Disclosed are high-throughput vessel supply systems and methods of supplying sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for supplying a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel sorting systems and methods of sorting sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for sorting a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

A movable piece includes a front arm and a rear arm. In a first process, the front arm retreats from a conveying path to permit forward movement of an n-th holder, and in a second process advances into the conveying path to restrict forward movement of an n+1-th holder. In the first process, the rear arm advances into the conveying path to restrict forward movement of the n-th holder, and in the second process retreats from the conveying path 18 to permit forward movement of the n-th holder. Midway through the second process, the n-th holder 84 is positioned in a reference stopping position.

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel supply systems and methods of supplying sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for supplying a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

A sample carrier handling devices for manipulating a sample carrier is presented. The sample carrier is configured to carry a sample container containing a sample which is used in a diagnostics laboratory. The sample carrier handling device comprises a housing which is at least partially closed, defining a circumferential surface. A pull-push-element of the sample carrier handling device is configured to pull, push, or pull and push the sample carrier with an end-portion of the pull-push-element. The pull-push-element defines a central axis. The pull-push-element is arranged in the housing so that during a movement of the pull-push-element the central axis of the pull-push-element changes its direction while the end portion of the pull-push-element remains in an axis of motion.

A laboratory automated system can include a host conveyor assembly configured to transport a plurality of carriers and receptacles coupled thereto between at least a sample processing instrument and at least one assay instrument. The system includes an intermediate conveyor assembly configured to transport a plurality of carriers and receptacles coupled thereto from within sample processing instrument to the host conveyor assembly. The system also includes an intermediate conveyor assembly for each assay instrument configured to transport a plurality of carriers from host conveyor assembly to a respective processing position within the assay instrument. The intermediate conveyor assembly coupled to the assay instrument can include a buffer conveyor subassembly configured to receive carriers from the host conveyor assembly, and a spur conveyor assembly configured to transport a carrier to the processing position of the assay instrument.

A switch for a conveying line for transporting a laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier is presented. The conveying line comprises a first line portion and a second line portion. The switch comprises a curved first guiding surface and a second guiding surface. The switch is moveable between a first position, in which the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier is transportable along the curved first guiding surface from the first line portion to the second line portion, and a second position, in which the laboratory diagnostic vessel carrier is further transportable along the second guiding surface on the first line portion. A switch assembly and a conveying line are also disclosed.

Disclosed are high-throughput vessel sorting systems and methods of sorting sample vessels, such as samples stored in test tubes. A system for sorting a plurality of individual vessels that each contains a sample is disclosed.

A movable piece includes a front arm and a rear arm. In a first process, the front arm retreats from a conveying path to permit forward movement of an n-th holder, and in a second process advances into the conveying path to restrict forward movement of an n+1-th holder. In the first process, the rear arm advances into the conveying path to restrict forward movement of the n-th holder, and in the second process retreats from the conveying path 18 to permit forward movement of the n-th holder. Midway through the second process, the n-th holder 84 is positioned in a reference stopping position.

Disclosed aspects relate to a conveyance system and method for conveying a plurality of object carriers. The conveyance system comprises at least one first conveyor lane section, and at least, two second conveyor lane sections. The conveyance system further comprises a rotatable diverting element for diverting an object carrier of the plurality of object carriers between the at least one first conveyor lane section and one of the at least two second conveyor lane sections of the conveyance system.