Patent Description:
In typical laboratories, such as e.g. clinical laboratories, usually a large number of sample containers comprising sample material is handled and/or processed per unit time in an at least partly automated manner. Therein, the handling and/or processing may, for example, comprise transporting the sample containers between different work cells or areas of the laboratory, e.g. by means of an at least partly automated transport system. Also, sample containers may be stored at least temporarily in a typical laboratory workflow, e.g. in one or more sample container racks. Particularly during transportation and/or storage of the sample containers, it may be desirable to protect the contents of the sample containers, i.e. the sample material contained in the sample containers, against e.g. loss of sample material, leakage, spillage, pollution and/or cross contamination. For this reason, the sample containers are usually closed with a plug and/or cap, wherein the plugs and/or caps are preferably applied to the sample containers or removed therefrom in an at least partly automated manner, e.g. using a capper and/or decapper device.

Further, different types of sample containers may be handled and/or processed in a laboratory, wherein the different types of sample containers may differ, inter alia, in size, mechanical (or geometrical) dimension, volume, tube diameter, diameter of an opening of the sample containers and/or shape. Automation systems and/or devices used for at least partly automating the laboratory workflow, therefore, should preferably be suitable for handling a lot of different types of sample containers. Individual caps and/or plugs currently utilized in laboratories, however, may cover a limited diameter range only. Hence, the caps and/or plugs may only be suitable for a specific type of sample containers. Also, sample containers with a stepped inner diameter may be used in labs, which may require specific caps and/or plugs with a specific design, shape and/or geometry.

Due to the different types of sample containers that are to be handled in at least partly automated manner in a lab and because caps and/or plugs usually come in a bulk package, the caps and/or plugs may have to be decollated and/or aligned before they can be inserted into and/or applied to the sample containers. This may require complicated and expensive mechanisms as well as special devices, such as e.g. a re-capper robot, to handle the individual caps and/or plugs and apply them to the sample containers. Further, Parafilm pads are currently used to protect sample container content. These Parafilm pads, however, may be inconvenient to use in an automated environment and may require complicated mechanisms for applying them to the sample containers.

Document <CIT> describes an apparatus for closing a filling hole in a can wall, wherein a plastics material is heated by heating the filling hole and the heated plastics material is inserted into the filling hole. Document <CIT> describes a method and system to close a hole in a pressurized container, document <CIT> describes an apparatus to press a plug into a hole of a container, and document <CIT> describes a method of venting a filled bottle by means of an elastic stopper.

It may be desirable to provide for an improved solution and/or apparatus for closing a sample container with a cap and/or plug, e.g. in a laboratory and/or laboratory environment.

This is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims, wherein further embodiments are incorporated in the dependent claims and the following description. A first aspect of the present disclosure relates to an applicator assembly for closing a sample container with a plug, as defined in claim <NUM>. A second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a use of a string comprising polymer-based material with such applicator assembly for closing a sample container, and a third aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of closing a sample container with such applicator assembly. It should be noted that any feature, function and/or element described in the following with reference to the applicator assembly equally applies to the use of the string and/or the method, and vice versa. Accordingly, any feature, function, step and/or element described in the following with reference to one aspect of the present disclosure equally applies to any other aspect of the present disclosure.

The first aspect of the present disclosure relates to an applicator assembly and/or apparatus for inserting a plug at least partly into a sample container (and/or an opening thereof) and/or for closing a sample container (and/or an opening thereof) with a plug. Generally, the applicator assembly may be semi-automated or fully automated. In other words, by means of the applicator assembly, the plug can be inserted into the sample container and/or the sample container can be closed with the plug in an at least partly automated manner. The applicator assembly comprises a magazine configured to store a string comprising polymer-based material, an insertion device configured to insert an end piece of the string at least partly into an opening of the sample container, and a drive system configured to supply at least a part of the string from the magazine to the insertion device and/or configured to drive at least a part of the insertion device, such that the end piece is at least partly inserted into and/or applied to the opening of the sample container. The applicator assembly further comprises a separator configured to separate the end piece from the string and/or from a remaining part of the string, such that the end piece forms a plug closing, e.g. substantially or entirely closing, the sample container and/or the opening of the sample container.

By using the string comprising polymer-based material and by separating the end piece of the string to form the plug closing the sample container, the sample container can be efficiently and reliably closed. Further, using e.g. an appropriate material and/or diameter of the string, sample containers of different sizes, volumes, diameters, mechanical dimensions, and/or opening diameters (i.e. diameters of the openings of the sample containers) can be reliably, efficiently and quickly be closed. Further, by separating the end piece from the string and/or a remaining part of the string to form the plug and to close the sample container, production costs for the plug can be significantly reduced, inter alia, because many plugs can be generated per unit time and/or because material costs can be kept at a minimum. Also, by means of the present invention, plugs may not have to be decollated and/or aligned prior to insertion into a sample container. This may render complicated and expensive mechanisms as well as special devices, such as e.g. a re-capper robot, to handle individual plugs and apply them to the sample containers obsolete. Accordingly, a cost-efficient, efficient, fast, improved, simplified and/or reliable solution for closing sample containers may be provided by the present invention. Thereby, an overall process of handling sample containers e.g. in a laboratory can be significantly improved.

Here and in the following, the magazine may refer to a storage, storage structure and/or storage compartment configured to store, comprise and/or at least partly encompass the string. Alternatively or additionally, the magazine may refer to a support structure and/or support for supporting and/or holding at least a part of the string. In other words, at least a part of the string may be supported and/or stored in the magazine. By way of example, at least a part of the string may be coiled and/or rolled-up when stored and/or comprised in the magazine. Alternatively or additionally, at least a part of the string may be loosely contained, arranged and/or stored in the magazine. Generally, the magazine may be configured such that at least a part of the string can be transported and/or dragged from the magazine to the insertion device, preferably without getting stuck in the magazine and/or a part thereof.

The sample container may denote and/or refer to any type of container for storing any type of medium, material, and/or sample material. Therein, the medium, material and/or sample material may be a fluid material, a liquid material, a solid material or a mixture thereof. For instance, the sample container may refer to a sample tube, a vial and/or any other type of container. Therein, the sample container may comprise an opening for inserting the medium, material and/or sample material into the sample container, an interior volume of the sample container and/or a storage compartment of the sample container. Accordingly, the interior volume and/or the storage compartment of the sample container may be accessible via the opening of the sample container. Further, the medium, material and/or sample material may be removed from the sample container via the opening.

In the context of the present disclosure, the string may refer to an elongated element comprising polymer-based material. For instance, the string may refer to a strand, cord and/or thread-like element. Alternatively or additionally, the string may have a cylindrical shape. Therein, a cross-section, cross-sectional area and/or cross-sectional geometry of the string may be arbitrarily shaped, such as e.g. round, oval, circular, angularly, square, rectangular, triangular or the like.

The string and/or a material thereof may be at least partly compressible, stretchable, flexible and/or deformable. For instance, an outer circumference, diameter and/or perimeter of the string can be reduced by exerting a corresponding force onto the string, e.g. a force directed at least partly towards a longitudinal axis and/or center axis of the string, and/or by compressing the string. Alternatively or additionally, a length and/or shape of the string may be varied by applying a respective force onto the string. Alternatively or additionally, the string and/or the material thereof may be at least partly elastic. Accordingly, the string may be elastically deformable and/or elastically compressible. In other words, the string may be deformed, compressed, stretched, and/or elongated, e.g. by exerting a respective force onto the string. Further, the string may resume, substantially or entirely, its original shape, length, geometry and/or form when the force is removed.

The string may comprise an arbitrary polymer-based material, preferably providing a certain elasticity and/or flexibility, such that the end piece of the string can be inserted into the opening, e.g. by elastically deforming and/or compressing at least a part of the end piece.

The end piece of the string may refer to a part of the string arranged on one end of string. A length of the end piece, which may be measured parallel to a longitudinal axis of the string and/or the end piece, may range from several millimeters to several centimeters. The length of the end piece may, for instance, range from <NUM> to <NUM>, particularly from <NUM> to <NUM>.

In the context of the present disclosure, it may be referred to the end piece as a part, end part and/or end of the string which is attached and/or connected to a remaining part and/or rest of the string. When the end piece is separated, physically separated and/or detached from the remaining part of the string, the end piece may form and/or may be referred to as plug. The plug may also be referred to as a cap closing the opening of the sample container. For closing the sample container and/or the opening thereof, at least a part of the end piece and/or the plug may be arranged in the opening and/or in an interior volume of the sample container. When inserted into the opening, the at least part of the end piece and/or the plug (and/or the material thereof) may expand inside the sample container, such that the end/piece and/or the plug closes the opening of the sample container, particularly of the end piece was compressed during insertion into the opening. Alternatively or additionally, a diameter of the string may substantially correspond to a diameter of the opening of the sample container.

Generally, the separator may refer to a separator device and/or may be configured to separate, detach, isolate, disconnect, sever and/or remove the end piece from the string and/or from the remaining part of the string, e.g. after and/or when the end piece is at least partly inserted into the opening. The separator may be configured to separate the end piece from the remaining part of the string, such that a part and/or an end of the plug extends from an end of the sample container. This may simplify removing the plug from the sample container, e.g. by pulling out the plug. Alternatively, the separator may be configured to separate the end piece from the remaining part of the string, such that an end of the plug and the end of the sample container are substantially flush. In this case, the plug may be removed from the sample container e.g. by corkscrew mechanism. Further, at least a part of the separator or the entire separator may be an integral part of the insertion device and/or of the drive system. In other words, a function and/or configuration of the separator can be a function and/or configuration of the insertion device and/or the drive system.

The drive system may refer to a transport system and/or may be configured to transport, move and/or convey the end piece of the string from the magazine to the insertion device and into the opening of the sample container. Therein, the drive system may be configured to exert a driving force directly onto the string and/or the end piece to supply and/or move the string and/or the end piece to the insertion device. Alternatively or additionally, the drive system may be configured to drive the at least part of the insertion device, such that the at least part of the insertion device exerts a driving force onto the string to move and/or insert the end piece at least partly into the opening. Accordingly, the drive system may be configured to directly drive the string, to indirectly drive the string by driving the at least part of the insertion device, or both. Further at least a part of the drive system and/or the entire drive system may be an integral part of the insertion device. In other words, a function and/or configuration of the drive system can be a function and/or configuration of the insertion device.

According to an embodiment, the separator is configured to cut off and/or shear off the end piece from the string to form the plug. The separator may, for example, comprise one or more cutting elements and/or cutters configured to mechanically cut off, pinch off and/or shear off the end piece from the remaining part of the string to form the plug. Optionally, at least a part of the separator may be heated such that a material of the string can be locally melted to separate the end piece from the remaining part of the string.

According to an embodiment, the separator is configured to rotate at least a part of the insertion device along and/or in a circumferential direction of the end piece (and/or a circumferential direction of the insertion device) to shear off the end piece from the string and/or from the remaining part of the string. Generally, the separator may be configured to rotate the at least part of the insertion device such that the end piece and the remaining part of the string may be rotated relative to each other. For example, the end piece may be substantially fixed by a part of the insertion device and/or by the sample container, in which at least a part of the end piece may be arranged, and the remaining part of the string may be rotated by rotating the at least part of the insertion device. Alternatively, the sample container with the at least part of the end piece inserted therein may be rotated and the remaining part of the string may be substantially fixed e.g. by the insertion device. Further, the separator may be configured to rotate the end piece along a first circumferential direction of the end piece (and/or a first circumferential direction of the insertion device) and to rotate the remaining part of the string along a second circumferential direction of the end piece (and/or a second circumferential direction of the insertion device) opposite to the first circumferential direction in order to shear off the end piece from the remaining part. It should be noted that the separator may be configured to rotate only a part of the insertion device, the entire insertion device and/or other components of the applicator assembly to shear off the end piece. Moreover, the separator may be configured to rotate substantially the entire applicator assembly with respect to the sample container in order to separate the end piece and the remaining part of the string.

According to an embodiment, the string comprises at least one of a foam material, a closed cell foam material, a compressible material, and a plastic material. For example, the string may comprise Polyethylen, Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and/or any other foam and/or plastic material. The string and/or the material thereof may optionally be reinforced. For example, the string may comprise fibers for increasing a mechanical stability of the string. By using a string comprising one or more of the materials described hereinabove, it may be ensured that a circumference and/or diameter of the string and/or the end piece can be significantly reduced by compressing, with a compressing force, the string and/or end piece with respect to a state of the string and/or end piece, in which no compressing force is applied. This may allow inserting the end piece into sample containers having different volumes, sizes, diameters and/or opening diameters. When inserted into the opening of the sample container and when the compressing force is removed, the end piece may expand within the sample container, thereby closing the opening. This may allow to use the string for closing basically all available sample containers in a laboratory in an efficient and reliable manner. In other words, the plugs formed from the string according to the present disclosure may cover the entire range of sample container diameters. In contrast thereto, currently available individual caps and/or plugs for sample containers cover only a limited range of diameters of sample containers and/or diameters of openings of sample containers.

Moreover, by using one or more of the aforementioned materials for the string, a weight of an individual plug may be significantly reduced with respect to currently available plugs for sample containers. Therein, the weight of an individual plug may, for instance, be below <NUM> gram, for example below <NUM> gram, and in particular in the range of some milligrams. Accordingly, an environmental impact and thus a carbon foot print may be significantly reduced. Further, due to the reduced weight of an individual plug, it may be ensured that the plug remains in place after insertion into the sample container, e.g. during centrifugation of the sample container, during transportation and/or if a sample container falls to the ground.

According to an embodiment, the insertion device is configured to compress at least a part of the end piece to insert the end piece of the string at least partly into the opening of the sample container. Generally, this may simplify insertion of the end piece into the sample container. Apart from that, compressing the end piece may allow to reliably insert the end piece into the opening, e.g. to a desired and/or predetermined depth. Also, the same string and/or a string having a fixed diameter (in a state, in which no compression force is applied) may be used for closing different sample containers having different diameters and/or opening diameters.

According to an embodiment, the insertion device comprises at least one linear motion element configured to translate and/or move the end piece of the string along and/or parallel to a longitudinal direction of the string, a longitudinal direction of the end piece and/or a longitudinal direction of the insertion device in order to insert the end piece at least partly into the opening of the sample container. Therein, the longitudinal direction of the end piece, the string and/or the insertion piece may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end piece, the string and/or the insertion device. By way of example, one or more linear motion elements may be arranged around the string, wherein each motion element may be configured to apply a driving force substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the string and/or the end piece, as exemplary described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Therein, the one or more linear motion elements may be driven by the drive system. Further, each linear motion element may comprise e.g. a roller, drive roller, a tap drive, a belt drive, a conveyor drive or the like.

According to the invention, the insertion device comprises a first rotatable member configured to rotate the end piece of the string along a first circumferential direction of the string (and/or of the end piece) and to translate the end piece of the string along and/or parallel to a longitudinal direction of the string (and/or of the end piece) to insert the end piece at least partly into the opening of the sample container. Accordingly, the first rotatable member of the insertion device is configured to exert a rotational force onto the end piece for rotating the end piece along and/or in the first circumferential direction. Further, the first rotatable member is configured to exert a translational force onto the end piece for moving and/or translating the end piece parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end piece, e.g. in direction of and/or towards the sample container. Generally, the first rotatable member and/or the insertion device may be configured such that a rotational movement of the first rotatable member induces the rotation of the end piece along the first circumferential direction and the translational movement of the end piece parallel to the longitudinal axis and/or in longitudinal direction of the end piece.

According to the invention, the first rotatable member comprises at least two rotatable pins, e.g. at least three rotatable pins, wherein the at least two rotatable pins are arranged skew with respect to each other and are separated from each other, such that a guiding compartment for guiding the end piece of the string is formed between the at least two rotatable pins. Therein, each of the rotatable pins may be rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the respective rotatable pin. For example, each of the rotatable pins may be cylindrically shaped, bar-shaped, and/or rod-shaped. The rotatable pins may be arranged around a perimeter of the string and/or the end piece. In other words, the pins are spaced apart from each other along and/or in circumferential direction of the end piece and/or the string, thereby forming the guiding compartment.

According to the invention, the at least two rotatable pins are arranged such that at least a part of a lateral surface and/or a tip of each pin contacts at least a part of a lateral surface of the end piece, such that the end piece is rotated and translated by rotating at least a subset (e.g. at least one) of the at least two pins around a longitudinal axis of the respective pin(s). By arranging the pins around the end piece and by arranging them skew with respect to each other, a rotational movement of the pins may induce a rotational movement and a translational movement of the end piece. Generally, the end piece can be inserted into the sample container based on rolling off one or more of the pins on the lateral surface of the end piece. Accordingly, by means of the pins, the end piece of the string may be driven and precisely guided within the guiding compartment formed by the pins. This may allow for a compact and robust design of the applicator assembly. Further, due to the skew arrangement of the pins, which ends of the pins may converge in a direction towards the sample container, the end piece can be compressed while being transported through the guiding compartment.

According to an embodiment, the first rotatable member comprises a rotatable funnel for guiding the end piece of the string, wherein the rotatable funnel comprises a conically converging inner thread configured to at least partly contact a lateral surface of the end piece, such that the end piece is rotated and translated by rotating the rotatable funnel. Therein, the inner thread may conically converge towards an end of the rotatable funnel, which end may be arranged opposite to the opening of the sample container. Generally, the inner thread may refer to a spiral guiding track, guiding rib and/or protrusion, e.g. protruding from an inner surface of the rotatable funnel.

According to an embodiment, the insertion device comprises a second rotatable member configured to contact at least a part of the string and/or a lateral surface of the string, which part of the string neighbors the end piece and/or which part is arranged adjacent to the end piece. Therein, the second rotatable member is configured to rotate the at least part of the string along and/or in a second circumferential direction of the string opposite to the first circumferential direction, such that a rotation of the second rotatable member compensates for a rotation of the end piece induced by a rotation of the first rotatable member. By means of the second rotatable member, a twisting of the remaining part of the string may be advantageously reduced, minimized and/or avoided.

It should be noted that in the context of the present disclosure, the second rotatable member may refer to any part of the applicator assembly other than the first rotatable member. In other words, the second rotatable member may refer to the remaining part of the applicator assembly other than the first rotatable member. Accordingly, the first rotatable member may induce a rotation of the end piece along the first circumferential direction, wherein this rotation may be compensated by rotating the remaining part of the applicator assembly in the second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction.

According to an embodiment, the second rotatable member is configured to annularly encompass the at least part of the string neighboring the end piece and/or being arranged adjacent to the end piece of the string. By annularly encompassing the at least part of the string, a twisting of said part of the string and/or the remaining part of the string (i.e. the part of the string other than the end piece) may efficiently be reduced and/or avoided. Also, said part may be guided, positioned, straightened and/or aligned.

According to an embodiment, the drive system comprises at least one drive wheel configured to roll off at an outer surface of the second rotatable member to rotate the second rotatable member, wherein the at least one drive wheel is coupled via a flexible coupling with the first rotatable member to rotate the first rotatable member. Accordingly, by means of the at least one drive wheel, a rotation of the end piece along the first circumferential direction thereof can be induced by rotating the first rotatable member. Further, the rotation of the end piece along the first circumferential direction can be compensated for by rotating the second rotatable member such that the part of the string neighboring the end piece is rotated in the second circumferential direction opposite the first circumferential direction. This may advantageously allow for a compact design of the applicator assembly, while also ensuring a coordinated movement of the first and second rotatable members,.

The second aspect of the present disclosure relates to a use of a string comprising polymer-based material with an applicator assembly for closing a sample container, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow.

The third aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of closing a sample container with an applicator assembly, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow. The method comprises the steps of:.

Any features, functions and/or elements, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow with reference to the applicator assembly, can be features, elements, functions, and/or steps of the method, as described hereinabove and hereinbelow, and vice versa.

According to an embodiment, the step of inserting the at least part of the end piece comprises rotating the end piece along a circumferential direction of the end piece, e.g. a first circumferential direction thereof, and translating the end piece along and/or parallel to a longitudinal direction of the end piece.

According to an embodiment, the step of inserting the at least part of the end piece into the opening comprises compressing at least a part of the end piece with the insertion device.

According to an embodiment, the step of separating the end piece from the string and/or from the remaining part of the string comprises at least one of cutting off and shearing off the end piece from the remaining part of the string, thereby forming the plug.

According to an embodiment, the step of separating the end piece from the string and/or from the remaining part of the string comprises rotating at least a part of the insertion device of the applicator assembly, thereby shearing off the end piece from the string and/or from the remaining part of the string. Particularly, separating the end piece may comprise rotating the end piece and the remaining part relative to each other to shear off the end piece.

According to an embodiment, the method further comprises extruding the string using an extrusion device of the applicator assembly, thereby forming at least a part of the string. Accordingly, the applicator assembly may comprise an extrusion device configured to store a raw material, basic material and/or primary material of the string. The raw material of the string may be stored in the extrusion device e.g. in granulate form or the like. The extrusion device may be configured to heat and/or melt the raw material of the string. The molten material of the string may then be extruded via an opening of the extrusion device to form the string. Generally, this allows producing the string on demand and/or to further reduce production costs of the string as well as of the plug.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the appended figures, which may represent exemplary embodiments.

The subject-matter of the invention will be explained in more detail in the following with reference to exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the attached drawings, wherein:.

The figures are schematic only and not true to scale. In principle, identical or like parts are provided with identical or like reference symbols in the figures.

<FIG> shows an applicator assembly <NUM> for closing a sample container <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment. <FIG> shows a sample container <NUM> closed by means of the applicator assembly <NUM> of <FIG>.

The applicator assembly <NUM> comprises a magazine <NUM> configured to store, contain, hold and/or support at least a part of string <NUM> comprising polymer-based material. The string <NUM> may comprise, for instance, a foam material, a closed cell foam material, a compressible material, an elastically deformable material, an elastically compressible material, a plastic material or the like. As shown in <FIG>, the part of the string <NUM> arranged in the magazine <NUM> may e.g. be coiled-up, thereby allowing to efficiently store the string <NUM>, while ensuring that the string <NUM> can be supplied from and/or dragged from the magazine <NUM> without getting stuck. Alternatively or additionally, the at least part of the string <NUM> and/or a further part of the string <NUM> may be loosely arranged in the magazine <NUM>.

The applicator assembly <NUM> further comprises an insertion device <NUM> configured to insert an end piece <NUM>, an end <NUM> and/or an end part <NUM> of the string <NUM> at least partly into an opening <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>. For inserting and/or applying the end piece <NUM> to the opening <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>, the insertion device <NUM> can be configured to compress at least a part of the end piece <NUM>. Various designs and/or configurations of the insertion device <NUM> will be described in detail with reference to subsequent figures.

Further, the applicator assembly <NUM> comprises a drive system <NUM> and/or drive <NUM> configured to supply the string <NUM> and/or the end piece <NUM> of the string <NUM> from the magazine <NUM> to the insertion device <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the drive system <NUM> is configured to drive at least a part of the insertion device <NUM> to insert the end piece <NUM> at least partly into the opening <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>. For instance, the drive system <NUM> may be configured to pull and/or drag at least a part of the string <NUM>, particularly the end piece <NUM>, out of the magazine <NUM>, thereby transporting and/or moving the end piece <NUM> to the insertion device <NUM>.

The applicator assembly <NUM> further comprises a separator <NUM> configured to separate, detach and/or remove the end piece <NUM> of the string <NUM>, which is at least partly inserted into the opening <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>, from a remaining part <NUM> and/or rest <NUM> of the string <NUM>. The separator <NUM> can be configured to cut off and/or shear off the end piece <NUM> of the string <NUM> from the remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM>, thereby forming a plug <NUM> closing the sample container <NUM> and/or the opening <NUM> thereof, as shown in <FIG>.

To separate the end piece <NUM> from the remaining part <NUM>, the separator <NUM> may rotate the end piece <NUM> relative to the remaining part <NUM>, as will be described in more detail with reference to subsequent figures. Particularly, the separator <NUM> may be configured to rotate at least a part of the insertion device <NUM>, the entire insertion device <NUM> and/or other components of the applicator assembly <NUM>, such that the remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM> is rotated around the longitudinal axis <NUM>, e.g. along a circumferential direction <NUM> of the end piece <NUM>. Therein, the circumferential direction <NUM> may refer to a circumferential direction <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM> and/or of the sample container <NUM>. In this example, the end piece <NUM> may be fixed and/or held in place while rotating the remaining part <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the sample container <NUM> with the end piece <NUM> inserted therein may be rotated and the remaining part <NUM> may be fixed and/or held in place. Alternatively, the remaining part <NUM> may be rotated in one direction and the end piece <NUM> may be rotated in opposite direction. Alternatively or additionally, the separator <NUM> may comprise one or more cutting elements and/or cutters to cut at least partly through the string <NUM>.

It should be noted that the separator <NUM> may be an integral part of the insertion device <NUM> and/or the drive system <NUM>. By way of example, the drive system <NUM> may rotate the at least a part of the insertion device <NUM>, the entire insertion device <NUM>, and/or other components of the applicator assembly, e.g. substantially the entire applicator assembly <NUM>, along the circumferential direction <NUM> of the end piece <NUM>, e.g. while the sample container <NUM> may be fixed, to shear off the end piece <NUM> and form the plug <NUM>.

A length of the end piece <NUM> and/or of the plug <NUM>, which may be measured parallel to a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the end piece <NUM> (e.g. when it is at least partly inserted into the sample container <NUM>) and/or of the plug <NUM>, may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, for example from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The longitudinal axis <NUM> of the end piece <NUM> may be congruent with a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the sample container <NUM> and/or of the insertion device <NUM>. Accordingly, the longitudinal axis <NUM> may denote the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the end piece <NUM>, the insertion device <NUM> and/or the sample container <NUM>. Further, a diameter of the string <NUM>, the end piece <NUM> and/or the plug <NUM> in a rest state, in which e.g. no compression force is applied, may range from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, for example from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. Therein, the diameter may be measured in a plane transverse and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

Generally, by means of the applicator assembly <NUM>, sample containers <NUM> may be closed with plugs <NUM> in an efficient, fast, reliable and cost-efficient manner. Moreover, the applicator assembly <NUM> may be configured to close sample containers <NUM> having different sizes, diameters, diameters of the opening <NUM> (also referred to as opening diameters), shapes and/or geometries. Further, by using the applicator assembly <NUM> no further device for closing the sample containers <NUM>, such as e.g. a re-capper robot, for decollating and/or aligning plugs before insertion thereof into the sample containers <NUM> may be required.

<FIG> shows an applicator assembly <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment. If not stated otherwise, the applicator assembly <NUM> of <FIG> comprises the same features, functions and/or elements as the applicator assembly <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

In the exemplary embodiment of <FIG>, the insertion device <NUM> comprises a nozzle <NUM> and/or funnel <NUM> for guiding the string <NUM> and/or the end piece <NUM> towards the sample container <NUM>. Therein a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> may correspond to, may be aligned with, may be congruent with and/or may be parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM> (see <FIG>) of the end piece <NUM>, e.g. when being inserted into the opening <NUM>.

Further, the insertion device <NUM> comprises one or more linear motion elements <NUM> configured to translate and/or transport the end piece <NUM> along and/or parallel to a longitudinal direction <NUM> of the end piece <NUM>. Likewise, the linear motion element <NUM> may be configured to pull and/or drag the string <NUM> out of the magazine <NUM>. The longitudinal direction <NUM> may be parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the end piece <NUM> and/or parallel to a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM>. Accordingly, the longitudinal direction <NUM> may refer to a longitudinal direction <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM>, the end piece <NUM> and/or the sample container <NUM>.

In the example depicted in <FIG>, the insertion device <NUM> comprises two wheels <NUM> and/or rolls <NUM> as linear motion elements <NUM>. It should be noted that the applicator assembly <NUM> may alternatively comprise only a single linear motion element <NUM> or more than two linear motion elements <NUM>.

The two rolls <NUM> and/or linear motion elements <NUM> are arranged on two opposite sides of the string <NUM> and are driven and/or rotated by the drive system <NUM>. Accordingly, the string <NUM> and/or the end piece <NUM> thereof may be interposed between the two linear motion elements <NUM>. The two linear motion elements <NUM> roll off at an outer surface and/or lateral surface of the string <NUM>, such that a translational force parallel to and/or in the longitudinal direction <NUM> is exerted onto the string <NUM>. Accordingly, by means of the linear motion elements <NUM>, the end piece <NUM> and/or the string <NUM> can be conveyed into the opening <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>. Optionally, the nozzle <NUM> may be moved parallel to and/or in the longitudinal direction <NUM> of the end piece <NUM>, e.g. away from the magazine <NUM>, in order to insert the end piece <NUM> into the opening <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the sample container <NUM> may be moved in a direction opposite to the longitudinal direction <NUM> to insert the end piece <NUM> into the sample container <NUM>.

Further, a separation and/or distance (measured transverse and/or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis <NUM>) between the two linear motion elements <NUM> may be chosen such that the end piece <NUM> is at least partly compressed. This may simplify insertion of the end piece <NUM> into the opening <NUM>. In order to keep the end piece <NUM> in a compressed state during insertion, an end <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> may be arranged between the sample container <NUM> and the linear motion elements <NUM>. Optionally, the end <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> may be at least partly inserted into the opening <NUM> and/or an interior volume of the sample container <NUM>. For this purpose, the nozzle <NUM> and/or the end <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> may be moved towards and/or in direction of the sample container <NUM>, e.g. along the longitudinal direction <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the sample container <NUM> may be moved towards the nozzle <NUM> and/or the end <NUM> thereof, e.g. in opposite direction as the longitudinal direction <NUM>.

The applicator assembly <NUM> of <FIG> further comprises a separator <NUM> for cutting off and/or shearing off the end piece <NUM> to form the plug <NUM>. Therein, the separator <NUM> may be configured as described hereinabove and hereinbelow in more detail. For separating the end piece <NUM> from the remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM>, the nozzle <NUM> and/or the end <NUM> thereof may be moved away from the sample container <NUM>, e.g. in opposite direction as the longitudinal direction <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the sample container <NUM> may be moved away from the nozzle <NUM> and/or the end <NUM> thereof, e.g. along the longitudinal direction <NUM>.

Optionally, the separator <NUM> may be configured to fix a part of the end piece <NUM> extending from the sample container <NUM> in order to keep the end piece <NUM> at least partly in the opening <NUM> during separation of the end piece <NUM> and/or during formation of the plug <NUM>. By way of example, the separator <NUM> may comprise a fixing element and/or clamping element arranged between the sample container <NUM> and the end <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> in order to fix the end piece <NUM> during separation of the end piece <NUM>.

As described with reference to <FIG>, the separator <NUM> may be configured to shear off, pinch off and/or cut off the end piece <NUM>, e.g. by rotating the remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM> relative to the end piece <NUM>. This may be achieved by rotating at least a part of the insertion device <NUM>, the entire insertion device <NUM> and/or other components of the applicator assembly <NUM>, e.g. along the circumferential direction <NUM>, while fixing the sample container <NUM>, or by rotating the sample container <NUM> while fixing the remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM> by means of the insertion device, or by rotating the sample container <NUM> and the remaining part <NUM> in opposite directions.

<FIG> shows an applicator assembly <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment. If not stated otherwise, the applicator assembly <NUM> of <FIG> comprises the same features, functions and/or elements as the applicator assemblies <NUM> described with reference to aforegoing figures.

Similar to the exemplary embodiment shown in <FIG>, the applicator assembly <NUM> of <FIG> comprises two linear motion elements <NUM>. In contrast to the embodiment of <FIG>, the linear motion elements <NUM> of <FIG> are designed as belt drives <NUM>, wherein each belt drive <NUM> comprises at least two rotatable wheels <NUM> and/or rolls <NUM> for driving a belt <NUM>. Therein, the rolls <NUM> and/or the belt drives <NUM> may be driven by the drive system <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a sectional view of a part of an insertion device <NUM> of an applicator assembly <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment. If not stated otherwise, the applicator assembly <NUM> of <FIG> comprises the same features, functions and/or elements as the applicator assemblies <NUM> described with reference to aforegoing figures.

The insertion device <NUM> of <FIG> comprises a static part <NUM>, which is tubular shaped and at least partly encompasses, particularly annularly encompasses, a part of the string <NUM>, e.g. along a circumference and/or perimeter of the string <NUM>. The static part <NUM> may e.g. be formed as a hollow cylinder, wherein the string <NUM> is guided in an interior volume of the static part <NUM>. On an inner surface <NUM> of the static part <NUM>, which inner surface <NUM> faces and/or is directed towards the string <NUM>, the static part <NUM> comprises one or more guiding rips <NUM>, which extend from the inner surface <NUM> towards the longitudinal axis <NUM>. Further, the guiding rips <NUM> extend and/or stretch parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM>. The guiding rips <NUM> are configured to contact the string <NUM> at a lateral surface of the string <NUM>, such that the string <NUM> is guided along the longitudinal direction of the insertion device <NUM> and at least partly fixed in circumferential direction <NUM> around the longitudinal axis <NUM>.

The insertion device <NUM> further comprises a rotatable member <NUM> arranged at an end <NUM> of the static part <NUM>. The rotatable member <NUM> may be referred to as first rotatable member <NUM> in the context of the present disclosure. The rotatable member <NUM> comprises and/or is configured as a rotatable funnel <NUM> that conically converges from the end <NUM> of the static part <NUM>, which end <NUM> may denote a first end <NUM> of the rotatable member <NUM>, towards an opposite (and/or second) end <NUM> of the rotatable member <NUM>, e.g. along the longitudinal direction <NUM>. By means of the rotatable funnel <NUM>, the string <NUM> and/or the end piece <NUM> is compressed while being transported along the longitudinal direction <NUM> through the rotatable funnel <NUM>.

For transporting and/or moving the string <NUM> and/or the end piece <NUM> through the insertion device <NUM> and/or into the sample container <NUM>, the rotatable funnel <NUM> and/or the rotatable member <NUM> comprises an inner thread <NUM> arranged on an inner surface <NUM> of the rotatable funnel <NUM>. Therein, the inner thread <NUM> conically converges from the first end <NUM> of the rotatable member <NUM> towards the second end <NUM> of the rotatable member <NUM>. The inner thread <NUM> is configured to contact a lateral surface of the end piece <NUM>.

For inserting the end piece <NUM> into the sample container <NUM> and/or for conveying the string <NUM>, the rotatable member <NUM> is rotated by the drive system <NUM> along the circumferential direction <NUM>. When the rotatable member <NUM> is rotated, the inner thread <NUM> contacts the lateral surface of the end piece <NUM> and exerts a translational force directed along the longitudinal direction <NUM> and a rotational force directed along the circumferential direction <NUM> onto the end piece <NUM>, such that the end piece <NUM> is moved and/or dragged into the opening <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>.

As exemplary shown in <FIG>, the drive system <NUM> may drive the rotatable member <NUM> at an outer surface of the rotatable member <NUM>. For this purpose, the drive system <NUM> may e.g. comprise a gear drive and/or gear wheel drive and on the outer surface of the rotatable member <NUM> corresponding gear teeth may be arranged that may engage with the gear drive of the drive system <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally any other drive mechanism may be used, such as e.g. a belt drive for driving and/or rotating the rotatable member <NUM>. It should be noted, however, that the drive system <NUM> may alternatively or additionally be arranged, e.g. near the first end <NUM>, between the static part <NUM> and the rotatable member <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM> in a radial direction of the insertion device <NUM>. For example, a rolling contact bearing may be used to rotate and/or drive the rotatable member <NUM>.

During operation and/or rotation of the rotatable member <NUM>, the end piece <NUM> is twisted along the circumferential direction <NUM>. To ensure that this twist is not transferred to the remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM>, the remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM> can be fixed by means of the guiding rips <NUM> of the static part <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, however, the static part <NUM> may be rotated in opposite direction as the rotatable member <NUM>, e.g. in accordance with the embodiment described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a perspective view of an applicator assembly <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment. <FIG> shows a top view of a part of the applicator assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. <FIG> shows a perspective view of an insertion device <NUM> of the applicator assembly <NUM> of <FIG>. If not stated otherwise, the applicator assembly <NUM> of <FIG> comprises the same features, functions and/or elements as the applicator assemblies <NUM> described with reference to aforegoing figures. It should be noted that for reasons of clarity, the string <NUM> and the end piece <NUM> are only schematically shown in <FIG> and not shown in <FIG>.

The applicator assembly of <FIG> comprises a base plate <NUM> and/or mounting plate <NUM>, on which at least a part of the drive system <NUM> is arranged, as described in more detail hereinbelow. The mounting plate <NUM> comprises an opening <NUM> and/or hole <NUM> through which the string <NUM> and/or the end piece <NUM> is transported from the magazine <NUM> to the insertion device <NUM> by means of the drive system <NUM> and/or by means of the insertion device <NUM>.

The insertion device <NUM> comprises a first rotatable member <NUM> arranged at an end <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM>. Via the first rotatable member <NUM>, the end piece <NUM> of the string <NUM> is conveyed towards the sample container <NUM> (not shown) and inserted at least partly into the opening <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>. Accordingly, the sample container <NUM> may be arranged opposite to the end <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM>.

The first rotatable member <NUM> exemplary comprises four rotatable pins <NUM> which are bar-shaped and/or cylindrically shaped. It should be noted, however, that the first rotatable member <NUM> may comprise less than four pins <NUM>, e.g. at least two rotatable pins <NUM> and/or at least three rotatable pins <NUM>, or more than four rotatable pins <NUM>. In other words, the first rotatable member <NUM> may comprise a plurality of rotatable pins <NUM>.

The pins <NUM> are arranged skew with respect to each other and are spaced apart from each other along the circumferential direction <NUM> (referred to as first circumferential direction <NUM> in the following) of the insertion device <NUM> and/or the end piece <NUM>, such that a guiding compartment <NUM> for guiding the end piece <NUM> is formed between the pins <NUM>. Each of the pins <NUM> is rotatable around a longitudinal axis of the respective pin <NUM>, wherein the pins <NUM> are driven by the drive system <NUM>. Further, the pins <NUM> are arranged so as to exert a translational force along the longitudinal direction <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM> and a rotational force along the first circumferential direction <NUM> onto the end piece, when the pins <NUM> are rotated around their longitudinal axes. Specifically, when the pins <NUM> are rotated, at least a part of each pin <NUM> and/or a tip of each pin <NUM> rolls off at an outer surface and/or lateral surface of the end piece <NUM>. Thereby, the end piece <NUM> of the string is translated towards the end <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM> in order to insert the end piece <NUM> into the sample container <NUM> and rotated along the first circumferential direction <NUM>.

Further, due to the skew relative position of the pins <NUM>, the pins <NUM> converge towards the longitudinal axis <NUM> along the longitudinal direction <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM>, such that at least a part of the end piece <NUM> is compressed close to and/or at the end <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM> (and/or near the tips of the pins <NUM>). This may allow to efficiently insert the end piece <NUM> at least partly into the opening <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>.

For rotating the pins <NUM> around their longitudinal axes, the drive system <NUM> comprises a plurality of drive wheels <NUM> arranged on the mounting plate <NUM>, particularly on a side of the mounting plate <NUM> opposite to a further side of the mounting plate <NUM>, on which the insertion device <NUM> is arranged. In the example shown in <FIG>, the drive system <NUM> comprises four drive wheels <NUM> arranged around the opening <NUM> of the mounting plate <NUM>. The drive wheels <NUM> are driven by a belt <NUM>, wherein the belt <NUM> is tensioned by means of two pulleys <NUM> which are arranged between the four drive wheels <NUM> and a further drive wheel <NUM>, as can best be seen in <FIG>. Therein, the further drive wheel <NUM> may be driven by an electric motor of the drive system in order to drive the belt <NUM> and the drive wheels <NUM>. It should be noted, however, that the configuration and design of the drive system <NUM> of <FIG> is exemplary only.

Each of the drive wheels <NUM> that are arranged around the opening <NUM> of the mounting plate <NUM> are mounted to the mounting plate <NUM> via a bearing <NUM> arranged in a respective opening of the mounting plate <NUM>. Further, a shaft <NUM> is arranged at a center of each of the driving wheels <NUM>, wherein the shaft <NUM> of each driving wheel <NUM> extends through the respective opening of the mounting plate parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM>. On a side of the mounting plate <NUM> opposite to side of the mounting plate <NUM> on which the drive wheels <NUM> are arranged, a flexible coupling <NUM> is arranged on each of the shafts <NUM>. Each of the flexible couplings <NUM> is coupled with one end to one of the shafts <NUM> and with an opposite end to one of the pins <NUM>. By means of the flexible couplings <NUM>, a rotation of the drive wheels <NUM> induces a rotation of the corresponding pin <NUM> coupled thereto. Generally, the flexible couplings <NUM> may e.g. be hose-like and/or tube-like elements.

As discussed above, due to the rotation of the pins <NUM>, which roll off on a lateral surface of the end piece <NUM>, the end piece <NUM> is rotated along the first circumferential direction <NUM> and translated along the longitudinal direction <NUM>. In order to compensate for this rotation, the insertion device <NUM> comprises a second rotatable member <NUM> which is configured to rotate the remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM> (and/or a part of the string <NUM> adjacent and/or near the end piece <NUM>) in a second circumferential direction opposite to the first circumferential direction <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, the second rotatable member <NUM> is cylindrically shaped and arranged at least partly in the opening <NUM> of the mounting plate <NUM>. The second rotatable member <NUM> may be held in the opening <NUM> of the mounting plate <NUM> by means of a respective bearing. Therein, the string <NUM> may be encompassed and/or annularly encompassed by the second rotatable member <NUM>, e.g. around a circumference and/or perimeter of the string <NUM>.

To rotate the second rotatable member <NUM> as well as the remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM> (and/or a part of the string <NUM> adjacent and/or near the end piece <NUM>) along the second circumferential direction, the drive wheels <NUM> roll off at an outer surface and/or edge of second rotatable member <NUM>.

Accordingly, the end piece <NUM> of the string is dragged and/or supplied from the magazine <NUM> via the first rotational member <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM>, which translates the end piece <NUM> in the longitudinal direction <NUM> and rotates the end piece <NUM> along the first circumferential direction <NUM>. To compensate for a twist in the string <NUM> induced by this rotation, the second rotatable member <NUM> rotates the remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM> (and/or a part of the string <NUM> adjacent and/or near the end piece <NUM>) in a direction opposite to the first circumferential direction <NUM>.

Once the end piece <NUM> is at least partly inserted into the opening <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>, the end piece <NUM> may be cut off and/or shorn off by means of the separator <NUM>, e.g. as described with reference to the aforegoing figures. For example, the end piece <NUM> may be fixed with the pins <NUM> of the insertion device <NUM> and the insertion device <NUM> may be rotated along the first circumferential direction or in opposite direction around the longitudinal axis <NUM>. For example, the mounting plate <NUM> may be rotated by the separator <NUM> in order to shear off the end piece <NUM> and form the plug <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flow chart illustrating steps of a method for closing a sample container <NUM> with an applicator assembly <NUM> according to an exemplary embodiment. The applicator assembly <NUM> may refer to any of the applicator assemblies <NUM> described with reference to aforegoing figures.

In step S1, at least a part of an end piece <NUM> of a string <NUM> comprising polymer-based material is inserted into an opening <NUM> of a sample container <NUM> with an insertion device <NUM> of the applicator assembly <NUM>. Therein, the end piece <NUM> may be rotated e.g. along the first circumferential direction <NUM> and translated along the longitudinal direction <NUM> and/or parallel to the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the end piece <NUM> (and/or of the insertion device <NUM>). Optionally, at least a part of the end piece <NUM> may be compressed by the insertion device <NUM> in step S1.

In step S2, the end piece <NUM> is separated from the string <NUM> and/or from a remaining part <NUM> of the string <NUM> by means of a separator <NUM> of the applicator assembly <NUM>, thereby forming a plug <NUM> closing the opening <NUM> of the sample container <NUM>. Therein, the end piece <NUM> may be separated based on cutting off and/or shearing off the end piece <NUM>. Optionally, step S2 may comprise rotating at least a part of the insertion device <NUM> to shear off the end piece <NUM>. Further, step S2 may optionally comprise fixing and/or fixating at least a part of the end piece <NUM>.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art and practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

Claim 1:
An applicator assembly (<NUM>) for closing a sample container (<NUM>) with a plug (<NUM>), the applicator assembly comprising:
a magazine (<NUM>) configured to store a string (<NUM>) comprising polymer-based material;
an insertion device (<NUM>) configured to insert an end piece (<NUM>) of the string at least partly into an opening (<NUM>) of the sample container (<NUM>);
a drive system (<NUM>) configured to supply at least a part of the string (<NUM>) from the magazine (<NUM>) to the insertion device (<NUM>) and/or configured to drive at least a part of the insertion device (<NUM>) to insert the end piece (<NUM>) at least partly into the opening (<NUM>) of the sample container (<NUM>);
a separator (<NUM>) configured to separate the end piece (<NUM>) from the string, such that the end piece (<NUM>) forms a plug (<NUM>) closing the sample container (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the insertion device (<NUM>) comprises a first rotatable member (<NUM>) configured to rotate the end piece (<NUM>) of the string (<NUM>) along a first circumferential direction (<NUM>) of the end piece (<NUM>) and to translate the end piece (<NUM>) of the string along a longitudinal direction (<NUM>) of the end piece to insert the end piece (<NUM>) at least partly into the opening (<NUM>) of the sample container (<NUM>); and
wherein the first rotatable member (<NUM>) comprises at least two rotatable pins (<NUM>);
wherein the at least two rotatable pins (<NUM>) are arranged skew with respect to each other and are separated from each other, such that a guiding compartment (<NUM>) for guiding the end piece (<NUM>) of the string (<NUM>) is formed between the at least two rotatable pins (<NUM>).