Pipette tip handling devices and methods

Abstract

Discussed herein are methods and devices for storing, handling, loading or dispensing of pipette tips. Some embodiments allow repetitive loading of an array of multiple pipette tips that are stored in a nested configuration.

1 . A pipette tip dispensing device, comprising a housing and an actuator plate within the housing, wherein the actuator plate includes a plurality of abutments having a star-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         2 . The pipette tip dispensing device of  claim 1 , wherein each abutment comprises a six-member star-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         3 . An actuator plate for use in a pipette tip dispensing device comprising a plurality of abutments having a star-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         4 . The actuator plate of  claim 3 , wherein each abutment comprises a six-member star-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         5 . A method comprising
 (a) providing a pipette tip dispensing device that includes
 a housing, 
 an actuator plate within the housing, wherein the actuator plate includes a plurality of abutments having a star-shaped cross section, and 
 arrays of nested pipette tips engaged with the abutments; and 
   (b) applying a downward force on the housing, thereby dispensing an array of pipette tips from the dispensing device.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein each abutment comprises a six-member star-shaped cross section.