Apparatus for the automated processing of dishes with a lid

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for the automated processing of dishes (2) having a lid (3) which can be secured on the dish (2) using a rotary closure (4) when the dish (2) is closed by means of the lid (3), the apparatus comprising a lid removal module (5) which is designed to hold the dish (2) by means of a lower holding device (6) and the lid (3) by means of an upper holding device (7), wherein the upper holding device (7) and the lower holding device (6) can be rotated relative to one another in order to open and / or close the dish (2), wherein the upper holding device (6) and / or the lower holding device (7) comprises an opening drive (8) which is designed to generate a rotational movement of the dish (2) and / or of the lid (3) relative to one another in order to open or close the rotary closure (4).

Description

[0001] Device for automated processing of trays with a lid

[0002] The invention relates to a device for the automated processing of trays with a lid. In particular, the invention relates to a novel device for air sampling in a clean room, with which trays with a nutrient medium and a lid can be processed for air sampling.

[0003] Legal and / or organizational requirements often exist that require air sampling in cleanrooms. Air sampling in a cleanroom can be used to monitor the air quality, and in particular, the purity of the air in the cleanroom.

[0004] Air sampling is typically performed by exposing a nutrient medium to the cleanroom air for a specified exposure time. Germs, spores, and / or bacteria, and possibly also fungi, can develop on the nutrient medium to such an extent that their measurability is improved. Direct monitoring of the germs, spores, and / or bacteria contained in the cleanroom air is often not possible due to the very low concentrations typically present in cleanrooms. By providing the germs, spores, and / or bacteria with a nutrient medium for a specific period of time, they can multiply and spread on the nutrient medium to such an extent that, based on the exposed nutrient medium, later analysis is possible, allowing very precise conclusions to be drawn about the cleanroom air purity – even if the cleanroom has very high levels of purity.

[0005] When taking air samples, specific specifications often must be observed. These specifications are usually a prerequisite for the measurements conducted using the culture media to enable a precise determination of the air purity in the cleanroom. A common requirement is that air samples in the cleanroom are always taken from the same location and, in particular, that there is no movement of the culture medium in the cleanroom during exposure. Such movement could, for example, cause turbulence in the air in the cleanroom, which could impair the exposure conditions to such an extent that the measurements are distorted. Another common requirement is the exact adherence to a specific exposure time for the culture medium.

[0006] Also common are requirements that require the air in the cleanroom to be monitored as continuously as possible through the permanent provision of a nutrient medium. Since the period for which a single nutrient medium is to be exposed is usually relatively limited, and user access to the cleanroom to exchange the nutrient medium is complex and could potentially disrupt main process steps within the cleanroom, devices that allow for the automatic exchange of exposed nutrient media are generally desirable.

[0007] Culture media are often provided in dishes with a lid, which is secured to the dish with a screw cap. Processing such dishes with a lid, including opening and closing the dish, presents a significant challenge.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a particularly advantageous device for the automated processing of trays is to be disclosed, which are used, for example, for automated air sampling in clean rooms.

[0009] This object is achieved by the invention according to the features of the independent patent claims. Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims as well as in the description and, in particular, in the description of the figures. It should be noted that a person skilled in the art will combine the individual features in a technologically expedient manner and thus arrive at further embodiments of the invention. Described here is a device for the automated processing of trays with a lid that can be secured to the tray with a twist lock when the tray is closed with the lid.The device comprises a lid removal module which is configured to hold the tray with a lower holding device and the lid with an upper holding device, wherein the upper holding device and the lower holding device are rotatable relative to one another for opening and / or closing the tray, wherein the upper holding device and / or the lower holding device comprises an opening drive which is configured to generate a rotational movement of the tray and / or the lid relative to one another in order to open or close the twist lock.

[0010] The device is based on the realization that successful processing of trays with a lid secured to the tray with a twist lock requires a lid removal module capable of automatically opening and closing the tray's twist lock. For this to work, the tray and the lid of the tray must be held and rotated relative to each other.

[0011] Common twist closures for such trays include screw caps with a thread on the tray and a corresponding mating thread on the lid. Such a twist closure can also be a bayonet closure, in which interacting claw elements are provided on the tray and the lid, which can be brought into engagement with each other by a rotational movement of the tray and lid relative to each other. In principle, the device described here is suitable for processing trays with lids using various types of twist closures.

[0012] Such trays and their lids typically have a certain degree of rigidity. This rigidity is sufficient to allow the tray or lid to be securely held during opening and closing without deforming. However, the forces that can be applied to the tray and / or lid without damaging the lid or tray must also not exceed certain limits.

[0013] The trays and lid are preferably made of plastic-based materials, e.g., PMMA. The wall thickness of the tray and lid is typically in a range between 0.5 mm [millimeters] and 2 mm. The height of the tray with the lid attached is typically between 5 mm and 20 mm. The diameter of the tray and lid is preferably in the range of 30 mm to 100 mm. The trays are preferably circular and flat. The height of the trays preferably extends along an axis of the tray. The axis of the tray corresponds to an axis of the lid removal module when the tray is arranged in the lid removal module and held by the lower holding device.

[0014] The lid removal module is primarily designed for opening and closing the tray. This means that the lid removal module can be used to open and close a twist lock between the tray and lid. When we talk about opening the tray, we always mean opening the twist lock and removing the lid from the tray. Closing the tray generally works the other way round. First, the lid is brought to the tray or placed on the tray. Then, the lid and tray rotate relative to each other to close the twist lock and secure the lid to the tray.

[0015] During the rotary movement for opening or closing the lid, an axial movement of the lid and the bowl relative to each other may also occur in parallel, which may occur as a result of the rotary movement, for example because a thread of the twist lock has a thread pitch. The lid removal module has an upper holding device and a lower holding device that interact to open or close the bowl. Preferably, the upper holding device and the lower holding device can be set in a rotary movement not only relative to each other. In preferred embodiments, it is also possible for the upper holding device and / or the lower holding device to be displaced relative to each other. This allows, for example, the lid to be moved away from the bowl.

[0016] It is preferred if the lower holding device and / or the upper holding device is designed with clamping jaws with which the tray and / or the lid can be clamped in the holding device.

[0017] Particularly preferably, the holding devices each have two opposing clamping jaws. In variant designs, a holding device can also have more clamping jaws—for example, three or even four, five, or six clamping jaws.

[0018] It is further preferred if at least one of the clamping jaws is designed in such a way that it provides two spaced-apart force introduction points at which a maximum of the pressure exerted by the clamping jaw on the shell and / or the lid occurs when holding the shell and / or the lid.

[0019] It is also preferred if the clamping jaws are movable in a radial direction relative to the bowl and the lid.

[0020] Preferably, the upper holding device and the lower holding device each have clamping jaws. Particularly preferably, the upper holding device and the lower holding device each have exactly two clamping jaws that are movable in a radial direction (radial to the axis of the tray). Preferably, the clamping jaws of the upper holding device and / or the clamping jaws of the lower holding device are provided with a drive with which the clamping jaws can be moved towards one another in the radial direction in order to clamp the tray or the lid between the clamping jaws. Furthermore, the clamping jaws can preferably also be moved apart again in the radial direction in order to release the tray or the lid.

[0021] In variant designs, at least one of the clamping jaws of the upper holding device and / or at least one of the clamping jaws of the lower holding device is spring-mounted in the radial direction, so that the respective clamping jaw springs back (slightly) when pressed against the tray or lid. In this way, the forces exerted on the tray or lid by the clamping jaws can be limited. Spring-mounted clamping jaws enable the gripping force of the clamping jaws to be controlled without the need for active control of the gripping force of the clamping jaws. Particularly preferably, a clamping jaw of the same holding device arranged opposite the spring-mounted clamping jaw is movable in a path-controlled manner. The force exerted on the tray or lid by this clamping jaw cannot be precisely adjusted.Rather, the forces exerted on the tray or lid by the spring-mounted clamping jaw and the position-controlled clamping jaw arranged opposite are determined by the spring force of the spring-loaded mounting. Particularly preferably, the lower holding device is designed with a spring-mounted clamping jaw and a position-controlled clamping jaw.

[0022] In further embodiments, the clamping jaws of the upper holding device and / or the clamping jaws of the lower holding device have an active force-displacement control, so that the exact position of the clamping jaws in the radial direction as well as the forces exerted by the clamping jaws in this position on the tray or lid can be precisely adjusted with a drive. In particularly preferred embodiments, the clamping jaws of one of the two holding devices (upper holding device or lower holding device) have an active force-displacement control, while the clamping jaws of the other holding device (lower holding device or upper holding device) are spring-mounted as described.

[0023] Particularly preferably, the two clamping jaws are coupled so that they move evenly toward the tray or lid during closing. The active force-displacement control makes it possible to exert a precisely defined force on the tray or lid. Setting a precisely defined force is particularly successful regardless of the exact diameter of the tray and / or lid. Particularly preferably, the upper holding device is designed with an active force-displacement control.

[0024] In preferred embodiments, the upper holding device is designed to be rotatable, while the lower holding device is stationary or fixed relative to the axis of the shell. A reversed configuration is also possible, in which the lower holding device is rotatable and the upper holding device is stationary.

[0025] Preferably, at least one clamping jaw of at least one of the holding devices is designed such that it provides at least two force introduction points. In particular, in the preferred embodiment of a holding device with two opposing clamping jaws, at least one of the clamping jaws is designed with at least two force introduction points. Preferably, one clamping jaw with two force introduction points is designed (only) on the lower holding device. The other clamping jaw of this holding device is preferably designed such that it provides one force introduction point. A force introduction point is characterized in that a force exerted by the clamping jaw on the tray or the lid has a maximum and decreases in the surrounding area. The clamping jaw preferably rests against the tray along a line or surface radially encircling the tray or the lid when the tray orThe lid is gripped or held with the respective holding device. The pressure exerted by the clamping jaw on the shell has a maximum at the force application point and decreases radially from the force application point along the circumference of the shell or lid. The force is preferably applied from the clamping jaw to the shell or lid in a distributed manner over a section of the circumference of the shell or lid, despite the maximum force application points.

[0026] Because the force is introduced with one of the two clamping jaws at two spaced-apart force introduction points, the force introduction points span the holding surface when the force introduction points are connected to one another. The spaced-apart force introduction points stabilize the shell when gripped with the holding device. The two force introduction points, which are spaced apart on a clamping jaw, are spaced apart from one another. The distance is preferably more than 20 percent of the diameter of the shell to be held. It has been found that this stabilization is very helpful for the secure opening and closing of the shell. In particular, any possible tilting of the shell about a holding axis, along which the clamping jaws are movable in the radial direction, is reliably prevented by the force introduction points designed in this way.

[0027] To create the spaced-apart force application points on one of the two clamping jaws, this clamping jaw preferably has a flexible area that separates two clamping jaw areas from each other. This flexible area can be implemented, for example, by a recess in the clamping jaw, which distributes the force application from the clamping jaw into the shell.

[0028] Furthermore, it is preferred if at least one of the clamping jaws is adapted to a round shape of the tray and / or the lid. Preferably, the clamping jaws each have a contact surface that is adapted to the shape of the tray or the shape of the lid and that is pressed against the lid or tray when the lid or tray is held with the clamping jaws or the respective holding device. The clamping jaws or the contact surfaces of the clamping jaws preferably each have the shape of a circular segment, wherein a radius of this circular segment corresponds to the radius of the lid or tray.

[0029] By adapting the clamping jaws to the shape of the tray and / or lid, the contact area between the respective clamping jaw and the tray or lid is increased when the clamping jaws grip the tray and / or lid. This allows forces from the clamping jaws to be transferred particularly effectively to the tray and / or lid without causing local force peaks.

[0030] It is also preferred if at least one of the clamping jaws extends over an angular segment of at least 45 degrees of the bowl and / or the lid.

[0031] Preferably, an angle segment over which each individual clamping jaw extends is more than 75 angular degrees and particularly preferably more than 90 angular degrees or even more than 105 angular degrees.

[0032] Furthermore, it is preferred if the clamping jaws of the lower holding device and the clamping jaws of the upper holding device grip the cover from different radial directions.

[0033] Preferably, the clamping jaws of a holding device (the upper holding device and the lower holding device) are each arranged opposite one another. When the clamping jaws of a holding device for holding the tray or the lid are moved towards one another (along a holding axis), the clamping jaws are simultaneously moved towards the axis of the tray or the lid removal module. The holding axis preferably intersects the axis of the tray or the lid removal module at a right angle. The radial direction of movement of the clamping jaws of the upper holding device and the radial direction of movement of the clamping jaws of the lower holding device are aligned at an angle of 90 degrees to one another when gripping the tray with the lower holding device and when gripping the lid with the upper holding device, for example, when the twist lock is closed.When the twist lock is opened, the upper retaining device and the lower retaining device are rotated relative to each other and the angle between the two retaining devices changes.

[0034] In variant designs, the clamping jaws of the upper holding device and the lower holding device together extend over less than 360 angular degrees. In this context, it is particularly preferred that the clamping jaws each extend over less than 90 angular degrees. By the extension of each individual clamping jaw over an angular segment of less than 90 angular degrees or less than 360 angular degrees for all clamping jaws together, it can be achieved that the clamping jaws of the upper holding device and the lower holding device can also engage with one another. Interlocking here means in particular that the clamping jaws of the upper holding device can be moved past the clamping jaws of the lower holding device into the intermediate regions in order to grip the tray there and, if necessary, lift it out of the lower holding device. As described, the upper holding device is preferably rotatable with the opening drive.The orientation of the upper holding device relative to the lower holding device can preferably be adjusted with the opening drive such that the clamping jaws of the upper holding device are aligned accordingly so that they are moved into the intermediate areas when the upper holding device is lowered. In design variants in which the clamping jaws each extend over more than 90 degrees of the circumference of the shell, or the clamping jaws in total over more than 360 degrees, interlocking of the clamping jaws of the upper and lower holding devices or positioning of the clamping jaws of both holding devices on the same plane is not possible.

[0035] The clamping jaws of the upper holding device and the clamping jaws of the lower holding device are then preferably designed such that the shell can be held with the upper holding device in a higher engagement area near the twist lock.

[0036] At least one of the two holding devices (preferably the upper holding device) can be moved up and down along the axis. It is preferably possible for the holding devices to be moved towards one another so that the upper holding device engages with the lower holding device and clamping jaws of the upper holding device are arranged on the same plane along the axis as the clamping jaws of the lower holding device. This makes it possible for the trays to be gripped with the upper holding device (intended to hold the lid when opening) for further processing. Once the lid has been placed in an intermediate lid storage position (described in more detail below), the upper holding device is free. Using a movable upper holding device, the tray can then be moved into any position for further processing.

[0037] It is also preferred if the clamping jaws are provided with an adhesive surface.

[0038] The adhesive surface can be realized, for example, by a contact surface of the clamping jaws, with which the clamping jaws rest against the tray or lid, having an adhesive coating or by applying an adhesive material to the contact surface. The adhesive coating or the adhesive material can, for example, comprise at least one of the following materials: Vulkolan, EPDM (EPDM = ethylene propylene diene rubber), Viton, or silicone.

[0039] An adhesive surface, which comes into contact with the clamping jaw when holding the shell, is preferably formed on an adhesive element attached to the clamping jaw. Such an adhesive element can preferably be made of one of the following materials: Vulkolan, EPDM, Viton, or silicone.

[0040] Particularly preferably, such an adhesive element is held in a groove of the clamping jaw. The groove can have an undercut through which the adhesive element is held in the groove. Preferably, the adhesive element is connected to the clamping jaw without adhesives and particularly preferably is held to the clamping jaw only in a form-fitting manner.

[0041] Particularly preferably, the upper holding device or its clamping jaws are configured such that the lid is gripped in the region of a lid surface, so that forces exerted by the clamping jaws on the lid are transmitted directly into the lid surface of the lid and not indirectly via a lid wall extending downwards from the lid surface, on which the twist lock is also arranged. This allows the lid to be gripped and prevents deformation of the lid wall and the twist lock. Preferably, the clamping jaws engage the lid such that a contact surface of the clamping jaws extends partially upwards beyond the lid or the lid surface.

[0042] Particularly preferably, the lower holding device or its clamping jaws are configured such that the tray is gripped in the region of a tray base surface, so that forces exerted by the clamping jaws on the tray are transmitted directly into the tray base surface and not indirectly via a tray wall extending upwards from the tray base surface to the twist lock. This allows the tray to be gripped, and deformation of the tray wall and the twist lock is avoided. Preferably, the clamping jaws engage the tray such that a contact surface of the clamping jaws extends partially downwards beyond the tray or the tray base surface.

[0043] It is also preferred if the device for air sampling is set up in a clean room with a nutrient medium provided in the dish, wherein the lid of the dish can be opened with the device in order to open the nutrient medium for the period of air sampling and to expose the nutrient medium to the air in the clean room, wherein the device further comprises at least one nutrient medium storage station at which prepared dishes with nutrient medium for air sampling can be stored, wherein the device further comprises at least one nutrient medium storage station at which dishes with nutrient medium can be deposited, wherein the device has a manipulator which is set up to remove dishes with nutrient medium from the nutrient medium storage station, to expose them to the air in the clean room at a fixed sampling station, and then to deposit the dishes at the nutrient medium storage station,wherein an upper holding device for holding and moving the lid or the tray is arranged on the manipulator and wherein the lower holding device is arranged at an opening station for opening the tray.,

[0044] Basically, the described device for air sampling is equipped with the lid removal module described here, with which bowls with a lid with a twist lock can be opened and closed.

[0045] However, it is also possible for the air sampling device to be used to process trays with lids that do not have a screw cap, but in which the lid is (only) clamped onto the tray with a clamping force. The described lid removal module or device can then also be used to process these trays. It is preferred if the manipulator has a drive train with an axis and is configured to carry out rotary movements about the axis and axial movements parallel to the axis as a conveying movement for the trays in order to convey trays from the culture medium storage station to the sampling station and, after sampling has been completed, to the culture medium storage station.

[0046] When reference is made to "nutrient media storage stations" or "nutrient media storage stations" below, this refers to a plurality of storage locations for dishes with nutrient media carriers. However, this plurality of storage locations for dishes with nutrient media carriers is also referred to collectively as nutrient media storage stations or nutrient media storage stations.

[0047] The axis of the manipulator's drive train described here is preferably arranged parallel to, but spaced from, the axis of the tray or lid removal module. Preferably, the manipulator carries the upper holding device of the lid removal module. Particularly preferably, by rotating the manipulator about the axis of the drive train, the upper holding device can be brought into a position in which the upper holding device is arranged above the lower holding device (along the axis of the tray or lid removal module). The upper holding device and the lower holding device of the lid removal module can then interact to open and / or close the tray as described.

[0048] The upper holding device arranged on the manipulator can preferably be used as part of the lid removal module together with the lower holding device for opening and / or closing the tray. The upper holding device can preferably also be used to grip trays with or without lids in order to move them with the manipulator. In this context, it is particularly preferred if the clamping jaws of the upper holding device can be operated with an active force-displacement control as described above. This allows the clamping forces exerted on the tray or lid with the upper holding device to be precisely adjusted. For example, it is often the case that much lower holding forces are required to lift and transport trays with or without lids than to open the trays with the lid removal module.Thanks to the active force-displacement control of the clamping jaws, the forces exerted by the clamping jaws of the upper holding device can be adjusted to suit the specific application. The tray without a lid is quite sensitive. The individual adjustability of the forces exerted by the upper holding device is particularly advantageous when the manipulator or the upper holding device arranged on the manipulator is used to grip trays without lids. In this situation, the lid's stabilizing function is no longer required. In such cases, it is helpful if the active force-displacement control can be used to specifically set a reduced holding force for the upper holding device.

[0049] The manipulator is preferably configured such that the upper holding device is movable along a circular path. The at least one culture medium storage station and the at least one culture medium depositing station, as well as the lid removal module (the lower holding device) and thus the opening station for opening and closing the tray, are located on this circular path. The sampling station preferably coincides with the opening station and is also located on this circular path. Thus, by rotating the manipulator, trays can be moved from the culture medium storage station to the opening station and the sampling station, and then to the culture medium depositing station.

[0050] Furthermore, it is preferred if the trays are arranged stacked one above the other at the at least one nutrient medium storage station and / or the nutrient medium storage stations.

[0051] Preferably, the culture medium storage station and the culture medium storage station are each operated by the manipulator or by the holding device arranged on the manipulator, starting from an uppermost culture medium storage station and an uppermost culture medium storage station. For sampling, the tray provided in the uppermost culture medium storage station is always removed. Removing the tray moves the second-highest tray to the uppermost position, and so on. This continues until all the trays have been removed. Conversely, trays from the uppermost culture medium storage station are pushed downwards as additional trays are fed to the culture medium storage stations until the culture medium storage station is filled with trays whose culture medium has been exposed to the air in the clean room.

[0052] It is also preferred if the nutrient medium carrier storage station and the nutrient medium carrier deposit station are each designed with a movable stamp with which a stack of trays can be positioned such that an uppermost tray of the stack is arranged within a movement range of the manipulator, so that the tray can be grasped by the manipulator.

[0053] With such a movable stamp at the culture medium storage station and / or at the culture medium storage station, the dishes or the stack of dishes with the culture medium can be moved up and down in a targeted manner in order to bring the topmost dish into the intended position.

[0054] Particularly preferably, at least one stop is formed at each of the nutrient media storage station and / or the nutrient media storage station, against which the tray in the uppermost position abuts. Particularly preferably, a spring is arranged below the stack of trays in the nutrient media storage station and / or in the nutrient media storage station, with which the uppermost tray is always pressed against the stop from below.

[0055] When the tray is gripped with the upper holding device on the manipulator, it is preferably pulled by the manipulator laterally past the stop out of the culture medium storage station or pushed laterally past the stop into the culture medium storage station. A spring for pressing the trays against the stop is preferably integrated into the plunger. Thickness tolerances of the tray can be compensated for via the spring's travel. The movable plunger can be used to move the uppermost tray approximately to the uppermost position. The spring ensures that the tray is pressed against the stop from below in the uppermost position.

[0056] It is also preferred if the at least one nutrient media carrier storage station and the at least one nutrient media carrier storage station are each designed with exchangeable magazines, with which a plurality of trays in the at least one nutrient media carrier storage station and the at least one nutrient media carrier storage station can be exchanged together.

[0057] Preferably, regular maintenance actions are carried out with the described device, during which dishes with nutrient medium, which were used for air sampling, are removed from the at least one nutrient medium storage station, and (new) dishes with nutrient medium, which have not yet been used for air sampling, are made available again in the at least one nutrient medium storage station. To carry out such a maintenance action, either the entire device can be removed from the cleanroom (e.g., through an airlock). Then, outside the cleanroom, the dishes with the nutrient medium can be removed from the at least one nutrient medium storage station for evaluation. Furthermore, outside the cleanroom, new dishes with nutrient medium (not yet exposed to the air in the cleanroom) can be inserted into the at least one nutrient medium storage station. Alternatively, the device can also remain in the cleanroom.Then, trays containing nutrient medium are removed from the at least one nutrient medium storage station, for example, through a lock from the clean room, and the at least one nutrient medium storage station of the device is also filled with (new) trays containing nutrient medium, which have been introduced into the clean room, for example, through a lock. An exchangeable magazine at the nutrient medium storage station and / or at the nutrient media storage station can be designed, for example, as a type of frame into which a plurality of trays containing nutrient medium can be inserted one above the other and which can be placed on a structure provided for this purpose on the device. Starting from the provided structure, the plunger can move into the magazine from below in order to correctly position the trays containing nutrient medium arranged in the magazine.

[0058] An evaluation of air samples taken in a clean room using the device described here is preferably carried out after the nutrient media or dishes have been removed from the at least one nutrient media storage station and outside the clean room - for example in a laboratory provided for this purpose using the evaluation procedures provided for this purpose.

[0059] The preparation of culture media trays or the filling of culture media trays preferably takes place before the trays are made available in the at least one culture media storage station and outside the cleanroom. In this application, trays are cleaned and refilled with culture media that have previously been used and with which air sampling was previously carried out in the cleanroom. In preferred applications, disposable culture media trays are used.

[0060] Furthermore, it is preferred if the opening station for opening the dish simultaneously forms the sampling station, wherein the device is configured such that after the dish has been opened to expose the nutrient medium, the lid remains on the upper holding device and is moved to an intermediate lid storage position by the manipulator.

[0061] The intermediate lid storage position is preferably provided by a specific orientation of the manipulator. The intermediate lid storage position is thus preferably also located on the circular path traversed by the manipulator. In preferred embodiments, no additional means for supporting the lid are provided at the intermediate lid storage position. In the intermediate lid storage position, the lid hangs on the upper holding device and thus at a distance from the tray containing the nutrient medium, which remains at the sampling station. As a result, the nutrient medium in the tray is exposed to the air in the clean room.

[0062] It is also preferred if a sampling station is arranged at a different position than an opening station, wherein the device is arranged such that after the tray has been opened at the opening station, the tray is moved to the sampling station by means of the manipulator.

[0063] This sampling station is preferably also located on the circular path on which the upper holding device can be moved with the manipulator.

[0064] In this design variant, a tray for the lid is preferably provided at the intermediate lid storage position. The lid is preferably moved to the intermediate lid storage position using the upper holding device on the manipulator. There, the upper holding device is opened (the clamping jaws are moved apart) to release the lid from the upper holding device. The lid is placed on a designated tray.

[0065] The manipulator can then be moved back to the opening station with the upper holding device or to the lower holding device with the dish containing the nutrient medium. The lid was previously removed from the dish (before the lid was placed in the intermediate lid storage position) by the upper holding device and the lower holding device working together as a lid removal module. Now (after the lid has been placed), the upper holding device with its clamping jaws is used as a gripper to grasp the dish. The dish containing the nutrient medium is gripped with the upper holding device. The lower holding device is opened. The dish containing the nutrient medium is then brought to the sampling station, which is located at a distance from the opening station.

[0066] Furthermore, it is preferred if the sampling station is an active sampling station, at which air from the clean room is actively transported to the nutrient medium.

[0067] An active sampling station is preferably designed with an extraction system, with which air is sucked in from the clean room in such a way that this air is guided past the nutrient medium in the dish. For such an active sampling station, it is usually advantageous for it to be arranged at a distance from the opening station. Such an active sampling station preferably has a receptacle for the dish containing the nutrient medium, into which the dish containing the nutrient medium can be inserted. If appropriate, such an active sampling station also has a sampling station lid, which is to be placed on the active sampling station when the opened dish containing the nutrient medium is inserted into the sampling station. The described lower holding device of the lid opening module is provided at the opening station.For these reasons, it is particularly advantageous in the case of an active sampling station if the opening station and the sampling station are spaced apart from each other. Then the lower holding device does not have to be located in the sampling station at the same time.

[0068] As already stated, it is preferred if the nutrient medium carrier storage station and the nutrient medium carrier storage station are arranged on a circular path arranged around an axis of the drive train.

[0069] Furthermore, the device preferably comprises a control unit configured to actuate the manipulator such that the nutrient medium exposed at the sampling station with a tray is regularly changed according to a predetermined schedule. The individual steps described above, which are carried out by the sampling device with the nutrient media in the trays (transporting the tray from the nutrient media storage station to the opening station, opening the tray, exposing the nutrient medium at the sampling station, transporting the tray to the nutrient media storage station, etc.), are preferably stored in the control unit as control commands for the manipulator and the lid removal module.

[0070] It is further preferred if the manipulator, the sampling station, the at least one nutrient medium carrier storage station and the at least one nutrient medium carrier storage station are arranged on a housing in which drive components and a control unit of the device are arranged.

[0071] The housing preferably forms a base plate on which the manipulator, the opening station, the sampling station as well as the nutrient medium storage station and the nutrient medium storage station are each arranged.

[0072] The possibility of generating a rotational movement of the upper holding device and the lower holding device relative to each other may be limited or even eliminated if the device described here is used for processing trays without a screw cap between the tray and the lid, but trays in which the lid is simply placed on the tray and held to the tray by a clamping force.

[0073] Such a device is a device which is designed for air sampling in a clean room using a nutrient medium provided in a dish, wherein the lid of the dish can be opened with the device in order to open the nutrient medium for the period of air sampling and to expose the nutrient medium to the air in the clean room, wherein the device further comprises at least one nutrient medium carrier storage station at which prepared dishes with nutrient medium for air sampling can be stored, wherein the device further comprises at least one nutrient medium carrier deposit station at which dishes with nutrient medium can be deposited, wherein the device has a manipulator which is designed to remove dishes with nutrient medium from the nutrient medium carrier storage station,to expose the samples to the air in the clean room at a fixed sampling station and then to place the dishes at the culture medium storage station, wherein an upper holding device for holding and moving the lid or the dish is arranged on the manipulator and wherein the lower holding device is arranged at an opening station for opening the dish.

[0074] A lid removal module of such a device is preferably configured to hold the tray with a lower holding device and the lid with an upper holding device, wherein the upper holding device and the lower holding device are axially movable relative to one another (along an axis of the tray and the lid) for opening and / or closing the tray.

[0075] With such an alternatively designed device, no opening drive is required to generate a (relative) rotational movement between the upper and lower holding devices. An axial movement for opening the tray or detaching the lid from the tray can be generated using the manipulator.

[0076] The invention and the technical context of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. The figures show preferred embodiments to which the invention is not limited. It should be noted in particular that the figures, and in particular the proportions depicted in the figures, are only schematic. They show:

[0077] Fig. 1: a detail of a device for the automated processing of trays in a top view; Fig. 2: a detail of a device for the automated processing of trays in a side view;

[0078] Fig. 3: a variant of a lower holding device for the device described;

[0079] Fig. 4: a detail of a holding device according to Fig. 3;

[0080] Fig. 5: a schematic representation of a device for processing air sampling trays in a front view;

[0081] Fig. 6: a top view of a first embodiment of a device for processing trays for air sampling; and

[0082] Fig. 7: a top view of a second embodiment of a device for processing air sampling trays.

[0083] 1 and 2 show a lid removal module 5 of a device 1 for processing trays 2, which have a lid 3 that is fixed to the tray 2 with a twist lock 4. The tray 2 is rotationally symmetrical and, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, is aligned along a second axis 30. The device 1 or the lid removal module 5 has a lower holding device 6 and an upper holding device 7. The tray 2 can be held with the lower holding device 6. The lid 3 can be held with the upper holding device 7. The upper holding device 6 and the lower holding device 7 each have two clamping jaws 9, which can each be moved relative to one another in a radial direction 10 in order to firmly hold the lid 3 or the tray 2 between the clamping jaws 9. The clamping jaws 9 are each designed with an inner radius that is adapted to the radius of the tray 2 or the lid 3.The clamping jaws 9 each extend over an angular segment 11 of the circumference of the bowl 2 or the lid. This angular segment 11 is preferably less than 90 degrees and as large as possible, for example greater than 70 degrees or greater than 80 degrees. A large angular segment 11 ensures good force transmission from the clamping jaws 9 to the bowl 2 or the lid 3. The angular segments 11 of the clamping jaws 9 of the lower holding device 6 and the upper holding device 7 are preferably coordinated with one another such that the clamping jaws 9 do not overlap. Angular distances 33 preferably exist between the clamping jaws 9 of the lower holding device 6 and the clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7. This ensures that the clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7 and the clamping jaws 9 of the lower holding device 6 can be brought onto the same level.In other words, an intermediate area 43 is provided between the clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7 for the clamping jaws 9 of the lower holding device 6, and vice versa. This allows the clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7 to grip the tray 2 more effectively, particularly to lift it out of the lower holding device 6.

[0084] The fact that the clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7 and the lower holding device 6 are designed so that they can be brought to the same level is only one possibility for achieving a secure grip of the shell 2 with the clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7. In alternative embodiments, it is also possible for the clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7 to hold the shell 2 in higher engagement areas 44 near the twist lock 4, which are also schematically marked here.

[0085] According to Fig. 2, it can be seen that the tray 2 has a tray bottom surface 34 and a radially encircling tray wall 37. The lid 3 has a lid surface 35 and a radially encircling lid wall 38. The twist lock 4 is preferably formed on the lid wall 38 and on the tray wall 37—for example, in the form of a thread or in the form of interlocking retaining elements.

[0086] The clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7 preferably grip the lid 3 such that a clamping force applied by the clamping jaws 9 acts largely directly on the lid surface 35 and not (or only to a small extent) indirectly via the lid wall 38 onto the lid surface 35. The clamping jaws 9 of the lower holding device 6 preferably grip the tray 2 such that a clamping force applied by the clamping jaws 9 acts largely directly on the tray base surface 34 and not (or only to a small extent) indirectly via the tray wall 37 onto the tray base surface 34. Preferably, the clamping forces of the clamping jaws 9 are transmitted as completely as possible to the tray base surface 34 or to the lid surface 35. Preferably, the clamping forces of the clamping jaws 9 do not reach the twist lock 4, or only to a very small extent.

[0087] For the clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7, Fig. 2 shows that they engage in an overlapping manner with the cover surface 35 and extend slightly beyond the cover surface 35. This allows for a good application of the clamping force to the cover surface 35.

[0088] Fig. 2 also shows that the tray 2 or the tray base surface 34 rests on supports 36. Optionally, it is also shown that the lid 3 or the lid surface 35 can be supported from above with a counterholder 39. This allows stabilization of the tray 2 or the lid 3 when clamping forces are applied with the clamping jaws 9.

[0089] The clamping forces applied to the tray 2 and the lid 3 by the clamping jaws 9 of the holding devices 6, 7 allow the tray 2 and the lid 3 to be moved relative to one another in order to open the twist lock 4. The clamping forces can apply a torque running around the second axis 30 to the twist lock 4, which enables the lid 3 to be released from the tray 2. To open the tray 2, a relative movement of the lid 3 and the tray 2 to one another is required. This relative movement can be achieved either by moving the lid 3, by moving the tray 2, or by moving the tray 2 and the lid 3. Fig. 3 shows a lower holding device 6 of a described device or the lid removal module of a described device 1. The clamping jaws 9 extend over an angular segment 11 of the tray 2 that is greater than 90°.These clamping jaws 9 can only be engaged or brought into line with clamping jaws 9 of an upper holding device 7 (not shown here) if the clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7 are designed such that they fit into the marked intermediate regions 43. Preferably, the lower holding device 6 shown in Fig. 3 is used in a lid removal module 5 in combination with an upper holding device 7, in which the clamping jaws 9 of the upper holding device 7 engage the tray 2 in a higher engagement region 44 near the twist lock 4.

[0090] What is essential for the lower holding device 6 shown in Fig. 3 is that one of the clamping jaws 9 is designed such that it provides two force introduction points 41. The other clamping jaw 9 is designed such that it provides one force introduction point 41. A force introduction point 41 is characterized in that a force exerted by the clamping jaw 9 on the shell 2 or the lid 3 has a maximum and decreases in the surrounding area. The clamping jaw 9 rests against the shell 2 along a line or surface radially encircling the shell 2. A pressure exerted by the clamping jaw 9 on the shell 2 has a maximum at the force introduction point 41 and, starting from the force introduction point 41, decreases in the radial direction along the circumference of the shell 2.The force introduction from the clamping jaw 9 to the shell 2 is preferably distributed over a section of the circumference of the shell 2 corresponding to the angle segment 11, despite the maxima of the force introduction at the force introduction points 41.

[0091] Because the force is introduced with one of the two clamping jaws 9 at two spaced-apart force introduction points 41, the force introduction points 41 span the holding surface 42 when the force introduction points 41 are connected to one another. The spaced-apart force introduction points 41 thus stabilize the shell 2 when gripped with the lower holding device 6. The two force introduction points 41, which are spaced apart on a clamping jaw 9, are spaced 50 apart. It has been found that this stabilization is very helpful for the secure opening and closing of the shell 2. In particular, any possible tilting of the shell 2 about a holding axis 45, along which the clamping jaws 9 are movable, is reliably prevented by the force introduction points 41 designed in this way.

[0092] To form the spaced-apart force introduction points 41 on one of the two clamping jaws 9, this clamping jaw 9 preferably has a flexible region 40 that separates two clamping jaw regions 46 of the clamping jaw 9 from each other. This flexible region 40 can be realized, for example, by a recess in the clamping jaw 9, which divides the force introduction from the clamping jaw 9 into the shell 2.

[0093] In Fig. 4, a cross section through a clamping jaw 9 along a section line AA as marked in Fig. 3 is shown by way of example. An adhesive surface 47, which comes into contact with the clamping jaw 9 when holding the shell 2, is preferably designed on an adhesive element 49, which is held in a groove 48 of the clamping jaw 9.

[0094] Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a device 1 for processing dishes 2 for air sampling, viewed from the front. The device 1 is arranged within a clean room 13, shown schematically here, and is used there for air sampling. For this purpose, a nutrient medium 12 provided in the dishes 2 is exposed to a sampling station 17 for predetermined time intervals. Germs / contaminants present in the clean room 13 can then later be detected on the nutrient medium 12.

[0095] The device 1 has the lid removal module 5 described in FIGS. 1 and 2. The lower holding device 6, the upper holding device 7, and the clamping jaws 9 of the lid removal module 5 are shown provisionally here and are designed, for example, as explained in FIGS. 1 and 2. The tray 2 with the lid 3 is aligned on the second axis 30. The device 1 has an opening drive 8, which is arranged above the lid removal module 5 and is configured to rotate the lid 2 relative to the tray 3 in order to open the tray. The device 1 further has a manipulator 16 to which the upper holding device 6 is attached and with which the tray 2 or the lid 3 can be moved. The manipulator 16 can perform rotational movements 21 or axial movements 22. The opening drive 8 is arranged within the manipulator 16.

[0096] The device 1 has a nutrient medium storage station 14 in which dishes 2 with lids 3 and the nutrient medium 12 prepared therein are stored. The device 1 is set up such that one dish after the other is removed from the nutrient media storage station 14 using the manipulator 16. This is done using the upper holding device 7 of the lid removal module 5, which is used to grip dishes 2 by their lids 3 and remove them from the nutrient media storage station 14. The dish 2 with lid 3 is then moved by a movement of the manipulator 16 into the position at which the lower holding device 6 is arranged. This position forms an opening station 18 at which the upper holding device 7 and the lower holding device 6 can interact such that the twist lock 4 is opened.

[0097] In variants of the device 1, this position of the opening station 18 is also the sampling station 17, at which the nutrient medium 12 contained in the tray 2 is exposed to the air in the clean room 13 for predetermined time intervals. For this purpose, the lid 3, which is held by the upper holding device 7, is moved away, if necessary, into an intermediate lid storage position 25.

[0098] Once the sample has been taken or the culture medium 12 has been exposed to the air in the clean room 13 for a specified time, the lid 3 can be placed back on the tray 2, and the tray 2 can be closed again with the lid 3. Just as the lid removal module 5 allows opening trays 2 with a twist-lock lid 3, the lid removal module 5 can also be used conversely to close such trays 2.

[0099] The device 1 further comprises a nutrient medium storage station 15, in which dishes 2 with lids 3 can be deposited when the nutrient medium 12 has been exposed for sampling the air in the clean room 13. The manipulator 16 is preferably configured to deposit dishes 2 with lids 3 in the nutrient medium storage station 14. This is preferably also done by holding the dish 2 with lid 3 on the lid 3 with the upper holding device 7, moving it to the nutrient medium storage station 15, and depositing it there.

[0100] The nutrient medium storage station 14 and the nutrient medium storage station 15 are preferably each designed with a magazine 24 in which trays 2 with lids 3 are stacked one above the other. The magazine 24 preferably has a stop 32 against which the uppermost tray 2 abuts, so that the uppermost tray 2 is always in a defined position. The magazines 24 are preferably each removable from the nutrient medium storage station 14 or from the nutrient medium storage station 15, respectively, in order to be restocked with new trays 2 outside the clean room 13, or to remove the trays 2 with the exposed nutrient medium 12 from the magazine 24 outside the clean room 13.Preferably, movable stamps 23 are arranged at the nutrient medium storage station 14 and at the nutrient medium storage station 15, with which the trays 2 can be pushed upwards so that an uppermost tray 2 of the stack of trays 2 is (if necessary) always located at the uppermost position defined by the stop 32.

[0101] The manipulator 16, the nutrient media storage station 14, and the nutrient media storage station 15, as well as the other components of the device 1, are preferably (all) mounted on or on a (common) housing 28. The drives necessary for the operation of the device 1 and a control unit 27 for controlling the operation of the device 1 are preferably arranged in the housing 28.

[0102] Figs. 6 and 7 show various embodiments of the described device 1 in a top view. The schematic representation in Figs. 6 and 7 is based on Fig. 5. The explanations for Fig. 5 also apply to Figs. 6 and 7.

[0103] Fig. 6 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 for processing dishes 2 for air sampling. The manipulator 16, the lid removal module 5 as well as the nutrient media storage station 14 and the nutrient media storage station 15 are shown here from above. The sampling station 17 and the opening station 18 for opening the dishes 2 are located on the lid removal module 5. It can be seen that the lid removal module 5 as well as the nutrient media storage station 14 and the nutrient media storage station 15 are arranged on a common circular path 26 and can thus all be reached by the manipulator 16 through a rotational movement 21 of the manipulator 16. A lid intermediate storage position 25 is also arranged on the circular path 16.The manipulator 16 with the lid 3 hanging on the upper holding device 7 is moved into the lid intermediate storage position 25 when the nutrient medium 12 in the tray 2 is exposed to the air in the clean room at the sampling station 17.

[0104] The manipulator 16 has a drive train 19, which has an axis 20. Drive components 29 for moving the manipulator 16 are shown schematically here.

[0105] Fig. 7 shows a top view of a second embodiment of the device 1 for processing trays 2 for air sampling. The embodiment according to Fig. 7 basically corresponds to the embodiment according to Fig. 6, so that reference is essentially also made here to the explanations for Fig. 6. In contrast to the embodiment according to Fig. 6, in the embodiment according to Fig. 7 the opening station 18 with the lid removal module 5 and the sampling station 17 are separate. According to Fig. 7, a sampling station 17 is provided, which is also aligned along the circular path 26 and at which an active suction system 31 is located, with which air from the clean room 13 is actively conveyed to the tray 2 or to the nutrient medium 12 in the tray 2. For sampling, the opened tray 2 is moved from the opening station 18 to the sampling station 17.

[0106] To make this possible, the upper holding device 7 of the lid removal module 5 must actively deposit the lid 3 of the tray 2 at a designated intermediate lid storage position 25. If necessary, the sampling station 17 itself can also have only one station lid (not shown here), which preferably also has to be removed from the sampling station 17 before the tray 2 is stored in the sampling station 17 and has to be placed back on the sampling station 17 after the tray 2 has been inserted. Particularly preferably, there is also a storage station (not shown separately here) for such a station lid, which is preferably also arranged on the circular path 26 accessible by the manipulator 16, so that such a station lid can also be handled by the manipulator 16. The station lid can preferably also be held with the upper holding device 7.The lid 3 cannot remain on the upper holding device 7 of the lid removal module 5 for the duration of the sampling. As soon as the lid 3 has been placed down, the opened tray 2 can be grasped with the upper holding device 7 of the lid removal module 5 and brought to the sampling station 17 by a movement of the manipulator 16. After the nutrient medium 12 has been exposed in the tray 2, the tray 2 is brought back to the opening station 18 or to the lid removal module 5 by the manipulator 16. The manipulator 16 then moves with the upper holding device 7 to the intermediate lid storage position 25 and retrieves the lid 3. The twist lock 4 of the tray 2 and the lid 3 can then be closed again. The closed tray 2 is then brought to the nutrient medium carrier storage station 15 (as in the embodiment according to Fig. 6).

[0107] List of reference symbols

[0108] device

[0109] Bowl Lid Twist lock Lid removal module Lower holding device Upper holding device

[0110] Opening drive clamping jaw radial direction angle segment nutrient medium clean room

[0111] Nutrient carrier storage station Nutrient carrier storage station Manipulator Sampling station Opening station Drive train Axle

[0112] Rotary movement Axial movement Stamp Magazine Cover intermediate storage position Circular path

[0113] Control unit housing drive component second axis suction stop angular distance bowl bottom surface cover surface

[0114] Support shell wall cover wall counterholder flexible area

[0115] Force introduction point Holding surface Intermediate area Attack area Holding axis

[0116] Jaw areas Adhesive surface Groove

[0117] Adhesive element distance

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for the automated processing of trays (2) with a lid (3) which can be fixed to the tray (2) with a twist lock (4) when the tray (2) is closed with the lid (3), comprising a lid removal module (5) which is designed to hold the tray (2) with a lower holding device (6) and the lid (3) with an upper holding device (7), wherein the upper holding device (7) and the lower holding device (6) are rotatable relative to one another for opening and / or closing the tray (2), wherein the upper holding device (6) and / or the lower holding device (7) has an opening drive (8) which is designed to generate a rotational movement of the tray (2) and / or the lid (3) relative to one another in order to open or close the twist lock (4).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the lower holding device (6) and / or the upper holding device (7) is designed with clamping jaws (9) with which the tray (2) and / or the lid (3) can be clamped in the holding device (6,7).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the clamping jaws (9) is designed such that it provides two spaced-apart force introduction points (41) at which a maximum of the pressure exerted by the clamping jaw (9) on the shell and / or the lid (3) occurs when holding the shell (2) and / or the lid (3).

4. Device (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the clamping jaws (9) are movable in a radial direction (10) relative to the shell (2) and the lid (3).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the clamping jaws (9) is adapted to a round shape of the bowl (2) and / or the lid (3).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the clamping jaws (9) extends over an angular segment (11) of more than 45° of the shell (2) and / or the lid (3).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein clamping jaws (9) of the lower holding device (6) and clamping jaws (9) of the upper holding device (7) grip the cover (3) from different radial directions (10).

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping jaws (9) are provided with an adhesive surface (47).

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, configured for air sampling with a nutrient medium (12) provided in the dish (2) in a clean room (13), wherein the lid (3) of the dish (2) can be opened with the device (1) in order to open the nutrient medium (12) for the period of air sampling and to expose the nutrient medium (12) to the air in the clean room (13), wherein the device (1) further comprises at least one nutrient medium carrier storage station (14) at which prepared dishes (2) with nutrient medium (12) for air sampling can be stored, wherein the device (1) further comprises at least one nutrient medium carrier depositing station (15) at which dishes (2) with nutrient medium (12) can be deposited, wherein the device (1) has a manipulator (16) which is configured to remove dishes (2) with nutrient medium (12) from the culture media storage station (14),to be exposed to the air in the clean room (13) at a fixed sampling station (17) and then to place the trays (2) on, the nutrient medium carrier depositing station (15), wherein an upper holding device (7) for holding and moving the lid (3) or the tray (2) is arranged on the manipulator (16) and wherein the lower holding device (6) is arranged at an opening station (18) for opening the tray (2).

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the manipulator (16) has a drive train (19) with an axis (20) and is designed to carry out rotary movements (21) about the axis (20) and axial movements (22) parallel to the axis (20) as a conveying movement for the trays (2) in order to convey trays (2) from the nutrient medium carrier storage station (14) to the sampling station (17) and, after sampling has taken place, to the nutrient medium carrier deposit station (15).

11. Device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the opening station (18) for opening the tray (2) simultaneously forms the sampling station (17), wherein the device (1) is designed such that after the tray (2) has been opened to expose the nutrient medium (12), the lid (3) remains on the upper holding device (7) and is moved to a lid intermediate storage position (25) by the manipulator (16).

12. Device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein a sampling station (17) is arranged at a different position than an opening station (18), wherein the device (1) is arranged such that after the opening of the tray (2) at the opening station (18), the tray is moved to the sampling station (17) by means of the manipulator (16).

13. Device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the nutrient medium carrier storage station (14) and the nutrient medium carrier deposit station (15) are arranged on a circular path (26) arranged around an axis (20) of the drive train (19).

14. Device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 13, comprising a control device (27) which is designed to actuate the manipulator (16) in such a way that the nutrient medium (12) exposed at the sampling station (17) with a dish (2) is regularly changed in a predetermined time schedule.

15. Device (1) according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the manipulator (16), the sampling station (17), the at least one nutrient medium storage station (14) and the at least one nutrient medium storage station (15) are arranged on a housing (28) in which drive components (29) and a control unit (27) of the device (1) are arranged.

Images