An uncapping apparatus for a test tube cap includes a drive head having at least two drive head elements. The drive head elements have a first section and a second section located on two opposite sides of a rotary shaft. An elastic element provides a tensioning force to the drive head elements. A switching element is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second sections are under the tensioning force of the elastic element to cause the first sections to form a first drive head size. In the second position, the switching element acts on the elastic element to change the tensioning force acting on the second sections, so that by rotation of the drive head element, the first sections form a second drive head size. A method for using an uncapping apparatus to open a test tube cap is also described.

An uncapping apparatus for a test tube cap includes a drive head having at least two drive head elements. The drive head elements have a first section and a second section located on two opposite sides of a rotary shaft. An elastic element provides a tensioning force to the drive head elements. A switching element is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second sections are under the tensioning force of the elastic element to cause the first sections to form a first drive head size. In the second position, the switching element acts on the elastic element to change the tensioning force acting on the second sections, so that by rotation of the drive head element, the first sections form a second drive head size. A method for using an uncapping apparatus to open a test tube cap is also described.

A device for unstopping a stopped specimen vessel that contains a liquid specimen such as blood is equipped with a mechanism which sucks and captures particles floating around the opening of the specimen vessel and prevents contamination of the specimen. The unstopping device grips a vessel and the stopper of the opening of the vessel, and removes the stopper from the opening of the vessel by changing the relative distance between the vessel-gripping mechanism and the unstopping mechanism. The unstopping device is equipped with: suction holes for sucking therethrough the gas which is present around the opening and contains liquid or solid particles; a pipeline which is connected to the suction holes and through which the sucked gas and particles are led downstream; a suction device connected to the pipeline; and a spirally flexed pipeline part disposed between the pipeline and the suction device.

[Problem to be solved] A sample storage tube and an automation system for operating a sample storage tube are provided, which can operate a lid capping operation, a carrying operation and lid decapping operation by using a robot arm.

[Solution] A sample storage tube 100 comprises a tube body 120 and a lid 110. The lid 110 comprises a lid dent inner screw 112 accessible by a first lid access module 210 and a lid top recession and protrusion shape structure 113 accessible by a second lid access module. A capping operation and a carrying operation for the lid 110 against the tube body 120 is achieved by the rotation torque to the lid 110 given by the second lid access module via the lid top recession and protrusion shape structure 113. The pulling-up force by the rotation of the first lid access module via the lid dent inner screw 112 and the pushing-down force by the contacting of the second lid access module via the lid top recession and protrusion shape structure 113 at the same time, the lid is held firmly by pinching the both forces.

[Problem to be solved] A sample storage tube and an automation system for operating a sample storage tube are provided, which can operate a lid capping operation, a carrying operation and lid decapping operation by using a robot arm.

[Solution] A sample storage tube 100 comprises a tube body 120 and a lid 110. The lid 110 comprises a lid dent inner screw 112 accessible by a first lid access module 210 and a lid top recession and protrusion shape structure 113 accessible by a second lid access module. A capping operation and a carrying operation for the lid 110 against the tube body 120 is achieved by the rotation torque to the lid 110 given by the second lid access module via the lid top recession and protrusion shape structure 113. The pulling-up force by the rotation of the first lid access module via the lid dent inner screw 112 and the pushing-down force by the contacting of the second lid access module via the lid top recession and protrusion shape structure 113 at the same time, the lid is held firmly by pinching the both forces.

A decapping device may be integrated with an automated biochemical analyzer or biological testing system to aid in sample testing. The exemplary decapper, includes a motor that is operable to lower a latch mechanism to engage with a cap of a sample tube and then raise the latch mechanism to remove the engaged cap. As the latch mechanism is lowered, a retractor portion also descends and causes a set of grippers to extend and grip the sample tube. As the latch mechanism is raised, the set of grippers apply a corresponding pressure to hold the sample tube in place while the cap is removed. Once removed, the cap rests within the latch mechanism and the set of grippers are retracted by the raising retractor. As the latch mechanism returns to its origin position, an ejector arm is operated causing the cap to be ejected from the latch mechanism.

An uncapping apparatus for a test tube cap includes a drive head having at least two drive head elements. The drive head elements have a first section and a second section located on two opposite sides of a rotary shaft. An elastic element provides a tensioning force to the drive head elements. A switching element is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second sections are under the tensioning force of the elastic element to cause the first sections to form a first drive head size. In the second position, the switching element acts on the elastic element to change the tensioning force acting on the second sections, so that by rotation of the drive head element, the first sections form a second drive head size. A method for using an uncapping apparatus to open a test tube cap is also described.

An uncapping apparatus for a test tube cap includes a drive head having at least two drive head elements. The drive head elements have a first section and a second section located on two opposite sides of a rotary shaft. An elastic element provides a tensioning force to the drive head elements. A switching element is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the second sections are under the tensioning force of the elastic element to cause the first sections to form a first drive head size. In the second position, the switching element acts on the elastic element to change the tensioning force acting on the second sections, so that by rotation of the drive head element, the first sections form a second drive head size. A method for using an uncapping apparatus to open a test tube cap is also described.