Reusable Pipette Holder Transfer Frame With Secure Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional pipette tip magazines are used only once and then disposed of, leading to high material and cost requirements.

Innovation Solution

A reusable transfer device with a comb structure and retaining elements for securing pipette holders, allowing multiple uses and reducing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional pipette tip magazines are used, then pipette tips can be securely held and transferred, but the magazines are disposed of after single use leading to high material consumption and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure holding of pipette tipsVSAvoidmaterial consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into two functional segments: a reusable transfer device and a disposable pipette holder. The transfer device contains a comb structure with struts that can be removed from a reusable magazine, allowing the pipette holder to be separated and disposed of after single use while retaining the valuable transfer device for multiple uses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements selective discarding of only the pipette holder after single use, while recovering and reusing the transfer device. The comb structure and magazine are designed to allow easy removal of the pipette holder, enabling material recovery and reducing waste compared to discarding the entire magazine assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Loss of substance

If a reusable transfer device is designed, then material consumption is reduced, but the device structure becomes more complex with retaining elements and comb structures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial consumptionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transfer device is designed with universal features that allow it to handle multiple pipette holders of the same type. The comb structure with evenly spaced struts can accommodate multiple pipette tips, and the retaining elements can secure different pipette holder configurations, making the device versatile for repeated use without requiring redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The pipette holder is designed to nest within the transfer device structure. The comb structure fits into the magazine, and the pipette holder can be inserted into and removed from the transfer device, creating a nested arrangement that simplifies the overall structure while enabling reusable functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Reliability

If retaining elements are added to secure pipette holders, then reliable locking is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining elements are designed to automatically engage and disengage without requiring complex mechanisms. The comb structure with struts and the corresponding magazine features allow the pipette holder to be securely retained through simple geometric interlocking, and the retaining elements can be released by applying force in a specific direction, enabling self-service locking and unlocking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex active locking mechanisms that require power or precision actuation, the invention uses passive retaining elements that rely on geometric constraints and friction. The retaining elements are positioned to naturally guide the pipette holder into place and maintain secure retention through structural design rather than active control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4663302A1Transfer device, transfer system, pipetting system and method for introducing a pipette carrier into a transfer device

Publication Date: 2025.12.17 ANALYTIK JENA GMBHCO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a transfer device (40) for inserting a pipette holder (41) into a pipetting device (42), comprising: - a comb structure (43) with a longitudinal strut (44) and a plurality of transverse struts (45, 46) arranged perpendicular to it, which are arranged parallel and equidistant to each other and which comprise two outer transverse struts (45) and several inner transverse struts (46) arranged between the outer transverse struts (45), wherein the longitudinal strut (44) and the two outer transverse struts (45) are designed in the form of a three-sided frame (47), - at least one retaining element (48) arranged on the frame (47), which is designed such that the pipette holder (41) can be locked in at least one axis in the transfer device (40). The invention further relates to a transfer system (55), a pipetting system (80) and a method for inserting a pipette carrier (41) into a transfer device (40).