Abstract: Art automated laboratory system comprises a work area comprising a plurality of predefined workstations, wherein each of the plurality of predefined workstations occupies a footprint of a standardized microtiter plate. At least one movement device is configured to move tools above the work area and at least one transport tool is configured to be moved by the movement device in order to relocate laboratory items within the work area. At least one pipetting tool is configured to be moved by the movement device in order to pick up and release pipette tips. A holder for pipette tip carriers comprises at least one carrying apparatus defining a rectangular through-opening, and a support apparatus connected to the carrying apparatus. An electronic control apparatus is connected to the movement device and configured to control movements of the transport tool and at least one pipetting tool by the movement device.

Abstract: A device for positioning vessels, with a holder for vessels, comprising a series of receptacles arranged on a circular line, for a circular ring-shaped vessel chain, a central area, arranged within the series of receptacles, and having further receptacles for single vessels containing reagents, and means for aligning, and with a carrier for single vessels, which comprises a holding plate in the form of a circular disc or of a part of a circular disc, which has holes for single vessels at certain positions, and which has at least one further means for aligning the carrier to the means for aligning the holder in a certain position, wherein in this position, the holes are aligned to certain further receptacles, the remaining further receptacles are covered up by the holding plate, and single vessels filled with reaction liquid can be inserted into the holes and into the further receptacles aligned thereto.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling the temperature of at least one sample. The device comprises at least the following means: (a) means for accommodating at least one sample; (b) means for heating and/or cooling at least one sample; (c) means for covering at least one sample. These means for covering at least one sample comprise at least one movable contact area and first and second means for fixating said at least one movable contact area in at least one defined direction relative to the sample. Therein said first means for fixating matingly engages with a corresponding second means for fixating.

Abstract: A kit comprising a carrier and vessels arranged on the carrier, wherein different reagents are contained in different vessels, the vessels are arranged with an openable closing device on top of the carrier, the carrier has a footprint on the bottom side for being placed on a base, and the carrier has bottom positioning means for being positioned on at least one workplace of an automated laboratory system for microtiter plates according to the SBS standard.

Abstract: A device for positioning vessels, with a holder for vessels, comprising a series of receptacles arranged on a circular line, for a circular ring-shaped vessel chain, a central area, arranged within the series of receptacles, and having further receptacles for single vessels containing reagents, and means for aligning, and with a carrier for single vessels, which comprises a holding plate in the form of a circular disc or of a part of a circular disc, which has holes for single vessels at certain positions, and which has at least one further means for aligning the carrier to the means for aligning the holder in a certain position, wherein in this position, the holes are aligned to certain further receptacles, the remaining further receptacles are covered up by the holding plate, and single vessels filled with reaction liquid can be inserted into the holes and into the further receptacles aligned thereto.

Abstract: A kit comprising a carrier and vessels arranged on the carrier, wherein different reagents are contained in different vessels, the vessels are arranged with an openable closing device on top of the carrier, the carrier has a footprint on the bottom side for being placed on a base, and the carrier has bottom positioning means for being positioned on at least one workplace of an automated laboratory system for microtiter plates according to the SBS standard.

Abstract: Optical sensor system on a device for the treatment of liquids with at least one device for the projecting of light in the direction of an optical axis onto at least one illumination area in the space, an adjustment device for the adjustment of the relative position of the at least one illumination area and a boundary surface in a direction diagonal to the optical axis, an adjustment device for the adjustment of the relative position of the at least one illumination area and the boundary surface in the direction of the optical axis, a control device for controlling the adjustment devices, such that they simultaneously adjust the relative position of the at least one illumination area and the boundary surface diagonal to the at least one device for the imaging of the at least one illumination area during the adjustment of the relative position onto at least one photodetector and an evaluation device connected with the at least one photodetector for the evaluation of the at least one measurement signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cover for covering one or more sample(s) that are suitable to avoid or minimize evaporation and/or condensation of any vaporizable substance that may be present in the sample(s) or reaction mixture(s), in particular evaporation of substance at the fringes of a vessel or an array of vessels or condensation of a substance on the lid of a reaction vessel or a plate/block containing the sample(s) and/or a cover. This is achieved by providing a device comprising, among others, a force distribution unit that comprises at least one medium or material that is unable to withstand a static shear stress and deforms continuously under the action of a shear force.

Abstract: An optical sensor system on an apparatus for treating liquids, with a device for projecting light to at least one illumination position in space, at least one device for imaging the at least one illumination position on at least one photo detector in order to supply a measurement signal depending on the received light, wherein the device for projecting is a device for simultaneously projecting light to plural illumination positions and/or the device for projecting is a device for simultaneously projecting light under different angles to the same illumination position, and/or plural photo detectors are existent, and an analysing unit connected to the at least one photo detector for analysing the at least one measurement signal.

Abstract: Optical sensor system on a device for the treatment of liquids with at least one device for the projecting of light in the direction of an optical axis onto at least one illumination area in the space, an adjustment device for the adjustment of the relative position of the at least one illumination area and a boundary surface in a direction diagonal to the optical axis, an adjustment device for the adjustment of the relative position of the at least one illumination area and the boundary surface in the direction of the optical axis, a control device for controlling the adjustment devices, such that they simultaneously adjust the relative position of the at least one illumination area and the boundary surface diagonal to the at least one device for the imaging of the at least one illumination area during the adjustment of the relative position onto at least one photodetector and an evaluation device connected with the at least one photodetector for the evaluation of the at least one measurement signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to means for covering one or more sample(s) that are suitable to avoid or minimize evaporation and/or condensation of any vaporizable substance that may be present in the sample(s) or reaction mixture(s), in particular evaporation of substance at the fringes of a vessel or an array of vessels or condensation of said substance on the lid of a reaction vessel or a plate/block containing the sample(s) and/or the means for covering. This is achieved by providing a device comprising, among others, a force distribution unit that comprises at least one medium or material that is unable to withstand a static shear stress and deforms continuously under the action of a shear force. In a preferred embodiment, this medium or material is a gas, a shear force.

Abstract: An optical sensor system on an apparatus for treating liquids, with a device for projecting light to at least one illumination position in space, at least one device for imaging the at least one illumination position on at least one photo detector in order to supply a measurement signal depending on the received light, wherein the device for projecting is a device for simultaneously projecting light to plural illumination positions and/or the device for projecting is a device for simultaneously projecting light under different angles to the same illumination position, and/or plural photo detectors are existent, and an analysing unit connected to the at least one photo detector for analysing the at least one measurement signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for controlling the temperature of at least one sample. The device comprises at least the following means: (a) means for accommodating at least one sample; (b) means for heating and/or cooling at least one sample; (c) means for covering at least one sample. These means for covering at least one sample comprise at least one movable contact area and first and second means for fixating said at least one movable contact area in at least one defined direction relative to the sample. Therein said first means for fixating matingly engages with a corresponding second means for fixating.