Abstract: An apparatus for automatically handling sample cups closed with a screwable cap is disclosed. The apparatus for automatically opening, closing and transporting sample cups comprises a transportable gripper (11) which includes a rotatable gripper tool (21) adapted to enter and engage with a recess (35, 36) of said cap (34) to form a connection which can be locked by rotating the gripper tool (21) in a first sense with respect to said sample cup (31) and which can be unlocked by rotating the gripper tool (21) with respect to said sample cup (31) in a second sense opposite to the first.

Abstract: A method for transferring a liquid using a device having a waste chamber, a pipette tip parking chamber and at least one process chamber is disclosed. The liquid may be transferred between process chambers, or from one process chamber to the waste chamber, or from a primary sample tube external to the device to one process chamber, or from one process chamber to a specimen container external to said device, and wherein said transfer of the liquid is effected by means of pipetting operations carried out with said pipette tip. The method is particularly suitable for contamination-free processing of biological samples.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically handling sample cups closed with a screwable cap is disclosed. The apparatus for automatically opening, closing and transporting sample cups comprises a transportable gripper (11) which includes a rotatable gripper tool (21) adapted to enter and engage with a recess (35, 36) of said cap (34) to form a connection which can be locked by rotating the gripper tool (21) in a first sense with respect to said sample cup (31) and which can be unlocked by rotating the gripper tool (21) with respect to said sample cup (31) in a second sense opposite to the first.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically handling sample cups closed with a screwable cap is disclosed. The apparatus for automatically opening, closing and transporting sample cups comprises a transportable gripper (11) which includes a rotatable gripper tool (21) adapted to enter and engage with a recess (35, 36) of said cap (34) to form a connection which can be locked by rotating the gripper tool (21) in a first sense with respect to said sample cup (31) and which can be unlocked by rotating the gripper tool (21) with respect to said sample cup (31) in a second sense opposite to the first.

Abstract: An automatic sample processing system containing:a) a sample vessel,b) a sample vessel carrier having a chamber to receive the sample vessel, andc) a sample identification component which carries a readable identification of a sample. The sample identification component is removably attachable to the sample vessel and to the sample vessel carrier.

Abstract: A disposable device for carrying out a process in which a biological sample is processed with one or more reagents is described. Contamination-free processing of biological samples is also disclosed.

Abstract: A throwaway arrangement of reaction containers each having the same shape and dimensions for bringing about temperature cycles in a liquid mixture contained within the reaction containers. Each reaction container having a first conical wall region, and a second cylindrical wall region which at one end forms the opening of the reaction container. The thickness of the first wall region is less than the thickness of the second wall region. The opening of the reaction container is adapted to receive a cover for closing the container in gas-tight manner when placed on the opening of the reaction container. To facilitate handling and access to the liquids in the reaction containers, the arrangement reaction containers is annular, and the closure of each reaction container can be pierced by a pipetting needle.