Sample vessel rack, method for locking sample vessels in a sample vessel rack and sample vessel rack system

Abstract

A sample vessel rack (1), which comprises a frame (2) with a plurality of openings (3) in the upper surface of the frame for sample vessels (9), and a locking plate member (5) movable in a plane parallel to the upper surface of the frame (2) of the rack from a releasing position to a locking position and back, wherein the removal of the sample vessels (9) from the rack is prevented when the locking plate member is in the locking position, the openings (3) of the upper surface of the frame (2) comprises slots (12) formed on their side, and in the locking position a part of the locking plate member (5) sets itself in the area of the slots. The invention also relates to such a method and a sample vessel rack system.

Claims

1.-9. (canceled)

10. A method for locking a sample vessel in a sample vessel rack assembly, the method comprising inserting the sample vessel into the sample vessel rack assembly, the assembly comprising an upper surface with a plurality of openings, and the sample vessel is locked at its place in the sample vessel rack assembly by moving a locking plate member in a plane parallel to the upper surface of the sample vessel rack assembly, characterized in that the openings of the upper surface of a frame comprise slots formed on their side, and the locking is achieved by setting a part of a locking plate member in the area of the slots.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the locking plate member is moved to a releasing position by placing the sample vessel rack assembly in a rack preparation apparatus or in an analyzer instrument, and the locking plate member is moved to a locking position by removing the sample vessel rack from a rack preparation apparatus or from an analyzer instrument.

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

Description

DRAWINGS

[0027] An exemplifying embodiment and its advantages are explained in greater detail below in the sense of an example and with reference to the accompanying figures, where

[0028] FIG. 1A shows an embodiment of a sample vessel rack of the invention as a perspective view,

[0029] FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A

[0030] FIG. 1C shows an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A,

[0031] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a partially cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A with a sample vessel,

[0032] FIGS. 3A and 3B show enlargement of a sample vessel located in a sample vessel rack of the invention both in a releasing and in a locking position, and

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a sample vessel for a sample vessel rack of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

[0034] In the figures is shown an embodiment of a sample vessel rack 1 or the invention, which comprises a frame part 2 with an upper surface, into which top surface is formed a plurality of openings 3 for insertion of sample vessels.

[0035] As can be best seen from FIGS. 1B and 10, inside the frame part 2 is located an inner frame part 4, which also has an upper surface formed with a plurality of openings, which openings have locations corresponding to and aligning with the locations of the openings 3 of the frame part 2. Thus, when the inner frame part 4 is located inside the frame part 2, the openings of both of the frame parts align in order to allow insertion of sample vessels 9 partially through these aligned openings so that a support surface 11 located at the upper portion of the sample vessel 9 sets against the upper surface of the frame part 2.

[0036] Between the upper surfaces of the frame part 2 and the inner frame part 4 is located a locking plate member 5. At one end of the locking plate member 5 is a downwards extending operating tab 6, and at the opposite end of the locking plate member is a downwards extending spring tab 7. By pushing the operating tab 6 via an opening in form of a narrow slit 8 formed on the side or end surface of the frame part 4, the locking plate member 5 is moved in a plane parallel with the upper surfaces of the frame part 2 and the inner frame part 4. In this embodiment this is the releasing position. Once the operating tab 6 is released, the locking plate member 5 is returned to its original position by the spring force exerted by the spring tab 7. In this embodiment the original position of the locking plate member 5 is the locking position.

[0037] The spring force exerted by the spring tab 7 automatically keeps the sample vessel rack 1 in a locking position. It is preferable that the operating tab 6 is pushed, and thus the locking plate member 5 is moved into the releasing position, only when the sample vessel rack 1 is either placed into a rack preparation apparatus or into an analyzer instrument. Due to this the slit 8 is formed very narrow, so that it is not easy to push the operating tab 6 and move the locking plate member 5 to the releasing position unintentionally. Further, rack preparation apparatuses and analyzer instruments are equipped with suitable protruding members, which set themselves into the narrow slit 8 and push the operating tab 6 and move the locking plate member 5 to the releasing position during the insertion of the sample vessel rack 1 into them.

[0038] In FIGS. 2A and 2B is shown the sample vessel rack 1 of the invention together with a sample vessel 9. In these figures part of the frame part 2 is cut away to better show the locking mechanism. FIG. 2A shows the sample vessel rack 1 in a locking position and FIG. 2B shows the sample vessel rack in a releasing position. FIGS. 3A and 3B shows enlargement of the sample vessel 9 located in a sample vessel rack, where in FIG. 3A the locking plate member is in a locking position and in FIG. 3B the locking plate member is in a releasing position. In FIGS. 3A and 3B the opening of the locking plate member has a different shape than in the embodiment of other figures.

[0039] As can be seen from the FIGS. 2A and 2B, there is an additional slot or notch 12, 13 and 14 formed in the side surface of each of the sample vessel openings 3 of the frame part 2, the inner frame part 4 and the locking plate member 5. These slots or notches 12, 13 and 14 project away from the opening and operate together with a protrusion 10 formed on the outer surface of the sample vessel 9, so that the sample vessel can be inserted into the sample vessel rack 1 only in one orientation. The required proper orientation of the sample vessel 9 is further enhanced with an oval shape of the openings 3 and corresponding oval cross-section of the outer surface of the sample vessel in the part or portion inserted in the opening.

[0040] The protrusion 10 also cooperates with the locking plate member 5 in the locking position (FIGS. 2A and 3B) of the sample vessel rack in order to lock the sample vessel 9 at its location, when part of the locking plate member 5 is moved on top of the protrusion.

[0041] In relation to the embodiment of the present invention shown in figures and discussed above, it is to be noted that the part of the locking plate member 5 which sets itself in the area of the slot or notch, preferably acts on all of the openings in the frame part 2 and the inner frame part 4 when in locking position. Thereby all of the sample vessels 9 located in the sample vessel rack are simultaneously locked at their places and no additional sample vessels can be inserted in the sample vessel rack 1 either since the locking plate member 5 prevents the protrusion 10 of the sample vessels to pass through the slots or notches.

[0042] According to one embodiment of the invention the slot 14 of the locking member 5 is larger than the slots 12 and 13 of the frame part 2 and the inner part 4. According to another embodiment the slot 12 of the frame part 2 is larger than the slot 13 of the inner part. The sizes and shapes of the slot 12, 13 and 14 may also differ. According to an embodiment the slot 14 of the opening 3 of the locking plate member 5 is larger than the slot 12 of the opening 3 of the frame part 2. According to another embodiment the slot 12 of the frame part 2 is larger than the slot 13 of the inner part 4. These differences may be used to add tolerance on the insertion of the sample vessel 9 to the sample vessel rack 1.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows in greater detail a sample vessel 9 suitable to be used with the sample vessel rack 1 of the invention. The sample vessel 9 is required to have a protrusion 10 on its outer surface for allowing the sample vessel to be locked in the sample vessel rack, and a support surface 11 for setting against the upper surface of the frame 2 of the sample vessel rack.

[0044] The specific exemplifying embodiment of the invention shown in figures and discussed above should not be construed as limiting. A person skilled in the art can amend and modify the embodiment in many evident ways within the scope of the attached claims. Thus the invention is not limited merely to the embodiment described above.