Abstract: A sample handling device for a laboratory automation system comprising a first carousel with a disc supported on a first axis, a second carousel with a disc supported on a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a transfer element between the first and second carousels is presented. Each disc has recesses distributed radially about the disc perimeter. Each recess receives a tube carrier. The first carousel and the second carousel connect via a passage for transferring sample tube carriers between the first and second carousels. The transfer element is a track switch which when in a rest position partly closes the passage to separate the first carousel from the second carousel. The track switch is swiveled and/or rotated about a third axis parallel to the first axis out of the rest position for transferring a tube carrier from the first carousel to the second carousel via the passage.

Abstract: A sample container carrier handling apparatus is presented. A first revolving device located at a first level moves sample container carriers along a first path. A second revolving device located at a second level different from the first level moves sample container carriers along a second path. A first transport device transports sample container carriers to or away from a first handover position associated with the first revolving device. A second transport device transports sample container carriers to or away from a second handover position associated with the second revolving device. A lifting device lifts a sample container carrier from a first lifting position associated with the first revolving device to a second lifting position associated with the second revolving device. An operating position is associated with the first or second revolving device. A sample container is loaded or unloaded into a sample container carrier placed at the operating position.

Abstract: A method and a device for transferring tubes between a laboratory automation system and a sample archiving system are presented. When transferring a tube from the laboratory automation system to the sample archiving system, a tube carrier carrying a tube is conveyed to a first take-over module via a first conveyor. At the first take-over module, the tube is removed from the tube carrier and the empty tube carrier is conveyed away from the first take-over module via a second conveyor. When transferring a tube from the sample archiving system to the laboratory automation system, an empty tube carrier is conveyed to a second take-over module via a third conveyor. At the second take-over module, at least one tube is inserted into the tube carrier and the tube carrier carrying the at least one tube is conveyed away from the second take-over module via a fourth conveyor.

Abstract: A sample handling device for a laboratory automation system comprising a first carousel with a disc supported on a first axis, a second carousel with a disc supported on a second axis parallel to the first axis, and a transfer element between the first and second carousels is presented. Each disc has recesses distributed radially about the disc perimeter. Each recess receives a tube carrier. The first carousel and the second carousel connect via a passage for transferring sample tube carriers between the first and second carousels. The transfer element is a track switch which when in a rest position partly closes the passage to separate the first carousel from the second carousel. The track switch is swiveled and/or rotated about a third axis parallel to the first axis out of the rest position for transferring a tube carrier from the first carousel to the second carousel via the passage.

Abstract: A sample container carrier handling apparatus is presented. A first revolving device located at a first level moves sample container carriers along a first path. A second revolving device located at a second level different from the first level moves sample container carriers along a second path. A first transport device transports sample container carriers to or away from a first handover position associated with the first revolving device. A second transport device transports sample container carriers to or away from a second handover position associated with the second revolving device. A lifting device lifts a sample container carrier from a first lifting position associated with the first revolving device to a second lifting position associated with the second revolving device. An operating position is associated with the first or second revolving device. A sample container is loaded or unloaded into a sample container carrier placed at the operating position.

Abstract: A method and a device for transferring tubes between a laboratory automation system and a sample archiving system are presented. When transferring a tube from the laboratory automation system to the sample archiving system, a tube carrier carrying a tube is conveyed to a first take-over module via a first conveyor. At the first take-over module, the tube is removed from the tube carrier and the empty tube carrier is conveyed away from the first take-over module via a second conveyor. When transferring a tube from the sample archiving system to the laboratory automation system, an empty tube carrier is conveyed to a second take-over module via a third conveyor. At the second take-over module, at least one tube is inserted into the tube carrier and the tube carrier carrying the at least one tube is conveyed away from the second take-over module via a fourth conveyor.