Patent ID: 6866820
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: B01L,B65D,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An appliance for opening and closing reagent container stoppers in a partially or fully automated analysis apparatus, wherein said apparatus includes a pipetting-needle carrier and said appliance comprises: a plunger for opening and closing a reagent container stopper by engaging and releasing a catch on the reagent container stopper, the plunger movable between an at rest position and a working position; an automatic conveyor for moving the reagent container relative to the plunger, wherein the conveyor is movable in a first direction to place the plunger in a position to open the stopper, and wherein the conveyor is movable in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, to place the plunger in a position to close the stopper; and a structure for translating movement of a pipetting-needle carrier to the plunger to cause movement of the plunger wherein the structure for translating movement includes means for moving the plunger in a downward direction in response to movement of the pipetting-needle carrier in an upward direction.