Rack for holding a plurality of petri-dishes and transport packaging with the rack

1 . A rack ( 1 ) for holding a plurality of petri-dishes (P), comprising:

a main body plate ( 2 ) with a plurality of adjacent and spaced apart holding portions ( 3 ) each configured to receive and support, in a substantially horizontal orientation that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the main body plate ( 2 ), a petri-dish (P),

wherein each holding portion ( 3 ) includes positioning features ( 4 ) for positioning the petri-dish (P) in said each holding portion ( 3 ),

wherein each holding portion ( 3 ) is respectively formed as a cutout ( 5 ) in the main body plate ( 2 ) so as to surround, along a cross-section perpendicular to upper and lower surfaces of a tray (P 2 ) and a lid (P 1 ) of the Petri-dish (P) to be received in the holding portion ( 3 ), an outer perimeter (PP) of the Petri-dish (P) to be received in the holding portion ( 3 ) and so as to allow at least partial insertion of the Petri-dish (P) into the cutout ( 5 ).

2 . The rack ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the positioning features ( 4 ) comprise one or more flexible tabs ( 4 a ) configured to contact a-circumferential peripheral wall (Pc) of the petri-dish (P) when the same is placed in the cutout ( 5 ).

3 . The rack ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the holding portions ( 3 ) are formed in the main body plate ( 2 ) so that a front surface of the main body plate ( 2 ) is parallel to and offset by a distance (D) from a plane containing the centers (PO) of the plural petri-dishes (P) when the petri-dishes (P) are received in the holding portions ( 3 ).

4 . The rack ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the plate-like main body ( 2 ) is formed as parts stamped or cut-out from a sheet-like material.

5 . The rack ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , further comprising a stand ( 7 ; 7 A; 7 B) configured to be assembled with the main body plate ( 2 ) to hold the main body plate in an upright orientation so that any petri-dishes (P) can be received and supported in the holding portions ( 3 ) in the substantially horizontal orientation.

6 . The rack ( 1 ) according to claim 5 , wherein the stand ( 7 ; 7 A; 7 B) is removable from the main body plate ( 2 ) or is connected to the main body plate ( 2 ) and/or is foldable or pivotable between a storing position and an operative position where it-the stand ( 7 ; 7 A; 7 B) can hold the main body plate ( 2 ) in the upright orientation.

7 . The rack ( 1 ) according to claim 5 , wherein the stand ( 7 A) comprises one or more members ( 7 A 1 , 7 A 2 ) that are configured to be assembled to form, with the main body plate ( 2 ), a three-dimensional, self-supporting frame for the rack ( 1 ) in the operative position.

8 . The rack ( 1 ) according to claim 5 , wherein the one or more members ( 7 A 1 , 7 A 2 ) is/are provided with engaging features ( 9 ) that are respectively aligned with the holding portions ( 3 ) to additionally support the petri-dish (P) in the respective holding portion ( 3 ) in the substantially horizontal orientation when in the operative position.

9 . A rack ( 1 ) for holding a plurality of petri-dishes (P), comprising:

a main body plate ( 2 ) with a plurality of adjacent and spaced apart holding portions ( 3 ) each configured to receive and support, in a substantially horizontal orientation that is substantially perpendicular to a plane of the main body plate ( 2 ), a Petri-dish (P),

wherein each holding portion ( 3 ) includes positioning features ( 4 ) for positioning the petri-dish (P) in said each holding portion ( 3 ), wherein each holding portion ( 3 ) is respectively formed as a cutout ( 5 ) in the main body plate ( 2 ) so as to surround, along a cross-section perpendicular to upper and lower surfaces of a tray (P 2 ) and a lid (P 1 ) of the Petri-dish (P) to be received in the holding portion ( 3 ), an outer perimeter (Pp) of the Petri-dish (P) to be received in the holding portion ( 3 ) and so as to allow at least partial insertion of the Petri-dish (P) into the cutout ( 5 ), wherein the main body plate ( 2 ) includes, at a periphery of each cutout ( 5 ), at least two openings or recesses ( 6 ) spaced apart from each other about the periphery of the cutout ( 5 ) and configured to allow insertion of a manipulating device (G) or of a finger for grabbing/pinching of a circumferential peripheral wall (Pc) of a petri-dish (P) when the same is placed in the cutout ( 5 ).

10 . A transport packaging ( 20 ) for a plurality of petri-dishes (P), comprising:

a rack ( 1 ) according to claim 1 ; and

a box-shaped tub ( 21 ) or bag configured to removably receive and completely surround the rack ( 1 ).

11 . The transport packaging ( 20 ) for a plurality of petri-dishes (P) according to claim 10 , wherein the box-shaped tub ( 21 ) is formed as a one-piece blister cavity.

12 . The transport packaging ( 20 ) for a plurality of petri-dishes (P) according to claim 10 , wherein the box-shaped tub ( 21 ) and the rack ( 1 ) are made from the same material.

13 . The transport packaging ( 20 ) for a plurality of petri-dishes (P) according to claim 10 , comprising a plurality of petri-dishes (P) accommodated in the rack ( 1 ).

14 . A blister packaging with a plurality of petri-dishes (P), comprising:

a transport packaging ( 20 ) according to claim 13 , wherein the plurality of petri-dishes (P) are accommodated in the rack ( 1 ) in the box-shaped tub ( 21 ) in a sterile environment; and

a gas barrier film sealing the opening of the box-shaped tub ( 21 ).

15 . The transport packaging ( 20 ) for a plurality of petri-dishes (P) according to claim 10 , wherein the box-shaped tub ( 21 ) is formed as a one-piece blister cavity formed from a formable sheet or web material.

16 . The blister packaging according to claim 14 , wherein the gas barrier film is at least partially transparent.