Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide apparatuses and methods for preparing fluid. In one method, a heater thermally associated with a housing for receiving fluid is operated to apply thermal energy to the housing. A second predetermined volume of a second fluid is introduced to the housing. The second predetermined volume of the second fluid is moved with the housing for a first predetermined time period. The first predetermined volume of the first fluid is introduced to the housing. The first predetermined volume of first fluid and the second predetermined volume of second fluid are moved with the housing for a second predetermined time period. The first predetermined volume of first fluid and the second predetermined volume of second fluid are removed from the housing. Another embodiment provides an apparatus comprising a first housing for containing fluid. A second housing is operatively connected with the first housing.

Abstract: A mover for moving a container and a method of moving a container are provided. One container mover comprises a prime mover and a container engaging element operatively connected with the prime mover such that the container engaging element moves responsive to the prime mover to move the container. A driver is operatively connected with the container engaging element for moving the container engaging element between a first position where the container engaging element engages the container and a second position where the container engaging element is offset from the container. In one method of moving a container with a container mover including a container engaging element, the container engaging element is moved such that the container engaging element engages the container. The container engaging element and the container are moved conjointly. The container engaging element is moved such that the container engaging element is offset from the container.

Abstract: A sample container holder is provided for gripping a sample container which contains a sample. The sample container holder comprises a body having a bore for receiving a sample container. A flexible element is disposed within the bore. A fluid passage is operatively connected with the flexible element for supplying a fluid to the flexible element such that, when the sample container is received in the bore in the body of the sample container holder, the flexible element engages the sample container with a conforming, cushioning compression of sufficient magnitude to resist removal of the container from the bore.

Abstract: A method of holding a container with a container holder comprises the following steps. The container is received within a bore on the container holder, and a fluid is conveyed through a fluid passage operatively connected with a flexible element within the bore such that the flexible element engages the container to retain the container within the bore.

Abstract: A holder is pneumatically actuated to grasp and hold a plurality of sample containers during an analytical process which requires movement of the containers. The holder comprises a body having holes therein for receiving the caps and upper portions of the containers. Within each hole is a rigid cylindrical element and within each rigid element is a flexible tubular element. The outer diameter of the flexible element is smaller than the inner diameter of the rigid element so that a pneumatically sealed chamber is formed between the two elements when the ends of the flexible element are folded back over the ends and outer surface of the rigid element. The holder body and the rigid element are provided with holes forming a fluid passage through which positive and negative pressures may be applied to the chamber. When a negative pressure is applied to the chamber to draw the flexible element outward toward the rigid element, the cap and upper portion may move freely into the flexible element.