TEST TUBE RACK

Abstract

A test tube rack having at least one perforated surface for the insertion of tubes that are held in a vertical position is disclosed. The rack being formed by at least one first pre-cut cardboard sheet is provided with fold lines that, prior to use, defines a laminar body having a minimal thickness, and, at the time of use, it may be assembled to form a volumetric body having at least one upper platform including perforations and maintaining the vertical position of the tubes inserted into the perforations, in turn, can be adjusted to the diameter of the tube as to receive tubes of different diameters. The test tube rack may have a second lower platform with perforations positioned in vertical alignment with the perforations in the upper platform that the tubes inserted therein are gripped at two heights.

Claims

1. A test tube rack comprising at least one perforated surface (4) for the insertion of tubes (7) that are held in a vertical position, characterised by being formed by at least one first pre-cut cardboard sheet (2) provided with fold lines (3), such that, prior to use, it defines a laminar body having a minimal thickness, and, at the time of use, it may be assembled to form a volumetric body comprising at least one upper platform (4) including perforations (6) and means for maintaining the vertical position (5, 5′) of the tubes (7) inserted into said perforations (6) which, in turn, can be adjusted to the diameter of the tube (7) so as to receive tubes (7) of different diameters.

2. The test tube rack according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for maintaining the vertical position of the tubes (7) are formed by a second perforated lower platform (5) including perforations (6) positioned in vertical alignment with the perforations in the upper platform (4) such that the tubes (7) inserted therein are gripped at two heights.

3. The test tube rack according to claim 2, characterised in that it is formed by two separate sheets of cardboard, where a first cardboard sheet (2) defines, once assembled, a volumetric body in the form of parallelepiped-shaped outer box (20), the upper face (21) of which determines the upper perforated platform (4), and a second, likewise pre-cut cardboard sheet (8) provided with fold lines (3) which, once assembled and located inside the mentioned outer box (20), constitutes a lower shelf (80) defining the lower perforated platform (5) being provided with support walls (81) positioning it at a certain height above the lower base (22) of the outer box (20).

4. The test tube rack according to claim 1, characterised in that the means for maintaining the vertical position of the tubes (7) are formed by circular protrusions (5′) or projections provided on the inner face of the lower base (22) of the box (20) formed by the cardboard sheet (2), once assembled, in alignment with the perforations (6) of the upper platform (4).

5. The test tube rack according to claim 3, characterised in that the box (20) presents a pre-assembly in which the cardboard sheet (2) constituting same is connected to itself by means of a connecting tab (2a), forming a tubular body having a quadrangular section suitable for being arranged in a flat position or for giving it volume and closing the flaps (2b) of the ends.

6. The test tube rack according to claim 5, characterised in that the box (20) has a pre-assembly in which it comprises an inner shelf (80) where the second cardboard sheet (8) constituting said shelf is connected by means of its support walls (81) to the tubular body forming the box (20).

7. The test tube rack according to claim 1, characterised in that the perforations (6) are circular perforations (6) provided with a plurality of radial cuts (9) defining a perimetral area (10) around each perforation (6) where the material is folded when pressing the tube (7) therein during insertion.

8. The test tube rack according to claim 7, characterised in that on the outer perimeter of said perimetral area (10) defined by the radial cuts (9) of the circular perforations (6), there is provided a pressing line (10′).

9. The test tube rack according to claim 1, characterised in that the perforations (6) are formed by star-shaped radial cuts (9′) such that, when pressing with the tube (7) itself, said cuts open up so as to be adjusted to the measurement of the diameter thereof.

10. The test tube rack according to claim 9, characterised in that the perforations (6) formed by star-shaped radial cuts (9′) include a mark (11) in the centre susceptible to being detected by an optical sensor of a robot.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] To complete the description provided herein, and for the purpose of helping to make the features of the invention more readily understandable, this description is accompanied by a drawing constituting an integral part of the same, which by way of illustration and not limitation represents the following:

[0033] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of the test tube rack object of the invention, specifically an example with two perforated platforms and circular perforations with perimetral cuts, represented in the assembled and use position with several tubes included therein, where the main parts and elements it comprises, as well as the configuration and arrangement thereof can be seen.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of detail A indicated in FIG. 1, which enables one of the adjustable circular perforations for holding tubes of different diameters, which the rack has according to the invention, to be seen in an enlarged view.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the two sheets of cardboard forming the test tube rack of the invention, according to the example shown in FIG. 1, in this case represented in an unfolded position, where the parts and the configuration thereof can be seen.

[0036] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of the test tube rack according to the invention, in this case an example in which the box is pre-assembled, forming a tubular body, in which it only comprises a perforated platform including perforations based on star-shaped cuts and in which, as means for achieving the vertical position of the tubes, comprises circular protrusions at the base of the box.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows an enlarged plan view of a portion of the perforated platform of the example of the rack of the invention shown in FIG. 4, where the configuration of the perforations with star-shaped cuts it comprises and the marks for detection by the robot can be seen.

[0038] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of the test tube rack of the invention, in this case an example in which the box is pre-assembled, forming a tubular body, and internally includes an also pre-assembled second perforated inner platform.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0039] In view of the aforementioned figures, and in accordance with the adopted numbering, one may observe therein a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the proposed test tube rack of the invention, comprising what is described in detail below.

[0040] Thus, as observed in said figures, the rack (1) in question is formed by at least one first pre-cut cardboard sheet (2) provided with fold lines (3), such that, prior to use, it defines a laminar body having a minimal thickness, and, at the time of use, it may be assembled to form a volumetric body comprising at least one perforated upper platform (4) including perforations (6) and means for maintaining the vertical position (5, 5′) of the tubes (7) inserted into said perforations (6) which, in turn, can be adjusted to the diameter of the tube (7) so as to receive tubes (7) of different diameters.

[0041] Considering FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be observed how, in one embodiment option, the means for maintaining the vertical position of the tubes (7) are formed by a second perforated lower platform (5) including perforations (6) positioned in vertical alignment with the perforations in the upper platform (4). For that purpose, the rack (1) comprises two platforms, an upper platform (4) and another lower platform (5), both perforated, with a plurality of perforations (6) positioned in vertical in alignment such that the tubes (7) inserted therein are gripped at two heights, keeping them centred therein and in perfect vertical position.

[0042] In the preferred embodiment of said option, the rack (1) is formed by two separate sheets of cardboard, where a first cardboard sheet (2) defines, once assembled, a volumetric body in the form of parallelepiped-shaped outer box (20), the upper face (21) of which determines the upper perforated platform (4), and a second, likewise pre-cut cardboard sheet (8) provided with fold lines (3) which, once assembled and located inside the mentioned outer box (20), constitutes an inner shelf (80) defining the lower perforated platform (5) being provided with support walls (81) positioning it at a certain height above the lower base (22) of the outer box (20).

[0043] In FIG. 3, the unfolded representation of the first and second cardboard sheets (2, 8) from which the rack (1) of the invention in this embodiment option is formed can be observed, where the different areas defining the pre-cut profile and fold lines (3) thereof for forming, respectively, the outer box (20) and the inner shelf (80) shown in FIG. 1, can be seen.

[0044] In turn, in another embodiment option shown in FIG. 4, the means for maintaining the vertical position of the tubes (7) are defined by circular protrusions (5′) or projections provided on the inner face of the lower base (22) of the box (20) formed by the cardboard sheet (2), once assembled, in alignment with the perforations (6) of the upper platform (4).

[0045] Furthermore, in either embodiment, the box (20) optionally presents a pre-assembly in which the cardboard sheet (2) constituting same, as shown in FIG. 4, is connected to itself by means of a connecting tab (2a), forming a tubular body having a quadrangular section suitable for being arranged in a flat position or for giving it volume and closing the flaps (2b) of the ends.

[0046] Therefore, as shown in the example of FIG. 6, when the box (20) comprises an inner shelf (80), the second cardboard sheet (8) constituting said shelf is also optionally connected by means of its support walls (81) to the tubular body forming the box (20), which enables it to be taken to a completely flat standby position, for storage and transport, to a use position forming a tubular body with volume in which the flaps (2b) of the ends can be closed.

[0047] In any case, the perforations (6), as mentioned, can preferably be adjusted to different diameters of tube (7), for which purpose in one embodiment option, like the one shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, they are circular perforations (6) provided, as can be observed in the detail of FIG. 2, with a plurality of radial cuts (9) defining a perimetral area (10) around each perforation (6) where the material is folded when pressing the tube (7) therein during insertion, being adjusted to same, regardless of the diameter it may have, logically between a minimum and a maximum determined by the length of said radial cuts (9).

[0048] In addition, to facilitate said folding of the material in the perimetral area (10) defined by the radial cuts (9) of the circular perforations (6), there is provided a pressing line (10′) on the outer perimeter of said perimetral area (10).

[0049] And in another embodiment such as the one shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the perforations (6) that can be adjusted to the diameter of the tubes (7) are formed by star-shaped radial cuts (9′) such that, when pressing with the tube (7) itself, said cuts open up so as to be adjusted to the measurement of the diameter thereof.

[0050] Optionally, as shown in the detail of FIG. 5, the perforations (6) formed by said star-shaped radial cuts (9′) include a mark (11) in the centre, for example a red coloured mark or one of another colour that contrasts with the colour of the sheet (2), susceptible to being detected by an optical sensor of a robot.

[0051] Having sufficiently described the nature of the present invention, as well as the ways of implementing it, it is not considered necessary to expand its explanation for any person skilled in the state of the art to understand its scope and the advantages which derive from it.