EP2683482B1 - Apparatus for removing the cover of receptacles of gel card type - Google Patents

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of apparatus for performing biological or medical analyzes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, such devices, also called automated analysis, allow to automate certain protocols, such as for example the distribution of liquids in gel cards. This protocol consists in pouring a predetermined quantity of liquid using a liquid dispensing device into a reaction well of a gel card generally containing one or more reagents. This liquid may for example be a blood sample, or any other type of human sample.

In known manner, a gel card is a receptacle comprising a body in which are formed one or more reaction wells in which biological reactions take place.

Traditionally, the wells of the gel card are initially sealed by a seal which is sealed to the body. Most often, this seal consists of a thin aluminum strip.

Generally, the operation of dispensing liquids into reaction wells is carried out by piercing the lid with the aid of a liquid distribution device provided with a needle in order to open one or more wells. Then, the liquid is poured into the well or wells using the same needle.

A disadvantage is that the repetition of the piercing operation of the metal cap damages the tip of the needles. The latter must therefore be regularly dismantled and changed, which has a significant cost and also requires stopping the PLC.

Another disadvantage appears when using gel cards having non-identical reaction wells, that is to say containing reagents different. In this case, it is usually necessary to wash the needles between each liquid distribution to avoid contamination between the wells of this gel card. By crossing the lid to open a first well containing a first reagent, the needle can be contaminated by droplets of first reagent that can be hooked to an inner face of the lid. If the needle is not rinsed, it may carry the first reagent into a second well containing a second reagent different from the first reagent, and cause contamination of the second reagent.
The documents DE 102008046668 , FR 2409916 and US 2004-0126776 present examples of known containers. The documents DE 102006005700 , US 2005/0160704 and DE 10252572 present examples of known uncapping station.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to overcome these disadvantages by providing a receptacle and a solution for opening the wells of said receptacle without piercing its lid.

The present invention relates to an uncapping station as defined by claim 1 for a card-type receptacle.

The receptacle as manipulated by the uncapping station comprises a body in which several adjacent wells are initially sealed by a lid having a length and a width, in which the lid, the lid being heat-sealed by means of a film of heat-sealing or heat-sealing to the body by means of an adhesive, and having at least one pre-cut between two adjacent wells so as to form at least a portion of seal closing at least one of the wells of the receptacle.

This pre-cut can be made in the lid before it is sealed to the body of the receptacle, or afterwards, with the aid of a suitable cutting machine, for example equipped with one or more coaxial circular saws and arranged perpendicularly. compared to the plane of the operculum. Furthermore, it is understood that thanks to the receptacle according to the invention, it is easy to open one of the wells of the receptacle by removing the portion of the cap which covers said well.

As a result, after the opening of this well, the liquid dispensing needle can be introduced to pour the liquid into the well. Thus, the invention makes it possible to dispense with the step of piercing the lid, which makes it possible to avoid damage to the end of the needle of the liquid dispensing device. Furthermore, insofar as the lid portion has been removed, the risk of the aforementioned contamination is avoided, whereby the washing operation between each liquid distribution can be advantageously suppressed or at least be carried out in a controlled manner. less common.

Preferably, the body of the receptacle is made of plastic and the lid is sealed to the body by means of a heat-sealing film or an adhesive. In other words, the seal is preferably heat sealed or thermocolled to the body of the receptacle.

Preferably, the lid has a precut between each well in such a way that each of the wells is closed by a portion of the lid.

Thus, thanks to the invention, it is possible to choose the wells that are desired to open, simply by removing the lid portions covering the wells to open, this withdrawal being facilitated by the presence of precuts.

Advantageously, said precut is a continuous notch extending over all or part of the width of the lid.
According to a variant, said precut is a discontinuous notch extending over all or part of the width of the lid.

Preferably, but not necessarily, said lid portion further comprises at least one tab extending transversely to the length of the lid. This tab helps the operator to grasp the lid portion to remove manually.

• une pluralité de dispositifs de préhension chauffant qui sont déplaçables indépendamment les uns des autres, chacun des dispositifs de préhension chauffant étant configuré pour chauffer et retirer ladite portion d'opercule, et présentant une position de repos dans laquelle ledit dispositif de préhension chauffant est chauffé par un dispositif de chauffage, et une position de travail dans laquelle ledit dispositif de préhension chauffant, qui est chauffé, est amené en appui contre la ou l'une des portions d'opercule de manière à faire fondre le film de thermoscellage ou la colle scellant la portion d'opercule au corps,
• un mécanisme de sélection pour sélectionner le ou les dispositifs de préhension chauffant devant être déplacés vers la position de travail, et un dispositif de déplacement pour déplacer le ou les dispositifs de préhension chauffant sélectionnés vers la position de travail.

The uncapping station includes

• a plurality of heated gripping devices which are movable independently of each other, each of the heated gripping devices being configured to heat and remove said cap portion, and having a rest position in which said heated gripper is heated by a heating device, and a working position in which said heated gripping device is brought into abutment against the one or more of the lid portions so as to melt the heat-sealing film or the sealing glue the lid portion to the body,
• a selection mechanism for selecting the one or more heated grippers to be moved to the working position, and a shifting device for moving the selected one or more heated grippers to the working position.

It is thus clear that the heat released by the gripping device makes it possible to unstick or desolder the portion of the lid initially sealed to the body of the receptacle, in particular when the lid portion is initially heat-sealed, heat-sealed or simply simply glued to the body of the receptacle. melting the heat-sealing film or glue disposed between the lid and the body of the receptacle. After the heating step, or concomitantly, the gripping device removes the portion of the lid out of the body, for example by peeling it.

The heating gripping device melts the heat-sealing film or this adhesive, for example by applying a temperature of the order of 200 ° C for a time sufficient to achieve the melting.

The heat transfer between the heating gripper and the plastic material is ensured by virtue of the conductive properties of the constituent material of the lid, which is preferably metallic.

After removal of the cap portion by the gripper, the selected well which was initially closed by said cap portion is opened. Furthermore, the remainder of the lid remains sealed to the body of the receptacle by closing the unselected wells.

Preferably, the gripping device comes into contact with the cap while exerting a predetermined pressure thereon for a predetermined duration, so as to ensure good homogeneity of the heat transfer.

As a result, it is understood that a major advantage of the installation is to allow the selective opening of one or more wells, namely the reaction wells that it is desired to use (the selected wells), the other wells remaining advantageously closed for future reuse of the receptacle, and this to prevent drying reaction wells open but not intended to be used.

In addition, the invention makes it possible to open one or more wells that are not necessarily adjacent.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the wells of the receptacle are aligned in a single row.

The station according to the invention comprises a plurality of gripping devices which are movable independently of each other, each of the gripping devices having a rest position in which said gripping device is heated by a heating device, and a position of work in which said heated gripping device is brought into abutment against the or one of the lid portions.

Thus, the invention makes it possible to remove at one and the same time several portions of the lid, that is to say to open in a single operation several selected wells, which are not necessarily adjacent.

Preferably, but not exclusively, there are provided as many gripping devices as there are wells in the receptacle.

In addition, the station includes a selection mechanism for selecting the one or more gripping devices to be moved to the working position, and a moving device for moving the selected one or more grippers to the working position.

According to a preferred embodiment, the selection mechanism is arranged so as not to allow the movement of the gripping associated with wells that are not selected, that is to say that are not intended to be open.

For example, the displacement device comprises a plate, each gripping device is fixed to the plate by means of a spring intended to exert a pressing force on the gripping device directed towards the body of the receptacle, and the mechanism of selection is arranged to prevent the displacement, for example vertical, gripping devices that are not selected.

Advantageously, the heating device comprises a fixed heating floor and, in the rest position, each gripping device is in contact with said heating floor.

It is therefore understood that each heating gripping device is heated by the heating floor when said device is in the rest position. An interest is to maintain the gripping devices at a temperature sufficient to allow the separation of the lid portions, including gripping devices that would not be used during several well opening sequences.

Such an arrangement makes it possible in particular to avoid idle time resulting from the heating time of the unused gripping devices and thus improves the efficiency of the uncapping station.

Preferably, each gripping device comprises means for gripping one of the lid portions, and the station further comprises at least one evacuation member for expelling said cap portion gripped by the gripping device. An advantage of these means is to avoid burrs resulting from the melting of the thermoplastic welding material, which are capable of forming plastic son connected to the lid portion which would be solidified again during removal of said cap portion .

It is therefore understood that the means for gripping one of the lid portions facilitate the removal of said lid portion. With said means, it is possible to perform a vertical withdrawal during the raising the gripping device or facilitating the removal operation by peeling via a transverse displacement of the receptacle relative to the gripping devices.

Preferably, the evacuation member comprises a rod, preferably fixed, around which slides the gripping device, said rod being arranged to expel the lid portion when the gripping device is returned to the rest position. Another function of the rod is to guide the movement of the gripping device.

Thus, when the gripping device is in the working position, the rod is preferably housed in the gripping device so as not to touch the lid portion. On the other hand, after the operculum removal operation, when the gripping device is brought back to the rest position, the latter generally carries the lid portion with it. The rod then projects out of the gripping device so as to disengage the lid portion.

According to another aspect of the invention, the uncapping station further comprises means for verifying whether the selected well has been correctly opened.

To do this, there are provided sensors, such as optical sensors, preferably one per well.

In addition, the station advantageously comprises an ionizer for ionizing the selected well (s) after its (their) opening. The ionization of the wells eliminates the electrostatic charges contained in the wells which are generally the cause of the appearance of liquid droplets on the inner surface of the wells.

The invention also relates to a biological sample analysis installation comprising an uncapping station according to the invention which is intended to uncap the gel cards having reactive wells.

• on chauffe la portion d'opercule de manière à la décoller du corps ;
• on retire la portion d'opercule de manière à l'évacuer du corps, grâce à quoi on ouvre ledit puits sélectionné.

The present invention finally relates to a method of uncapping a receptacle according to the invention comprising a body in which are formed several adjacent wells initially sealed by a pre-cut lid, in which:

• the lid portion is heated to remove it from the body;
• the cap portion is removed so as to evacuate it from the body, whereby said selected well is opened.

Preferably, the wells are initially heat-sealed by the lid. The lid is preferably glued or heat sealed to the body of the receptacle.

This process is advantageously carried out thanks to the uncapping station according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

• la figure 1 montre un réceptacle de l'art antérieur, à savoir une carte gel vierge comportant six puits réactionnels alignés selon une unique rangée;
• la figure 2 est montre la partie supérieure d'un réceptacle d'un ensemble selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3 illustre une variante du réceptacle de la figure 2 où les portions d'opercules sont pourvues de languettes ;
• la figure 4 montre la partie supérieure d'un réceptacle d'un ensemble selon l'invention ;
• la figure 5 illustre une variante du réceptacle de la figure 4 où les portions d'opercules sont pourvues de languettes ;
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective d'une station de désoperculage d'un ensemble selon l'invention;
• la figure 7 illustre la station de désoperculage de la figure 6, où trois dispositifs de préhension sont amenés en position de travail afin de chauffer les trois portions d'opercules couvrant les trois puits sélectionnés;
• la figure 8 illustre l'ouverture des trois puits sélectionnés ;
• la figure 9 illustre la remontée des trois dispositifs de préhension et l'évacuation des trois portions d'opercule ;
• la figure 10 illustre l'étape au cours de laquelle on contrôle que les puits sélectionnés ont été correctement ouverts ;
• la figure 11 est une vue en coupe de l'un des dispositifs de préhension en position de repos ;
• la figure 12 est une vue en coupe de l'un des dispositifs de préhension en position de travail ; et
• la figure 13 est une vue en coupe de l'un des dispositifs de préhension dont le déplacement n'a pas été autorisé par le mécanisme de sélection.

The invention will be better understood and its advantages will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, of an embodiment shown by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the drawings, in which:

• the figure 1 shows a receptacle of the prior art, namely a blank gel card comprising six reaction wells aligned in a single row;
• the figure 2 is shows the upper part of a receptacle of an assembly according to the invention;
• the figure 3 illustrates a variant of the receptacle of the figure 2 where the portions of lids are provided with tabs;
• the figure 4 shows the upper part of a receptacle of an assembly according to the invention;
• the figure 5 illustrates a variant of the receptacle of the figure 4 where the portions of lids are provided with tabs;
• the figure 6 is a perspective view of an uncapping station of an assembly according to the invention;
• the figure 7 illustrates the uncapping station of the figure 6 , where three grippers are brought into the working position to heat the three portions of lids covering the three selected wells;
• the figure 8 illustrates the opening of the three selected wells;
• the figure 9 illustrates the rise of the three gripping devices and the evacuation of the three portions of the lid;
• the figure 10 illustrates the step during which it is checked that the selected wells have been correctly opened;
• the figure 11 is a sectional view of one of the gripping devices in the rest position;
• the figure 12 is a sectional view of one of the grippers in the working position; and
• the figure 13 is a sectional view of one of the gripping devices whose movement has not been authorized by the selection mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE (S) OF REALIZATION

The receptacle 10 shown on the figure 1 comprises, in known manner, a body 12 of plastic in which are formed several reaction wells, in this case six wells referenced 14 ₁ to 14 ₆ , which are adjacent and arranged in a single row. Each of the wells contains a reagent R which may be identical to or different from the reagent contained in the neighboring well. Such a receptacle is well known and is generally called the "gel card".

Referring to the figure 1 it is found that the wells 14 open into an upper wall 12a of the gel card. These wells 14 thus have openings 16 formed in the upper wall 12a of the gel card, these openings 16 being initially closed by a cover 18 consisting of a thin aluminum strip which is sealed to the top wall 12a of the body 12 of the gel board 10, for example by means of a heat-sealing film or an adhesive . The inter well distance d corresponds to the distance between the axes of symmetry of two adjacent wells.

As we see on this figure 1 the thickness of the gel card 10 is substantially less than its two other dimensions.

With the help of Figures 2 to 5 Gel-card receptacles 410, 510, 610 and 710 will now be described in accordance with the present invention. Each of these gel card-type receptacles comprises a body 412, 512, 612, 712 and a plurality of wells 414 ₁ to 414 ₅ , 514 ₁ to 514 ₅ , 614 ₁ to 614 ₅ , 714 ₁ to 714 ₅ sealed by a cover 418, 518, 618 and 718.
According to the invention, the lids 418, 518, 618 and 718 of these receptacles 410, 510, 610 and 710 have at least one precut 450, 550, 650 and 750 located between two adjacent wells so as to form at least one portion of 418a to 418f, 518a to 518f, 618a to 618f, 718a to 718f sealing at least one of the wells 414 ₁ to 414 ₅ , 514 ₁ to 514 ₅ , 614 ₁ to 614 ₅ , 714 ₁ to 714 ₅ of the receptacle .

In the examples shown here, for each gel card 410, 510, 610 and 710, there is a precut 450, 550, 650 and 750 between each of the wells. There are therefore as many portions of operculum as wells.
Each well is closed by a portion of the seal. Moreover, it is understood that these pre-cuts facilitate the removal of the lid portions. In addition, they make it possible to choose the wells that one wishes to open, the "selected" wells, the others remaining closed. To do this, simply remove the lid portions of the wells that you want to open.

In addition, in these examples, the pre-cuts extend over the entire width of the lid.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, visible on the Figures 2 and 3 , precuts 450, 550 consist of a succession of small adjacent holes. This is a discontinuous cut extending here on the entire width of the operculum. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the notch could be made on part of the width of the lid, for example half.

Preferably, the precuts are made in the cover 518, 618, before its sealing on the body 512, 612 of the receptacle. These pre-cuts locally weaken the lid so that each portion of the lid can be easily detached from the remainder of the lid 518, 618. Therefore, precuts facilitate removal of the lid portions of the body of the receptacle.

To further facilitate the manual removal of the lid portions and the opening of the wells, the lid portions may advantageously be provided with tabs 520a to 520f, as shown in FIG. figure 3 which presents a variant of the first embodiment of the receptacle according to the invention. Preferably, the tongues 520a to 520f extend transversely relative to the body of the receptacle 510, according to a length corresponding in this example substantially to half the width of the upper wall of the receptacle. Of course, these tabs are not necessary when the receptacle is used in a PLC.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, represented on the figures 4 and 5 , the pre-cuts are constituted by continuous notches 650, 750 which extend along the entire width of the lid. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the notch could be made on part of the width of the lid, for example half. In this embodiment, the removal of the lid portions is easier since the lid portions are not, or at least not maintained by the rest of the lid.

Preferably, precuts are made after the seal has been sealed to the body of the receptacle.

In this example, the lid portions 618a-618f, 718a-718f are well separated from each other, which facilitates the removal of the portions. of operculum and, consequently, the opening of the wells that we have chosen to open.

According to a variant represented on the figure 5 each of the lid portions comprises a tongue 720a, 720b, 720c, 720d and 720e which extends transversely with respect to the length of the lid 718, these tabs being here similar to those of the variant of the first embodiment . They are interesting when an operator is brought to manually open the wells of the receptacle.

In order to manufacture the receptacle according to the invention, for example, the receptacle of the gel card type of the figure 1 then one or more cuts are made in the operculum between two adjacent wells, so as to form at least a portion of seal closing at least one of the wells of the receptacle. By using for example several coaxial and adjacent circular saws, the receptacles 610, 710 are obtained. figures 4 or 5 . Tabs can be obtained from a receptacle provided with a lid whose width is strictly greater than the width of the body of the receptacle, and ensuring that the cut extends over the entire width of the lid.

The receptacles 410, 510 of Figures 2 and 3 are preferably, but not necessarily, made by making the precut in the seal before sealing on the body of the receptacle. For example, a punch can be used to make the succession of small holes constituting the precut. The tabs of the figure 3 may be obtained by using a lid whose width is greater than that of the body of the receptacle and making a continuous cut in the portion of the lid which extends out of the body of the receptacle.

With the help of Figures 6 to 10 , an uncapping station 100 according to the invention will be described which is intended to open one or more wells 414 of one or other of the gel cards 410, 510, 610, 710 previously described. In the remainder of the description, for the sake of simplicity, the uncapping station 100 will be described with reference to the gel card 410 of the first embodiment of the invention. Of course, the other gel cards that have been described above can be used with the uncapping station 100. In this example, the lid, and more generally the lid portions, are heat-sealed to the receptacle, for example using glue or a sticky film. Also described is an uncapping process, also in accordance with the invention, carried out by station 100.

In this example, the uncapping station 100 comprises a frame 102 from which extend two horizontal arms 104. Each of these two arms is provided with a longitudinal groove 106, the two grooves 106 being intended to receive the edges of a feed tray 108. Referring to the figure 6 it is understood that the feed plate 108 can slide in a horizontal plane while being guided in translation by the grooves 106.

The figure 6 corresponds to a moment when, the virgin gel card 410, having been previously introduced into the housing 110, begins to move horizontally the plate 108 to the frame 102, in the direction symbolized by the arrow F1.

One end of the supply tray 108 comprises a housing 110 for receiving a receptacle, and in particular the gel card 410 of the figure 2 . More precisely, the gel card 410 is positioned in the housing 110 in such a way that the upper wall 412a and the cover 418 emerge above the horizontal plane of the supply plate 108.

With the help of Figures 7 and 8 the manner in which the uncapping operation is performed will now be described.

In this example, it is decided to open the wells 414 ₁ , 414 ₃ and 414 ₄ . This choice is quite arbitrary and, of course, we can choose to open a single well or any other combination of wells.

The wells 414 ₁ , 414 ₃ and 414 ₄ that it is desired to open are called the selected wells. These selected wells 414 ₁ , 414 ₃ and 414 ₄ are thus closed by the lid portions 418a, 418c and 418d referenced.

According to the invention, the uncapping station 100 comprises a plurality of heating gripping devices 130, each of these devices being arranged to heat and remove a lid portion. Thus, it is possible to heat and remove the lid portion in a single operation.

In this example, the heated gripping devices are in the form of pads that are movable vertically, independently of each other, but not necessarily simultaneously. In this case, the station comprises six studs which are arranged opposite each of the wells 414 of the gel card 410, and therefore opposite each of the lid portions.

Each pad 130 has a rest position, as well as a working position in which said pad is brought in abutment against a portion of the cap, that is to say here in abutment against the upper wall 412a of the body 412 of the gel card 410.

As will be seen below, the pads are preheated before being brought into the working position.

On the example of the figure 7 , the heating pads 130 ₁ , 130 ₃ and 130 ₄ , are moved vertically along the arrow F3 to be respectively brought against the lid portions 418a, 418c and 418d.

The heat released by the heating pads 130 ₁ , 130 ₃ and 130 ₄ melts the heat-sealing film or the adhesive disposed between the lid portions and the upper wall 412a of the body of the gel card, after which the portions 418a, 418c and 418d are detached from the gel card. The selected wells 414 ₁ , 414 ₃ and 414 _{4 were} opened (uncapped).

In this example, the removal of the lid portions is done by bringing the heating pads 130 ₁ , 130 ₃ and 130 ₄ to their rest position, in other words by moving them vertically in the direction symbolized by the arrow F4 (opposite the arrow F3) of the figure 8 . It was found that the lid portions are carried by the pads during the ascent thereof. However, it is preferable, but not essential, to provide the heating pads with means 134 to grip the lid portions, these means which may be for example in the form of small claws or points 134.

After the uncapping operation, it is desirable to evacuate the lid portions 418a, 418c and 418d which could remain attached to the heating pads 130 ₁ , 130 ₃ and 130 ₄ . To do this, the station according to the invention comprises several evacuation members to expel the lid portions gripped by the heating pad. In the present case, the station comprises six evacuation members constituted by six rods referenced 132 ₁ to 132 ₆ . These rods are fixed to the frame 102 and are arranged in such a way that the gripping devices (the pads) slide around said rods. Each heating pad and each rod thus form a unitary assembly, the rod being included inside the heating pad. As we understand it with the help of figures 7 and 9 , the rods are fully housed in the heating pads when they are in their working position, and protrude when the heating pads are returned to the rest position. Thus, during the rise of the heating pads 130 ₁ , 130 ₃ and 130 ₄ , the rods 132 ₁ , 132 ₃ and 132 ₄ expel the lid portions 418a, 418c and 418d which, in this example, then fall into a tray recovery 133.

After the uncapping operation, the tray 108 is moved to bring the gel card 410 close to means 140 to check whether the selected wells 414 ₁ , 414 ₃ and 414 ₄ have been properly opened. In this example, visible on the figure 10 these means consist of a set of optical sensors which are arranged to be arranged above the upper wall. These sensors are able to detect the absence of metal seal portions and thus the opening of the selected wells. However, non-optical verification means could be provided.

In addition, the station comprises at least one ionizer 150 for ionizing the selected wells, after their opening, in order to eliminate the electrostatic charges that may be contained in the wells.

Referring now to Figures 11 to 13 an embodiment of the selection mechanism 200 according to the invention will be described which makes it possible to select the gripping devices (pads) 130 to be moved to their working position, as well as the displacement device 300 making it possible to move the devices gripping (pins) 130 between their rest position and their working position.

The figure 11 shows one of the heating pads 130 in the rest position, according to a view taken in a vertical section plane and parallel to the direction of movement of the plate 108.

In the rest position, the heating pad 130 is in contact with a heating floor 160 which is fixed to the frame 102. This heating floor comprises for example electrical resistances to maintain a substantially constant temperature.

In this example, the heating pad 130 therefore does not include internal heating means. In other words, the heating pad 130 captures the thermal energy when in the rest position.

The heating sole 160 is configured in such a way that the heating pad can be rapidly brought to a temperature of the order of 200 ° C. To do this, the heating pad will preferably be made of a material of the bronze type, or any other material which is good conductor while having a good coefficient of friction.

As already mentioned above, the heating stud 130 (130 ₁ , 130 ₂ ) is slidably mounted around the rod 132 (132 ₁ , 132 ₂ ), the latter being fixed to the frame 102 and, in this example at the heating floor 160.

The stud 130 is displaced vertically by the displacement device 300 which comprises a vertically displaceable plate 302, the lower end of which carries a compression spring 304. The latter exerts a pressure against a horizontal bearing surface 131 '(131' ₁ , 131 ' ₂ ) belonging to a radial extension 131 (131 ₁ , 131 ₂ ) of the heating stud 130.

When the vertical axis 302 is moved vertically towards the gel map, which is symbolized by the arrow F5 on the figure 12 the spring 304 exerts a pressure on the bearing surface 131 'which has the effect of vertically displacing the stud towards the gel card 410, in the direction indicated by the arrow F6, in order to bring it into its working position in which it is in contact with the lid portion 418.

The selection mechanism comprises in turn several fingers 202 (202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ) which are movable transversely to the direction of movement of the pads 130, between a retracted position and an extended position. More specifically, in this example, there are provided as many moving fingers as heating pads.

We see on Figures 11 to 13 that the displacement of the fingers 202 (202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ), in this case a horizontal translation, is operated by means of an electromagnet 204 (204 ₁ , 204 ₂ ) connected to the finger via a rod 206 (206 ₁ , 206 ₂ ).

The pad 130 comprises meanwhile a horizontal abutment surface 133 (133 ₁ , 133 ₂ ) intended to cooperate with the finger 202 (202 ₁ , 202 ₂ ) when the latter is in its deployed position, as can be seen on FIG. figure 13 .

Thus, when the finger is in the retracted position, as is the case on the figure 12 , the pad 130 ₁ , which is then a selected pad, can be brought into the working position by the vertical displacement of the plate 302, the finger 202 ₁ does not oppose the displacement of said pad.

On the other hand, when the finger 202 ₂ is in the deployed position, as is the case on the figure 13 , the abutment surface 133 ₂ of the pad 130 ₂ comes into contact with the finger 202 ₂ during the displacement of the plate 302. This has the consequence of blocking the displacement of the pad 130 ₂ , which is therefore not selected, and consequently to prevent him from being brought into a work position.

In the example of Figures 11 to 13 , the displacement of the plate 302 causes the simultaneous movement of all the pads during the uncapping operation. However, only the studs for which the associated finger is in retracted position (the selected pads) are brought into working position. In other words, it is understood that the selection mechanism makes it possible to prevent the displacement of the pads that are not selected.

It is therefore understood that the invention allows selective opening of the wells of the gel card, and this automatically.

The modes or examples of embodiment described in the present description are given for illustrative and not limiting, a person skilled in the art can easily, in view of this presentation, modify these modes or embodiments, or consider others, while remaining within the scope of the invention.

In addition, the various features of these modes or embodiments can be used alone or be combined with each other. When combined, these features may be as described above or differently, the invention not being limited to the specific combinations described herein. In particular, unless otherwise specified, a characteristic described in connection with a mode or example of embodiment may be applied in a similar manner to another embodiment or embodiment.

Claims (12)

1. An uncovering station (100) for uncovering receptacle of the gel card type (410, 510, 610, 710) comprising a body (412, 512, 612, 712) in which several adjacent wells (414₁-414₅, 514₁-514₅, 614₁-614₅, 714₁-714₅) are formed, which are initially sealed by a cover (418, 518, 618, 718) having a length and a width, the cover (418, 518, 618, 718) being thermo-fused by a heat-sealing film or thermos-glued to the body (412, 512, 612, 712) by a glue, and having at least one precut (450, 550, 650, 750) between two adjacent wells so as to form at least one cover portion (418a-418f, 518a-518f, 618a-618f, 718a-718f) sealing at least one of the wells of the receptacle
   said uncovering station (100) comprising

   - a plurality of heating gripping devices (130, 1301, 1302, 1303, 1304, 1305, 1306) that can be moved independently of each other, each of said heating gripping devices being configured to heat and remove one of the cover portions of a gel card type receptacle, and having an idle position in which said heating gripping device is heated by a heating device (160), and a working position in which said heating gripping device, which is heated, is made to bear against the or one of the cover portions so as to melt the heat-sealing film or the glue that seals the cover portion to the body,

   - a selection mechanism (200) for selecting the gripping device(s) needing to be moved toward the working position, and a movement device (300) for moving said selected gripping device(s) toward the working position.
2. The station according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement device (300) includes a plate (302), in that each gripping device is fastened to the plate using a spring designed to exert a pressure force on the gripping device oriented toward the body of the receptacle, and in that the selection mechanism is arranged to prevent the movement, for example vertical movement, of the gripping devices that are not selected.
3. The station according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the heating device includes a fixed heating baseplate (160), and in that in the idle position, each gripping device is in contact with said heating baseplate.
4. The station according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each gripping device comprises means (134) for gripping one of the cover portions, and in that the station furthermore includes at least one discharge member (132) for expelling said cover portion gripped by the gripping device.
5. The station according to claim 4, characterized in that the discharge member includes a rod (132), preferably stationary, around which the gripping device slides, said rod being arranged to expel the cover portion when the gripping device is returned to the idle position.
6. A biological sample analysis installation including an uncovering station (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
7. An assembly comprising an uncovering station (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, and a gel card type receptacle (410, 510, 610, 710) comprising a body (412, 512, 612, 712) in which several adjacent wells (414₁-414₅, 514₁-514₅, 614₁-614₅, 714₁-714₅) are formed, which are initially sealed by a cover (418, 518, 618, 718) having a length and a width, the cover (418, 518, 618, 718) being thermo-fused by a heat-sealing film or thermo-glued to the body (412, 512, 612, 712) by a glue, and having at least one precut (450, 550, 650, 750) between two adjacent wells so as to form at least one cover portion (418a-418f, 518a-518f, 618a-618f, 718a-718f) sealing at least one of the wells of the receptacle.
8. The Assembly according to claim 7, characterized in that the cover has a precut (450, 550, 650, 750) between each well such that each of the wells is sealed by a cover portion.
9. The Assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said precut (650, 750) is a continuous notch extending over all or part of the width of the cover.
10. The Assembly according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that said precut is a broken notch (450, 550) extending over all or part of the width of the cover.
11. The Assembly according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that said cover portion further includes at least one tongue extending (520a-520f, 620a-620f) transversely relative to the length of the cover.
12. A method for uncovering a receptacle by using a station according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:

    - a gel card type receptacle (410, 510, 610, 710) is provided, comprising a body (412, 512, 612, 712) in which several adjacent wells (414₁-414₅, 514₁-514₅, 614₁-614₅, 714₁-714₅) are formed, which are initially sealed by a cover (418, 518, 618, 718) having a length and a width, the cover (418, 518, 618, 718) being thermo-fused by a heat-sealing film or thermos-glued to the body (412, 512, 612, 712) by a glue, and having at least one precut (450, 550, 650, 750) between two adjacent wells so as to form at least one cover portion (418a-418f, 518a-518f, 618a-618f, 718a-718f) sealing at least one of the wells of the receptacle,

    - one or more heating gripping devices that are to be moved to the working position are selected,

    - the one or more of heating gripping devices are brought to the working position bearing against a cover portion so as to melt the heat-sealing film or the glue that seals the cover portion to the body so as to to unglue the cover portion from the body;

    - the cover portion is removed from the body, the well closed by said cover portion being thereby opened.

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