A loading apparatus and system is adapted to load unprocessed sample containers in a centrifuge and provide improved balance thereof. The apparatus has a staging platform containing at least two bucket inserts, a weight scale operable to determine a combined weight of each of the bucket inserts, a centrifuge configured to receive the bucket inserts as pairs, a robot operable to insert an unprocessed sample container into the bucket inserts, and a controller operable to command the robot to carry out placement of the unprocessed sample container into a highest priority empty receptacle of a lowest combined weight bucket insert. Methods of operating the system are provided.

A loading apparatus and system is adapted to load unprocessed sample containers in a centrifuge and provide improved balance thereof. The apparatus has a staging platform containing at least two bucket inserts, a weight scale operable to determine a combined weight of each of the bucket inserts, a centrifuge configured to receive the bucket inserts as pairs, a robot operable to insert an unprocessed sample container into the bucket inserts, and a controller operable to command the robot to carry out placement of the unprocessed sample container into a highest priority empty receptacle of a lowest combined weight bucket insert. Methods of operating the system are provided.

The disclosure relates to a centrifuge with a balancing mechanism and method of balancing such a centrifuge. The centrifuge includes a vertical shaft driven in rotation by a motor, and a mechanism for balancing the parts integral with said vertical shaft. The mechanism includes a plate integral with the vertical shaft, at least one compensating mass freely displacing on the plate, the mass being designed to limit the imbalance of parts integral with the vertical shaft, and a mechanism for blocking the compensating mass, the blocking mechanism being designed to immobilize the compensating mass on the plate when the rotation speed exceeds a determined value.

The disclosure relates to a centrifuge with a balancing mechanism and method of balancing such a centrifuge. The centrifuge includes a vertical shaft driven in rotation by a motor, and a mechanism for balancing the parts integral with said vertical shaft. The mechanism includes a plate integral with the vertical shaft, at least one compensating mass freely displacing on the plate, the mass being designed to limit the imbalance of parts integral with the vertical shaft, and a mechanism for blocking the compensating mass, the blocking mechanism being designed to immobilize the compensating mass on the plate when the rotation speed exceeds a determined value.

A sample container cap is disclosed. The sample cap container includes a sample cap body capable of covering an opening of a sample container and a centrifugation status indicator device in the top of the sample cap body. The centrifugation status indicator device includes: a first substance having a first density and a first color, and a second substance having a second density and a second color. The centrifugation status indicator device displays the first substance when the sample container has been centrifuged. The first substance can be a gel, and the second substance can include a plurality of particles. The second density is higher than the first density and the second color is different from the first color.

A sample container cap is disclosed. The sample cap container includes a sample cap body capable of covering an opening of a sample container and a centrifugation status indicator device in the top of the sample cap body. The centrifugation status indicator device includes: a first substance having a first density and a first color, and a second substance having a second density and a second color. The centrifugation status indicator device displays the first substance when the sample container has been centrifuged. The first substance can be a gel, and the second substance can include a plurality of particles. The second density is higher than the first density and the second color is different from the first color.

A centrifugal separator for separating a fluid mixture into components, including a non-rotating part, a rotor which is attached to a shaft which is rotatably supported in the non-rotating part around a rotational axis, which rotor forms within itself a separation space delimited by a rotor wall. The separator includes an inlet extending into the rotor for supply of a fluid mixture to be separated in the separation space, at least one sensor measuring unbalance conditions in the frame; a level determining arrangement including two or more space defining elements of arbitrary form arranged on the interior surface of, or close to, the rotor wall, where each space defining element defines a space which communicates with the separation space or another of the space defining elements through at least one inlet opening arranged at a certain radius from the rotational axis and not outside that radius and where that certain radii of the space defining elements are different. Methods for determining when a predetermined amount of heavy phase fluid (purification) or sludge (clarification) has been separated are also disclosed. The separator and methods make it possible to determine when the level of separated heavy phase fluid or sludge is high enough for emptying or discharge of the separator.

Described herein are examples of centrifuges. A centrifuge may include a basin to contain a solvent and a biomass. The centrifuge may further include a lid connected to the basin via a hinge and configured to selectively close a top opening of the basin. The centrifuge may further include circular basket disposed within the basin. The centrifuge may further include a balancing ring to counterbalance contents of the basin. The balancing ring may include two or more spherical weights and a race configured to receive the two or more spherical weights and configured to permit the two or more spherical weights to move within the race while the centrifuge is spinning, thereby counterbalancing the contents of the basin.

Described herein are examples of centrifuges. A centrifuge may include a basin to contain a solvent and a biomass. The centrifuge may further include a lid connected to the basin via a hinge and configured to selectively close a top opening of the basin. The centrifuge may further include circular basket disposed within the basin. The centrifuge may further include a balancing ring to counterbalance contents of the basin. The balancing ring may include two or more spherical weights and a race configured to receive the two or more spherical weights and configured to permit the two or more spherical weights to move within the race while the centrifuge is spinning, thereby counterbalancing the contents of the basin.

An analytical laboratory system and method for processing samples is disclosed. The system includes a manager unit, as well as an aliquotter unit and a centrifuge unit.