Abstract: A device for manipulating microdroplets using optically-mediated electrowetting comprising: a first composite wall comprising: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm on the conductor layer having a thickness of 300-1000 nm; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer having a thickness of 120-160 nm; a second composite wall comprised of: a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; and an A/C source to provide a voltage across the first and second composite walls connecting the first and second conductor layers; at least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of the photoexcitable layer; and means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a microdroplet of a reaction medium in an immiscible carrier medium with a target molecule bound to a solid support for the purposes of effecting a chemical transformation is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (a) bringing the microdroplet into contact with the solid support under conditions where the microdroplet and solid support are caused to combine, (b) allowing the reaction medium to react with the target molecule and (c) thereafter exerting a force to induce the reaction medium to become detached from the solid support and reform a microdroplet in the carrier fluid. In one embodiment the solid support is a particle, bead or the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for manipulating and interrogating the contents of large numbers of microdroplets in parallel on a surface of a microfluidic chip. According to one aspect of the invention a method is provided for manipulating and inspecting microdroplets on a microfluidic chip by optically- mediated electrowetting (oEWOD), the method comprising forming, using a first optical assembly, a plurality of oEWOD traps on a surface of the chip and forming, using a second optical assembly, a second array of oEWOD traps on the surface of the chip, and making an adjustment to the first optical assembly whilst one or more of the microdroplets are held in place by second array of oEWOD traps. Apparatus comprising a microfluidic chip and first and second optical assemblies is also provided.

Abstract: A device for manipulating microdroplets using optically-mediated electrowetting comprising: a first composite wall comprising: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm on the conductor layer having a thickness of 300-1000 nm; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer having a thickness of 120-160 nm; a second composite wall comprised of: a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; and an A/C source to provide a voltage across the first and second composite walls connecting the first and second conductor layers; at least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of the photoexcitable layer; and means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer.

Abstract: A device comprising: a first zone comprising an attachment site; a first pathway; a second pathway and a means for creating a second medium comprised of aqueous microdroplets in a carrier; a microdroplet manipulation zone comprising: a first composite wall comprised of a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer; a second composite wall comprised of a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate; and optionally a second dielectric layer on the conductor layer; an A/C source; a source of first electromagnetic radiation; means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer; an detection zone disposed downstream of the microdroplet manipulation zone or integral therewith; and a fluorescence or Raman-scattering detection system.

Abstract: A device comprising: a first zone comprising an attachment site; a first pathway; a second pathway and a means for creating a second medium comprised of aqueous microdroplets in a carrier; a microdroplet manipulation zone comprising: a first composite wall comprised of a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer; a second composite wall comprised of a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate; and optionally a second dielectric layer on the conductor layer; an A/C source; a source of first electromagnetic radiation; means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer; an detection zone disposed downstream of the microdroplet manipulation zone or integral therewith; and a fluorescence or Raman-scattering detection system.

Abstract: A device for manipulating microdroplets using optically-mediated electrowetting comprising: a first composite wall comprising: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm on the conductor layer having a thickness of 300-1000 nm; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer having a thickness of 120-160 nm; a second composite wall comprised of: a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; and an A/C source to provide a voltage across the first and second composite walls connecting the first and second conductor layers; at least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of the photoexcitable layer; and means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer.

Abstract: A device for manipulating microdroplets using optically-mediated electrowetting comprising: a first composite wall comprising: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm on the conductor layer having a thickness of 300-1000 nm; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer having a thickness of 120-160 nm; a second composite wall comprised of: a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; and an A/C source to provide a voltage across the first and second composite walls connecting the first and second conductor layers; at least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of the photoexcitable layer; and means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer.

Abstract: A method for manipulating a microdroplet of a reaction medium in an immiscible carrier medium with a target molecule bound to a solid support for the purposes of effecting a chemical transformation is provided. It is characterised by the steps of (a) bringing the microdroplet into contact with the solid support under conditions where the microdroplet and solid support are caused to combine, (b) allowing the reaction medium to react with the target molecule and (c) thereafter exerting a force to induce the reaction medium to become detached from the solid support and reform a microdroplet in the carrier fluid. In one embodiment the solid support is a particle, bead or the like.

Abstract: A device comprising: a first zone comprising an attachment site; a first pathway; a second pathway and a means for creating a second medium comprised of aqueous microdroplets in a carrier; a microdroplet manipulation zone comprising: a first composite wall comprised of a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer; a second composite wall comprised of a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate; and optionally a second dielectric layer on the conductor layer; an A/C source; a source of first electromagnetic radiation; means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer; an detection zone disposed downstream of the microdroplet manipulation zone or integral therewith; and a fluorescence or Raman-scattering detection system.

Abstract: A device for manipulating microdroplets using optically-mediated electrowetting comprising: a first composite wall comprising: a first transparent substrate; a first transparent conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; a photoactive layer activated by electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 400-1000 nm on the conductor layer having a thickness of 300-1000 nm; and a first dielectric layer on the conductor layer having a thickness of 120-160 nm; a second composite wall comprised of: a second substrate; a second conductor layer on the substrate having a thickness of 70 to 250 nm; and an A/C source to provide a voltage across the first and second composite walls connecting the first and second conductor layers; at least one source of electromagnetic radiation having an energy higher than the bandgap of the photoexcitable layer; and means for manipulating the points of impingement of the electromagnetic radiation on the photoactive layer.

Abstract: The trolley or shopping cart can be used to transport goods. This trolley includes a support on which two baskets can be stacked on top of one another, a first lower basket and a second upper basket. The support has at least two lateral posts or stanchions which can be engaged directly or indirectly to the baskets on two opposing sides to create a clearance providing direct access to the opening in the lower and upper baskets from the side used to drive the trolley. The position of the lower basket is offset substantially in relation to the upper basket, such that the lower basket extends out further on the side used to drive the trolley.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distributing at least one displaying accessory on a goods display surface, such as a shelf surface, cabinet or the similar. The displaying accessory can be a separating partition or a goods display cabinet formed of a carriage sliding on a tracking path. The device includes at least one first guide fixable to the proximal part of the display surface and extendable over the surface, generally along the longitudinal axis thereof. The first guide interacts with a clamp of the displaying accessory for fixing the accessory to the display surface. The device also includes a holder provided at the level of the first guide and, in the first release position, the holder enables at least one displaying accessory to be moved or even to be released. In a second position, the holder strongly fixes at least one displaying accessory to the first guide.

Abstract: The trolley or shopping cart can be used to transport goods. This trolley includes a support on which two baskets can be stacked on top of one another, a first lower basket and a second upper basket. The support has at least two lateral posts or stanchions which can be engaged directly or indirectly to the baskets on two opposing sides to create a clearance providing direct access to the opening in the lower and upper baskets from the side used to drive the trolley. The position of the lower basket is offset substantially in relation to the upper basket, such that the lower basket extends out further on the side used to drive the trolley.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tag holder including a support for displaying information, such as a price tag, as well as fixing mechanism adapted to cooperate with a slide or rail provided at the front of a display surface, such as the surface of a shelf of a rack. The fixing mechanism includes a staple with a terminal engagement device cooperating with a lateral end of the slide, and a hinge adapted to enable a first position of the staple inserted into the slide and a second position of the staple internally locked.

Abstract: The invention concerns a tag-holder for displaying an electronic price tag. The invention includes a holder for a tag, such as an electronic price tag, and a fixing mechanism adapted to be secured at the front of a shelf, in particular, a rack. The invention is characterized in that the fixing mechanism has an eccentric device, clipping the shelf so as to adjust and/or maintain the tag holder on shelves of different thicknesses.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distributing at least one displaying accessory on a goods display surface, such as a shelf surface, cabinet or the similar. The displaying accessory can be a separating partition or a goods display cabinet formed of a carriage sliding on a tracking path. The device includes at least one first guide fixable to the proximal part of the display surface and extendable over the surface, generally along the longitudinal axis thereof. The first guide interacts with a clamp of the displaying accessory for fixing the accessory to the display surface. The device also includes a holder provided at the level of the first guide and, in the first release position, the holder enables at least one displaying accessory to be moved or even to be released. In a second position, the holder strongly fixes at least one displaying accessory to the first guide.

Abstract: Pull-out shelf for mounting on rack uprights, comprising two brackets (4) projecting from the uprights. Each bracket bears a pullout rail (7) and a shelf plane (8-12) or equivalent, supported by the rails, for articles which are to be placed on the shelf. The shelf comprises at least one releasable locking member which, when an associated operating member (18) is acuated manaully, releases the pull-out rails (7), so that these can be pulled out and pushed in, and, in the unactuated state, locks the rails relative to the brackets (4). The locking members are adapted so as, when the operating member is unactuated, to lock the rails under the action of a spring force, the manual actuation of the operating member taking place counter to the action of this spring force. Releasing the operating member then results in instantaneous locking of the rails and thus the shelf in the current position, which allows stepless locking of the shelf in optional positions between an inner and an outer end position.

Abstract: Device for fitting a load-bearing bracket for a shelf or the like, for example, to an upright support. At its end facing the upright support (2) the bracket (1) is designed with two vertically separated engaging members (6, 7) and the upright has at least one vertical row of spaced fitting apertures (18). The device comprises an adapter (8) and a fitting member (15) for fitting the adapter to the upright support (2). Two opposite sides of the adapter (8) each have a vertical row of spaced fitting apertures (12), the apertures on one side of the adapter having an interval that is equal to the distance between engaging members (6, 7) of the bracket (1).