Sample rack

Abstract

A sample rack (1) is disclosed, comprising at least one sample container receptacle (2) for receiving and holding a sample container (3), wherein said sample container (3) comprises a sample reservoir (5) and a lid (4) interconnected with a hinge (6), wherein the sample rack (1) further comprises a plurality of protrusions (8) configured for 5 retaining, when the sample container (3) is arranged within the sample container receptacle (2) in an open configuration, the lid (4) in a first position at an angle between 80° and 130°, preferably between 85° and 95°, most preferred 90°, relative to a second position, in which the lid (4) is positioned in a closed configuration (27) of the sample container (3), and wherein said protrusions (8) are configured to allow the lid (4) to be 10 moved from the second position to the first position, while the sample container (3) is arranged within the sample container receptacle (2). Furthermore, a sample rack system (16) is disclosed, comprising a set of two or more sample racks (1) physically connected to each other by means of connector parts (14; 15).

Description

[0001] Sample Rack

[0002] The present invention relates to sample racks suitable for manual handling and / or automated handling of sample containers comprising samples, for example handling by an automated liquid handling device.

[0003] Background

[0004] Sample racks, also known as test tube racks or sample container holders, are used to hold or store sample containers before, during, and after work in the laboratory, hospitals, private practice etc. The sample racks enable organisation of the sample containers as well as safe transport and storage thereof. Racks are used both when performing manual “bench-work” and with automated devices, such as automated liquid handling devices.

[0005] Normally, sample racks are designed to hold sample containers of various sizes, types, and materials. A typical sample rack contains multiple sample container receptacles for holding multiple sample containers at the same time. The receptacles of some sample racks may be customized to only fit one particular sample container type or size, for example PCR tubes, whereas the dimensions of the sample container receptacles of other racks may fit various sample container sizes. A 1 .5 ml sample container may for example be placed within the sample container receptacle designed for a 2 ml sample container.

[0006] The sample container receptacles of a sample rack are typically slightly overdimensioned with regards to the size of the sample container they are designed to hold. This makes it easier to place the sample containers in the sample container receptacles and to pick them up from there again. While the degree of overdimensionality varies from rack to rack, it results in a “slip” and in that the sample containers are able to move around, and in particular rotate around their longitudinal axis, when placed within the sample container receptacles. This may cause issues both when the sample container is open and when it is closed, as it results in uncertainty about the exact position of the sample container and, especially, of its lid.

[0007] Indeed, the lids of rotating, open sample containers risk colliding and, hence, crosscontaminating each other and / or their content, when the sample containers are placed within adjacent sample container receptacles. To avoid this, some users simply tear off the lids of the sample containers. However, it may be difficult to tear off the lid due to the construction of the sample container, and very often it is crucial for the work to be performed that the containers can be closed again, so it is therefore an inappropriate solution to remove the lid of the sample containers.

[0008] Therefore, users typically leave every second receptacle empty to avoid collision of lids of open sample containers and thereby minimize the risk of cross-contamination. Still, this does not solve all the issues related to rotating sample containers and lids moving around. Sample containers may rotate when held in sample racks for many reasons, for instance 1 ) when the surface, whereon the sample rack is placed, vibrates, 2) when content is added to or removed from the sample container, and / or 3) when the sample container is touched, for example by a pipette tip. If the new position of the lid is not detected by either a manual user and / or an automated device, the lid might interfere with the next action to be performed on the relevant sample container by either the user and / or the automated device. This may result in time wasted on rearranging the sample container in the sample container receptacle to position the lid appropriately and, in worst case, it may cause contamination of the lid or other labware, for example the pipette tip, if the mispositioned lid is not detected.

[0009] Even when the sample containers are closed, they may rotate within the sample container receptacles of the sample rack. Especially for manual users, this typically results in difficulties with identifying the containers, since the lids often contain information for this purpose. It also causes challenges associated with opening the containers as the direction of opening is determined by the positioning of the hinge that connects the sample reservoir and the lid of the sample container.

[0010] Furthermore, users also often leave every second row of sample container receptacles empty, because the lid of another open sample containers in the proximity of, primarily in front of, a sample container, on or with which an operation is to be performed, hinders or decreases immediate accessibility to the sample container.

[0011] Summary

[0012] It is a purpose of the present disclosure to provide a solution, which overcomes or at least minimises the disadvantages related to known sample racks as described above.

[0013] Thus, in a first main aspect, a sample rack comprising at least one sample container receptacle for receiving and holding a sample container is provided, wherein said sample container comprises a sample reservoir and a lid interconnected with a hinge, wherein the sample rack further comprises a plurality of protrusions configured for retaining, when the sample container is arranged within the sample container receptacle in an open configuration, the lid in a first position at an angle between 80° and 130°, preferably between 85° and 95°, most preferred 90°, relative to a second position, in which the lid is positioned in a closed configuration of the sample container, and wherein said protrusions are configured to allow the lid to be moved from the second position to the first position, while the sample container is arranged within the sample container receptacle.

[0014] By fixating the lid in a pre-determined position and thereby retaining the sample container in the open configuration within the sample rack, control over the position of the lid is obtained. This control is vital for carrying out reliable, reproducible, and timeefficient manual and automated work on samples, such as laboratory samples, or reagents contained in sample containers. The control reduces the risk of contaminating or cross-contaminating the lids and / or the labware used to handle and dispense the samples or reagents. The necessity for controlling the position of the sample container lid applies both to manual laboratory work and to automated laboratory work performed, for example, with an automated liquid handling device. Indeed, the controlled and reliable positioning of the lid enables more simple programming of operations performed thereon by a program-controlled movement apparatus, also known as a carrier arm. A mispositioned lid may cause interference with said carrier arm connected to either a gripper tool and / or a dosing tool.

[0015] It is a further advantage that the sample container can remain in the receptacle while the lid is moved, for instance by machine, from the second position to the first position and vice versa because it minimises the amount of effort put into opening or closing the sample containers. Furthermore, since the sample container can remain in its position in the receptacle rather than being moved out and in of the receptacle for being closed or opened, the risk of misplacing a sample container into an incorrect sample container receptacle, once the act of either closing or opening the sample container is completed, is eliminated.

[0016] In a second main aspect, the present disclosure provides a sample rack comprising at least one sample container receptacle for receiving and holding a sample container, wherein said sample container comprises a sample reservoir and a lid interconnected with a hinge, wherein the sample rack further comprises holding means configured for retaining, when the sample container is arranged within the sample container receptacle in an open configuration, the lid in a first position at an angle between 180° and 280°, preferably between 255° and 285°, more preferred between 265° and 275°, most preferred 270°, relative to a second position, in which the lid is positioned in a closed configuration of the sample container.

[0017] By clearing the upper surface of the sample rack of sample container lids when the sample containers are in the open configuration, the user and / or automated laboratory device gain unhindered access to the reservoir of the sample containers, while the lids remain attached to the containers for future use. In other words, the lids of the sample containers in the open configuration can be removed completely from the working area of e.g. the dosing tool, such as pipetting tool.

[0018] Furthermore, setting, removal and re-setting of sample containers in the open configuration is both simple and can be done quickly without any risk of interfering and hence cross-contaminating the lids of sample containers already placed within the sample rack.

[0019] Detailed description

[0020] As mentioned above, the sample rack disclosed herein may be used with or handled by an automated laboratory device, such as an automated liquid handling device.

[0021] Such automated liquid handling devices may comprise one or more handling device(s) for device-controlled handling of one or more samples and / or reagents. They often comprise a program-control by means of which a user of the laboratory apparatus can define the handling to be performed by setting of the desired program parameters. For the transport of samples, reagents and / or sample containers between different positions, a program-controlled movement apparatus, also known as a carrier arm, is usually used. Both the transport of the samples, reagents and / or sample containers and the treatment thereof on the final destinations may be automated under program control. Said carrier arm can have a tool holder to which a gripper tool and / or a dosing tool, such as a pipetting, can optionally be connected. The arm can be moved in a program-controlled manner in order to for example 1 ) pick up, insert, or relocate sample containers using the gripper tool, 2) to pick up and insert sample containers in the sample racks, or 3) to take up and dispense liquids using the dosing tool. As discussed, the disclosure relates to sample racks configured to retain sample containers in closed and open configurations, for example within an automated laboratory device, such as an automated liquid handling device.

[0022] Different types of sample containers are known or may be defined to be used with the sample racks. Preferably a sample rack, also known as a sample container holder, is set up to hold at least one sample container element. Concrete examples of sample container element types are Cryo containers, microcentrifuge tubes (0.5, 1.5, 2.0, 5.0, 5.0, or 25.0 ml), glass containers, multiple containers like PCR strips. Multiple containers may have a plurality (from 2 to 10, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 64, 96, 384, 1536) of individual containers. The maximum sample volume that can be held by a sample container is typically between 0.01 ml and 100 ml, in particular 10-100 pl, 100-500 pl, 0.5-5 ml, 5-25 ml, 25-50 ml, 50-100 ml, depending on the type of sample container selected.

[0023] The sample racks disclosed herein may be adapted to hold sample containers of various types and sizes, for example containers of 0.5 ml, 1 .5 ml, 2.0 ml, 5.0 ml, 15.0 ml, 25 ml, or 50 ml.

[0024] In some embodiments, the at least one sample container receptacle within the sample rack is a plurality of sample container receptacles.

[0025] Sample sets often include multiple different samples and / or reagents, and it is therefore advantageous that the sample rack has the capacity to hold more than one sample container.

[0026] Accordingly, in other embodiments, the plurality of sample container receptacles are arranged in one or more rows within the sample rack, such as in two or more parallel rows.

[0027] In order to conduct organised work on the samples, it can be advantageous to arrange samples in rows, which is only possible if the sample container receptacles are arranged in rows within the sample rack.

[0028] In other embodiments, a sample rack as described above is provided, wherein said plurality of protrusions are configured so that the sample container is arranged deeper within the sample container receptacle, when the lid is in the first position, than when the lid is in the second position. The arrangement of open and closed containers in different depths or heights of the sample container receptacles ease the grip of the sample containers from the sample rack. This is advantageous, especially when other sample containers are placed in adjacent sample container receptacles within the sample rack, where it can be difficult for some users to get a hold of the intended sample container without interfering with the adjacently placed sample containers. Even in itself, the higher arrangement or position within the receptacle of the sample container in its closed configuration compared to the usual “resting” position of it on the surface of the rack, provides the user better access to the sample container, for instance for opening it.

[0029] Even further, in another embodiment, a sample rack as described above is provided, wherein said plurality of protrusions are aligned with each other and spaced apart in such a way that a part of the hinge passes between said plurality of protrusions, when the sample container is in the open configuration.

[0030] In further embodiments, a sample rack as described above is provided, wherein said plurality of protrusions is configured to retain the lid of the sample container in the first position by engaging the hinge.

[0031] By engaging the hinge of the sample container in its open configuration, the sample container may be stabilised or fixed in the open configuration with the lid in the first position. The hinge is usually non-sterile and is not in contact with the content of the sample reservoir, e.g. the sample or reagent(s). Hence, the engagement thereof possess a low risk of contaminating the reservoir content or the protrusions, which may lead to cross-contamination.

[0032] The protrusions may be designed in such a way that, even with the lid in the second position, i.e. when the sample container is in the closed configuration, the protrusions retain the hinge in a fixed position, thus preventing the sample container from rotating around its longitudinal axis or otherwise moving around within the sample container receptacle.

[0033] In further embodiments relating to the first main aspect as defined above, said plurality of protrusions are configured only to be in physical contact with a rim or a first exterior part of the lid. It is advantageous that the protrusions, and in general any part of the sample rack, do not get in physical contact with the inside of the lid, the sample reservoir, or any other part of the sample container that can get into contact with the interior part of the sample container when it is in the closed configuration. The protrusions configured only to be in contact with a first exterior part of the lid overcome the risk of contaminating the content of the container or that residue is left on the rack and hence create a contamination risk for subsequent sample containers to be placed in the same receptacle.

[0034] In other embodiments relating to the second main aspect as defined above, the disclosure relates to a sample rack as described above, wherein said holding means are configured only to be in physical contact with a first exterior part of the lid, which is not in physical contact with the inside of the sample reservoir or a rim of the sample reservoir, when the sample container is in the closed configuration.

[0035] Just like for the protrusions of the embodiments relating to the first main aspect as discussed above, it is advantageous that the holding means, and in general any part of the sample rack, do not get in physical contact with the inside of the lid, the sample reservoir, or any other part of the sample container that can get into contact with the interior part of the sample container when it is in the closed configuration. The holding means configured only to be in contact with a first exterior part of the lid overcome the risk of contaminating the content of the container or that droplets, liquid or residue is left on the rack and hence create a contamination risk for subsequent sample containers to be placed in the same receptacle.

[0036] Thus, in some embodiments, said holding means is a pair of holding means that are vertically aligned with each other and spaced apart in such a way that the lid can be retained in the first position by said holding means, when the sample container is in the open configuration.

[0037] It may be advantageous to retain the lid in the first position with a pair of aligned holding means as it may stabilize both the insertion and removal of the sample container from the sample rack. It may also retain or fixate the lid in a stable position, when said lid is in the first position, i.e. when the sample container is in the open configuration in the sample container receptacle. This might reduce the risk of contamination. In other embodiments, said holding means is a single holding means.

[0038] A single holding means is advantageous compared to, for example, a pair of aligned holding means, since it is less demanding with respect to the degree of coordination or precision required for positioning, especially inserting, the sample container in sample container receptacle with the lid in the first position. A single holding means may be more user friendly for manual operations compared to operations performed by an automated device.

[0039] In further other embodiments, the holding means comprises one or more protrusions.

[0040] In other embodiments, the sample rack as described above, comprises at least one support surface for the lid, configured to support said lid, when it is in the first position, said support surface being configured only to be in physical contact with a second exterior part of the lid.

[0041] The support surface helps positioning, stabilizing, and / or guiding the user or automated device in arranging the lid in the first position of the sample container in the open configuration. Furthermore, it contributes to support the lid in the first position and helps preventing that the lid is being moved outside the desired position range. This contributes to the rack being more user-friendly.

[0042] In some embodiments, the sample container receptacles are arranged in different planes in a sample rack described herein, such as in two different planes, of the sample rack.

[0043] The different planes of the sample rack increase the accessibility to each sample container. They facilitate and / or improve operation on the individual sample containers, when multiple containers are placed in adjacent sample rack receptacles of the sample rack.

[0044] In further embodiments, the sample rack as described above, comprises one or more connector parts designed to allow said sample rack to be physically connected to at least one other sample rack, such as a similar sample rack.

[0045] When the number of individual samples and / or reagents, and hence sample containers, exceed the number of sample container receptacles in a single sample rack, the set of sample containers must be split between multiple sample racks. This creates a risk that sample containers are mixed up, forgotten, or dismissed due to poor or impossible organisation. This risk is accommodated by the possibility of physically connecting and thus combining multiple sample container racks into a stable and reliable system of sample racks, which may even be split up in individual sample racks again, once there is no more need for multiple sample racks being combined.

[0046] In further embodiments, the one or more connector parts are mechanical parts or magnetic parts.

[0047] The possibility of physically connecting and thus combining multiple sample container racks into a stable and reliable system of sample racks, is advantageous because it renders the use of tape or other preliminary, unstable and often vulnerable solutions to combine and / or organise multiple racks together redundant.

[0048] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, it relates to a sample rack system comprising a set of two or more sample racks as described elsewhere herein, wherein the sample racks are physically connected to each other by means of connector parts as described above.

[0049] Description of the drawings

[0050] In the following, embodiment and examples are described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0051] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of a sample rack as disclosed herein.

[0052] Fig. 2 illustrates schematically how two sample racks can be connected to each other to form a sample rack system as disclosed herein.

[0053] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a sample rack system as disclosed herein.

[0054] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a sample rack system as disclosed herein.

[0055] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the sample rack shown in Fig. 1 holding two sample containers, both of which are in a closed configuration.

[0056] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the sample rack shown in Fig. 1 holding two sample containers, both of which are in an open configuration. Fig. 7 is a front view of a second embodiment of a sample rack as disclosed herein.

[0057] Fig. 8 is a rear view of the sample rack shown in Fig. 7.

[0058] Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the sample rack shown in Figs. 7 and 8 holding two sample containers, both of which are in a closed configuration.

[0059] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the sample rack shown in Figs. 7 and 8 holding two sample containers, both of which are in a first open configuration.

[0060] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the sample rack shown in Figs. 7 and 8 holding two sample containers, both of which are in a second open configuration.

[0061] Detailed description of the drawings

[0062] A first embodiment of a sample rack 1 is shown in Fig. 1 . The illustrated sample rack 1 comprises 16 sample container receptacles 2 arranged in two parallel rows, each comprising eight sample container receptacles 2. Other embodiments may comprise other numbers of sample container receptacles 2, which may be arranged in a single row, in more than two rows or not in rows at all.

[0063] Each of the sample container receptacles 2 consists of an aperture in an upper surface of the sample rack 1 , which aperture is shaped and configured to receive and hold a sample container 3.

[0064] The sample container 3 comprises a substantially cylindrical sample reservoir 5 and a lid 4, which are connected to each other by a hinge 6. When arranged within a sample container receptacle 2, the sample container 3 can be arranged in an open configuration, in which the lid 4 is in a first position, and in a closed configuration, in which the lid 4 is in a second position. In the illustrated embodiment of the sample rack 1 , the angle between the first and second positions of the lid 4 is approximately 90°.

[0065] In some embodiments, the sample container receptacle 2 is configured to hold a sample container 3 comprising a non-cylindrical sample reservoir 5.

[0066] The sample rack 1 comprises a plurality of protrusions 8, which are arranged in such a way that, when a lid 4 is moved to the first position, the corresponding hinge 6 passes between two such protrusions 8, which protrusions 8 engage physically with a rim 11 or a first exterior part 12 of the lid 4 and retains it in the first position, Thus, the corresponding sample container 3 is kept in the open configuration, until the lid 4 is actively moved away from the first position by the application of an external force to the lid 4. This external force may be applied by a manual user and / or by a program- controlled element of an automated liquid handling device.

[0067] The sample rack 1 is provided with support surfaces 13 for further supporting the lids 4, which are in the first position and being retained in the first position by some of the protrusions 8 of the sample rack 1 , by physically engaging a second exterior part 20 of the lids 4. For facilitating the access to the sample containers 3 arranged within the sample rack 1 and for facilitating separate operation of the individual rows of sample container receptacles 2, the two rows are arranged in a first (lower) plane 7 and a second (higher) plane 10, respectively, of the sample rack 1.

[0068] On two opposite sides of the illustrated sample rack 1 , it is provided with a mechanical sample rack connector part 14 (not shown in Fig. 1 ) and an opening 9 for receiving the mechanical sample rack connector part 14 of a similar sample rack 1 , respectively. This allows two or more sample racks 1 to be connected to each other to form a modular sample rack system 16 as schematically illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0069] The configuration of a mechanical sample rack connector part 14 of a first sample rack 1 and an opening 9 of a second sample rack 1 to fit together so that the two sample racks 1 can be connected to each other to form a sample rack system 16 is schematically illustrated in Fig. 2.

[0070] Sample racks 1 as described herein can be connected to each other in different ways to form different embodiments of a sample rack system 16, for instance as illustrated by the cross-sectional views shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0071] In Fig. 3, the two sample racks 1 connected to each other are of the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. When the two sample racks 1 are connected to each other to form the sample rack system 16, the mechanical sample rack connector part 14 of the one sample rack 1 protrudes slightly into the opening 9 (not shown in Fig. 3) of the other sample rack 1 .

[0072] On the other hand, the two sample racks 1 forming the embodiment of the sample rack system 16 shown in Fig. 4 are not provided with mechanical sample rack connector parts 14 or openings 9 for receiving such mechanical sample rack connector parts 14. Rather, they are provided with magnetic sample rack connector parts 15 arranged in such a way that, when the two sample racks 1 are arranged side-by-side with their respective outer walls abutting each other, the magnetic forces between neighbouring magnetic sample rack connector parts 15 in the respective sample racks 1 will retain the two sample racks 1 in the positions next to each other, just as if the two sample racks 1 were physically connected as is the case in the embodiment shown in Fig. 3.

[0073] One feature of the embodiment of the sample rack 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is that the lid 4 of a sample container 3 arranged in a sample container receptacle 2 thereof may be moved forth and back between its first and second positions, i.e. the sample container 3 may be moved forth and back between its open configuration and its closed configuration, without removing the sample container 3 from the sample container receptacle 2. Only a slight lift of the sample container 3 is needed to move the lid 4 from one position to the other. Thus, the specifically designed positions of the lid 4 when the sample container 3 is in its closed and opened positions, respectively, means that it is easy to open or close the sample containers 3 either manually or automatically.

[0074] Another feature of the embodiment of the sample rack 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which enables an easier opening of closed sample containers 3 neighbouring closed sample containers 3, is that the sample containers 3 are placed a bit deeper into the sample container receptacles 2 of the sample rack 1 when the sample containers 3 are in the open configuration than when they are in the closed configuration. This feature is illustrated schematically in the cross-sectional views shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 6 also shows how the lid 4, when it is in the first position, is retained by the protrusions 8, which are in physical contact with a first exterior part 12 of the lid 4, and supported by the support surface 13, which is in physical contact with a second exterior part 20 of the lid 4. Furthermore, it is indicated how the hinge 6 connecting the lid 4 to the sample reservoir 5 of the sample container 3 passes between the protrusions 8, when the lid 4 is in its first position and the sample container 3 is in its open configuration.

[0075] A front view and a rear view of sample racks 17 of a second embodiment are shown in Figs. 7 and 8, respectively. In many ways, this second embodiment of the sample rack 17 is similar to the first embodiment 1 described above. For instance, the two rows of sample container receptacles 2 are also arranged in a first (lower) plane 7 and a second (higher) plane 10, respectively, of this embodiment of the sample rack 17. The are two main differences between the second embodiment of the sample rack 17 shown in Figs. 7 and 8 and the first embodiment of the sample rack 1 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Firstly, due to the simple and smooth design of the upper surface of the sample rack 17, the procedure for arranging sample containers 3 within the sample rack 17 or to remove them from the sample rack 17 again can be made even easier and quicker than for the first embodiment of the sample rack 1 . Secondly, another type of holding means 18 are used in the second embodiment of the sample rack 17 for retaining the lid 4 when the sample container 3 is in an open configuration.

[0076] Sample containers 3 arranged within a sample rack 17 of the second embodiment may be in a closed configuration as well as in a first open configuration or a second open configuration. The sample racks 17 illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, respectively, both contain one or more sample containers 3 in each of these three configurations.

[0077] In the first open configuration, the lid 4 of the sample container 3 is in a position, in which it is rotated about 90° compared to the position of the lid 4, when the sample container 3 is in its closed configuration. This means that the lid 4 is "pointing” upwards from the sample rack 17 similar to the first position of the lids 4 when using a sample rack 1 according to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. In the second open configuration, however, the lid 4 has been further rotated by about 180° so that it is “pointing” downwards. This means that the lid 4 is completely lowered and “out of the way”, which allows a freer and unrestricted access, for instance with a dosing tool of an automated liquid handling device or a manual user, to the opening of the sample reservoir 5 of the sample container 3. It also allows a freer and unrestricted access for a gripper tool of an automated liquid handling device to the sample container 3 in the open configuration.

[0078] The sample rack 17 comprises a number of holding means 18 in the form of protrusions, which are arranged in such a way that two opposite edges of the lid 4 can be slit down between two such neighbouring protrusions on one side and a support surface 19 on the other side, whereby the lid 4 is retained in its position when the sample container 3 is in its second open configuration. Thus, when the lid 4 is in this position, the holding means 18 are in physical contact with a first exterior part 12 of the lid 4 and the support surface 19 is in physical contact with a second exterior part 20 of the lid 4. This means that, with this second embodiment of the sample rack 17, the sample container 3 may be moved forth and back between its first open configuration and its closed configuration without removing it from the sample container receptacle 2 whereas, if the sample container 3 is to be moved to or from its second open configuration, it must be lifted up from the sample container receptacle 2 for enabling the edges of the lid 4 to engage with or to be released from the holding means 18, respectively. On the other hand, the fixation of the lid 4 ensures that the sample container 3 is held firmly in place within the sample container receptacle 2 when the sample container 3 is in its second open position. When using the illustrated second embodiment of the sample rack 17, the position of the sample container 3 within the sample container receptacle 2 is the same, whether the sample container 3 is in the closed configuration, the first open configuration, or the second open configuration, which is illustrated in the cross-sectional views shown in Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 , respectively.

[0079] Reference numbers Embodiments - First main aspect

[0080] 1 . Sample rack (1) comprising at least one sample container receptacle (2) for receiving and holding a sample container (3), wherein said sample container (3) comprises a sample reservoir (5) and a lid (4) interconnected with a hinge (6), wherein the sample rack (1 ) further comprises a plurality of protrusions (8) configured for retaining, when the sample container (3) is arranged within the sample container receptacle (2) in an open configuration, the lid (4) in a first position at an angle between 80° and 130°, preferably between 85° and 95°, most preferred 90°, relative to a second position, in which the lid (4) is positioned in a closed configuration of the sample container (3), and wherein said protrusions (8) are configured to allow the lid (4) to be moved from the second position to the first position, while the sample container (3) is arranged within the sample container receptacle (2).

[0081] 2. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said plurality of protrusions (8) are configured so that the sample container (3) is arranged deeper within the sample container receptacle (2), when the lid (4) is in the first position, than when the lid (4) is in the second position.

[0082] 3. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said plurality of protrusions (8) are aligned with each other and spaced apart in such a way that a part of the hinge (6) passes between said plurality of protrusions (8), when the sample container is in the open configuration.

[0083] 4. Sample rack (1) according to embodiment 3, wherein said plurality of protrusions (8) is configured to retain the lid (4) of the sample container (3) in the first position by engaging the hinge (6).

[0084] 5. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said plurality of protrusions (8) are configured only to be in physical contact with a rim (11 ) or a first exterior part (12) of the lid (4).

[0085] 6. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising at least one support surface (13) for the lid (4), configured to support said lid (4), when it is in the first position, said support surface (13) being configured only to be in physical contact with a second exterior part (20) of the lid (4).

[0086] 7. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one sample container receptacle (2) is a plurality of sample container receptacles (2).

[0087] 8. Sample rack (1) according to embodiment 7, wherein the plurality of sample container receptacles (2) are arranged in one or more rows, such as in two or more parallel rows.

[0088] 9. Sample rack (1) according to any of embodiments 7 or 8, wherein the sample container receptacles (2) are arranged in different planes (7; 10), such as two different planes (7; 10), of the sample rack (1 ).

[0089] 10. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising one or more connector parts (14; 15) designed to allow said sample rack (1 ) to be physically connected to at least one other sample rack, such as a similar sample rack (1).

[0090] 1 1. Sample rack (1) according to embodiment 10, wherein the one or more connector parts are mechanical parts (14) or magnetic parts (15).

[0091] 12. Sample rack system (16) comprising a set of two or more sample racks (1 ) according to any of embodiments 10 or 1 1 , wherein the sample racks (1 ) are physically connected to each other by means of the connector parts (14; 15).

[0092] Embodiments - Second main aspect

[0093] 1 . Sample rack (17) comprising at least one sample container receptacle (2) for receiving and holding a sample container (3), wherein said sample container (3) comprises a sample reservoir (5) and a lid (4) interconnected with a hinge (6), wherein the sample rack (17) further comprises holding means (18) configured for retaining, when the sample container (3) is arranged within the sample container receptacle (2) in an open configuration, the lid (4) in a first position at an angle between 180° and 280°, preferably between 255° and 285°, more preferred between 265° and 275°, most preferred 270°, relative to a second position, in which the lid (4) is positioned in a closed configuration of the sample container (3).

[0094] 2. Sample rack (17) according to embodiment 1 , wherein said holding means (18) are configured only to be in physical contact with a first exterior part (12) of the lid (4), which is not in physical contact with the inside of the sample reservoir (5) or a rim of the sample reservoir (5), when the sample container (3) is in the closed configuration.

[0095] 3. Sample rack (17) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said holding means (18) is a pair of holding means (18) that are vertically aligned with each other and spaced apart in such a way that the lid (4) can be retained in the first position by said holding means (18), when the sample container (3) is in the open configuration.

[0096] 4. Sample rack (17) according to any of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein said holding means (18) is a single holding means (18).

[0097] 5. Sample rack (17) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the holding means (18) comprises one or more protrusions.

[0098] 6. Sample rack (17) according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising at least one support surface (19) for the lid (4), configured to support said lid (4), when it is in the first position, said support surface (19) being configured only to be in physical contact with a second exterior part (20) of the lid (4).

[0099] 7. Sample rack (17) according to any of the preceding embodiments, wherein the at least one sample container receptacle (2) is a plurality of sample container receptacles (2).

[0100] 8. Sample rack (17) according to embodiment 7, wherein the plurality of sample container receptacles (2) are arranged in one or more rows, such as in two or more parallel rows.

[0101] 9. Sample rack (17) according to any of embodiments 7 or 8, wherein the sample container receptacles (2) are arranged in different planes (7; 10), such as two different planes (7; 10), of the sample rack (17). 10. Sample rack (17) according to any of the preceding embodiments, comprising one or more connector parts (14; 15) designed to allow said sample rack (17) to be physically connected to at least one other sample rack, such as a similar sample rack (17). 11. Sample rack (17) according to embodiment 10, wherein the one or more connector parts are mechanical parts (14) or magnetic parts (15).

[0102] 12. Sample rack system comprising a set of two or more sample racks (17) according to any of embodiments 10 or 11 , wherein the sample racks (17) are physically connected to each other by means of the connector parts (14; 15).

Claims

Claims1 . Sample rack (1) comprising at least one sample container receptacle (2) for receiving and holding a sample container (3), wherein said sample container (3) comprises a sample reservoir (5) and a lid (4) interconnected with a hinge (6), wherein the sample rack (1 ) further comprises a plurality of protrusions (8) configured for retaining, when the sample container (3) is arranged within the sample container receptacle (2) in an open configuration, the lid (4) in a first position at an angle between 80° and 130°, preferably between 85° and 95°, most preferred 90°, relative to a second position, in which the lid (4) is positioned in a closed configuration (27) of the sample container (3), and wherein said protrusions (8) are configured to allow the lid (4) to be moved from the second position to the first position, while the sample container (3) is arranged within the sample container receptacle (2).

2. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality of protrusions (8) are configured so that the sample container (3) is arranged deeper within the sample container receptacle (2), when the lid (4) is in the first position, than when the lid (4) is in the second position.

3. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality of protrusions (8) are aligned with each other and spaced apart in such a way that a part of the hinge (6) passes between said plurality of protrusions (8), when the sample container is in the open configuration.

4. Sample rack (1) according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of protrusions (8) is configured to retain the lid (4) of the sample container (3) in the first position by engaging the hinge (6).

5. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said plurality of protrusions (8) are configured only to be in physical contact with a rim (11 ) or a first exterior part (12) of the lid (4).

6. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one support surface (13) for the lid (4), configured to support said lid (4), when it is inthe first position, said support surface (13) being configured only to be in physical contact with a second exterior part (20) of the lid (4).

7. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one sample container receptacle (2) is a plurality of sample container receptacles (2).

8. Sample rack (1) according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of sample container receptacles (2) are arranged in one or more rows, such as in two or more parallel rows.

9. Sample rack (1) according to any of claims 7 or 8, wherein the sample container receptacles (2) are arranged in different planes (7; 10), such as two different planes (7; 10), of the sample rack (1 ).

10. Sample rack (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising one or more connector parts (14; 15) designed to allow said sample rack (1 ) to be physically connected to at least one other sample rack, such as a similar sample rack (1 ).1 1. Sample rack (1) according to claim 10, wherein the one or more connector parts are mechanical parts (14) or magnetic parts (15).

12. Sample rack system (16) comprising a set of two or more sample racks (1 ) according to any of claims 10 or 11 , wherein the sample racks (1 ) are physically connected to each other by means of the connector parts (14; 15).

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