Abstract: A conveyor device for conveying test tube holders in a laboratory distribution system is presented. The conveyor device is a screw conveyor device comprising a helical track having a helix axis and a drive shaft having an axis of rotation parallel or coaxial to the helix axis, which drive shaft is adapted to be driven to rotate about the axis of rotation for causing a movement of one test tube holder or a plurality of test tube holders contacting the helical track between an entry region and an exit region. The entry region and the exit region are spaced in a direction of the helix axis. A laboratory distribution system for conveying test tube holders and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: A storage module for a laboratory automation system, a method of operating a laboratory automation system, and a laboratory automation system are presented. Items used by laboratory stations are stored centrally in a storage module and can be transported to the laboratory stations using a laboratory sample distribution system.

Abstract: A device is described including a lid, a collection portion support, and a collection portion with a surface for receiving a biological sample, the lid includes a window and a window holder, the surface defines a first plane, the collection portion includes a first, a second, and a third position markers, each position marker indicates a center point marker, the center points define a second plane that has a line of intersection with the first plane, the device has an interior volume defined partially by the collection portion support, the collection portion, the window, and the window holder, the window allows visual inspection of the position markers, the collection portion support has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a fluid path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet via the interior volume.

Abstract: A roofing tile composed of concrete material and a method for producing such a roofing tile. The concrete material contains a binder, a gravel, a light-weight aggregate, and added water. The roofing tile has at least one watercourse and a lateral interlocking joint having a covering fold and a water fold. The ratio of water to binder is less than 0.3, the light-weight aggregate is composed of a material that is hydrophobic and/or not hygroscopic, and the roofing tile has a density in the range of 1.6 g/cm3 to 1.9 g/cm3 after the hardening. The roofing tile has a thickness of 5 mm to 9 mm, preferably 7 mm to 8 mm, in the highly loaded regions, preferably in the region of the watercourse.

Abstract: A method of individually releasing from an entity one or more members of a sub-group of biological units included in a heterogeneous group of biological units is provided. The method includes binding the group of biological units including the sub-group of biological units to the entity via a linker. Following binding, the location of the one or more members on the entity is determined. Once the location is determined, a localized physical pulse is applied to the one or more members. The localized physical pulse individually releases the one or more members from the entity by dissociating the linker.

Abstract: A conveyor device for conveying test tube holders in a laboratory distribution system is presented. The conveyor device is a screw conveyor device comprising a helical track having a helix axis and a drive shaft having an axis of rotation parallel or coaxial to the helix axis, which drive shaft is adapted to be driven to rotate about the axis of rotation for causing a movement of one test tube holder or a plurality of test tube holders contacting the helical track between an entry region and an exit region. The entry region and the exit region are spaced in a direction of the helix axis. A laboratory distribution system for conveying test tube holders and a laboratory automation system comprising a laboratory distribution system are also presented.

Abstract: A cuvette comprising a body having an upper part comprising an upper open top portion and upper walls forming four upper inner edges and an upper open bottom portion with a first substantially rectangular cross-section in a plane A-A; and a lower measurement chamber comprising a lower closed bottom portion and lower walls forming four lower inner edges and a lower open top portion with a second substantially rectangular cross-section in a plane B-B smaller than the first cross-section in the plane A-A. An abrupt transition zone is positioned between the plane A-A and the plane B-B comprising four transition inner edges connecting the four lower inner edges to the upper open bottom portion. At least in the plane B-B the lower inner edges comprise fillets having a first radius (R1). At least in the plane A-A the upper inner edges comprise fillets having a second radius (R2) being larger than (R1).

Abstract: A device is described including a lid, a collection portion support, and a collection portion with a surface for receiving a biological sample, the lid includes a window and a window holder, the surface defines a first plane, the collection portion includes a first, a second, and a third position markers, each position marker indicates a center point marker, the center points define a second plane that has a line of intersection with the first plane, the device has an interior volume defined partially by the collection portion support, the collection portion, the window, and the window holder, the window allows visual inspection of the position markers, the collection portion support has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet with a fluid path from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet via the interior volume.

Abstract: A method of individually releasing from an entity one or more members of a sub-group of biological units included in a heterogeneous group of biological units is provided. The method includes binding the group of biological units including the sub-group of biological units to the entity via a linker. Following binding, the location of the one or more members on the entity is determined. Once the location is determined, a localized physical pulse is applied to the one or more members. The localized physical pulse individually releases the one or more members from the entity by dissociating the linker.

Abstract: A new roofing tile with enhanced surface durability and processes for manufacturing the same. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A cuvette for photometric measurement of liquids is provided comprising a body having outer walls and an inner space for receiving liquids, the body comprising an upper part comprising an upper open top portion, an upper front wall, an upper back wall, and two upper side walls. The upper walls form four upper inner edges and an upper open bottom portion with a first substantially rectangular cross-section in a plane A-A, a lower measurement chamber comprising a lower closed bottom portion, a lower front wall, a lower back wall, and two lower side walls. The lower walls form four lower inner edges and a lower open top portion with a second substantially rectangular cross-section in a plane B-B smaller than the first substantially rectangular cross-section in the plane A-A, wherein at least the lower front wall and the lower back wall are at least in part substantially planar and substantially parallel to each other.

Abstract: A system and method for cycling liquid samples through a series of temperature excursions are disclosed. Provided are open-top reaction vessels for containing the samples, which may be enclosed by one or more covers. A temperature-controlled block for generating or adsorbing heat is coupled thermally to the reaction vessels. A detection arrangement is disposed in an emission beam path to detect radiation emitted from the samples through the covers. A heating arrangement for generating heat includes a heating element that is both disposed between the reaction vessels and the detection arrangement and coupled thermally to the covers. The heating element includes an optically transparent substrate provided with one or more opaque heating lines, the heating lines being disposed in the emission beam path in a manner to obtain a predetermined minimum optical transmission of the heating element. A controller, set up to control cycling of the samples, is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to sarking which has a layer reflecting IR light. Said reflecting layer, which is a metal layer, is coated with a protective layer containing a plastic with added amorphous SiO2 in order to prevent corrosion.

Abstract: A new roofing tile with enhanced surface durability and processes for manufacturing the same. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A method for producing colored concrete bodies, particularly colored concrete roof tiles, whereby pigment is added to the unprocessed concrete mix. In order to provide the production of permanently colored concrete bodies with reasonably priced pigments which are stable in outdoor exposure and are resistant to light, particularly UV, alkaiis and heat. A cement compatible aqueous polymer dispersion in which organic pigment is dispersed is added to the unprocessed concrete mix. Suitable cement compatible polymer dispersions are aqueous polymer dispersions based on styrene and/or pure acrylate. Phthalocyanine and quinacridone pigments are particularly suitable as organic pigments.

Abstract: A method for producing colored concrete bodies, particularly colored concrete roof tiles, whereby pigment is added to the unprocessed concrete mix. In order to provide the production of permanently colored concrete bodies with reasonably priced pigments which are stable in outdoor exposure and are resistant to light, particularly UV, alkalis and heat. A cement compatible aqueous polymer dispersion in which organic pigment is dispersed is added to the unprocessed concrete mix. Suitable cement compatible polymer dispersions are aqueous polymer dispersions based on styrene and/or pure acrylate. Phthalocyanine and quinacridone pigments are particularly suitable as organic pigments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a silicate compound having at least one alkaline oxide and silicon dioxide-containing amorphous binder matrix and also containing oxides from the aluminum, calcium, titanium, magnesium, zirconium, and/or boric oxide group. To provide a silicate compound which is suitable for both making a moulding and coating a substrate, resistant to effects like weathering, especially through alternate frost and thaw, and attack by acids, lyes or fouling, it is proposed that the amorphous binder matrix contain 4 to 25 mol silicon dioxide per mol alkaline oxide, the alkaline oxide being lithium, sodium, and/or potassium oxide and the amorphous binder matrix also contains up to 80 mol aluminum oxide and/or up to 45 mol calcium, titanium, magnesium, zirconium, and/or boric oxide evenly distributed per 100 mol silicon dioxide.