Manual metering device

Abstract

For simplified dismantling of manual metering devices (1), the manual metering device (1) proposed is one which comprises the component carrier (5). This component carrier (5) can be pushed into its use position in the housing (4) through the insertion opening (10) present in the housing (4). The releasable connection (11), which can be released in particular from the outside, is provided for the releasable fastening of the component carrier (5) in its use position within the housing (4).

Claims

1. A manual metering device (1), comprising: a main body (3), which has a housing (4) configured to contain components of one or more of a pipetting mechanism (6), of an ejecting mechanism (7) and of a volume-adjustment mechanism (8), of the manual metering device (1); and a component carrier (5), which, in its use position is positioned in the housing (4), the components being arranged on the component carrier (5), wherein the housing (4) has an insertion opening (10), through which the component carrier (5) is pushed into its use position in the housing (4), wherein the component carrier (5) is fastened within the housing (4) by means of a releasable connection (11), wherein the manual metering device (1) has a holder (16) forming a connecting element of the releasable connection (11), wherein the holder (16) secures the component carrier (5) in its use position, and wherein the housing (4) has a holder stop (18), which delimits a depth to which the holder (16) is inserted into the housing (4), and a component-carrier stop (19), which delimits a depth to which the component carrier (5) is inserted into the housing (4).

2. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the component carrier (5) has a fastening means (35) for fastening to a fluid-dispensing unit (14).

3. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releasable connection (11) is established by the component carrier (5) being sufficiently pushed into the housing (4).

4. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releasable connection (11) is established in a form-fitting manner.

5. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the releasable connection (11) is a snap-fit connection which is releasable in a non-destructive manner and comprises at least one snap-fit element (20) and at least one mating snap-fit element (22).

6. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the component carrier (5) has a component-carrier base (28), which in the use position of the component carrier (5), is arranged adjacent to the insertion opening (10) of the housing (4) and from which at least one component-carrier arm (29) extends in the axial direction, wherein one of the at least one snap-fit element (20) and the at least one mating snap-fit element (22) is formed on the component-carrier arm (29).

7. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the holder (16) includes at least one holder arm (31) which extends in the axial direction, wherein one of the at least one snap-fit element (20) and the at least one mating snap-fit element (22) is formed on the holder arm (31).

8. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one snap-fit element is a snap-fit hook (21) or a latching element.

9. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the at least one mating snap-fit element (22) is a mating snap-fit hook (23) or a latching hollow.

10. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one snap-fit element (20) is arranged on the component carrier (5).

11. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one mating snap-fit element (22) is arranged on the housing (4).

12. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the at least one snap-fit mating element (22) is arranged on the component carrier (5).

13. The manual metering device (1) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the at least one snap-fit element (20) is arranged on the housing (4).

14. A manual metering device (1) comprising: a main body (3), which has a housing (4) configured to contain components of one or more of a pipetting mechanism (6), of an ejecting mechanism (7) and of a volume-adjustment mechanism (8), of the manual metering device (1); and a component carrier (5), which, in its use position is positioned in the housing (4), the components being arranged on the component carrier (5), wherein the housing (4) has an insertion opening (10), through which the component carrier (5) is pushed into its use position in the housing (4), wherein the component carrier (5) is fastened within the housing (4) by means of a releasable connection (11), and wherein the manual metering device (1) has a restoring element (24) generating a restoring force counter to which the component carrier (5) is pushed into its use position within the housing (4), thereby prestressing the releasable connection (11).

15. A manual metering device (1) comprising: a main body (3), which has a housing (4) configured to contain components of one or more of a pipetting mechanism (6), of an ejecting mechanism (7) and of a volume-adjustment mechanism (8), of the manual metering device (1); and a component carrier (5), which, in its use position is positioned in the housing (4), the components being arranged on the component carrier (5), wherein the housing (4) has an insertion opening (10), through which the component carrier (5) is pushed into its use position in the housing (4), wherein the component carrier (5) is fastened within the housing (4) by means of a releasable connection (11), and wherein at least one of the housing (4) and the component carrier (5) has at least one introduction slot (25), through which a tool (26) is introducible into the housing (4), up to a connecting location (27), in order to release the releasable connection (11).

16. A manual metering device (1) comprising: a main body (3), which has a housing (4) configured to contain components of one or more of a pipetting mechanism (6), of an ejecting mechanism (7) and of a volume-adjustment mechanism (8), of the manual metering device (1); and a component carrier (5), which, in its use position is positioned in the housing (4), the components being arranged on the component carrier (5), wherein the housing (4) has an insertion opening (10), through which the component carrier (5) is pushed into its use position in the housing (4), wherein the component carrier (5) is fastened within the housing (4) by means of a releasable connection (11), wherein the manual metering device (1) has a holder (16) forming a connecting element of the releasable connection (11), wherein the holder secures the component carrier (5) in its use position, and wherein the holder (16) is introduced into the housing (4) through a head opening (17), which is formed in the housing (4) and is located opposite the insertion opening (10).

17. A manual metering device (1) comprising: a main body (3), which has a housing (4) configured to contain components of one or more of a pipetting mechanism (6), of an ejecting mechanism (7) and of a volume-adjustment mechanism (8), of the manual metering device (1); and a component carrier (5), which, in its use position is positioned in the housing (4), the components being arranged on the component carrier (5), wherein the housing (4) has an insertion opening (10), through which the component carrier (5) is pushed into its use position in the housing (4), wherein the component carrier (5) is fastened within the housing (4) by means of a releasable connection (11), wherein the releasable connection (11) is established in a form-fitting manner, wherein the releasable connection (11) is a snap-fit connection which is releasable in a non-destructive manner and comprises at least one snap-fit element (20) and at least one mating snap-fit element (22), wherein the at least one snap-fit element (20) is arranged on the component carrier (5), and wherein the at least one mating snap-fit element (22) is arranged on a holder (16) formed to be pushed into the housing (4).

18. A manual metering device (1) comprising: a main body (3), which has a housing (4) configured to contain components of one or more of a pipetting mechanism (6), of an ejecting mechanism (7) and of a volume-adjustment mechanism (8), of the manual metering device (1); and a component carrier (5), which, in its use position is positioned in the housing (4), the components being arranged on the component carrier (5), wherein the housing (4) has an insertion opening (10), through which the component carrier (5) is pushed into its use position in the housing (4), wherein the component carrier (5) is fastened within the housing (4) by means of a releasable connection (11), wherein the releasable connection (11) is established in a form-fitting manner, wherein the releasable connection (11) is a snap-fit connection which is releasable in a non-destructive manner and comprises at least one snap-fit element (20) and at least one mating snap-fit element (22), wherein the at least one snap-fit mating element (22) is arranged on the component carrier (5), and wherein the at least one snap-fit element (20) is arranged on a holder (16) formed to be pushed into the housing (4).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described in more detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawing, in which, partially schematically:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a side view of a manual metering device designed in the form of a pipette, wherein it can be seen that the pipette has an upper part with a housing and a handle and also has a lower part designed in the form of a fluid-dispensing unit,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a sectional side view of the manual metering device illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein a component carrier of the manual metering device can be seen in the interior of the housing,

(4) FIG. 3 shows an exploded illustration, partly in section, of the housing of the manual metering device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein a holder with one of two holder arms and, therebeneath, a component carrier with components of the manual metering device arranged thereon, and also with one or two carrier arms can be seen in the interior of the housing,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a sectional side view of an upper part of a manual metering device which is comparable to the manual metering device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and

(6) FIG. 5 shows a side view of the component carrier, illustrated in the previous figures, in the connected use position, with the holder, likewise illustrated in the previous figures, and with a dismantling tool, which is intended for releasing the connection between the holder and the component carrier and has been introduced through a slot, which is formed on the component carrier, into the vicinity of a connecting location between the component carrier and the holder.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) FIGS. 1 and 2 show a manual metering device which is denoted as a whole by the number 1 and present case is designed in the form of a pipette 2.

(8) The pipette 2 comprises a main body 3, which forms an upper part of the manual metering device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The main body 3 has a housing 4 and a component carrier 5, which in the use position is positioned in the housing 4. Further components of the manual metering device 1 are arranged on said component carrier 5. These components are constituent parts of a pipetting mechanism 6 with a pipetting button 6a, of an ejecting mechanism 7 with an ejecting button 7a, and of a volume-adjustment mechanism 8. The ejecting mechanism 7 is triggered by virtue of the ejecting button 7a being pushed. The volume-adjustment mechanism 8 can be operated by means of the ejecting button 7a for actuating the ejecting mechanism 7. To this extent, the ejecting button 7a has a double function.

(9) The housing 4 comprises an insertion opening 10, which is directed away from a head end 9 of the housing 4 and through which the component carrier 5 is pushed into its use position in the housing 4. The component carrier 4 is fastened, and secured axially, within the housing 4 by means of a releasable connection 11.

(10) The already aforementioned ejecting mechanism 7 is used for the purpose of ejecting, as required, a pipette tip, which has been fitted onto a free end 12 of a pipette shaft 13 of the manual metering device 1. For this purpose, a fluid-dispensing unit 14, which forms a lower part of the manual metering device 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, has an ejector sleeve 15, which can be displaced axially, in relation to a longitudinal axis of the pipette shaft 13, in the direction of the free shaft end 12 when the ejecting button 7a is actuated.

(11) The connection 11 for fixing the component carrier 5 within the housing 4 is a form-fitting connection. This connection is established by virtue of the component carrier 5 being pushed into the housing 4 through the insertion opening 10.

(12) The connection 11 is established with the aid of a holder 16 of the manual metering device 1. The holder 16 is arranged in the housing 4 and serves as a connecting element of the connection 11. In its function as connecting element, the holder 16 allows for a flow of forces between the component carrier 5 and the housing 4 of the manual metering device 1 according to the invention. By means of the holder 16, it is thus possible for the component carrier 5 in its use position, in which it has been inserted into the housing 4, to be secured axially in the removal direction of the component carrier 5. This means that, as soon as the connection 11 has been established, it is no longer possible for the component carrier 5, on account of the action of the holder 16, to be pulled out of the housing 4 without the connection 11 having been released beforehand.

(13) The holder 11 is introduced into the housing 4 through a head opening 17, which is formed in the housing 4 and is located opposite the insertion opening 10, and it is positioned in its retaining position.

(14) The housing 4 has a holder stop 18. This holder stop 18 secures the holder 16 axially in the insertion direction. This means that the holder 16 can be introduced into the housing 4 only up to this holder stop 18. Furthermore, the housing 4 also has a component-carrier stop 19. In a manner analogous to the function of the holder stop 18, the component-carrier stop 19 serves to secure the component carrier 5 axially in the insertion direction and to delimit axially a depth to which the component carrier 5 can be inserted into the housing 4. The holder stop 18 and the component-carrier stop 19 are formed in the interior of the housing 4, on mutually remote sides of a shoulder 44. The component-carrier stop 19 is subjected to axial loading only indirectly by the component carrier 5. This takes place via the restoring element 24 and a pressure-exerting piece 45, which is connected to the holder 16.

(15) The connection 11 is a snap-fit connection which can be released in a non-destructive manner. This snap-fit connection which can be released in a non-destructive manner has at least one snap-fit element 20 and a mating snap-fit element 22. The snap-fit element 20 is a snap-fit hook 21 and the mating snap-fit element 22 is designed in the form of a mating snap-fit hook 23.

(16) The at least one snap-fit element 20 here is arranged on the component carrier 5 and the at least one mating snap-fit element 22 is arranged on the holder 16, which can be pushed into the housing 4. The manual metering device has a restoring element 24 in addition. This restoring element 24 is arranged within the housing 4. According to the sectional illustration of the manual metering device 1 from FIG. 2, the restoring element 24 is a flexible plastic part. In the case of the embodiment of the manual metering device 1 according to FIG. 4, said restoring element 24 is designed in the form of a restoring spring. Depending on the embodiment of the manual metering device 1, the restoring element 24 can thus be, for example, a resilient element, in particular a resilient plastic element, or a restoring spring.

(17) The component carrier 5 can be pushed into its use position within the housing 4 counter to the restoring force of the restoring element 24. It is therefore the case that the connection 11, by which the component carrier 5 is retained in its use position within the housing 4, can be prestressed and, when the connection has been established, is in a prestressed state.

(18) The housing 4 and, in particular, the component carrier 5 has at least one insertion slot 25. A tool 26 (cf. FIG. 5) can be introduced into the housing 4, through said insertion slot 25, into the region of a connecting location 27 in order to release the connection 11.

(19) The component carrier 5 has a component-carrier base 28, which in the use position of the component carrier 5 is arranged adjacent to the insertion opening 10 of the housing 4. In the case of that exemplary embodiment of the manual metering device 1 which is illustrated in the figures, said component-carrier base 28 is designed in the form of a component-carrier ring. A total of two component-carrier arms 29 extend in the axial direction from the component-carrier base 28. A respective snap-fit element 20 is formed on the component-carrier arms 29. The holder 16 comprises a holder base 30, which in this case is designed in the form of a holder-base ring. In a manner similar to the component-carrier base 28, it is also the case that two holder arms 31 extend in the axial direction from the holder base 30, wherein a respective mating snap-fit element 23 is formed on each of the two holder arms 31.

(20) In particular FIG. 5 shows to good effect that the snap-fit element 20 and the mating snap-fit element 22 each have end-side slopes 32 which complement one another. The slopes 32 allow the snap-fit elements 20 and mating snap-fit elements 22 to slide past one another laterally when they are moved toward one another and establish contact along the slopes 32.

(21) The slopes 32 therefore serve to convert an axial insertion movement of the component carrier 5 into the housing 4 into a lateral yielding movement of the snap-fit elements 22 relative to the mating snap-fit elements 24. This lateral yielding movement then makes it easier for the connection 11, designed in the form of a snap-fit connection, to be snap-fitted in place or established.

(22) In addition, the slope 32 on the end side of the mating snap-fit element 22, which is formed on the holder arm 31, serves as an engagement surface for the already aforementioned tool 26. This tool 26 has a corresponding or complementary tool slope 33 on its end side.

(23) At its end 34 which in the use position is adjacent to the insertion opening 10 of the housing 4, the component carrier 5 has a fastening means 35 for fastening the fluid-dispensing unit 14. The fastening means 35 is designed in the form of a thread and interacts with a corresponding mating thread 36 of the fluid-dispensing unit 14, in order for the fluid-dispensing unit 14 to be connected to the main body 3 and the housing 4.

(24) The fluid-dispensing unit 14 is designed in the form of a so-called piston unit. This piston unit comprises the already aforementioned pipette shaft 13, onto the free end 12 of which can be fitted a pipette tip, which is not illustrated specifically in the figures. The pipette shaft 13 is enclosed by the likewise already aforementioned ejector sleeve 15, which can be ejected from the free shaft end 12 by means of the ejector button 7a and of the ejector mechanism 7. The pipette shaft 13 contains a dispensing channel 37, which opens out, on the one hand, into a dispensing opening 38 and, on the other hand, into a cylinder 39, which is formed within the fluid-dispensing unit 14.

(25) A piston 40 is arranged in a displaceable manner within the cylinder 39. The piston 40 is connected to a spindle 41 of the pipetting mechanism 6. When the pipetting button 6a is actuated, the spindle 41 is pushed axially downward, as a result of which the piston 40 is pushed into the cylinder 39 and an air cushion located in the cylinder is shifted in the direction of the dispensing channel 37 and of the dispensing opening 38 of the pipette shaft 13. This means that a volume of liquid which is provided in a pipette tip fitted onto the free end 12 of the pipette shaft 13 can be pushed out and dispensed.

(26) The spindle 41 is, at the same time, also part of the volume-adjustment mechanism 8, which can be activated via the ejector button 7a. The depth to which the piston 40 can be inserted into the cylinder 39, and thus the volume which is to be pipetted, can be altered by virtue of the spindle 41 being screwed into a spindle sleeve 42 or unscrewed therefrom.

(27) According to FIG. 3, the manual metering device according to the invention is connected to a volume display 43. The volume of the pipette 2 which has been preset with the aid of the volume-adjustment mechanism 8 is displayed on said volume display 43.

(28) It should be mentioned that the component carrier 5 has two mutually opposite component-carrier arms 29, which are offset in relation to one another on the component-carrier base 28. It is also the case that the holder 16 has two holder arms 31, which are analogously offset in relation to one another on the holder base 30. This allows forces to be transmitted uniformly from the component carrier 5, via the connecting location 27 and the connection 11 closed there, to the holder 16 and, from there, to the housing 4 of the manual metering device 1.

(29) For simplified dismantling of the manual metering device 1, the manual metering device 1 proposed is one which comprises the component carrier 5. This component carrier 5 can be pushed or inserted into its use position in the housing 4 through the insertion opening 10 formed in the housing 4. The releasable connection 11, which can be released in particular from the outside, is provided for the releasable fastening of the component carrier 5 in its use position within the housing 4.