drum member facing the second rotational direction does not include a snap-fit ​​structure that mates with the first snap-fit ​​structure of the snap cavity of the at least one cap.

[0039] The first and second snap-fit ​​structures make it possible to provide a form-fit connection between the cap stamp and the cap. In particular, when the drum member rotates the cap stamp in a first rotational direction, the cap stamp can be moved into a snap cavity of the cap, with the first snap-fit ​​structure engaging with the second snap-fit ​​structure. By further rotating the drum member in the first rotational direction, the cap stamp moves away from the tube. This allows the connection provided by the first and second snap-fit ​​structures to be able to remove the cap from the tube with the cap stamp. Furthermore, when the drum member rotates the cap stamp in a second rotational direction, the cap stamp holding the cap can be moved into the snap cavity of the cap, such that the cap is connected to the tube. By further rotating the drum member in the second rotational direction, the cap stamp moves away from the tube. This allows the connection to the tube to be removed from the cap stamp, since the rear face of the cap stamp does not have any snap-fit ​​structures.

[0040] Preferably, (i) a front surface of the cap stamp of the drum member of the capping / uncapping device is connected to the at least one cap with a first force when the cap stamp is placed in the snap-fit ​​cavity of the at least one cap, (ii) the at least one cap is connected to the at least one tube with a second force when the at least one cap is connected to the at least one tube, and (iii) a rear surface of the cap stamp of the drum member of the capping / uncapping device is connected to the at least one cap with a third force when the cap stamp is placed in the snap-fit ​​cavity of the at least one cap. The first force is greater than the second force, and the second force is greater than the third force. By configuring the caps, tubes, and cap stamp accordingly, efficient removal of caps from and connection of caps to tubes by the rotational movement of the cap stamp can be achieved.

[0041] The first snap-fit ​​structure of the snap cavity of the at least one cap includes an undercut and the second snap-fit ​​structure of the cap stamp includes a protrusion that mates with the undercut, such that the protrusion and undercut enable a relatively secure form-fit connection such that the first force can be stronger than the second and third forces.

[0042] Thus, the undercut of the first snap-fit ​​structure of the at least one cap snap cavity preferably extends around the entire inner circumference of the at least one cap snap cavity, such an arrangement allowing for efficient and proper interaction with the cap stamp regardless of the rotational position of the cap relative to the tube.

[0043] Preferably, in the capping / removal system, the microplate comprises a plurality of identical tube seats including a tube seat, the plurality of tube seats being arranged in a first number of rows, each row having a second number of the plurality of tube seats, and the drum member comprises a plurality of identical cap stamps including a cap stamp, the plurality of cap stamps being arranged in a first number of rows, each row having a second number of the plurality of cap stamps.

[0044] The multiple tube seats are typically identical by being essentially identically formed, shaped and sized. Similarly, the multiple cap stamps are also identical by being essentially identically formed, shaped and sized.

[0045] Thus, the microplate preferably has a length within the range of about 127 mm to about 129 mm, about 127.3 mm to about 128.3 mm, or 127.26 mm to 128.26 mm, or a length within the range of about 127.76 mm, the microplate preferably has a width within the range of about 84 mm to about 86 mm, about 84.9 mm to about 86 mm, or 84.98 mm to 85.98 mm, or a width of about 85.48 mm, and the microplate preferably has 384 or 1536 tube seats.

[0046] The microplate can be configured to meet, among other things, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (SLAS) microplate standards, namely ANSI / SLAS 1-2004:Microplates-Footprint Dimensions, ANSI / SLAS 3-2004:Microplates-Bottom Outside Flange Dimensions, and ANSI / SLAS 4-2004:Microplates-Well Positions. For example, if there are 384 receptacles, the receptacles can be regularly arranged into 16 rows of 24 receptacles.

[0047] In yet another aspect, the invention is a method of capping and uncapping tubes, comprising the steps of obtaining a capping apparatus as described above; obtaining a microplate having at least one seat, wherein at least one tube is received in the at least one seat of the microplate and at least one cap is associated with the at least one tube received in the at least one seat of the microplate; and moving the microplate receiving the at least one tube along a predetermined path relative to a frame of the capping apparatus, wherein to remove a cap, the microplate receiving the at least one tube is moved in a first direction beneath the drum member such that the drum member rotates in a first rotational direction and a cap stamp removes at least one cap from the at least one tube, and to attach a cap, the microplate receiving the at least one tube is moved in a second direction beneath the drum member such that the drum member rotates in a second rotational direction and a cap stamp connects at least one cap to the at least one tube.

[0048] The method according to the present invention makes it possible to efficiently achieve and implement the effects and advantages of the above-mentioned capping device and preferred embodiments thereof, as well as the above-mentioned capping system and preferred embodiments thereof. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0049] The capping device according to the invention, the capping system according to the invention and the method according to the invention are explained in more detail below by way of exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. [Figure 1] 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a capping system according to the invention comprising an embodiment of a capping device according to the invention; [Diagram 2] 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the capping system of FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] 2 shows a side view of a cap stamp of a drum member of the capping / decapping device of the capping / decapping system of FIG. 1; [Figure 4] 4 shows a perspective view of a portion of a stamp rod having the cap stamp of FIG. 3 with a cap. [Diagram 5] 5 shows an enlarged perspective view of one cap stamp of the stamp rod of FIG. 4, with the cap of the cap stamp cut off. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0050] In the following description, certain terms are used for convenience and are not intended to limit the invention. The terms "right", "left", "up", "down", "under" and "above" refer to directions in the figures. The use of terms includes the terms explicitly mentioned, as well as their derivatives and terms with similar meanings. Spatially relative terms such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", "proximal", "distal", etc. may also be used to describe the relationship of an element or feature shown in the figures to another element or feature. These spatially relative terms are intended to encompass various positions and orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the positions and orientations shown in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned upside down, elements described as "below" or "below" other elements or features would be considered to be "above" or "above" other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "down" can encompass both up and down positions and orientations. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein may be interpreted accordingly. Similarly, descriptions of movement along and about various axes include various particular device positions and orientations.

[0051] In order to avoid repetition in the figures and descriptions of various aspects and exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that many features are common to many aspects and embodiments. If an aspect is omitted from a description or figure, it does not mean that the aspect is missing from an embodiment incorporating the aspect. Rather, the aspect may be omitted for the purpose of clarity and to avoid redundant description. In this context, the following applies to the remainder of the specification: for clarity of the drawings, if a figure includes a reference sign that is not described in the directly relevant part of the specification, reference is made to the preceding or subsequent part of the specification. Furthermore, for clarity, if not all features of a part are labeled in a drawing, reference is made to other drawings showing the same part. Like numbers in two or more figures represent the same or similar elements.

[0052] 1 shows an embodiment of a capping / removal system 1 according to the present invention, which includes a capping / removal device 2 according to the present invention and a microplate 3. The capping / removal device has a frame 21 as a frame structure, a drum member 22, a guide mechanism 23, and a rotation mechanism 24.

[0053] The frame 21 has two side walls 211, each of which is provided with a bearing 212. The bearing 212 of the frame 21 holds and supports a drum body 221 of the drum member 22 between the two side walls 211. This allows the drum member 22 to rotate relative to the side walls 211 about the longitudinal axis of the drum body 221 such that the longitudinal axis of the drum body 221 is a rotation axis 224 of the drum member 22.

[0054] The guide mechanism 23 has two parallel rails 232 as path components and a carriage 231 arranged on the rails 232, and the carriage 231 can move linearly along the rails 232. This allows the carriage 231 to move along a predetermined path 25 defined by the rails 232. More specifically, the carriage 231 can move along the rails 232 in a first path direction 61 (leftward direction in FIG. 1) and an opposite second path direction 63 (rightward direction in FIG. 1). The carriage 231 includes a microplate seat 233 that receives the microplate 3 at a predetermined position and orientation. Each side wall 211 is fixed to one of the rails 232.

[0055] The rotation mechanism 24 comprises a longitudinal toothed rack 241 and a gear 242. The toothed rack 241 is fixedly mounted on the carriage 231 of the guide mechanism 23. The gear 242 is fixedly mounted on the drum body 221 of the drum member 22. The toothed rack 241 and the gear 242 are engaged such that a movement of the carriage 231 along the rail 232 and of the microplate 3 in the microplate seat 233 of the carriage 231 causes a rotation of the drum member 22. More specifically, a movement of the carriage 231 in a first path direction 61 causes a rotation of the drum member 22 in a first rotation direction 62 (clockwise rotation direction in FIG. 1), and a movement of the carriage 231 in a second path direction 63 causes a rotation of the drum member 22 in a second rotation direction 64 (counterclockwise rotation direction in FIG. 1).

[0056] The microplate 3 has a length of about 127.76 mm, a width of about 85.48 mm, and 384 wells 31 arranged in 24 rows of 16 wells 31. More specifically, the microplate is designed in accordance with microplate standards as provided by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Laboratory Automation and Screening Society (SLAS), namely ANSI / SLAS 1-2004:Microplates-Footprint Dimensions, ANSI / SLAS 3-2004:Microplates-Bottom Outside Flange Dimensions, and ANSI / SLAS 4-2004:Microplates-Well Positions.

[0057] As can be seen in FIG. 2, each well 31 of the microplate 3 forms a tube seat 32. The capping and decapsulation system 1 further comprises a number of glass tubes 4 and a number of elastic caps 5. Each tube 4 is essentially cylindrical and is received in one of the tube seats 32 of the microplate 3. The upper open end of each tube 4 is closed by one of the caps 5. In particular, the cap 5 is pressed into the open end of the tube 4 in a plug-like manner, so that the bulge of the outer periphery of each cap 5, together with the elasticity of the cap material, forms a first press-fit structure 52, and the inner surface of the rigid cylindrical wall of the associated tube 4 forms a second press-fit structure 41. The cap 5 is pressed into the tube 4, and the first press-fit structure 52 interacting with the second press-fit structure 41 establishes a tight closure of the tube 4. The cap 5 is thereby held in the tube 4 with a second force. The caps 5 have upwardly opening hollow interiors to form snap cavities 51 that are accessible from above and below. The snap cavities 51 of each cap 5 include a peripheral inner bulge that establishes an undercut 53 that extends into the snap cavity 51.

[0058] The drum member 22 includes 24 stamp rods 222. Additionally, the drum body 221 includes 24 rod recesses 2211 extending coaxially with the longitudinal axis of the drum body 221. For illustrative purposes, some of the rod recesses 2211 shown in Figure 2 do not include stamp rods 222. The rod recesses 2211 include partial cylindrical depressions on the periphery of the drum body 221 and longitudinal bar slits.

[0059] Each stamp rod 222 is integrally embodied with sixteen cap stamps 223 extending radially from the drum body 221. Each cap stamp 223 has a cylindrical stamp body 2235 that transitions into a cylindrical neck 2231 having a smaller diameter compared to the stamp body 2235. The neck 2231 further transitions into a head 2232.

[0060] 3, the head 2232 of each cap stamp 223 forms a front surface 2234 and an opposite rear surface 2233 of the respective cap stamp 223. In particular, at the front surface 2234, the head 2232 protrudes from the neck 2231 such that the head 2232 forms a protrusion 2236 as a second snap-fit ​​structure. In contrast, at the rear surface 2233, the head 2232 has a sloped flat surface and does not protrude from the neck 2231, but rather reduces in diameter in an upward direction. Thus, the rear surface 2233 does not have any snap-fit ​​structure.

[0061] 1 and 2, the rear surface 2233 of the cap stamp 223 faces in the second rotational direction 64. The front surface 2234 of the cap stamp 223 faces in the first rotational direction 62.

[0062] In FIG. 4, the stamp rod 222 is shown in a removed state. It can be seen that the stamp rod 222 has a bar 2221 extending along the stamp rod 222. The bar 2221 is shaped to mate with the bar slit of the rod recess 2211 of the drum body 221. In particular, when placed in the rod recess 2211, the bar 2221 of the stamp rod 222 is accommodated in the bar slit of the rod recess 2211, and thus the stamp rod 222 and the cap stamp 223 are accurately positioned and oriented with respect to the drum body 221 when accommodated in the rod recess 2211. In FIG. 4, each cap stamp 223 holds one cap 5. In particular, the cap 5 is held by the cap stamp 223 arranged in the snap cavity 51.

[0063] FIG. 5 shows one of the cap stamps 223 arranged in a snap cavity 51 of one of the caps 5. A protrusion 2236 of the cap stamp 223 mates with an undercut 53 of the cap 5. In particular, the lower end of the protrusion 2236 abuts against the upper end of the undercut 53. The inclined shape of the undercut 53 and the elasticity of the cap 5 thereby define a first force connecting the cap 5 to the cap stamp 223 at the front surface 2234. The rear surface 2233 of the cap stamp 223 is connected to the cap 5 with a third force. The first force of the connection between the front surface 2234 of the cap stamp 223 and the cap 5 is greater than a second force between the cap 5 and the tube 4, which is greater than a third force between the rear surface 2233 of the cap stamp 223 and the cap 5.

[0064] In operation of the capping / removal system 1, to remove the caps, the microplate 3 containing the tubes 4 with the caps 5 is held in the microplate seat 233 of the carriage 231 and moved in a first direction 61 along the rails 232 under the drum member 22. At the same time, the toothed rack 241 and the gear 242 rotate the drum member 22 in a first rotational direction 62. This causes the rows of cap stamps 223 to move downwards one after the other into the snap cavities 51 of the caps 5 of each row, thereby engaging with the caps 5. Further rotation of the drum member 22 in the first rotational direction 62 causes the rows of cap stamps 223 to move upwards one after the other relative to the tubes 4 and the microplate 3. At this stage, the connection at the front face 2234 of the cap stamps 223 provides a connection between the caps 5 and the cap stamps 223 with a first force. Because the first force is greater than the second force connecting the cap 5 to the tube 4, the cap 5 moves upward together with the cap stamp 223 and is removed from the tube 4. In this way, the cap is removed from the tube 4 while at the same time preventing lifting of the tube 4 from the microplate seat 233.

[0065] To attach the caps, the microplate 3 with the open tubes 4 held in the microplate seats 233 of the carriage 231 is moved in the second direction 63 along the rails 232 under the drum member 22. Again, the toothed rack 241 and the gear 242 rotate the drum member 22 in the second rotational direction 64. This causes the row of cap stamps 223 with the caps 5 to move downwards into the tubes 4 of each row of tubes 4. Further rotation of the drum member 22 in the second rotational direction 64 causes the rows of cap stamps 223 to move one after the other upwards relative to the tubes 4 and the microplate 3. At this stage, the connection at the rear face 2233 of the cap stamp 223 provides a connection between the caps 5 and the cap stamp 223 with a third force. Since the third force is weaker than the second force connecting the caps 5 to the tubes 4, the caps 5 are held in the tubes 4 and the cap stamp 23 moves upwards, releasing the caps 5. In this way, the tubes 4 are capped.

[0066] The present specification and the accompanying drawings illustrating aspects and embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims defining the protected invention. In other words, while the present invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the above description, such illustration and description should be considered as illustrative or representative, rather than limiting. Various mechanical, compositional, structural, electrical, and operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present specification and claims. In some cases, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. Thus, it will be understood that those skilled in the art may make changes and modifications within the scope and spirit of the following claims. In particular, the present invention encompasses further embodiments having any combination of features from the different embodiments described above and below.

[0067] Moreover, the present disclosure encompasses all additional features that may not be described in the above or following description, but are individually illustrated in the figures. Also, each alternative of the embodiments and each alternative of the features described in the drawings and specification may be abandoned from the subject matter of the present invention or the disclosed subject matter. The present disclosure includes subject matter consisting of the features defined in the claims or exemplary embodiments, as well as subject matter comprising those features.

[0068] Moreover, in the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. A single unit or step may fulfill the functions of several features recited in the claims. Even if certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims, this does not mean that a combination of these measures cannot be advantageously used. The terms "essentially", "about", "approximately", and the like, in connection with an attribute or value, in particular define that very attribute or exactly that value as well. The term "about" in the context of a given numerical value or range refers, for example, to a value or range that is within 20%, within 10%, within 5%, or within 2% of the given value or range. Components described as being coupled or connected may be directly coupled, electrically or mechanically, or indirectly coupled via one or more intermediate components. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

Claims

1. A capping / removal device (2) for reversibly attaching and detaching caps (5) to tubes (4) accommodated in tube seats (32) of a microplate (3), comprising: a drum member (22) having a cap stamp (223); a frame structure (21) supporting the drum member (22) such that the drum member (22) is rotatable about a rotation axis (224) relative to the frame structure (21); Equipped with the capping / removal device (2) is configured to rotate the drum member (22) in a first rotation direction (62) when the microplate (3) containing the tubes (4) is moved in a first path direction (61) along a predetermined path (25) relative to the frame structure (21), and to rotate the drum member (22) in a second rotation direction (64) when the microplate (3) containing the tubes (4) is moved in a second path direction (63) along the predetermined path (25) relative to the frame structure (21); the first rotation direction (62) is opposite to the second rotation direction (64) and the first path direction (61) is opposite to the second path direction (63); the cap stamp (223) is configured to detach the caps (5) from the tubes (4) when the microplate (3) containing the tubes (4) is moved in the first path direction (61) along the predetermined path (25); the cap stamp (223) is configured to connect the caps (5) to the tubes (4) when the microplate (3) containing the tubes (4) is moved in the second path direction (63) along the predetermined path (25). Cap removal device (2).

2. 2. The capping device (2) of claim 1, comprising a guiding mechanism (23) configured to define the movement of the microplate (3) along the predetermined path (25).

3. 3. The capping / decapping device (2) according to claim 2, wherein the guiding mechanism (23) comprises a carriage (231) with a microplate seat (233) configured to receive the microplate (3).

4. The capping / removal device (2) of claim 3, wherein the guide mechanism (23) comprises a path part (232) extending along the predetermined path (25), and the carriage (231) is coupled to the path part (232) such that the carriage (231) can move along the path part (232).

5. The capping / removal device (2) of claim 3 or 4, wherein the carriage (231) of the guide mechanism (23) has a height adjustment structure configured to operate the microplate seat (233) to adjust the distance between the microplate (3) and the drum member (22).

6. a rotation mechanism (24) configured to rotate the drum member (22) as the microplate (3) is moved along the predetermined path (25); The capping / removal device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

7. The capping / removal device (2) of claim 6, wherein the rotation mechanism (24) comprises a toothed rack (241) and a gear (242) attached to the drum member (22), the toothed rack (241) engaging with the gear (242) such that the drum member (22) rotates when the toothed rack (241) moves relative to the drum member (22).

8. The capping / removing device (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 5 and claim 6 or 7, wherein the toothed rack (241) of the rotation mechanism (24) is fixed to the carriage (231) of the guide mechanism (23).

9. The capping / removal system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the drum member (22) has a drum body (221) and the cap stamp (223) extends radially from the drum body (221).

10. The cap stamp (223) is engages the caps (5) such that the caps (5) are removed from the tubes (4) by the drum member (22) rotating in the first rotational direction (62) when the microplate (3) containing the tubes (4) is moved in the first path direction (61) along the predetermined path (25); Releasing the caps (5) such that the caps (5) are attached to the tubes (4) by the drum member (22) rotating in the second rotational direction (64) when the microplate (3) containing the tubes (4) is moved in the second path direction (63) along the predetermined path (25). The capping / removal device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, configured as described above.

11. The capping / removal device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the drum member (22) comprises a row of a plurality of cap stamps (223) including the cap stamp (223).

12. 12. The capping device (2) according to claim 11, wherein the drum member (22) comprises at least one further row of cap stamps (223).

13. A capping / removal device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, A microplate (3) having at least one tube seat (32); At least one tube (4) accommodated in the at least one tube seat (32) of the microplate (3); at least one cap (5) associated with the at least one tube (4) accommodated in the at least one tube seat (32) of the microplate (3); A capping and decapsulating system (1).

14. The capping and decapsulating system (1) of claim 13, wherein the at least one cap (5) has a first press-fit structure (52) and the at least one tube (4) has a second press-fit structure (41) that corresponds to the first press-fit structure (52) of the cap (5).

15. The capping and decapsulating system (1) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the at least one cap (5) comprises a snap cavity (51) having an opening that is accessible when the at least one cap (5) is connected to the tube (4).

16. The snap cavity (51) of the at least one cap (5) has a first snap-fit ​​structure (53); a front surface (2234) of the cap stamp (223) of the drum member (22) facing the first direction of rotation (62) is provided with a second snap-fit ​​structure (2236) that mates with the first snap-fit ​​structure (53) of the snap cavity (51) of the at least one cap (5); a rear surface of the cap stamp (223) of the drum member (22) facing the second direction of rotation (64) does not have a snap-fit ​​structure mating with the first snap-fit ​​structure (53) of the snap cavity (51) of the at least one cap (5); A capping system (1) according to claim 15.

17. the front surface (2234) of the cap stamp (223) of the drum member (22) of the capping / removal device (2) is connected to the at least one cap (5) with a first force when the cap stamp (223) is disposed in the snap cavity (51) of the at least one cap (5); the at least one cap (5) is connected to the at least one tube (4) with a second force when the at least one cap (5) is connected to the at least one tube (4); the rear surface of the cap stamp (223) of the drum member (22) of the capping / removal device (2) is connected to the at least one cap (5) with a third force when the cap stamp (223) is disposed in the snap cavity (51) of the at least one cap (5); the first force is greater than the second force, and the second force is greater than the third force; A capping system (1) according to claim 16.

18. The capping / removal system (1) of claim 16 or 17, wherein the first snap-fit ​​structure (53) of the snap cavity (51) of the at least one cap (5) comprises an undercut, and the second snap-fit ​​structure (2236) of the cap stamp (223) comprises a protrusion that mates with the undercut.

19. 19. The capping and decapsulating system (1) of claim 18, wherein the undercut of the first snap-fit ​​structure (53) of the snap cavity (51) of the at least one cap (5) extends around the entire inner circumference of the snap cavity (51) of the at least one cap (5).

20. The microplate (3) comprises a plurality of identical tube seats (32) including the tube seat (32); The plurality of tube seats (32) are arranged in a first number of rows, each row having a second number of tube seats (32); The drum member (22) has a plurality of identical cap stamps (223) including the cap stamp (223), the plurality of cap stamps (223) are arranged in the first number of rows, each row having the second number of cap stamps (223); A capping system (1) according to any one of claims 13 to 19.

21. The microplate (3) has a length within a range of about 127 mm to about 129 mm, about 127.3 mm to about 128.3 mm, or 127.26 mm to 128.26 mm, or a length of about 127.76 mm; The microplate (3) has a width within the range of about 84 mm to about 86 mm, about 84.9 mm to about 86 mm, or 84.98 mm to 85.98 mm, or a width of about 85.48 mm; The microplate (3) has 96, 384, or 1536 tube seats (32); A capping system (1) according to claim 20.

22. 1. A method for capping and uncapping a tube, comprising the steps of: Obtaining a capping / removal device (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 12; Obtaining a microplate (3) having at least one tube seat (32), at least one tube (4) being accommodated in the at least one tube seat (32) of the microplate (3), and at least one cap (5) being associated with the at least one tube (4) accommodated in the at least one tube seat (32) of the microplate (3); moving the microplate (3) containing the at least one tube (4) along the predetermined path (25) relative to the frame of the capping / decapping device (2); Including, To remove the caps, the microplate (3) containing the at least one tube (4) is moved in a first direction under the drum member (22) such that the drum member (22) rotates in the first rotational direction (62) and the cap stamp (223) removes the at least one cap (5) from the at least one tube; To attach caps, the microplate (3) containing the at least one tube (4) is moved in the second direction under the drum member (22) such that the drum member (22) rotates in the second rotational direction (64) and the cap stamp (223) connects the at least one cap (5) to the at least one tube (4).

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