Hinged box opening mechanism and associated methods
AssigneeLabrat D'Or Inc.
InventorJeroen DE BUCK
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus is described to open and close a hinged box, such as those used to hold pipette tips, when a pipette is being used, for example, by sending a signal when the pipette is taken off a pipette stand, or by activating a button or switch on the pipette. The apparatus may have a resilient arm which reaches over the pipette box to facilitate opening and closing of the box. The method enables a clean and organized workspace. It may allow for more efficient pipetting and reduces awkward handling of items. Furthermore, it prevents contamination of tips by dust, aerosols and airborne contaminants, and of tip boxes by direct contact.
Claims20
An apparatus for opening a hinged box, the hinged box comprising a container and a lid connected to the container via a hinge, the apparatus comprising:
- a base for gripping the container;
- an actuator connected to a rear side of the base;
- a flexible arm extending from the actuator towards a front side of the base and attached to a connector for connecting to a front side of the lid,
- wherein, the actuator is configured to move the arm between an open position and a closed position, wherein:
- in the open position, the arm is positioned such that the connector is towards the rear side of the base such that a connected hinged box is open;
- and
- in the closed position, the arm is positioned such that the connector is towards the front side of the base to allow the connected hinged box to be closed.
A method for controlling the opening and closing of a hinged box,
- the hinged box comprising a container and a lid connected to the container via a hinge, the apparatus comprising:
- a base for gripping the container;
- an actuator connected to a rear side of the base;
- an flexible arm extending from the actuator towards a front side of the base, and having a connector for connecting to a front side of the lid,
- the method comprises moving the actuator between an open position and a closed position, wherein:
- in the open position, the arm is positioned such that the connector is towards the rear side of the base such that a connected hinged box is open;
- and
- in the closed position, the arm is positioned such that the connector is towards the front side of the base to allow the connected hinged box to be closed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.