Rheometer apparatus and method for measuring the rheological properties of a sample

Abstract

This invention provides a rheometer apparatus and a corresponding method that overcome, at least partially, the shortcomings of conventional methods. [Solution] The present invention relates to a rheometer apparatus (1) for measuring the rheological properties of a sample. Such a rheometer apparatus (1) comprises a housing apparatus (3) having at least one measuring unit (2), at least one drive unit (4), and an evaluation unit (7) having an evaluation program (8), the evaluation unit (7) being coupled to at least one measuring unit (2) and the housing apparatus (3), respectively. The housing apparatus (3) houses a plurality of sample containers (5) that are at least partially different from each other, each having a sample contents, and is designed to produce a defined motion, thereby enabling simultaneous and parallel measurements of a plurality of sample contents (6) in each sample container (5). Furthermore, a corresponding method (M) is disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rheometer device and method for measuring the rheological properties of a sample.

Background Art

[0002] To measure rheological properties such as general viscosity, shear viscosity, extensional viscosity, shear stress, and viscoelastic properties, a sample to be inspected is taken out of a storage container and then placed in an appropriate device, such as a rheometer. The sample is usually subjected to a vibration / oscillation state to measure the above-described properties. Alternatively, it may be subjected to a rotational or extensional state.

[0003] In this context, various rotational rheometers, capillary rheometers, falling ball viscometers, or generally microfluidic devices are known from the prior art. The measurements performed with these usually include both absolute and relative values.

[0004] When taking out each sample from the storage container, it not only takes a certain amount of technical effort but also increases the time effort. Furthermore, the structure of each sample may be damaged by taking it out of each container, and in the worst case, it may lead to inaccurate results. In addition to physical damage, chemical or biological damage may also occur to each sample by the taking-out operation.

[0005] Typically, with the above-described devices according to the prior art, each sample can only be measured or rheologically inspected sequentially, which increases the time effort and thus the cost for each sample result. Furthermore, for example, in the case of a sample that is unstable over time, the comparability is limited unless the measurement is performed at exactly the same time point. Therefore, generally, in the conventionally known solutions, the reproducibility and standardization of the sample placement are also considered to be a problem overall.

[0006] Furthermore, in special cases, a minimum sample volume is required for accurate measurement. This applies, for example, when methods based on mechanical quantities, such as force measurements, are applied. In this case, a certain minimum sample volume is necessary to generate a measurable signal on the order of the relevant magnitude. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In view of the background technology described above, the object of the present invention is to provide a rheometer apparatus and a corresponding method that overcome the aforementioned drawbacks at least partially. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This problem is solved by a rheometer apparatus having the features of claim 1 and a method having the features of claim 14.

[0009] Accordingly, a rheometer apparatus for measuring the rheological properties of a sample is provided. Such a rheometer apparatus comprises a housing device having at least one measuring unit and at least one drive unit, and an evaluation unit having an evaluation program, the evaluation unit being coupled to at least one measuring unit and the housing device, respectively. The housing device accommodates a plurality of sample containers, each containing a sample contents and at least partially different from one another, and is designed to produce a defined motion, thereby enabling simultaneous and parallel measurements of multiple sample contents in each sample container.

[0010] Furthermore, a corresponding method for measuring the rheological properties of a sample is provided. Such a method includes the following steps: preparing a rheometer apparatus according to the present invention; arranging a plurality of sample containers, each having a sample contents and at least partially different, on a housing device in the rheometer apparatus according to the present invention designed for the above purpose; operating the housing device; operating and coupling at least one measuring unit of the rheometer apparatus according to the present invention with the housing device; operating and coupling an evaluation unit having an evaluation program in the rheometer apparatus according to the present invention with the housing device and at least one measuring unit; performing rheological measurements in parallel and optionally simultaneously on a plurality of sample contents in each sample container using at least one measuring unit; and evaluating and outputting the performed measurements in real time using an evaluation unit having an evaluation program in the rheometer apparatus according to the present invention.

[0011] One of the fundamental ideas of this invention is to provide a technical solution that enables the simultaneous rheological examination of multiple samples. The samples can be contained in different, i.e., multiple, sample containers, and nevertheless be examined rheologically in parallel, i.e., substantially simultaneously.

[0012] In this way, it becomes possible to test a large number of different samples at essentially the same time intervals, thereby optimizing the time and effort required for measurement compared to conventional testing methods using conventional equipment, and consequently reducing the time, effort, and associated costs required for each sample being tested.

[0013] In this case, the containment device is envisioned to contain at least a number of sample containers, each containing a sample contents and partially different from one another, and subsequently generate motion defined by at least one drive unit. This does not preclude the possibility of containing sample containers of substantially the same structure, each containing a sample contents, and handling them in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. The motion is transmitted to the sample, and rheological measurements can be performed simultaneously by combining the measurement unit with an evaluation unit having an evaluation program.

[0014] In other words, the motion of the driven containment device is transmitted to the sample container or the sample or material contained therein, thereby enabling the rheometer device according to the present invention to perform rheological measurements on multiple samples in parallel, and especially in real time.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the rheometer device, at least one measuring unit is positioned above the containment device, thereby enabling non-contact measurements of multiple sample contents within each sample container.

[0016] Non-contact measurement offers a significant advantage: the sample does not need to come into further contact with the components of the measuring device, thus eliminating the risk of damage to the sample's structure. This also minimizes chemical or biological damage. At the very least, this damage will not occur due to contact between one or more components of the measuring device and the sample. Furthermore, each sample can remain within its own sample container, provided access to the measuring device is guaranteed.

[0017] Further configuration of the rheometer apparatus indicates that at least one measuring unit is selected from a camera device, a microscope device, a fluorescence microscope, and a Raman spectrometer.

[0018] These options allow for a favorable imaging procedure, after which the rheological behavior of the sample can be evaluated by an evaluation unit with an evaluation program, either in real time or later. Because the components of the rheometer apparatus according to the present invention are coupled to one another, the information from each component can be integrated to determine the rheological behavior of each sample.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the rheometer apparatus of the present invention, the containment device is movable in a predetermined direction by at least one drive unit, thereby at least partially transmitting motion to the sample container placed within the containment device, and thus the sample contents in the sample container can produce predetermined motion.

[0020] Thus, this motion is transmitted to the sample container and, therefore indirectly, to the sample within it. This transmitted motion can, for example, vibrate each sample or the material within it, or move it in only one direction. Since such motion or motion impulses can be introduced by multiple drive units, defined superposition motions in different coordinate systems (e.g., Cartesian coordinate systems) can also be implemented. In this regard, the containment device can be designed, or at least partially designed, to be electrically movable, such as a table or a movable microscope stage, with at least one drive unit.

[0021] This has the advantage of enabling more detailed analysis because it allows for the measurement or acquisition of more information about the sample being measured.

[0022] Further configurations of the rheometer apparatus include a selection of different sample containers, such as well plates, microfluidic chambers, well plates with integrated microfluidic chambers, 96-well plates, 384-well plates, pharmaceutical vials, Falcon tubes, and glass slides.

[0023] Thus, in this particular embodiment, the storage device has means for simultaneously storing these different sample containers, whereby parallel measurements can be performed on the samples in these different sample containers.

[0024] It is also conceivable that the same or substantially the same sample content is present in different sample containers, and the movements recorded by at least one measuring unit are variously evaluated by an evaluation unit having an evaluation program, whereby particularly detailed measurement results can be obtained.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the rheometer device, at least two measuring units can operate in parallel, whereby, using an evaluation unit having an evaluation program, at least partially, parallel evaluation of the measurements of at least two measuring units can be performed in real time.

[0026] This enables more detailed measurements and enables the rheological property evaluation (rheological characterization) of each sample to be evaluated more quickly and efficiently simultaneously.

[0027] According to a further configuration of the rheometer device, the rheometer device comprises at least one lighting unit that can be coupled to an evaluation unit having an evaluation program, whereby the sample content of the measurement object in different sample containers can be regularly illuminated during measurement.

[0028] This can induce a reaction in each sample or the material therein, and the rheological behavior of each sample changes in response to the reaction and can be examined rheologically or (for example, simultaneously) by an additional method.

[0029] According to an embodiment of the rheometer device, at least one illumination unit is selected from a UV light illumination unit, an illumination unit designed to emit visible light, an illumination unit designed to emit infrared light, an illumination unit designed to emit polarized light, and an illumination unit designed to emit fluorescence, particularly blue, green, or red fluorescence.

[0030] Thus, each sample or the material therein can be irradiated with UV light of a specific wavelength or UV light of a specific light spectrum, whereby further results can be obtained by an evaluation unit having a measuring device and an evaluation program. Fluorescence excitation is also conceivable, in which case it is necessary to operate the corresponding illumination unit.

[0031] According to a further configuration of the rheometer device, the rheometer device comprises at least one further excitation unit arranged non - contact with respect to the sample container, whereby the sample contents in different sample containers can be made to undergo a defined movement non - contact by at least one further excitation unit.

[0032] Thus, each sample or the material therein can be excited in other further ways, whereby further results can be obtained by an evaluation unit having a measuring device and an evaluation program. This can be carried out in parallel with the movement originally introduced by the drive unit of the storage device. It is also conceivable to sequentially apply at least partially stimuli to each sample, whereby more information for rheological property evaluation can be obtained.

[0033] According to an embodiment of the rheometer device, at least one further excitation unit is selected from electromagnetic excitation units.

[0034] The advantages of the electromagnetic excitation unit are, in particular, that it can be easily operated steplessly and ultimately produce the desired effect. In this special embodiment, it is especially useful when the sample to be measured includes at least partially a material that can be vibrated non-contact, thereby enabling rheological measurements.

[0035] A further configuration of the rheometer apparatus includes a test chamber, which has means for controlling the environmental conditions inside it, and which can at least partially accommodate one of the components of the rheometer apparatus according to the present invention, thereby allowing the test chamber to prescriptively control at least one environmental condition of the sample contents in a sample container placed inside the test chamber.

[0036] This allows for control over further factors in the evaluation of the rheological properties of each sample, and therefore makes it possible to obtain more information for actual rheological property evaluation.

[0037] In the embodiment of the rheometer apparatus, the controllable environmental conditions within the test chamber of the rheometer apparatus are selected from temperature, pressure, relative humidity, and (inert) gas atmosphere. This allows the advantages described above to be realized even more effectively.

[0038] A further configuration of the rheometer apparatus includes an evaluation unit having an evaluation program, which includes at least one rheological calculation model for calculating the rheological properties of at least one sample contents, and the rheometer apparatus according to the present invention is designed to automatically select a rheological calculation model according to the detected sample container.

[0039] As a result, the information obtained by at least one measurement unit can be used particularly effectively by the rheometer device according to the present invention to rapidly, efficiently, and simultaneously perform rheological characterization of each sample. Extensive automation in the detection of each sample container leads to the rapid and efficient performance of desired measurements.

[0040] A further configuration of the method according to the present invention involves arranging at least one measuring unit above the containment device, thereby enabling non-contact measurement of a large number of sample contents.

[0041] As described above in relation to the rheometer apparatus according to the present invention, non-contact measurement has the great advantage that the sample does not need to come into further contact with the components of the measuring device, so there is no risk of damage to the structure of the sample.

[0042] This minimizes chemical or biological damage. At the very least, this damage will not occur due to contact between one or more components of the measuring device and the sample. Furthermore, each sample can remain in its own sample container, as long as access to the measuring device is guaranteed. Thus, a particularly reliable and cost-effective method is obtained.

[0043] According to an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the motion of the containment device is generated by at least one drive unit of the containment device, the motion is transmitted to the sample container and therefore to the sample contents within the sample container in a prescribed manner, and each measurement of at least one measuring unit is performed in accordance with each motion.

[0044] Thus, this motion is transmitted to the sample container and, therefore indirectly, to the sample within it. This transmitted motion can, for example, cause each sample or the material within it to vibrate. Since multiple drive units can introduce such motion or motion impulses, it is also possible to implement defined superposition motions in different coordinate systems (e.g., Cartesian coordinate systems).

[0045] A further configuration of the method according to the present invention allows each measurement to be performed by at least two concurrently operating measurement units, thereby enabling, at least partially, parallel evaluation of each measurement from at least two measurement units in real time using an evaluation unit having an evaluation program.

[0046] Thus, the method according to the present invention enables more detailed measurements and allows for the simultaneous and more rapid evaluation of the rheological properties of each sample.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the method of the present invention, the contents of the sample to be measured in different sample containers are illuminated in a prescribed manner during measurement by at least one illumination unit in a rheometer apparatus according to the present invention, which can be coupled with an evaluation unit having an evaluation program.

[0048] This allows for the induction of a reaction in each sample or the material within it, and the rheological behavior of each sample changes in response to the reaction, which can then be examined rheologically or (for example, simultaneously) by additional methods.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, at least one further excitation unit of the rheometer apparatus according to the present invention is activated, and this excitation unit is positioned either in non-contact with the sample container, or in at least partially contact with the sample container, or in at least partially contact with the sample contents, or in at least partially contact with both the sample container and the sample contents, thereby enabling the sample contents in different sample containers to undergo a predetermined motion in a non-contact manner by the further excitation unit.

[0050] Thus, each sample or the material within it can be excited by other further methods, thereby allowing further results to be obtained by an evaluation unit equipped with a measuring device and evaluation program. This can be carried out in parallel with the motion originally introduced by the drive unit of the containment device. It is also conceivable to sequentially stimulate each sample at least partially, thereby obtaining even more information for rheological property evaluation.

[0051] A further configuration of the method according to the present invention involves an evaluation unit having an evaluation program selecting at least one rheological calculation model for calculating at least one rheological property of the sample contents, in accordance with the sample container detected by the rheometer device according to the present invention.

[0052] As a result, the information obtained by at least one measurement unit can be used particularly effectively by the rheometer device according to the present invention to rapidly, efficiently, and simultaneously perform rheological characterization of each sample. Extensive automation in the detection of each sample container leads to the rapid and efficient performance of desired measurements.

[0053] The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0054] The accompanying drawings are included to enable a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated herein and constitute part thereof. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present invention and, together with the specification, help to illustrate the principles of the present invention.

[0055] Other embodiments of the present invention and many of the advantages envisioned by the present invention can be easily understood by referring to the detailed description below. The elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to the same scale as each other. The same reference numerals indicate similar parts.

[0056] In the drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numeral indicates the same or functionally similar components. All terms indicating direction, such as “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “upward,” “downward,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “backward,” “front,” and similar terms, are used for illustrative purposes only and do not limit each embodiment to the specific arrangement shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0057] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a rheometer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a schematic flowchart of a method for measuring the rheological properties of a sample according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0058] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a rheometer device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the rheometer device 1 is shown together with a measuring unit 2 and a housing device 3 having a drive unit 4.

[0059] It is conceivable that not only are there multiple measuring units 2, for example, two or three measuring units, but also multiple drive units 4, for example, two or three drive units (not shown in detail). It is also conceivable that further drive units 4 are arranged at least partially to the side of the housing device 3.

[0060] Furthermore, at least one drive unit 4 is positioned to the side of the housing device 3, and at least one drive unit 4 is positioned below the housing device 3, and each drive unit 4 is coupled or connected to the housing device 3 so that the motion of the drive unit 4 or general motion impulses can be transmitted to the housing device 3, and therefore to objects placed on the housing device 3. The housing device 3 contains a total of five different sample containers 5, and each sample container 5 is filled with sample contents 6. The sample contents 6 may, for example, be different from each other. It is also conceivable that the sample contents 6 are at least partially the same. This has the advantage that, for example, the rheological behavior can be examined according to each sample container 5 and its filling level. In this regard, the housing device 3 can contain only one sample container 5 or multiple sample containers 5 of the same type.

[0061] In Figure 1, the containment device 3 is shown in a greatly simplified, substantially tank-like form, but is designed to contain multiple sample containers 5, each containing a different sample contents, and to generate a defined motion, thereby enabling simultaneous and parallel measurements of multiple sample contents 6 within each sample container 5. Alternatively, the containment device 3 may have other shapes. For example, the containment device 3 may have substantially circular or elliptical support surfaces for the sample containers 5, each containing a different sample contents 6.

[0062] The storage device 3 has, for example, placeholders such as recesses for different sample containers 5 and their shapes, so that each sample container 5 can be reliably placed in a predetermined position in the storage device 3 according to its shape and type (not shown in detail). This has the advantage that each placed sample container 5 can be reliably placed in the storage device 3, especially while protecting it from tipping over, even during motion generated and transmitted by at least one drive unit 4.

[0063] Furthermore, it is conceivable that the containment device 3 may have an adjustable frame or clamping element, thereby ensuring that the placed sample container 5 is securely positioned within the containment device 3 while protecting it from tipping over or other damage.

[0064] The measurement unit 2 is positioned above the containment device 3, thereby enabling non-contact measurement of multiple sample contents 6 within each sample container 5. At least one measurement unit 2 may be, for example, a camera device or a microscope device. A combination of these two devices is also conceivable. Furthermore, it is conceivable that at least two camera devices and / or at least two microscope devices are provided. In addition, it is conceivable that at least two camera devices with different camera angles are provided for each imaging area, thereby enabling imaging of the sample contents 6 to be photographed from two different viewpoints, especially during movement. It is also conceivable that a fluorescence microscope, a Raman spectrometer, and at least one camera device are provided.

[0065] In this context, it is conceivable that only the surface of each sample contents 6 may be acquired. Furthermore, it is conceivable that each sample contents 6 may be acquired not only on the surface but also across multiple layers. For example, it is conceivable that an image of the surface of each sample contents 6 may be taken at least once per unit time, and then further images may be taken for each layer per unit time.

[0066] Therefore, since the material response of volume elements or points within the material can be obtained spatially and temporally, the rheological behavior can be evaluated by optical or spectroscopic methods across the surface or multiple layers of the sample using the illustrated rheometer apparatus 1, and thus can be determined over the entire sample volume.

[0067] Based on this spatially and temporally distributed material response, rheological quantities can be calculated.

[0068] The rheometer apparatus 1 further comprises an evaluation unit 7 having an evaluation program 8, the evaluation unit being coupled to at least one measuring unit 2 and a housing device 3, respectively. In this case, the evaluation unit 7 is coupled to the measuring unit 2 via a first connection line 9 and to the housing device 3 via a second connection line 10. As an alternative to the illustrated connection lines 9 and 10, wireless connections are also conceivable, in which case each component has means for transmitting and / or receiving information. The evaluation program 8 may include, for example, rheological models that can be adapted to the shapes of different sample containers by mathematical adjustment.

[0069] The evaluation unit 7, which has an evaluation program 8, may include, for example, at least one rheological calculation model for calculating the rheological properties of at least one sample contents 6, in which case the rheometer device 1 is configured to automatically select a rheological calculation model according to the detected sample container 5.

[0070] The rheometer device 1 further comprises a test chamber 11. This test chamber 11 is shown in a highly simplified manner and is arranged to surround a housing 3 having a drive unit 4, and a measuring unit 2. Only the evaluation unit 7 is located outside the test chamber 11.

[0071] In other words, these components, namely the housing device 3 with the drive unit 4 and the measuring unit 2 in the rheometer device 1, are all located within the test chamber 11, thereby allowing the test chamber 11 to systematically control at least one environmental condition of the sample contents 6 in the sample container 5 located within the test chamber 11. For this purpose, the test chamber 11 has means (not shown in detail) for controlling the environmental conditions within the test chamber 11.

[0072] In further embodiments of the rheometer apparatus 1 according to the present invention (not shown in detail), at least one of the above-described components of the rheometer apparatus 1 can be at least partially arranged in the test chamber 11, thereby enabling the test chamber 11 to pre-defined control of at least one environmental condition of the sample contents 6 in the sample container 5 located in the test chamber 11. For example, it is conceivable that the drive unit 4 is provided only partially in the test chamber 11.

[0073] The controllable environmental conditions within the test chamber 11 may be, for example, temperature, pressure, relative humidity, or (inert) gas atmosphere.

[0074] The rheometer apparatus 1 further comprises an illumination unit 12, also located within the test chamber 11. This illumination unit 12 is connected via a third connection line 13 to an evaluation unit 7 having an evaluation program 8, thereby enabling the specified illumination of the sample contents 6 to be measured in different sample containers 5 during measurement. This induces a reaction in the material in the different sample containers 5 or in each sample contents 6 to be measured, which alters the rheological behavior and can be examined rheologically or by other means (e.g., simultaneously).

[0075] In further embodiments (not shown in detail), it is conceivable that a plurality of lighting units 12, for example, two or three lighting units 12, are provided. These lighting units 12 can be operated simultaneously, with a time delay, or continuously, thereby allowing each lighting effect for measurement to be controlled or generally visually adjustable, for example, with respect to lighting time or lighting intensity.

[0076] This at least one lighting unit 12 is, for example, a controllably provided UV light lighting unit, which can achieve user-defined lighting or user-defined lighting effects.

[0077] The rheometer apparatus 1 includes an additional excitation unit 14 positioned non-contact with the sample container 5, thereby enabling the sample contents 6 in different sample containers 5 to undergo non-contact, predetermined motion by the excitation unit 14. This excitation unit 14 is coupled to the evaluation unit 7 via a fourth connecting wire. As an alternative to the function provided by the excitation unit 14, the rheometer apparatus 1 according to the present invention may be configured to be compact and mobile so that it can be easily deployed on an aircraft designed for parabolic flight, thereby enabling the rheometer apparatus 1 according to the present invention to be used during parabolic flight, and thus the gravity or its changing effects acting during such parabolic flight can be utilized in measurements to be performed according to the method described above. Alternatively, use in a centrifuge is conceivable, in which case the rheometer apparatus 1 according to the present invention can be configured to suit such an application.

[0078] In further embodiments (not shown in detail), it is conceivable that a plurality of excitation units 14, for example, two or three excitation units 14, are provided. The excitation units 14 may be, for example, electromagnetic excitation units.

[0079] Figure 2 shows a schematic flowchart of method M for measuring the rheological properties of a sample according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] In the first step M1, the rheometer apparatus 1 of the present invention is prepared. In the second step M2, a plurality of partially different sample containers 5, each having a sample contents 6, are placed on a containment device 3 designed for this purpose in the rheometer apparatus 1 of the present invention.

[0081] In step M3 of the third method, the housing device 3 is activated. In step M4 of the fourth method, at least one measuring unit 2 of the rheometer device 1 according to the present invention is activated and coupled with the housing device 3.

[0082] In step M5 of the fifth method, an evaluation unit 7 having an evaluation program 8 in the rheometer apparatus 1 according to the present invention is activated and coupled with the housing device 3 and at least one measuring unit 2.

[0083] In step M6 of the sixth method, rheological measurements are performed in parallel on multiple sample contents 6 in each sample container 5 by at least one measurement unit 2. In step M7 of the seventh method, the performed measurements are evaluated and output in real time by an evaluation unit 7 having an evaluation program 8 for the rheometer device 1 according to the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1. Rheometer device 2 Measurement Units 3. Containment device 4 Drive Unit 5. Sample container 6. Sample contents 7 Evaluation Units 8. Evaluation Program 9. First connection line 10. Second connection line 11 Test Chamber 12 Lighting Units 13 Third Connection Line 14 Excitation Units 15. Fourth connecting line М Method M1-M7 Method Steps

Claims

1. A rheometer apparatus (1) for measuring the rheological properties of a sample, comprising: a housing device (3) having at least one measuring unit (2); at least one drive unit (4); and an evaluation unit (7) having an evaluation program (8), wherein the evaluation unit (7) is coupled to the at least one measuring unit (2) and the housing device (3), respectively, and the housing device (3) houses a plurality of sample containers (5) that are at least partially different from each other, each having a sample contents, and is designed to produce a defined motion, thereby enabling simultaneous and parallel measurements of a plurality of sample contents (6) in each of the sample containers (5).

2. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one measuring unit (2) is positioned above the housing device (3), thereby enabling non-contact measurement of a number of sample contents (6) in each sample container (5).

3. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one measuring unit (2) is selected from a camera apparatus, a microscope apparatus, a fluorescence microscope, and a Raman apparatus.

4. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the housing device (3) is movable in a predetermined direction by at least one drive unit (4), thereby the motion is at least partially transmitted to a sample container (5) disposed within the housing device (3), and the sample contents (6) in the sample container (5) can therefore produce predetermined motion.

5. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the different sample containers (5) are selected from well plates, microfluidic chambers, well plates with integrated microfluidic chambers, 96-well plates, 384-well plates, pharmaceutical vials, Falcon tubes, and glass slides.

6. A rheometer device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least two measuring units (2) are capable of operating in parallel, and thereby, at least partially, parallel evaluation of each measurement of the at least two measuring units (2) can be performed in real time using an evaluation unit (7) having an evaluation program (8).

7. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the rheometer apparatus (1) comprises at least one illumination unit (12) that can be coupled with the evaluation unit (7) having an evaluation program (8), thereby enabling the sample contents (6) to be measured in the different sample containers (5) to be illuminated in a prescribed manner during measurement.

8. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one illumination unit (12) is selected from a UV light illumination unit, an illumination unit designed to emit visible light, an illumination unit designed to emit infrared light, an illumination unit designed to emit polarized light, and an illumination unit designed to emit fluorescence, particularly blue, green, or red fluorescence.

9. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the rheometer apparatus (1) comprises at least one further excitation unit (14) positioned non-contact with the sample container (5), thereby enabling the sample contents (6) in the different sample containers (5) to undergo a non-contact, predetermined motion by the at least one further excitation unit (14).

10. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one further excitation unit (14) is selected from electromagnetic excitation units.

11. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rheometer apparatus (1) comprises a test chamber (11), the test chamber (11) having means for controlling the environmental conditions inside thereof, and at least one of the components of the rheometer apparatus (1) can be at least partially placed inside the test chamber (11), thereby allowing at least one environmental condition of the sample contents (6) in the sample container (5) placed inside the test chamber (11) to be predetermined and controlled by the test chamber (11).

12. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to claim 10, wherein the controllable environmental conditions within the test chamber (11) are selected from temperature, pressure, relative humidity, and (inert) gas atmosphere.

13. A rheometer apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the evaluation unit (7) having an evaluation program (8) includes at least one rheological calculation model for calculating the rheological properties of at least one sample contents (6), and the rheometer apparatus (1) is designed to automatically select the rheological calculation model according to the detected sample container (5).

14. A method for measuring the rheological properties of a sample, wherein the method is - A step of preparing the rheometer apparatus (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, - The step of placing a plurality of sample containers (5), each having a sample contents (6) and being at least partially different, on a containment device (3) in the rheometer apparatus (1) designed for the above purpose, - The step of operating the housing device (3), - The step of activating at least one measuring unit (2) of the rheometer device (1) and connecting it with the housing device (3), - The steps of activating the evaluation unit (7) having the evaluation program (8) in the rheometer device (1) and connecting it with the housing device (3) and the at least one measuring unit (2), - The step of performing rheological measurements in parallel and arbitrarily simultaneously on multiple sample contents (6) in each sample container (5) using at least one measurement unit (2), - A step in which the evaluation unit (7) having an evaluation program (8) in the rheometer device (1) evaluates and outputs the measurement performed in real time, Methods that include...

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein at least one measuring unit (2) is positioned above the housing device (3), thereby enabling non-contact measurement of the numerous sample contents (6).

16. A method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the motion of the containment device (3) is generated by at least one drive unit (4) of the containment device (3), the motion is prescribedly and at least partially transmitted to the sample container (5), and therefore to the sample contents (6) within the sample container (5), and each measurement of the at least one measuring unit is performed in accordance with each of the motions.

17. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein each measurement is performed by at least two concurrently operating measurement units, thereby enabling, at least partially, parallel evaluation of each measurement of the at least two measurement units (2) in real time using an evaluation unit (7) having an evaluation program (8).

18. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the sample contents (6) to be measured in the different sample containers (5) are illuminated in a prescribed manner during measurement by at least one illumination unit (12) in the rheometer device (1) which can be coupled with the evaluation unit (7) having an evaluation program (8).

19. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 18, wherein at least one further excitation unit (14) of the rheometer apparatus (1) is activated, and the excitation unit (14) is positioned so as to be non-contact with the sample container (5), or so as to be at least partially in contact with the sample container (5), or so as to be at least partially in contact with the sample contents (6), or so as to be at least partially in contact with the sample container (5) and the sample contents (6), thereby enabling the sample contents (6) in the different sample containers (5) to undergo a non-contact, predetermined motion by the further excitation unit (14).

20. A method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein at least one rheological calculation model for calculating at least one rheological property of the sample contents (6) is selected by the evaluation unit (7) having an evaluation program (8) in accordance with the sample container (5) detected by the rheometer device (1).

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