Abstract: An accommodating magazine for accommodating a plurality of sample carriers in a sample holder for use in an input or output area of an automated sample handling device. The magazine comprises a magazine panel, a detection device for detecting whether the panel is filled with sample holders or sample carriers during movement of the panel between a loading position and a ready position. The detection device includes at least one contactless detector for detecting the presence of objects in a sensor area, a path sensor, which detects a displacement path or current position of the panel during displacement of the panel between the loading and ready positions; and an evaluating unit in which the detector data and the path sensor data are merged and are evaluated.

Abstract: An apparatus for archiving specimens in specimen vessels. The apparatus includes an archive room accessible via a lock for automated feeding of vessels into and out of the room. A storage and restacking system is disposed in the room and includes two side-by-side stacks of trays in a receiving area. Each tray has a receptacle area defining a plurality of receptacles therein, each configured to receive a single vessel. A stacking means forms the stacks of trays. One tray is stacked on another in such a way as to maintain a clearance relative to the receptacle area of the lower tray. A lifting means is provided for vertically lifting trays stacked on a selected tray; and a transfer means is provided for horizontal transfer of a selected tray from one stack to the other, or from one stack to the lock, or from the lock to one of the stacks.

Abstract: A conveying system for material samples, especially medical samples, comprising a conveyor track forming at least one conveying section and a plurality of sample holders, designed to hold one sample vessel, which are self-propelled and displaceable along the conveying section. Each sample holder comprises a drive motor, an energy accumulator for supplying the motor with driving energy, at least one fiction wheel, drivable by the motor, for transmitting a force onto the track, and a control for controlling the travels of the sample holders. Signal transmitters are arranged in the track in predetermined positions along the conveying section and are adapted to form a near-field transmission section having signal receivers arranged in the sample holders, the signal transmitters being connected to the control and adapted to transmit control data relating to the adjustment of driving parameters to the sample holders via the near-field transmission section.

Abstract: A conveying system for material samples, especially medical samples, comprising a conveyor track forming at least one conveying section and at least one self-propelled sample holder displaceable along the conveying section holding a sample vessel. The holder comprises a drive motor, an energy accumulator for supplying the motor with energy and a friction wheel, drivable by the motor, for transmitting force onto the track. The track has at least one guide structure forming the conveying section. The holder has exactly one wheel on a lower side facing the track in operation, and has at least two sliding elements which rest on the track in operation and slide along the track's surface, the sliding elements and the wheel lying on the vertices of a triangle. The holder, on its lower side, has a guide element for cooperation with the guide structure in the track to guide the holder along the conveying section.

Abstract: A gripper for manipulating tube-shaped specimen cups having a gripper base, at least two gripper fingers each comprising a retaining section for clutching a specimen cup and being arranged to rotate relative to the base about a finger rotation axis. The retaining sections are arranged acentrically relative to the associated finger rotation axis. A first drive twists the fingers. The fingers are coupled to each other so that they are driven by the drive at the same time and with the same rotation speed and direction. A second drive is provided for twisting the base relative to the base body. A control unit controls the drives such that by a movement combination of twisting the fingers relative to the base and twisting the base relative to the base body for each of the retaining sections of the fingers in each case an essentially linear movement relative the base body results.

Abstract: An accommodating magazine for accommodating a plurality of sample carriers in a sample holder for use in an input or output area of an automated sample handling device. The magazine comprises a magazine panel a detection device for detecting whether the panel is filled with sample holders or sample carriers during movement of the panel between a loading position and a ready position. The detection device includes at least one contactless detector for detecting the presence of objects in a sensor area, a path sensor, which detects a displacement path or current position of the panel during displacement of the panel between the loading and ready positions; and an evaluating unit in which the detector data and the path sensor data are merged and are evaluated.

Abstract: A conveying system for material samples, especially medical samples, comprising a conveyor track forming at least one conveying section and a plurality of sample holders, designed to hold one sample vessel, which are self-propelled and displaceable along the conveying section. Each sample holder comprises a drive motor, an energy accumulator for supplying the motor with driving energy, at least one fiction wheel, drivable by the motor, for transmitting a force onto the track, and a control for controlling the travels of the sample holders. Signal transmission means are arranged in the track in predetermined positions along the conveying section and are adapted to form a near-field transmission section having signal receiving means arranged in the sample holders, said signal transmission means being connected to the control and adapted to transmit control data relating to the adjustment of driving parameters to the sample holders via the near-field transmission section.

Abstract: A holder for cylindrical or conical containers includes holding fingers distributed around a vertical central axis. Each finger has a base attached in a connecting region to a base area and includes a first finger segment extending from the base to an area at maximum distance from the base area. The outer area of the finger is tiltable away from the axis away from a base position about a first hinge in the connecting region. A second finger segment extends outwardly from the first finger segment and from a second hinge formed in the outer area to a free end. In the base position, these second finger segments extend at an angle relative to the axis so that the free ends are closer to the axis than the outer areas. The free ends of the second finger segments are displaced outward, away from the axis via the second hinges.