Abstract: A positioning system for positioning a consumable rack in a diagnostic system is disclosed. The positioning system comprises a rack comprising an upper surface comprising holding positions and a receiving compartment comprising a rectangular chassis comprising front, rear, and two lateral sides. The receiving compartment comprises a holding structure coupled to the chassis to move between first and second positions. The rack comprises sidewalls. At least three sidewalls have a center alignment element. The chassis comprises three chassis alignment elements on the rear and two lateral sides. The holding structure comprises a corner push element between the chassis front and lateral sides to push against a side edge of the rack between two sidewalls when the holding structure is moved from the first position towards the second position forcing the three alignment elements against a chassis alignment element and laterally holding the rack in position by the chassis alignment elements.

Abstract: A pipetting device comprising a head and a nozzle with a longitudinal axis mounted to the head is disclosed. An actuator member is arranged around and partially covering the nozzle and coupled to the head or to the nozzle. The actuator member and the nozzle move with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis. A contact member is coupled to and arranged around and partially covering the actuator member. The contact member and the actuator member move with respect to each other. The contact member comprises a rim for contacting a container. The actuator member comprises a rim for opening a cap of the container when the contact member is in contact with the container. The actuator member and the contact member move with respect to each other creating a passage through the cap when the nozzle and the actuator member move with respect to each other.

Abstract: A pipetting device comprising a head and a nozzle with a longitudinal axis mounted to the head is disclosed. An actuator member is arranged around and partially covering the nozzle and coupled to the head or to the nozzle. The actuator member and the nozzle move with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis. A contact member is coupled to and arranged around and partially covering the actuator member. The contact member and the actuator member move with respect to each other. The contact member comprises a rim for contacting a container. The actuator member comprises a rim for opening a cap of the container when the contact member is in contact with the container. The actuator member and the contact member move with respect to each other creating a passage through the cap when the nozzle and the actuator member move with respect to each other.

Abstract: A positioning system for positioning a consumable rack in a diagnostic system is disclosed. The positioning system comprises a rack comprising an upper surface comprising holding positions and a receiving compartment comprising a rectangular chassis comprising front, rear, and two lateral sides. The receiving compartment comprises a holding structure coupled to the chassis to move between first and second positions. The rack comprises sidewalls. At least three sidewalls have a center alignment element. The chassis comprises three chassis alignment elements on the rear and two lateral sides. The holding structure comprises a corner push element between the chassis front and lateral sides to push against a side edge of the rack between two sidewalls when the holding structure is moved from the first position towards the second position forcing the three alignment elements against a chassis alignment element and laterally holding the rack in position by the chassis alignment elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grill apparatus (1), in the lower part (2) of which there is provided a heat conducting cone (4) which is held in a central position and in which an adjustment cone is rotatably mounted. Both cones (4, 7) have heat conducting means (10) in the form of openings (41, 71). By means of a relative rotation of the two cones (4, 7) with respect to one another, said openings go from congruently completely open to completely closed and are adjustable to any intermediate position, whereby a heat conduction with more top heat or more bottom heat can be directed onto the object being grilled.

Abstract: A rack for holding assay tips with improved stacking is provided. The rack has guiding elements arranged near opposing edges of at least two substantially orthogonal side walls of the peripheral wall of the rack configured to provide an early alignment of the rack with a similar rack, such that assay tips received in the rack nest into the assay tips received in the similar rack when the racks are stacked.

Abstract: The invention relates to a grill apparatus (1), in the lower part (2) of which there is provided a heat conducting cone (4) which is held in a central position and in which an adjustment cone is rotatably mounted. Both cones (4, 7) have heat conducting means (10) in the form of openings (41, 71). By means of a relative rotation of the two cones (4, 7) with respect to one another, said openings go from congruently completely open to completely closed and are adjustable to any intermediate position, whereby a heat conduction with more top heat or more bottom heat can be directed onto the object being grilled.

Abstract: Vessel systems for treating and/or storing liquids are provided. The vessel systems comprise a two-dimensional vessel arrangement with a plurality of vessels which are open at the top and which are interconnected to form a unit, and a two-dimensional closure arrangement which has an arrangement of closure elements corresponding to the vessel arrangement and by means of which the openings of the vessels can be closed. Each vessel of the vessel arrangement is connected to at least one other vessel of the vessel arrangement via a preferably flexible connecting member. Each of the closure elements is connected to at least one other closure element of the closure arrangement via a flexible connecting member which allows a change of the distance between the closure elements.

Abstract: Vessel systems for treating and/or storing liquids are provided. The vessel systems comprise a two-dimensional vessel arrangement with a plurality of vessels which are open at the top and which are interconnected to form a unit, and a two-dimensional closure arrangement which has an arrangement of closure elements corresponding to the vessel arrangement and by means of which the openings of the vessels can be closed. Each vessel of the vessel arrangement is connected to at least one other vessel of the vessel arrangement via a preferably flexible connecting member. Each of the closure elements is connected to at least one other closure element of the closure arrangement via a flexible connecting member which allows a change of the distance between the closure elements.