Patent ID: 9423410
Filing Date: 2016-08-23
CPC Classification: B01L,G01N

Claim Text:
1. A transport device for receiving and fixing a sample container and for transporting the sample container between pre-analytical, analytical and/or post-analytical stations of a laboratory automation system, the transport device comprises: at least one magnetically active element, wherein the at least one magnetically active element interacts with a magnetic field such that a driving force is applied to the transport device, and wherein the magnetic field is generated by at least one electromagnetic actuator; a holding unit having a push-through region through which the sample container can be pushed in longitudinal direction, wherein the holding unit is formed such that the sample container, in the pushed-through state, is fixed radially in the region of the holding unit, and wherein the holding unit is a collet, wherein the collet comprises a plurality of clamping elements arranged in a circular manner, wherein a sleeve, displaceable vertically between a top position and a bottom position, is arranged radially outside of the clamping elements, wherein the sleeve presses the clamping elements radially inward when situated in the top position, and wherein a spring, which tensions the sleeve toward the top position, is arranged below the sleeve; and a receiving unit spaced from the holding unit, the receiving unit comprising a conical indentation for receiving a bottom end of the sample container, wherein the receiving unit receives the bottom end of a pushed-through sample container and wherein the receiving unit is fixed to the bottom end of a pushed-through sample container in a radial manner.