US 12,078,650 B2
Method for unsealing an opening of a laboratory sample container, method for handling a laboratory sample container, laboratory apparatus and laboratory automation system
Daniel Mueller, Rotkreuz (CH)
Assigned to Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed by Roche Diagnostics Operations, Inc., Indianapolis, IN (US)
Filed on Mar. 7, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/295,179.
Claims priority of application No. 18164036 (EP), filed on Mar. 26, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2019/0293670 A1, Sep. 26, 2019
Int. Cl. G01N 35/04 (2006.01); G01N 35/10 (2006.01); B01D 35/02 (2006.01); B01F 25/00 (2022.01); B01L 3/00 (2006.01); B01L 3/02 (2006.01); B04B 5/04 (2006.01); B04B 11/04 (2006.01); B23P 19/00 (2006.01); B65B 7/16 (2006.01); B65B 7/28 (2006.01); G01N 1/28 (2006.01); G01N 21/77 (2006.01); G01N 33/543 (2006.01); G01N 35/00 (2006.01); G01N 35/02 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 35/04 (2013.01) [G01N 35/10 (2013.01); B01D 35/02 (2013.01); B01F 25/00 (2022.01); B01L 3/00 (2013.01); B01L 3/02 (2013.01); B04B 5/04 (2013.01); B04B 11/04 (2013.01); B23P 19/00 (2013.01); B65B 7/16 (2013.01); B65B 7/28 (2013.01); G01N 1/28 (2013.01); G01N 21/77 (2013.01); G01N 33/543 (2013.01); G01N 35/00 (2013.01); G01N 2035/00346 (2013.01); G01N 35/02 (2013.01); G01N 2035/0405 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A laboratory apparatus for unsealing an opening of a laboratory sample container containing a liquid sample, wherein the opening is sealed by a closure attached to the laboratory sample container by an adhesive, wherein an adhesive strength of the adhesive is lowerable by treatment, the laboratory apparatus comprising:
a UV radiation treater that during operation causes the a material of the adhesive to undergo an adhesive strength reduction through crosslinking, the UV radiation treater configured to impart radiation to the adhesive along a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a line between the adhesive and the liquid sample;
a remover comprising at least one roller receptacle and mover; and
a movement unit configured to convey the sample container containing the liquid sample to keep the opening in an upright position, as well as to place the sample container in contact with the remover such that during operation the remover attaches a take-up to the closure by another adhesive that has an adhesive strength such that an adhesive force between the take-up and the attached closure is higher than an adhesive force between the closure and the laboratory sample container such that the take-up with the attached closure is removed from the laboratory sample container while keeping the sample container in the upright position, wherein the at least one roller receptacle and mover are configured to supply the take-up by a roller tape and to move the roller tape with the take-up with the attached closure from the laboratory sample container.