Automated liquid handling apparatus comprising an optimised waste collection container

Abstract

The invention relates to an automated liquid handling apparatus (10) for handling liquids (109), said apparatus comprising: i. a reaction vessel device (18) having a reaction vessel assembly (86) with a plurality of reaction vessels (88), wherein each reaction vessel (88) of the plurality of reaction vessels (88) has an outlet end (102) with an outlet port (104), ii. a waste-liquid receiving device (46) for receiving liquid discharged through the outlet port (104) in the reaction vessels (88) as handling waste, wherein the waste-liquid receiving device (46) comprises a waste collection container (45) with a receiving volume (45a) for receiving the handling waste from the plurality of reaction vessels (88) and comprises a waste container holder (28), and iii. a pressure modification device (62b), wherein the pressure modification device (62b) is designed to modify a gas pressure difference between an internal gas pressure in at least one reaction vessel (88) of the reaction vessel device (18) and an external gas pressure outside the at least one reaction vessel (88). The waste collection container (45) has a tray body (45c) and a container lid (45d) which is arranged on the tray body and covers at least most of the collection volume (45a) of the waste collection container.

Description

[0001] Automated liquid handling device with optimized waste collection container

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to an automated liquid handling device for handling liquids. Such an automated liquid handling device comprises: i. a reaction container device comprising a reaction container arrangement with a plurality of reaction containers, wherein each reaction container of the plurality of reaction containers has a discharge end with a discharge opening; ii. a waste receiving device for receiving liquid discharged through the discharge opening of the reaction containers as handling waste, wherein the waste receiving device has a waste collection container with a receiving volume for receiving the handling waste of the plurality of reaction containers and comprises a waste container carrier; and iii.a pressure changing device, wherein the pressure changing device is designed to change a gas pressure difference between an internal gas pressure in at least one reaction vessel of the reaction vessel device and an external gas pressure outside the at least one reaction vessel.

[0004] Such a liquid handling device is known from US 5273718. Such liquid handling devices are used in laboratories, for example, for the purification of nucleic acids.

[0005] US 5273718 uses a waste collection container to collect handling waste discharged from the discharge openings of the reaction containers, allowing the handling waste to be disposed of collectively after a number of handling operations. The handling waste includes, for example, cleaning fluids or generally contaminated fluids. The known waste collection container is accommodated in a compartment of the fluid handling device and can be removed for disposal and subsequently reinserted.

[0006] Known automated liquid handling devices, like the automated liquid handling device of the present invention in preferred developments, also comprise at least one of the following devices: iv. a useful receiving device, different from the waste receiving device, for receiving liquid dispensed through the dispensing opening of the at least one reaction container as a handling target, v. a magnetic device for forming a magnetic field in the at least one reaction container, and vi. a dosing device with at least one dosing opening for transferring liquid into at least one reaction container of the reaction container device, wherein the dosing device is designed for transferring liquid by means of the dosing opening through an inlet opening of the at least one reaction container.

[0007] The known liquid handling devices are easier to understand with knowledge of the advantageous further development provided by the devices according to iv. to vi. Nevertheless, the devices according to iv. to vi. are not absolutely necessary for the automated liquid handling device of the present invention to achieve the purpose of the invention, but rather represent only preferred embodiments, for example, for the purification of nucleic acids. The explanations and embodiments given below in the explanation of the prior art for the devices according to iv. to vi. also apply to further developments of the present invention.

[0008] The reaction container device is the device in which a liquid is "processed" in the broadest sense and in which the liquid is handled. For example, chemical reactions and / or physical processes take place here. In the reaction containers of the reaction container device, nucleic acids, in particular DNA or RNA, contained in a starting liquid transferred at the beginning of a handling process can be bound to appropriately prepared magnetic particles. The magnetic particles with bound nucleic acids can be cleaned by transferring them, optionally waiting for a reaction time, and dispensing a cleaning liquid. The bound and purified nucleic acids can be eluted, i.e., detached from the magnetic particles, by transferring them, optionally waiting for a reaction time, and dispensing an elution liquid.The resulting eluate can be discharged from the reaction containers as a handling target. In contrast, a portion of the aforementioned starting liquid and the subsequently transferred cleaning liquid can be discharged from the reaction containers as handling waste.

[0009] The reaction containers preferably each have an inlet end with an inlet opening for introducing liquid into the reaction container. The inlet end is arranged at a distance from the outlet end with the outlet opening. This allows liquid to flow through the reaction containers in only one direction, which is hygienically advantageous.

[0010] The principles of binding nucleic acids to magnetic particles specifically prepared for nucleic acid binding are described in US 5705628. The special preparation can be realized, for example, by coating the magnetic particles with functional groups.

[0011] The useful receiving device of the preferred embodiment of the liquid handling device serves, as already described above, to receive liquid that is dispensed from the reaction containers as the desired handling target, such as an eluate containing purified nucleic acid. The useful receiving device can advantageously serve to transport the liquid received therein to further processing locations or stations. To receive the handling target, the useful receiving device preferably comprises a useful container arrangement with at least one useful liquid container, particularly preferably with a plurality of useful liquid containers.The waste receiving device of the liquid handling device according to the invention serves to receive liquids that accrue as waste during liquid processing, for example, an original carrier liquid for nucleic acid, in which undesirable impurities, such as residues of cell components of the cells originally containing the nucleic acid and the like, may be present, which, after the nucleic acids have bound to magnetic particles, are to be released with the carrier liquid and washed out by one or more subsequent washing processes. The cleaning liquid used during the washing processes therefore also constitutes handling waste within the meaning of the present application. The waste receiving device comprises a waste container arrangement with a waste collection container for receiving the handling waste, i.e.A waste liquid container is provided to receive handling waste from several, preferably all, reaction containers present at the same time.

[0012] The magnetic device of the preferred embodiment of the liquid handling device serves to temporarily immobilize the magnetic particles in the at least one reaction container. This ensures that only the respective liquid suspending the magnetic particles in the at least one reaction container can be dispensed through the dispensing opening, while the magnetic particles, in particular with nucleic acids bound to them, can be retained in the reaction container.

[0013] The pressure-changing device of the liquid handling device according to the invention serves to create the aforementioned gas pressure difference between a gas inside the reaction vessel and the gas surrounding the reaction vessel. This specifically generated gas pressure difference allows liquid held in the reaction vessel to be moved through the dispensing opening. Preferably, the pressure-changing device is designed only to generate a positive pressure difference, at which the gas pressure inside the reaction vessel is higher than the gas pressure outside the at least one reaction vessel. According to this preferred embodiment, liquid is exclusively dispensed through the dispensing opening, but not drawn into the reaction vessel.

[0014] The dosing device of the preferred embodiment of the liquid handling device serves for the automated introduction of liquid into the at least one reaction container. It is hygienically advantageous that the liquid is introduced into the respective reaction container through the inlet opening located remote from the dispensing opening of the at least one reaction container.

[0015] Another liquid handling device is essentially known in an abstract form from WO 2019 / 096407 A1. Like the liquid handling device known from US Pat. No. 5,273,718, in the liquid handling device of WO 2019 / 096407 A1, liquid is always moved in the same direction during processing, from the input opening to the output opening of the reaction container. Consequently, there is no reversal of direction of processed liquids, as is known from other liquid handling devices of the prior art. This avoids a source of potential cross-contamination. Although it can be assumed that handling waste also arises in the liquid handling device of WO 2019 / 096407 A1, a waste collection device is not discussed in this document.

[0016] Liquid handling devices are also known, for example from EP 0 691 541 A2 or EP 1 065 001 A1, whose reaction containers have only one opening through which liquids are aspirated into the reaction containers and then dispensed again. The aspiration and dispensing of different liquids in one liquid processing operation is considered to be disadvantageous in terms of process hygiene compared to the liquid processing explained above with liquids being passed through the reaction container from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The reason for this is largely that the inlet opening can be designed so large that it does not have to be wetted by the liquid introduced into the at least one reaction container or by a nozzle dispensing it. This is almost impossible with aspiration and dispensing through one and the same opening.

[0017] Another liquid handling device is known from WO 2010 / 075199 A2. WO 2010 / 075199 A2 does not disclose a waste collection device. The reaction containers of the liquid handling device known from WO 2010 / 075199 A2 are connected to a common disposal line, which serves as a waste collection device. Instead, an eluate produced as a handling target in the liquid handling device known from WO 2010 / 075199 A2 is removed from the device together with the reaction containers containing the eluate and transported for further processing.

[0018] WO 2004 / 113874 A2 discloses another liquid handling device which, by means of a valve arrangement, allows different liquids to be fed through one and the same metering device into a plurality of reaction containers. The discharge openings of the reaction containers of the liquid handling device known from WO 2004 / 113874 A2, which are located away from the input openings, are connected to a common disposal line, as in the liquid handling device of the aforementioned WO 2010 / 075199 A2. The reaction containers that can be removed from the liquid handling device are therefore removed from the liquid handling device together with the handling target contained therein for further processing of the handling target once it has been achieved and transported further.

[0019] For further background information on the prior art, reference is made to the documents US 4895706, US 4111754 and US 8877145 B2.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment of liquid handling by the liquid handling device of the present invention, a liquid is introduced into a reaction vessel and then discharged again at least once, but usually several times, during the liquid handling. Solid components contained in the reaction vessels can be bound in the reaction vessels by different physical principles, depending on the method carried out and the substances used, for example by electrostatic interaction, hydrophobic interaction or by exploiting a biospecific affinity, such as an antigen-antibody interaction or an enzyme-substrate interaction. Bindable orImmobilizable solid components are the aforementioned magnetic particles, which can be immobilized in the reaction vessels due to an external magnetic field generated by the preferably provided magnetic device. The immobilizable solid components can thus come into contact with a sequence of liquids, particularly in one and the same reaction vessel, where the liquids can be the same or different liquids. During liquid handling in the reaction vessels, the immobilizable solid components can be suspended once or several times in a liquid contained in the reaction vessels. Other solid components that are undesirable in the reaction vessels can be flushed out with the handling waste.

[0021] In contrast to prior art disposal lines, which discharge handling waste directly from the liquid handling device, the level of collected handling waste in a waste collection container increases with continued use. This handling waste is composed of liquids from various handling processes and is therefore undefined in its contamination level.

[0022] Since the purpose of a collection container is not to be emptied after each handling operation—in which case, the disposal line described above would be more appropriate—the backsplash behavior of the collected handling waste varies depending on the waste collection container's fill level. Thus, there is a risk that when currently dispensed handling waste hits the liquid surface in the waste collection container, splashes of the already collected handling waste may form. These splashes may reach the discharge end of one or more reaction containers and cause contamination there, contaminating subsequent handling target liquids.

[0023] The object of the present invention is to further improve the automated liquid handling device mentioned above. The aim is, in particular, to reduce potential sources of error and improve process hygiene.

[0024] According to the invention, the above-mentioned object is achieved by an automated liquid handling device of the type mentioned at the outset, in which the waste collection container has a tub body and a container lid, wherein the container lid is arranged on the tub body and at least largely covers the receiving volume of the waste collection container.

[0025] The tub body, which is preferably formed in one piece, preferably encloses the receiving volume on all sides with the exception of a filling opening through which the receiving volume is accessible from the outside. The tub body preferably has a shell- or bowl-shaped configuration with a container base and side walls protruding from the base. The filling opening is located opposite the container base for easy filling, as is typical for shell- and bowl-shaped configurations. Although a filling opening with a circular or oval opening edge is possible, a filling opening with straight, preferably parallel, edge sections is preferred for better utilization of the installation space. Most preferred is an essentially rectangular opening edge with two pairs of orthogonal edge sections. The corners of the opening edge can be pointed or rounded.

[0026] Because the container lid at least largely covers the waste collection container's capacity, i.e., at least more than half of the opening area of ​​the filler opening of the tank body, as it exists when uncovered by the container lid, at least part of the path between the liquid surface in the tank body and the respective outlet ends of the reaction containers is interrupted by the container lid. The risk that splashes, which could be thrown from the waste collection container back to the outlet ends of the reaction containers during operation, actually reach the outlet ends is thus significantly reduced.

[0027] The liquid handling device preferably comprises a control device for controlling processes within the device. The control device, which preferably comprises at least one data memory and at least one integrated circuit as an electronic control device, is designed to control motion drives and / or valve devices of the device according to an operating program stored in the at least one data memory, using application data stored in the at least one data memory, optionally supplemented by user inputs and / or data transmitted from additional control units.

[0028] The automated liquid handling device discussed here is intended as an "entry-level model" and should not exceed a size that allows the device to be placed on a laboratory bench and easily relocated as needed. This is not intended as a mobile, portable device, but rather as a device comparable in its flexibility of placement in the laboratory to that of a printer in an office: the device can be set up and operated in almost any location. Once set up, however, it often remains at the chosen location until substantial reasons arise for changing the location.

[0029] To clarify the nomenclature used in this application: the term "apparatus" generally refers to the liquid handling device. To distinguish it from the liquid handling device, its functional components, unless they already have a specific designation, are each referred to as "devices." "Devices" as a shortened collective term therefore generally refers to several or all of the devices referred to above under i. to vi.

[0030] Of course, the entire filling opening of the tub body cannot be covered by the container lid, as this would prevent the waste to be deposited from reaching the waste collection container's capacity. Nevertheless, a significant portion of the tub body's filling opening can be covered.

[0031] To enable the desired filling of handling waste into the waste collection container, the container lid can have a plurality of openings. The opening area of ​​each individual opening from the plurality of openings can be selected to be smaller, and thus the area of ​​the filling opening of the mass body covered by the container lid can be larger, the more closely the relative arrangement of the plurality of openings to one another corresponds to the relative arrangement of the discharge openings of the plurality of reaction containers to one another.

[0032] For example, each opening from the plurality of openings can be assigned a subgroup of dispensing openings from the plurality of reaction containers, such that each subgroup of dispensing openings from the plurality of reaction containers can dispense handling waste into the waste collection container through a dedicated opening in the container lid assigned only to it. In this case, the reaction container arrangement has a plurality of subgroups of reaction containers, wherein the dispensing openings of such a subgroup each form a subgroup of dispensing openings assigned to a container lid opening. The subgroups of reaction containers can be different. However, they are preferably designed identically to provide identical operating conditions at all dispensing positions for handling waste.

[0033] Although the aforementioned embodiment is advantageous, the portion of the filling opening of the tub body covered by the container lid can be increased even further if there is a 1-to-1 correspondence between the plurality of container lid openings and the plurality of dispensing openings. Then, each dispensing opening can discharge handling waste into the receiving volume of the waste collection container through its own opening in the container lid. Accordingly, each opening area of ​​a container lid opening only needs to be just large enough for handling waste discharged from the associated dispensing opening to safely pass through the container lid opening.In principle, it should not be ruled out that, in addition to the plurality of container lid openings whose relative arrangement corresponds to the relative arrangement of dispensing openings, there are further openings in the container lid whose relative arrangement does not correspond to the relative arrangement of dispensing openings. However, container lids can be used particularly advantageously if each dispensing opening of a reaction container is assigned its own opening in the container lid. This should of course not rule out the possibility that the reaction container lid, in addition to the openings assigned to a dispensing opening, contains further openings which serve purposes other than filling the waste collection container through the dispensing openings of the reaction containers. Such further openings are described below as advantageous developments.

[0034] Preferably, the reaction vessels and consequently also the associated vessel lid openings are arranged in a matrix-like manner in first rows and second rows, wherein the first rows are parallel to one another and the second rows are parallel to one another, and wherein the first rows and the second rows intersect one another, preferably at a right angle. According to the above illustration, the matrices of the reaction vessels, on the one hand, and the associated vessel lid openings, on the other hand, are identical.

[0035] To better guide the handling waste, which is discharged through the openings in the container lid into the receiving volume of the waste collection container, it can be provided that the waste collection container has a plurality of wall arrangements. Preferably, for a plurality of the wall arrangements, particularly preferably for all wall arrangements, each wall arrangement at least partially encloses an inlet volume leading from an opening into the receiving volume, wherein each wall arrangement extends from an inlet region closer to the opening to a discharge region further from the opening towards the receiving volume, wherein each opening assigned to a wall arrangement opens into its inlet volume. The inlet volume is the volume which, after passing through an opening in the container lid, follows the opening from the outside to the inside towards the receiving volume.The inlet volume is therefore typically traversed by handling waste, which is discharged from a discharge opening through the container lid opening. The inlet volume is therefore open at both its longitudinal ends, once at the inlet area and once again at the discharge area.

[0036] Although wall arrangements can only limit and enclose a portion of the inlet volume in the circumferential direction, it is preferred as an inlet aid if at least a majority of the wall arrangements, preferably all wall arrangements, enclose their respective inlet volume in a closed circumferential manner. Then, when handling waste is poured into the waste collection container, no satellite droplets can drift sideways uncontrollably after passing through the opening in the container lid. Even more important, however, is that droplets that are thrown back by the liquid surface present in the waste collection container only have a chance of escaping from the waste collection container through one of the openings in the container lid if their trajectory from the liquid surface to the openings in the container lid is sufficiently steep. How steep the trajectory of such a droplet must be depends on the diameter of the wall arrangement and its length.The required steepness of the trajectory also depends on the distance of the liquid surface from the container lid. However, while the diameter and length of the wall arrangements remain unchanged as structural features, the distance of the liquid surface from the discharge area of ​​the wall arrangements changes during device operation.

[0037] In principle, the wall arrangements can be formed in a separate insert component, which can be moved separately from the container lid and inserted into the tub body. This opens up the possibility of using a container lid with or without wall arrangements, depending on the application. The insert with the wall arrangements can be inserted into the tub body and this can then be covered with the container lid. However, it is advantageously simple if the wall arrangements are preferably formed integrally with the container lid. The container lid, like the tub body, can be manufactured as a plastic injection-molded component or as a plastic deep-drawn component. In the case of wall arrangements formed integrally with the container lid and running continuously around the inlet volume, the container lid opening from which the wall arrangement originates is also the opening of the inlet volume on the inlet area side.

[0038] To improve the discharge behavior or to facilitate the particularly effective discharge of handling waste into the waste collection container, the wall arrangements can be designed in a funnel shape. In a very general design, this means that the cross-section of the discharge volume decreases toward the discharge area.

[0039] For ease of manufacture and a uniform effect, the wall arrangements are mostly, preferably entirely, of identical design, i.e., with essentially the same shape and dimensions. In particular, the individual wall arrangements preferably extend the same distance from the container lid into the receiving volume. As a rule, the wall arrangements should not be reached by the rising liquid level in the receiving volume, so a uniform design of all wall arrangements ensures a uniform limitation of the fill level in the waste collection container.

[0040] In the one-piece design of the wall assemblies with the container lid, the wall assemblies are preferably connected to the container lid, which is otherwise preferably flat between the openings, via a curved edge to avoid sharp-edged edges onto which drops could impinge, forming uncontrollable splashes, or which drops could graze, forming uncontrollable splashes. The curved edge is preferably curved, on the one hand, around an inlet axis running in the direction from the inlet region to the outlet region as a first axis of curvature, and, on the other hand, around further axes of curvature which are formed as tangents to an annular line, wherein the annular line encircles the inlet axis, preferably as a flat annular line and particularly preferably in a plane orthogonal to the inlet axis.

[0041] During operation, the waste receiving device is preferably located below the reaction container device in the direction of gravity, so that gravity assists the discharge of handling waste through the discharge openings and through the openings in the container lid into the waste collection container.

[0042] For adequate splash protection, it has proven advantageous if the wall arrangements extend from the container lid over at least 10% of the clear height of the container lid above a base of the waste collection container into the receiving volume. Following the above preferred arrangement, the container lid is located in a standby position, in which the waste collection container is functionally provided in the device, along the direction of gravity above the base of the waste collection container.

[0043] An extension of at least 20% of the clear height of the container lid above the base of the waste collection container understandably offers even greater protection against splashes undesirably escaping from the receiving volume, but reduces the maximum filling height of the waste collection container if wetting of the wall arrangements by handling waste collected in the waste collection container is undesirable, which will generally be the case.

[0044] On the other hand, since the aging of collected handling waste in the waste collection container should not progress too far to avoid undesirable chemical and / or biological reactions in the handling waste, the maximum fill level occurring during operation due to regular emptying of the waste collection container may be far from the maximum permissible fill level based on the design of the waste collection container and, in particular, the container lid with wall arrangements. In this case, an advantageous extension of the wall arrangements over at least 20%, better over at least 30%, or even better over at least 40% of the clear height of the container lid above the base of the waste collection container is feasible for even better splash protection without restricting the operation of the waste collection container.

[0045] In principle, the container lid can be permanently connected to the tub body, for example by gluing or welding. However, since the waste collection container is generally not a disposable container, suitable design measures should be provided for emptying the waste collection container when sufficiently filled with handling waste. The container lid can also be attached to the tub body so that it can move relative to the tub body; for example, the container lid can be pivoted away from the tub body using a hinge. In this case, the container lid can be opened and removed from the filling opening of the tub body to empty the waste collection container. A preferably simple solution provides for the container lid to be detachably attached to the tub body of the waste collection container. The container lid can then be replaced, cleaned, or reworked independently of the tub body if necessary.

[0046] Preferably, both the tub body and the container lid are made of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic material.

[0047] In order to be able to empty the waste collection container in a defined manner, either in principle or in an emergency when urgency is required, without removing the container lid from the tub body, the area occupied by the container lid can be smaller than the opening area of ​​the filling opening of the tub body, which is partially covered by the container lid during operation.

[0048] One possibility for easily and quickly disposing of handling waste accumulated in the waste collection container can be achieved by the waste collection container having at least one, preferably at least two, particularly preferably exactly two pouring openings in the region of its container lid. The at least one pouring opening can be formed in the tub body near the container lid and / or partly in the tub body and partly, complementarily, in the container lid and / or exclusively in the container lid. Handling waste can be emptied from the waste collection container through the at least one pouring opening without the container lid having to be removed. For reasons of efficient use of installation space, the tub body, which is preferably bowl-shaped or dish-shaped, has a rectangular tub body base, which also serves as the base of the waste collection container.Likewise, this preferred tub body has side walls extending from the edges of the tub body base, two of which meet at each, optionally rounded, corner of the tub body. Preferably, at least one pouring opening formed in the container lid is located in a corner region of the container lid to facilitate emptying of the waste collection container. Although a pouring opening can be formed in the container lid at each corner of the waste collection container, such a large number of pouring openings may increase the risk of an unintentional release of collected handling waste during transport of the waste collection container. The arrangement of exactly two pouring openings, which are each preferably formed at corners connected by a common tub body edge section, has proven to be less prone to errors while simultaneously providing high flexibility for emptying.Particularly preferably, the at least one pouring opening is formed exclusively in the container lid, so that the edge of the filling opening of the tub body can be flat. Consequently, the two pouring openings are preferably not located diagonally across the container lid, but rather spaced apart along a body edge of the container lid.

[0049] Preferably, the waste collection container is intended to be detachable or removable from the waste container carrier for its emptying and connectable to it, in particular connectable for joint movement. Alternatively, however, the waste collection container can be permanently connected to the waste container carrier but movable relative to it, for example, tiltable. The waste collection container can also be emptied in this way.

[0050] Another parameter for the development of unwanted splashes when handling waste is collected in the waste collection container is the distance between the dispensing openings and the container lid or the liquid level in the receiving volume of the waste collection container during dispensing of the handling waste. This distance determines the fall height of the handling waste. Therefore, it is advantageous if, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one device comprising a reaction container device and a waste receiving device is arranged to be movable such that the distance between the dispensing openings of the reaction containers and the container lid of the waste collection container can be reduced and increased again.

[0051] Preferably, the dispensing openings of the reaction containers are located in a common plane. Likewise, the openings in the container lid are located in a common plane. These two arrangement planes are preferably orthogonal to the direction of the distance between the dispensing openings and the container lid, so that the distance of a dispensing opening from the container lid is essentially the same for all dispensing openings.

[0052] In principle, each of the two devices, the reaction vessel device and the waste receiving device, can be accommodated in the device in a manner that is movable relative to the other device.

[0053] Preferably, however, the waste receiving device is displaceable along a handling movement path between a standby position and a handling position. The distance between the dispensing openings and the container lid is smaller in the handling position than in the standby position. In the handling position, the waste receiving device is located for dispensing handling waste into the waste collection container. The handling movement path therefore necessarily has a component along the direction of the distance between the dispensing openings and the container lid; preferably, it runs parallel to this direction.

[0054] Since the reaction container device in the preferred embodiment of the present invention also discharges the handling target into the useful receiving device, the waste receiving device is preferably movable along the handling movement path, whereas the reaction container device is not. Preferably, the useful receiving device can be moved between the reaction container device and the waste receiving device and removed again from the area between the waste receiving device and the reaction container device, depending on whether the reaction container device is to discharge into the useful or waste receiving device.

[0055] The reaction container device can remain in place in the device, allowing its reaction containers to be precisely targeted by the pressure-changing device and the dosing device, which is preferably also provided, in order to add liquid to the reaction containers or dispense it from them through the dispensing opening. Nevertheless, the reaction container device can be movable along a standby path between a standby position and a setup position in preparation for a handling operation. To facilitate accessibility of the reaction container device for an operator or a handling robot, the setup position is preferably located outside a device housing that accommodates the device.

[0056] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the input openings of the plurality of reaction containers of the reaction container device are arranged in a common surface, in particular in a common plane. In this case, surface is not to be understood in the strictly mathematical sense as an infinitely thin two-dimensional shape, but rather as an engineering surface with a thickness determined, among other things, by the manufacturing and arrangement tolerances of reaction containers, reaction container supports, and the like. This also applies to the above-mentioned arrangement planes of the output openings and the openings in the container lid.

[0057] The input openings are located in this area, ready for use. The area preferably extends parallel to the reference surface. The above-mentioned devices, preferably the pressure-changing device and the dosing device, are preferably movable parallel to the common surface.

[0058] Further increased splash protection can be achieved by having the discharge ends of the reaction containers with their discharge openings, in the handling position of the waste receiving device, penetrate the openings in the container lid and / or protrude into the inlet volumes surrounded by wall arrangements in the container lid with a protrusion depth of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 2 mm. This is particularly preferred if the wall sections surround the inlet volumes in a closed circumferential manner and are formed integrally with the container lid, since the wall sections then shield the immersed discharge ends in a closed circumferential manner, so that any satellite droplets formed during discharge cannot move and spread uncontrollably inside the device.

[0059] In a specific preferred embodiment, the automated liquid handling device may comprise a lifting device for displacing the waste receiving device along the handling path of travel between the standby position and the handling position.

[0060] At least one sensor can be provided to determine the fill level in the waste collection container. For example, a weighing device can be arranged on or in the lifting device, which allows the weight of the waste collection container to be determined. Alternatively or additionally, at least one dedicated fill level sensor can be provided, which detects the fill level in the waste collection container. This can include a capacitive detection of the fill level and / or detection of the free liquid level using ultrasound and / or detection using another suitable physical principle.

[0061] For emptying a full waste collection container and for providing a clean, empty waste collection container, the waste receiving device is preferably movable along a standby movement path between a setup position and a standby position. The setup position is preferably located outside a device housing in which the aforementioned devices are preferably accommodated.

[0062] The waste container carrier can be designed as a tray, which can be removably accommodated in a receiving frame for the waste collection container. The receiving frame can, for example, be a recess in a loading area of ​​the waste container carrier that complements the area of ​​the tub body base. Preferably, the waste collection container is only accommodated in the receiving frame with a maximum of the lowest 20% of its height. This enables secure retention of the waste collection container in the waste container carrier and safe, joint movement with an advantageously low lifting height for removing the waste collection container from the waste container carrier.

[0063] To achieve a defined mobility of the respective device, each of the devices mentioned under i. to vi. is preferably guided by a guide device along a movement path defined by the guide device. The guide device can, for example, comprise a guide rail and a guide carriage or guide slide movably arranged along the guide rail. As a rule, the guide rails of the guide device are arranged in a fixed location, for example, on at least one device housing component consisting of a side wall, housing base, housing cover, and a structure firmly connected to the device housing.

[0064] Each of the devices mentioned under i. to vi. can be driven for movement by a motion drive, such as a belt drive and / or a spindle drive and / or a linear motor and / or another drive familiar to those skilled in the art, usually electrically powered. The motion drive can only be effective over sections of the movement range of a device. However, the motion drive is preferably effective over the entire movement range of a device. Furthermore, devices can be driven for movement within their movement range by more than one motion drive. This can be advantageous, for example, if the movement path of a device has a bent or angled course, for example a horizontal and a vertical section, so that a different movement drive can be effective in one section of the movement path than in another.The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows:

[0065] Fig. 1 is a roughly schematic perspective view of a liquid handling device of the present invention obliquely from the front and above,

[0066] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the liquid handling device of Figure 1 without housing walls,

[0067] Fig. 3 is an enlarged schematic side view according to Figure 2 with the reaction container device and the useful receiving device in positions different from the illustration in Figure 2,

[0068] Fig. 4 is an enlarged schematic perspective interior view of the liquid handling device of Figures 1 to 3 with partially sectioned devices,

[0069] Fig. 5 is an enlarged schematic perspective interior view, partially sectioned like that of Figure 4, with the useful receiving device in an alternative position,

[0070] Fig. 6 is a rough schematic representation of the magnet carrier arrangement of the magnet device of the liquid handling device of Figures 1 to 5 in plan view,

[0071] Fig. 7 is an exploded bottom view of one magnet carrier of the magnet carrier arrangement of the magnet device,

[0072] Fig. 8 is an exploded bottom view of the other magnet carrier of the magnet carrier assembly of the magnet device, Fig. 9 is a perspective view obliquely from above of a reaction container assembly for use on the reaction container assembly of the liquid handling device of Figs. 1 to 5,

[0073] Fig. 10A is a longitudinal sectional view through the reaction vessel arrangement of Fig. 9, wherein the sectional plane contains the virtual vessel axes of the individual reaction vessels, viewed along the arrow XA in Fig. 9,

[0074] Fig. 10B is a roughly schematic side view of the reaction vessel arrangement of Figure 10A with an exaggerated curvature for fixing the reaction vessel arrangement in the reaction vessel carrier,

[0075] Fig. 11 is a longitudinal section through a peripheral reaction vessel, cut along the same cutting plane as that of Figure 10A,

[0076] Fig. 12 is an enlarged view of the discharge end of the reaction vessel of Figure 11,

[0077] Fig. 13 is a roughly schematic detailed view of an input end of a reaction vessel and an adjoining vessel section with a radial projection for fixing the reaction vessel in a reaction vessel receptacle of the reaction vessel carrier,

[0078] Fig. 14 shows a cross-section through a reaction vessel along a cutting plane orthogonal to its virtual vessel axis,

[0079] Fig. 15 is a plan view of the reaction vessel assembly of Figures 9 and 10A,

[0080] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a reaction container arrangement along a sectional plane XVI-XVI in Fig. 10A oriented orthogonally to the virtual container axes of the reaction containers, Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the waste liquid container of the liquid handling device of Figs. 1 to 5,

[0081] Fig. 18 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the waste liquid container of Fig. 17,

[0082] Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the loading device of the liquid handling device of Figures 1 to 5 with its movement apparatus, viewed predominantly from below,

[0083] Fig. 20 is a further perspective view of the loading device with its movement apparatus of Fig. 19,

[0084] Fig. 21 perspective view of the switchable valve-bearing rear side of the loading device of Figures 19 and 20,

[0085] Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the feeding device of Figs. 19 to 21 mainly from below and without switchable valves,

[0086] Fig. 23 a piping system in the piping body of the feeding device of Figs. 19 to 22,

[0087] Fig. 24 is a perspective view of the rear of the loading device of Fig. 22, without switchable valves, and

[0088] Fig. 25 is a perspective view of the front of the feeding device of Figs. 19 to 22 and 24, without switchable valves.

[0089] The figures are not to scale, but accurately reflect proportions.

[0090] In Figure 1, an embodiment of a liquid handling device according to the present application is generally designated by 10. The liquid handling device 10 comprises a device housing 12. The viewer of Figure 1 looks at the front 12a with the front wall 13a, the top 12b with the top wall 13b, and the right side 12c with the right side wall 13c of the device housing 12. An operator working with the liquid handling device 10 is generally located opposite the front 12a. Arranged on the front 12a is a display and control panel 14 on which information about an ongoing, a prepared, and / or a completed liquid handling process of the liquid handling device 10 can be displayed.In the preferred embodiment, the display and control panel 14 is a touch screen and serves not only as an output device but also as an input device of the liquid handling device, or "device" 10 for short. Consequently, an operator can also input data and commands into the device 10 or its control device 40 (see Fig. 2) via the display and control panel 14.

[0091] As information about the orientation of the device 10, the direction of gravity g is shown in numerous figures.

[0092] Below the display and control panel 14 is an access opening 16, which is open in the operating state of Figure 1 and through which a reaction container device 18 has been moved out of the interior of the device housing 12. In Figure 1, the reaction container device 18 is located in its setup position outside the device housing 12. In the setup position, the reaction container device 18 and numerous of its components are accessible to an operator or a service robot.

[0093] The reaction container device 18 comprises a reaction container carrier 20, on which a plurality of reaction container assemblies 86 (see Fig. 3), explained in more detail below, as well as a sealing assembly 22, also explained below, for use in the loading device 62 of the device 10 can be arranged by the operator. The reaction container carrier 20 has reaction container receptacles 24 arranged in a matrix-like manner in an orthogonal 12 x 8 matrix for receiving reaction containers 88 (see Figs. 9 to 16) or reaction container assemblies 86, and has a sealing assembly receptacle 26 designed as a recess, in which a new, unused sealing assembly 22 is located in Fig. 1 for a subsequent handling process.

[0094] The reaction container device 18 is movable along the preferably rectilinear standby movement path RB starting from the illustrated setup position into a standby position located inside the device housing 12.

[0095] The access opening 16 is preferably assigned a flap (not shown in Figure 1) prestressed into its closed position, in order to automatically close the access opening 16 in the absence of any devices passing through it. The flap (not shown) is displaced by the reaction vessel device 18, against its prestress, into its open position, which differs from the closed position, as it approaches its setup position, and is held in the open position for the duration of the projection of the reaction vessel device 18 through the access opening 16 into the external environment U of the device 10.

[0096] Below the access opening 16 is a drawer 28, in which a waste receiving device 46 (see Fig. 2 ff.) is accommodated, explained further below. The drawer 28 can be pulled out of the device housing 12 from the standby position shown in Figure 1 along a rectilinear standby movement path AB of the waste receiving device 46, parallel to the standby movement path RB of the reaction container device 18, and can be pushed back into the device housing 12. A standby position of the drawer 28 corresponds to a standby position of the waste receiving device 46, which is movable together with the drawer 28.

[0097] In Figure 1, to the left of the drawer 28 there is an on / off button 30 which establishes or interrupts the power supply to the device 10.

[0098] In Figure 1, to the right of the access opening 16 in a recessed portion of the front side 12a is an operating fluid compartment 32, in which, for example, two containers 34 and 36 containing operating fluids are provided for use during fluid handling operations in the device 10. For example, the container 34 can contain a cleaning fluid and the container 36 can contain an elution fluid.

[0099] Extraction lines 38a and 38b extend into the containers 34 and 36 and reach almost to the bottom of the respective container 34 and 36. A pressure line 38c enables the introduction of gas into the operating fluid compartment 32 to increase the gas pressure above the respective liquid level of the operating fluid contained in the containers 34 and 36 relative to the atmospheric pressure of the environment U, so that the gas pressure in the operating fluid compartment 32 forces the operating fluids in the containers 34 and 36 into the respective extraction lines 38a and 38b. An actual flow of operating fluids in a line system of the device 10, which also includes the extraction lines in 38a and 38b, is controlled in the device 10 by switching valves, explained in more detail below, which can be switched between a flow position and a blocking position.The operating fluid compartment 32 is sealed from the outside environment and from the rest of the interior of the device 10 in order to maintain a gas pressure level that is higher than the outside environment U.

[0100] Figure 2 shows a part of the interior I of the device 10.

[0101] The control device 40 of the device 10 is only roughly schematically indicated by the representation of some integrated circuit boards, which control device 40, as an electronic data processing unit, controls processes in the device 10 and, for this purpose, controls actuators and drives, is in data transmission connection with sensors, and reads out or writes to a data memory 42 integrated in the control device 40.

[0102] The drawer 28 has a drawer base 28a, in which a waste container arrangement 44, in this embodiment, only a single waste liquid container 45 as a collecting container, is positively inserted into a recess 28b for joint movement with the drawer 28. However, the waste container arrangement 44 and thus the waste liquid container 45 can be lifted out of the recess 28b against the direction of gravity g, so that an operator or a robot operator can remove the waste liquid container 45 from the drawer 28, empty it, clean it, and reinsert it into the recess 28b when the drawer 28 has been moved from the standby position shown in Figures 1 and 2 along the standby movement path AB of the waste receiving device 46 into its setup position located outside the device 10.The drawer 28 with its drawer base 28a is thus a waste container carrier in the sense of the introduction to the description.

[0103] On the floor 13d of the device 10 or its device housing 12, a guide rail 48 can be seen as a guide device of the waste receiving device 46, which guides the drawer 28 together with the waste receiving device 46 for movement along the standby movement path AB.

[0104] Above the waste receiving device 46 shown in its standby position in Figure 2, there is a useful receiving device 50, also in its standby position, of which only a useful container carrier 52 can be seen in Figure 2.

[0105] The useful receiving device 50 is guided by a guide rail 54 fixed to the device housing as part of a guide device of the useful receiving device 50 for movement along a standby movement path NB of the useful receiving device 50.

[0106] In contrast to the waste receiving device 46, which can only be moved manually in the present embodiment, the useful receiving device 50, or more precisely its useful container carrier 52, is driven by an electric motor via a belt drive 56. The control device 40 can actuate the belt drive 56, so that the control device 40 can control the movement of the useful receiving device 50 between a setup position, also located outside the device housing 12, and the standby position shown in Figure 2. The standby movement path NB of the useful receiving device 50 is parallel to the standby movement paths AB and RB of the waste receiving device 46 and the reaction container device 18, respectively.

[0107] Above the useful receiving device 50 is the reaction container device 18, already known from Figure 1. The reaction container device 18, or more precisely the reaction container carrier 20, is guided on a guide rail 58 as part of a guide device for movement along the standby movement path RB of the reaction container device 18. The reaction container device 18, or more precisely the reaction container carrier 20, can also be driven by an electric motor-driven belt drive 60 by the control device 40 for movement along the standby movement path RB.

[0108] Due to the arrangement of the reaction vessel device 18 on the one hand and the working receiving device 50 on the other hand, one above the other and one below the other with respect to the direction of gravity g, and their movement guidance by parallel guide rails 54 and 58, the setup positions of the reaction vessel device 18 and the working receiving device 50 are also located outside the device housing 12, one above the other and one below the other. The devices 18 and 50 can be moved into their setup position through one and the same access opening 16, provided the access opening 16 is large enough. Otherwise, a separate access opening can be formed for each of the devices 18 and 50 on the front side 12a of the device housing 12.

[0109] Above the reaction vessel device 18 in its standby position shown in Figure 2, which is identical to the handling position of the reaction vessel device 18 during liquid handling, a loading device 62 is arranged, which, as will be explained in more detail below, comprises a metering device 62a for transferring operating liquid into one or more reaction vessels 88 and a pressure-changing device 62b for changing the pressure of a gas in one or more reaction vessels 88. The metering device 62a and the pressure-changing device 62b are connected or combined for joint movement in the loading device 62 along a loading path BP that is orthogonal to the previously explained standby movement paths AB, NB, and RB.In a similar manner to the reaction vessel device 18 and the useful receiving device 50, the loading device 62 is also guided by a guide rail 64 for movement along the loading path BP and can be driven for movement by means of an electromotive belt drive 66 controllable by the control device 40.

[0110] In Figure 2, top left, a compressor 68 and a pressure accumulator 69 can be seen as part of the pressure-changing device 62b. The compressor 68, which can be controlled by the control device 40, enables the compression of gas, in particular air, which is provided as compressed gas, in particular compressed air, in the pressure accumulator 69 and can be removed through switchable valves along selected lines. A pressure sensor 69a can detect the gas pressure in the pressure accumulator 69 and transmit it to the control device 40.

[0111] Gas is always present in a reaction vessel 88 of the reaction vessel device 18. Additionally, the reaction vessel 88 can be filled with a liquid that can be expelled from a discharge opening of the reaction vessel by increasing the gas pressure in the reaction vessel 88 by the charging device 62, more precisely by the pressure-changing device 62b. Depending on whether the useful receiving device 50 or the waste receiving device 46 is located below a reaction vessel 88 when expelling a liquid, the liquid expelled from the reaction vessel 88 is discharged either into the useful liquid container 90 (see Fig. 3) of the useful receiving device 50 or into the waste liquid container 45.The present application fundamentally distinguishes between a liquid present in the reaction vessel 88 as a handling target, in which case the liquid present was desired as an intermediate or final product of a liquid handling, and a liquid present in the reaction vessel 88 as handling waste, in which case the liquid present is no longer required and is disposed of.

[0112] It should be added that by means of a further vertical guide rail 32a, i.e., running along the direction of gravity g, the transparent cover 32b of the operating fluid compartment 32 can be displaced upwards from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2 in order to change the containers 34 and 36 in the operating fluid compartment 32 and, if necessary, to carry out cleaning work in the compartment 32. The cover 32b is connected via a framework 32c to a guide carriage 32d that can be displaced along the guide rail 32a. Gravity preloads the cover 32b into the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, in which the operating fluid compartment 32 is sealed gas-tight by the cover.

[0113] In the extension area of ​​the reaction vessels 88 of the reaction vessel device 18, a magnetic device 70 is arranged on the device 10, by means of which a magnetic field can act inside the reaction vessels 88. The magnetic device 70 is largely concealed by the reaction vessel device 18 in the view of Figure 2. However, Figures 3 to 5 show the interior region I of the device housing 12 in further operating situations, which also reveal the magnetic device 70.

[0114] The magnet device 70 will be discussed in more detail below. It comprises a magnet carrier arrangement 72 in which permanent magnets 94 (see Fig. 6), which are not sufficiently visible in Figure 3, are arranged in a pattern. The magnet carrier arrangement 72 has two magnet carriers 72a and 72b that are movable along the direction of gravity g, both relative to one another and relative to the device housing 12. Each of the magnet carriers 72a and 72b has its own movement drive 74a or 74b, by which the respective drivable magnet carrier 72a or 72b can be driven independently of the other magnet carrier by the control device 40 to move along the direction of gravity. By this relative movement of a magnet carrier 72a and 72b, the magnetic field emanating from the respective magnet carrier 72a or 72b can be shifted in its spatial position relative to the reaction containers 88 of the reaction container device 18.Of course, the movement drives 74a and 74b can also be controlled by the control device 40 such that the two magnet carriers 72a and 72b are moved synchronously and in the same direction, in particular as a single magnet carrier arrangement 72. The automated liquid handling device 10 also comprises a lifting device 76, shown in Figures 2 to 5, which enables either the waste container arrangement 44 on its own or the waste container arrangement 44 together with a useful container arrangement 78 of the useful receiving device 50 to be raised and lowered along a handling movement path HB defined by a guide rail 80. This allows the waste container arrangement 44 or the useful container arrangement 78 to be brought closer to the reaction container device 18 and moved away from it again.In the illustrated embodiment, the utility container assembly 78 can only be moved closer to the reaction container device 18 together with the waste container assembly 44, which is then located beneath the utility container assembly 78 and shielded by it. When the utility container assembly 78 is moved closer to the reaction container device 18, the waste container assembly 44 is moved along as ballast. However, a single lifting device 76 is sufficient to move both container assemblies 44 and 78 separately closer to the reaction container device 18 and away from it again.

[0115] The lifting movement of the lifting device 82 of the lifting mechanism 76 is effected by a lifting drive 84, which in Figure 3 is partially concealed by the guide rail 64 and the belt drive 66. The lifting drive 84 is preferably an electric drive that can be controlled by the control device 40. Preferably, the movement drives 74a and 74b of the magnetic device 70 and the lifting drive 84 are similar, particularly preferably identical, drives.

[0116] Then, when an approach of only the waste container arrangement 44 to the reaction container device 18 is desired, the useful container device 50 can be moved into its alternative position shown in Figure 3, which is located along the standby movement path RB between its setup position and its standby position.

[0117] Figure 3 shows that a plurality of reaction vessel arrangements 86, in this case exactly 12, each comprising 8 reaction vessels 88 are arranged parallel to one another in the reaction vessel carrier 20. This results in an orthogonal arrangement of 96 reaction vessels 88 in a 12 x 8 matrix, which corresponds to that of the reaction vessel receptacles 24, since each reaction vessel 88 is arranged in a reaction vessel receptacle 24.

[0118] In the useful container arrangement 78, useful liquid containers 90 are also arranged in an orthogonal 12 x 8 matrix, so that in the standby position of the devices 18 and 50 and also in the handling position of the devices 18 and 50, a reaction container receptacle 24 is arranged above each useful liquid container 90, thus allowing at least one reaction container 88 to be arranged. This ensures that, in the handling position of the devices 18 and 50, liquid, in this case the handling target, can be dispensed from each reaction container 88 into a useful liquid container 90. For the sake of clarity, only some of the reaction container arrangements 86, the reaction container 88, and the useful liquid container 90 are provided with reference numerals.

[0119] Figure 3 also shows a contactless container sensor 92, already shown in Figure 2. In the exemplary case shown, this sensor is an ultrasonic sensor. It can be used to detect the presence of a reaction container arrangement 86 in the reaction container carrier 20 and, if appropriate, other information associated with an existing reaction container arrangement 86 and transmit this information to the control device 40. The container sensor 92 is connected to the loading device 62 for joint movement along the loading path BP.

[0120] In Figures 4 and 5, the devices 18, 46, 50, 70 and 76 are shown in a perspective sectional view, wherein the sectional plane runs parallel to the handling movement path HB on the one hand and parallel to the standby movement paths RB and NB on the other hand.

[0121] In Figure 4, only the magnet carrier 72a of the magnet device 70 is shown, but not the magnet carrier 72b, which is also present. The waste container arrangement 44 will be explained in detail below using separate figures. In Figure 4, the useful receiving device 50 is moved away from its standby position in the direction of the setup position along its standby movement path NB. The waste liquid container 45 can therefore be brought closer to the reaction containers 88 of the reaction container device 18 by the lifting device 76. An edge 45b of the waste liquid container 45, which projects outwards from the receiving volume 45a in the container interior of the waste liquid container 45, rests on a support formation 82a of an arm 82b of the lifting device 82, so that the waste liquid container 45 can be lifted by the lifting device 82 by this positive support engagement.The lifting device 82 encompasses the waste / liquid container 45 in a fork-like manner on two opposite sides. The side closer to the viewer in Figure 4, with the arm of the lifting device 82 arranged there, lies in front of the sectional plane of Figure 4 and is therefore not shown.

[0122] The lifting device 82 also has a projection 82c, here: a vertical projection 82c, on which the utility container assembly 78, optionally with an adapter receiving it in the utility container carrier 52, can engage during a lifting movement along the handling movement path HB of the lifting device 82 for carrying it against the direction of gravity g. The formations 82a, 82b, and 82c are preferably formed as a single piece and monolithic.

[0123] The lifting device 76 has a weighing sensor 83, which detects the weight lifted by the lifting device 82 and transmits it to the control device 40. Thus, if the tare weight is known or can be determined, the control device 40 can determine the fill level of the waste container assembly and, when a predetermined fill threshold is reached, issue a warning message on the display and control panel 14.

[0124] In Figure 4, the magnet carrier 72a is in a maximally lowered position, as required so that the reaction container device 18 with the reaction container assemblies 86 arranged thereon can be moved collision-free along its standby movement path RB from the standby position shown in Figure 4 into the setup position shown in Figure 1. Thus, with one and the same lifting gear 82, the waste container assembly 44 and / or the useful container assembly 52 can be lifted in their respective standby positions toward the reaction container device 20 in its standby / handling position. This ensures that an output end 106 of a reaction container 88 can be immersed in a container comprising the useful liquid container 90 and the waste liquid container 45 for dispensing liquid, for example, for an immersion distance of 1 to 2 mm.

[0125] Since the waste container arrangement 44 would have to be removed from its standby position for the sole lifting movement of the utility container arrangement 78 by the lifting device 76 and its lifting gear 82, which can only be done manually in the illustrated embodiment, either the waste container arrangement 44 alone or the waste container arrangement 44 and the utility container arrangement 78 are lifted together by the lifting device 76.

[0126] In Figure 5, the magnet carrier assembly 72, comprising the magnet carriers 72a and 72b, is raised into the extension area of ​​the reaction containers 88, so that the waste liquid container 45 could be brought closer by the lifting device 86 along the handling movement path HB to the reaction container device 18, which is only movable along the standby movement path RB. Meanwhile, the useful receiving device 50 is in its evasive position, displaced relative to the standby position along its standby movement path NB.

[0127] In the present case, the useful container arrangement 78 is a known one-piece injection-molded titer plate with the already mentioned 12 x 8 = 96 useful liquid containers 90.

[0128] Figure 6 shows a rough schematic plan view of the magnet carrier assembly 72 of the magnet device 70. Figures 7 and 8 show the magnet carriers 72a and 72b in more realistic exploded bottom views than in Figure 6.

[0129] Figure 6 shows the reaction vessels 88 of the reaction vessel device 18 in their orthogonal 12 x 8 matrix. The roughly schematic view of Figure 6 is a plan view of the magnet carrier arrangement 72 in relation to sections of the reaction vessels 88 which extend with their receiving volume 112 (see, for example, Figure 11) orthogonally to the plane of the drawing in Figure 6. The reaction vessels 88 are arranged along mutually parallel first rows 88a and mutually parallel second rows 88b. The rectilinear first rows 88a and the rectilinear second rows 88b run orthogonal to one another. At each intersection point of each first row 88a and each second row 88b, exactly one reaction vessel 88 is arranged. For the sake of clarity, only four of twelve first rows 88a and only four of eight second rows 88b are indicated by dash-dotted lines starting from the reaction vessel 88 on the upper left in Figure 6.The eight reaction vessels 88 of each integrally formed reaction vessel assembly 86 by injection molding extend along a first row 88a. The maximum number of reaction vessel assemblies 86 that can be arranged in the reaction vessel carrier 20 corresponds to the maximum number of first rows 88a.

[0130] The intersecting first rows 88a and second rows 88b, which each run parallel to the drawing plane of Figure 6, span a reference plane BE which is also parallel to the drawing plane of Figure 6.

[0131] The magnet carrier arrangement 72 has a plurality of matrix magnets 94, which are arranged distributed among the magnet carriers 72a and 72b. The matrix magnets 94 are physically and magnetically essentially identical permanent magnets, but are arranged with different polarization orientations depending on their location in the magnet carrier arrangement 72. Common to all matrix magnets 94 is that their polarization direction 94a runs parallel to the reference plane BE and non-parallel to both the direction of the first rows 88a and the direction of the second rows 88b. The polarization direction 94a is the shortest direction in which the magnetic south pole of a matrix magnet 94, indicated by the letter "S" in Figure 6, follows the magnetic north pole of the same matrix magnet 94, indicated by the letter "N."A boundary surface 94b, orthogonal to the polarization direction 94a, between the magnetic north pole and the magnetic south pole of each matrix magnet 94 runs orthogonally to the reference plane BE. In the example shown, all polarization directions 94a of the matrix magnets 94 arranged in the magnet carrier arrangement 72 are rotated by an amount of 45° with respect to the direction of the first rows 88a and the direction of the second rows 88b about an axis of rotation orthogonal to the plane of the drawing in Figure 6 and thus to the reference plane BE.

[0132] The number of matrix magnets 94 in the magnet carrier arrangement 72 is less than the number 96 of reaction vessels 88 and is greater than the sum of the first and second rows 88a and 88b, i.e., in the present case, greater than 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of matrix magnets is 58. In the illustrated embodiment, it is half the sum of the number (96) of reaction vessels 88, the number (12) of first rows 88a, and the number (8) of second rows 88b.

[0133] The matrix magnets 94 are also arranged in an orthogonal matrix, specifically along mutually parallel third rows 96a and along mutually parallel fourth rows 96b. For clarity, only the left-most first three third rows 96a and only the topmost first three fourth rows 96b are shown in Figure 6 and provided with reference symbols. The third rows 96a are parallel to the first rows 88a, and the fourth rows 96b are parallel to the second rows 88b.

[0134] The matrix magnets 94 are located at intersection points of the third rows 96a and the fourth rows 96b. However, in contrast to the reaction vessels 88, where each intersection point between the first rows 88a and the second rows 88b is occupied by a reaction vessel 88, a matrix magnet 94 is not arranged at each intersection point of a third row 96a and a fourth row 96b. In the matrix of matrix magnets 94 formed from the third rows 96a and the fourth rows 96b, in each row of the third rows 96a and the fourth rows 96b, an intersection point located next to an intersection point occupied by a matrix magnet 94 is not occupied by a matrix magnet 94. In this way, exactly two matrix magnets 94 are adjacent to each reaction vessel 88 in the reference plane BE.

[0135] Furthermore, the polarization directions 94a of all matrix magnets 94 arranged in a common third row 96a are the same, and the polarization directions 94a of all matrix magnets 94 arranged in a common fourth row 96b are the same. Furthermore, the polarization directions 94a of the matrix magnets 94 arranged in adjacent third rows 96a are rotated from row to row by an angular amount of 90° with respect to a rotation axis orthogonal to the reference plane BE. The direction of rotation of the rotation at the transition from a third row 96a to an adjacent third row 96a is the same for all matrix magnets 94 of a common third row 96a with respect to the matrix magnets in the adjacent third row 96a. The direction of rotation alternates between counterclockwise and clockwise from one third row 96a to the next third row 96a. The same applies to the matrix magnets 94 in successive fourth rows 96b.If one imagines the third rows 96a to be consecutively numbered starting with 1, the polarization directions 94a of all matrix magnets 94 arranged in third rows 96a with odd numbers are the same, and the polarization directions 94a of all matrix magnets 94 arranged in third rows 96a with even numbers are the same. If one also imagines the fourth rows 96b to be consecutively numbered starting with 1, the polarization directions 94a of all matrix magnets 94 arranged in fourth rows 96b with odd numbers are the same, and the polarization directions 94a of all matrix magnets 94 arranged in fourth rows 96b with even numbers are the same.

[0136] In this way, each reaction vessel 88 is opposite a different polarization section of the two adjacent matrix magnets 94. Of the two matrix magnets 94 immediately adjacent to a reaction vessel 88, only one polarization section of one of the matrix magnets 94, i.e. only either the magnetic north pole or only approximately the magnetic south pole, faces the reaction vessel 88, while of the other of the two matrix magnets 94, both polarization sections and the edge emerging from the matrix magnet 94 faces the virtual interface 94b between the two polarization sections. As a result, the two adjacent matrix magnets 94, which are physically and magnetically essentially identical, act with different magnetic field strengths on the reaction vessel 88, which is equidistant from each of the two matrix magnets 94.Thus, with an asynchronous relative movement of the two matrix magnets 94 adjacent to the same reaction container 88 relative to each other and relative to the reaction container 88 parallel to the direction of gravity g, or with a synchronous but oppositely directed relative movement of the two matrix magnets 94 adjacent to the same reaction container 88, a very good mixing effect of magnetic particles suspended in a liquid in the reaction container 88 can be achieved. Nevertheless, due to the different magnetic effects of the two adjacent matrix magnets 94 on one and the same reaction container 88, an immobilization of the magnetic particles in the reaction container 88 in the region of the magnetic field of the increasing strength of the matrix magnet 94 can be achieved, thus preventing an undesirable double cluster formation of magnetic particles due to two magnetic fields acting on the interior of the reaction container 48.

[0137] For this purpose of effective utilization of the magnetic fields emanating from the matrix magnets 94 and their effect on the contents of the reaction containers 88, for all reaction containers 88 arranged in the reaction container carrier 20, the matrix magnets 94 immediately adjacent to one and the same reaction container 88 are arranged on different and separately movable magnet carriers 72a and 72b.

[0138] Following the above virtual numbering, all third or fourth rows with odd row numbers are arranged on one and the same magnet carrier. In the present case, all third rows 96a with odd numbers are arranged on the magnet carrier 72a. Likewise, all third or fourth rows with even numbers are arranged on one and the same other magnet carrier. In the present case, all third rows 96a with even row numbers are arranged on the magnet carrier 72b. All third rows 96a of a magnet carrier 72a or 72a have the same number of matrix magnets 94, but the third rows 96a with even numbers, i.e., the third rows 96a of the magnet carrier 72a, in the present exemplary embodiment each have a number of matrix magnets 94 that is one less than the third rows 96a of the magnet carrier 72b. The latter rows have five matrix magnets 94. The third rows 96a of the magnet carrier 72a, however, each have only 4 matrix magnets 94.

[0139] The magnet carriers 72a and 72b are structurally largely identical or similar. Each magnet carrier 72a and 72b comprises a magnet carrier base 72a-1 or 72b-1, from which magnet carrier legs 72a-2 or 72b-2 project orthogonally to the respective magnet carrier base 72a-1 or 72b-1, preferably projecting on one side. The magnet carrier legs 72a-2 run parallel to one another. The magnet carrier legs 72b-2 run parallel to one another. The magnet carrier bases 72a-1 and 72b-1 run parallel to one another. Consequently, the magnet carrier legs 72a-2 and 72b-2 also run parallel to one another. The magnet carrier legs 72a-2 or 72b-2 of one magnet carrier 72a or 72b run towards the magnet carrier base of the respective other magnet carrier 72b or 72a.

[0140] In the illustrated embodiment, the magnet carrier base of a magnet carrier, in this case the magnet carrier base 72a-1 of the magnet carrier 72a, is longer than the magnet carrier base 72b-1 of the magnet carrier 72b. The magnet carrier 72a has more magnet carrier legs 72a-1, in this case by exactly one more magnet carrier leg than the magnet carrier 72b has magnet carrier legs 72b-1. The magnet carrier legs 72a-2 and 72b-2 are arranged interlaced, so that each magnet carrier leg 72b-2 of the magnet carrier 72b with the shorter magnet carrier base 72b-1 runs in the spacing space between two immediately adjacent magnet carrier legs 72a-2 of the magnet carrier 72a with the longer magnet carrier base 72a-1. Basically, if a magnet carrier leg 72a-2 or 72b-2 of a magnet carrier 72a or 72b is arranged along the direction of its magnet carrier base 72a-1 or72b-1 has an adjacent magnet carrier leg on each side, these two adjacent magnet carrier legs are magnet carrier legs 72b-2 or 72a-2 of the other magnet carrier 72b or 72a, respectively. The magnet carrier legs 72a-2 and 72b-2 each carry the matrix magnets 94 of a third row 96a. The magnet carrier legs 72a-2 carry the third rows 96a with an odd row number, and the magnet carrier legs 72b-2 carry the third rows 96a with an even row number.

[0141] Those matrix magnets 94 which, in their third row 96a or in their fourth row 96b, in which they are arranged, are not adjacent to an intersection point of a third row 96a with a fourth row 96b in at least one direction, are outer matrix magnets 94-1. In contrast, those matrix magnets 94 which, in both their third row 96a and their fourth row 96b, in which they are arranged, are adjacent to an intersection point of a third row 96a with a fourth row 96b in each row direction, are inner matrix magnets 94-2.

[0142] The inner matrix magnets 94-2 of a magnet support leg 72a-2 or 72b-2 project beyond this magnet support leg on both sides in a direction orthogonal to the direction of extension of the magnet support leg 72a-2 or 72b-2 that supports them. Therefore, sections, preferably equal-sized sections, of one and the same inner matrix magnet 94-2 are exposed on both sides of the magnet support leg 72a-2 or 72b-2 that supports it. The inner matrix magnets 94-2 can thus be brought as close as possible to a container wall 110 of the nearest reaction container 88.

[0143] Likewise, those reaction vessels 88 which, in their first row 88a or in their second row 88b in which they are arranged, are not adjacent to an intersection point of a first row 88a with a second row 88b in at least one row direction are edge reaction vessels 88-1. In contrast, those reaction vessels 88 which, in both their first row 88a and their second row 88b in which they are arranged, are adjacent to an intersection point of a first row 88a with a second row 88b in each row direction are interior reaction vessels 88-2. Each inner matrix magnet 94-2 is adjacent to four reaction vessels 88 which, due to their orthogonal matrix arrangement, are arranged at the corners of a rectangle containing the respective inner matrix magnet 94-2. The corners of the rectangle are formed by the respective virtual container axes BA (see, for example, Fig. 10A, 11, 15 and 16) of the reaction containers 88 involved.

[0144] Each outer matrix magnet 94-1 is adjacent to two reaction vessels 88, more precisely two peripheral reaction vessels 88-1.

[0145] If one considers four matrix magnets 94 arranged closest to one another in a rectangle, two of which are arranged in the same third row 96a and two in the same fourth row 96b, then a reaction container 88 is located between each matrix magnet 94 and a matrix magnet 94 of the same rectangle that is adjacent along the edge of the rectangle. The rectangular edges of the virtual rectangles of the matrix magnets 94 thus formed run at an angle of 45° to the third and fourth rows 96a and 96b that the matrix magnets 94 have.

[0146] Thus, while each inner matrix magnet 94-2 is arranged face-centered with respect to the rectangle formed by the four reaction vessels 88 closest to and surrounding it in the reference plane BE, the reaction vessels 88 are arranged edge-centered with respect to four matrix magnets 94, which span a rectangle with the smallest area in the reference plane BE.

[0147] Figures 7 and 8 each show a perspective bottom view of the magnet carrier arrangement 72 or its magnet carriers 72a and 72b in a more realistic representation than in Figure 6.

[0148] The magnet carriers 72a and 72b comprise at least two components, namely a magnet receiving component 73a-1 or 73b-1 and a magnet holding plate 73a-2 or 73b-2. The matrix magnets 94 are inserted from the underside into largely complementary receiving recesses 95a or 95b of the magnet receiving component 73a-1 or 73b-1 and are positively secured therein against falling out laterally. The magnet holding plate 73a-2 or 73b-2, which is fastened to the underside of the respective magnet receiving component 73a-1 or 73b-1 with screws 98, secures the matrix magnets 94 in their receiving recesses 95a or 95b of the magnet receiving component 73a-1 or 73b-1 against falling out in the direction g of gravity. The magnet holding plate 73a-2 or 73b-2 has essentially the same circumferential contour consisting of the base and the legs projecting therefrom as the magnet receiving component 73a-1 or 73b-1 to which it is screwed.In this way, the matrix magnets 94 can be arranged as close as possible to a dispensing opening of the reaction container 88, so that a magnetic field emanating from the matrix magnets 94 can effectively act on a liquid held in a reaction container 88 even if the amount of liquid in the reaction container 88 is very small and the liquid is essentially only in the vicinity of the dispensing end or the dispensing opening.

[0149] A fastening extension 72a-3 or 72b-3, which in the illustrated embodiment is preferably formed in one piece only on the respective magnet receiving component 73a-1 or 73b-1, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as an extension of the respective magnet carrier base 72a-1 or 72b-1, enables a force-transmitting connection with the respective movement drive 74a or 74b of the magnet carrier 72a or 72b.

[0150] In order to be able to bring the matrix magnets 94 as close as possible to the container wall 110 of reaction containers 88, recesses 100a and 100b are formed in the magnet carrier legs 72a-2 and 72b-2 of the magnet carriers 72a and 72b, respectively. These recesses are complementary to an outer shape of the reaction containers 88, more precisely to an outer shape of an axial section of the reaction containers in which the magnet carriers 72a and 72b are arranged during operation of the device 10. Figures 9 to 16 show a reaction container arrangement 86 and reaction containers 88 of the reaction container arrangement 86 in different views and with different levels of detail.

[0151] Figure 9 shows a perspective view obliquely from above of a reaction container arrangement 86, as used on the reaction container device 18. A plurality of reaction containers 88, eight in the example shown, are arranged consecutively along a following path FB. Each reaction container 88 extends along a virtual container axis BA. The container axes BA of the reaction containers 88 of a reaction container arrangement 86, which are imagined to pass centrally through the reaction containers 88, lie in a plane spanned by the direction vectors of the container axes BA and the following path FB, and run parallel to one another and transversely, preferably orthogonally, to the following path FB, at least when the reaction container arrangement 86 is accommodated in the reaction container carrier 20.Figure 10A shows a longitudinal sectional view through the reaction vessel arrangement 86 of Figure 9, wherein the sectional plane contains the virtual vessel axes BA of the individual reaction vessels 88. The viewing direction of the sectional view of Figure 10A is indicated by the arrow XA in Figure 9. Figure 10B shows a roughly schematic side view of the reaction vessel arrangement 86 of Figure 10A with an exaggerated curvature for improved fixation of the reaction vessel arrangement 86 in the reaction vessel carrier 20. Figure 11 shows a longitudinal section through a reaction vessel 88, more precisely through an edge-mounted reaction vessel 88-1. The sectional plane of Figure 11 is the same as that of Figure 10A. Figure 12 shows an enlarged view of the discharge end of the reaction vessel 88 of Figure 11.Figure 13 shows a roughly schematic detailed view of the input end of a reaction vessel 88 and the adjoining vessel section with a radial projection for securing the reaction vessel 88 in a reaction vessel receptacle. Figure 14 shows a cross-section with a section plane orthogonal to the virtual vessel axis BA through a reaction vessel 88, more precisely through an edge-mounted reaction vessel 88-1, to illustrate the radial projections arranged equidistantly in the circumferential direction for securing the reaction vessel 88 in a reaction vessel receptacle 24.Figure 15 shows a plan view of the reaction vessel arrangement of Figures 9 and 10A and Figure 16 shows a cross-sectional view along the section plane XVI-XVI of Figure 10A orthogonal to the virtual vessel axes BA below a band connecting the reaction vessels 88 of the reaction vessel arrangement 86, but in the region of the radial projections and a web connecting a reaction vessel 88 with its reaction vessel 88 adjacent along the following path FB.

[0152] Each reaction vessel 88 has an input end 102 with, in the illustrated embodiment, a substantially circular input opening 104. At a distance D (see Fig. 11) measured along the virtual vessel axis BA from the input end 102 and the input opening 104, the reaction vessel 88 has an output channel 108 at an output end 106 opposite the input end 102.

[0153] Within the space surrounded by a container wall 110 of the reaction container 88, a receiving volume 112 is formed above the discharge channel 108. A liquid 109 with ferromagnetic particles 109a suspended therein can be received in this receiving volume in the reaction container, which is preferably introduced into the reaction container 88 through the inlet opening 104.

[0154] The discharge channel 108 penetrating the container wall 110 is dimensioned such that when the receiving volume 112 is filled with a liquid 109, the liquid 109 is held in the receiving volume 112 by capillary pressure in the discharge channel 108 until the pressure in the receiving volume 112 sufficiently exceeds the capillary pressure in the discharge channel 108 by blowing gas through the inlet opening 104 by means of the pressure-changing device 62b. In this case, the liquid 109 begins to exit the receiving volume 112 through the discharge channel 108. This preferably occurs in a free jet.

[0155] A more detailed representation of the shape of the output channel 108 is shown in Figure 12. On its side facing the receiving volume 112, the output channel 108 has an inlet opening 114, which, along the virtual container axis BA, marks the axial longitudinal end of the output channel 108 closer to the receiving volume 112. At its axial longitudinal end axially opposite the inlet opening 114 and farther from the receiving volume 112, the output channel 108 ends in an output opening 116. The distance D specified above extends from the inlet opening 104 to the inlet opening 114 and forms a reference dimension RD of the reaction container 88.

[0156] Preferably, the input opening 104, the output channel 108 and thus in particular the inlet opening 114 and the output opening 116 are arranged coaxially with respect to the virtual container axis BA.

[0157] In the illustrated embodiment, the inlet opening 114 is completely surrounded by an inlet surface 118. The inlet surface 118 is preferably oriented orthogonally to the container axis BA. The outlet opening 116 is completely surrounded by an outlet surface 120, which in the illustrated preferred embodiment is also oriented orthogonally to the virtual container axis BA and is therefore parallel to the inlet surface 118. The surface area of ​​the outlet surface 120 is larger than the surface area of ​​the inlet surface 118.

[0158] To protect the dispensing opening 116 and the dispensing surface 120 surrounding it, an axial projection 122 extending along the container axis BA extends circumferentially around the dispensing surface 120, preferably in a closed configuration. The overhang length of the axial projection 122 relative to the dispensing surface 120 is less than the thickness T of the container wall 110. The overhang length L of the axial projection 122 relative to the dispensing surface 120 is also less than the distance d, measured along the container axis BA, between the inlet surface 118 and the dispensing surface 120.

[0159] For example, the thickness T of the container wall can be 0.5 to 0.8 mm, preferably 0.6 mm. The distance d of the inlet surface 118 from the outlet surface 120 can be 0.3 to 0.6 mm, preferably 0.4 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, this distance d corresponds to the axial length of the outlet channel 108. Due to the formation of the defined surfaces 118 and 120, the distance d of the inlet surface 118 from the outlet surface 120 is preferably smaller than the wall thickness T of the container wall 110, approximately smaller than the wall thickness T of the container wall 110 in the region of its extension along the container axis BA. The projection length L of the axial projection 122 relative to the discharge surface 120 is preferably 0.1 mm or between 20% and 30% of the distance of the inlet surface 118 from the discharge surface 120 or between 40% and 125% of the diameter of the discharge opening 116.The radial width B of the axial projection 122, which preferably extends closed around the container axis BA to protect the dispensing opening 116 from all sides, is greater than its projection length L, preferably at least twice as large. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial width B of the axial projection 122 is between 0.2 and 0.3 mm, particularly preferably between 0.2 mm and 0.24 mm.

[0160] The input opening 104 is preferably circular and has an opening width OW, in particular a diameter, in the range of 5.7 to 6.3 mm. The diameter of the preferably circular-cylindrical output channel 108 is preferably less than half a millimeter. In the illustrated embodiment, it is in the range of between 0.15 and 0.3 mm.

[0161] The outer diameter De of the preferably circular inlet surface 118 is preferably 40% to 60% of the outer diameter Da of the preferably circular outlet surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter De of the inlet surface 118 is approximately 0.5 mm, and the diameter Da of the outlet surface 120 is approximately 1 mm.

[0162] An inner wall surface 110a of the container wall 110, which directly delimits the receiving volume 112, is preferably designed in the shape of a rotational body with the virtual container axis BA as the axis of rotation. The inner wall surface 110a is designed such that the receiving volume 112 has a first tapered region 112a, in which the receiving volume 112 tapers as it approaches the discharge channel 108. The tapered angle a1 (see Fig. 11), which is preferably constant over the entire axial length of the first tapered region 112a, is smaller than the tapered angle a2 of a second tapered region 112b following the first tapered region 112a in the direction of the discharge channel 108.

[0163] In Figure 11, the taper angles are drawn on the outer wall surface 110b for better clarity. Due to the constant thickness T of the container wall 110 along its course along the container axis BA, the taper angles a1 and a2 drawn on the outer wall surface 110b also correctly reflect the taper of the inner wall surface 110a. The taper angles a1 and a2 are half the opening angles within the conical taper regions 112a and 112b of the receiving volume 112, related to the virtual container axis BA, which is also the cone axis of the conical taper regions 112a and 112b.

[0164] The taper angle a1 is a moderate taper angle in the range of 0.7° to 5°, 1° in the illustrated embodiment. In this first taper region 112a, a liquid flow can occur along the container axis BA without generating turbulence in the liquid, and pressure waves can propagate within a liquid 109 held in the reaction container 88 along the container axis BA without generating turbulence.

[0165] In the illustrated embodiment, the first tapered region 112a is axially longer than the second tapered region 112b. The second tapered region 112b extends axially to the edge of the inlet surface 118. Preferably, the first tapered region 112a is at least five times as long as the second tapered region 112b along the container axis BA.

[0166] In Figure 11, two thin parallel lines indicate the axial longitudinal end of the first tapered region 112a, which is closer to the discharge channel 108, and the axial longitudinal end of the second tapered region 112b, which is farther from the discharge channel 108. Between them lies a first transition region 124, in which the inner wall surface 110a transitions seamlessly from the first tapered angle a1 to the second tapered angle a2. In longitudinal sectional views containing the virtual container axis BA, the sectional contour of the inner wall surface 110a in the first transition region 124 has a curvature with a radius of curvature in the range from 0.8 mm to 1.1 mm.

[0167] The taper angle a2 of the second taper region 112b, which in the example shown is also preferably constant over its entire axial length, is preferably 45° in the exemplary embodiment shown.

[0168] The second tapered region 112b, whose axial length is only approximately one-twelfth to one-eighth, in this case approximately 2 / 21; of the axial length of the first tapered region, optimally conditions the liquid in the receiving volume 112 for splash-free discharge in a free jet during discharge of liquid through the discharge channel 108. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire second tapered section 112b thus forms an inlet section 126, in which the liquid received in the receiving volume 112 is fed to the inlet opening 114 in a laminar or at least substantially laminar manner under appropriate pressure conditions inside the reaction vessel 88.

[0169] The inlet surface 118, which forms the longitudinal end of the second tapered region 112b closer to the discharge channel 108, can mitigate any shear forces occurring at the inlet opening 114 that could otherwise have a detrimental effect on long-chain molecules contained in the liquid. Nucleic acids, in particular, form very long-chain molecules that can be sensitive to shear forces in the liquid containing them and can be destroyed by such shear forces.

[0170] The dispensing surface 120 can ensure that liquid emerging from the dispensing opening 116 does not wet the outside of the container wall 110. If liquid is nevertheless able to wet the dispensing surface 120, the range of this wetting is limited by the axial projection 122, which also mechanically protects the dispensing opening 116 and the dispensing channel 108, as well as the dispensing surface 120 itself, from impacts and the like. On the side of the first tapered region 112a closer to the inlet opening 104, there is a funnel region 128 with a third tapered angle a3, which is greater than the first tapered angle a1 and smaller than the second tapered angle a2. In the illustrated embodiment, the third tapered angle a3 is approximately 30°.

[0171] In the illustrated embodiment, the axial length of the funnel region 128 is approximately 3 to 4 times the axial length of the second tapered region 112b and thus of the inlet region 126. The axial length of the first tapered region 112a is in turn approximately 2.5 to 3 times the axial length of the funnel region 128. The funnel region 128 serves to taper the reaction vessel 88 to the shortest possible axial length without jumps or steps in the inner wall surface 110a. Therefore, between the first tapered region 112a and the funnel region 128 there is a second transition region 130, in which the inner wall surface 110a transitions with a convex curvature from the funnel region 128 into the first tapered region 112a. In contrast, the curvature of the inner wall surface 110a in the first transition region 124 is concave.

[0172] The above-mentioned recesses 100a and 100b of the magnet carrier arrangement 72 are designed to accommodate the first tapered region 112a and, with appropriate axial adjustment of the magnet carrier arrangement 72, at least a portion of the funnel region 128. Due to the above-described inclination of the container wall 110 with a substantially constant thickness T, whenever the first tapered region 112a can be accommodated in the recesses 100a and 100b of the magnet carrier arrangement 72, the second tapered section 112b can also be accommodated in the recesses 100a and 100b and exposed to the magnetic field of the matrix magnets 94. Preferably, immobilization of magnetic particles 109a, which may be suspended in a liquid 109 received in the receiving volume 112, takes place in the first tapered section 112a or in at least one of the transition regions 124 or 126 adjacent thereto.130 or in the second tapered section 112b, but preferably in the first tapered section 112a due to the distance from the dispensing channel 108. MA denotes a range of motion along which the magnet carrier assembly 72, with its two magnet carriers 72a and 72b, can at least move during operation of the liquid handling device 10. In fact, the magnet carrier assembly 72 can be moved below the dispensing ends 106 of the reaction container assemblies 86 in order to be able to relocate the reaction container device 18 between its setup position and its standby position without collision.

[0173] The mutually facing longitudinal ends of the funnel region 128 and the first tapered region 112a are separated from each other in Figure 11 by thin horizontal lines, between which the second transition region 130 is located.

[0174] To facilitate the introduction of liquid 109 through the inlet opening 104 into the receiving volume 112, a guide region 132 is located between the inlet opening 104, preferably directly axially adjacent thereto, and the funnel region 128, which guide region also tapers in the direction away from the inlet opening 104 and toward the outlet channel 108. Preferably, the fourth taper angle a4 is also constant along the entire guide region 132.

[0175] The fourth taper angle a4 is smaller than the third taper angle a3 and, in the illustrated embodiment, essentially corresponds to the first taper angle a1 or differs from it by no more than 30% relative to the first taper angle a1.

[0176] Again, parallel horizontal lines in Figure 11 indicate the mutually facing axial longitudinal ends of the guide region 132 and the funnel region 128, between which a third transition region 134 is located, in which the inner wall surface 110a transitions smoothly and without jumps from the guide region 132 to the funnel region 128 as it approaches the discharge channel 108.

[0177] The reaction vessels 88 of a reaction vessel arrangement 86 are connected to one another at their input ends 112 by a belt 136 running along the following path FB. As already explained several times, the reaction vessel arrangement 86 discussed here is formed in one piece as an injection-molded component made of thermoplastic material.

[0178] Figure 10A shows a longitudinal sectional view through a reaction vessel assembly 86. The details of the reaction vessels 88 shown therein have already been explained above in connection with Figures 11 and 12.

[0179] In Figure 10A, reference numeral El denotes an input-end plane orthogonal to the drawing plane of Figure 10A, in which the input openings 104 of the reaction vessel arrangement 86 shown and of all further reaction vessel arrangements 86 arranged in front of and / or behind the reaction vessel arrangement 86 shown in Figure 10A in the reaction vessel carrier 20 are located.

[0180] In Figure 10A, EO denotes a discharge end-side plane orthogonal to the drawing plane of Figure 10A, in which the discharge openings 116 of the reaction container arrangement 86 shown and of all further reaction container arrangements 86 arranged in front of and / or behind the reaction container arrangement 86 shown in Figure 10A in the reaction container carrier 20 are located.

[0181] The preferably parallel virtual planes E1 and E0 are to be understood as having a certain thickness to account for manufacturing tolerances of the reaction vessel arrangements 86 and arrangement tolerances of the reaction vessel arrangements 86 in the reaction vessel carrier 20. The two planes E1 and E0 are parallel to the follow-up path FB and are parallel to the standby movement paths AB, RB, and NB. They are also parallel to the loading path BP.

[0182] To stiffen the reaction container arrangement 86, whose belt 136 has approximately the same thickness T as the container wall 110, webs 138 are formed between adjacent reaction containers 88 along the following path FB, more precisely in the illustrated embodiment between adjacent guide regions 132, which connect the adjacent reaction containers 88 to one another. The webs 138 protrude integrally from the belt 136 toward the discharge end. Consequently, with eight consecutive reaction containers 88 along the following path FB, seven webs 138 are formed between adjacent reaction containers 88.

[0183] Figure 10B shows, in an unrealistically exaggerated manner, a curvature of the reaction vessel arrangement 86 about an axis of curvature K orthogonal to the guideway FB and to the vessel axes BA. The axis of curvature K runs orthogonally to the plane of the drawing of Figure 10B and is actually farther away from the belt 136 than shown in Figure 10B. Figure 10B merely serves to qualitatively illustrate the axis of curvature K and its position relative to the belt 136. A surface 136a facing away from the reaction vessels 88 is therefore convexly curved.

[0184] The curvature serves to improve the fixation of the reaction vessel arrangement 86 in the reaction vessel carrier 20. The reaction vessel receptacles 24 in the reaction vessel carrier 20 are also centrally interspersed with virtual receptacle axes, which are aligned parallel to one another. In contrast, the vessel axes BA of the reaction vessel arrangements 86 curved according to Fig. 10B are oriented divergingly. If the curved reaction vessel arrangement 86 with the diverging vessel axes BA is now arranged in the reaction vessel carrier 20 with the parallel receptacle axes of the reaction vessel receptacles 24, the reaction vessel arrangement 86 is forcibly deformed by the reaction vessel carrier 20 such that the virtual vessel axes BA of the individual reaction vessels 88 of the reaction vessel arrangement 86 are oriented parallel to one another and collinear with the receptacle axes within a certain tolerance range.The resulting deformation is an elastic deformation, which increases the contact force with which a container wall 110 presses against a wall or structure of the reaction container receptacle 24 or the reaction container carrier 20. This increased contact force increases the frictional force acting between the reaction containers 88 and the reaction container carrier 20, so that the resistance of a reaction container arrangement 86, which is deformed due to its curved rest state and arranged in the reaction container carrier 20, to removal from the reaction container carrier 20 is increased compared to the same reaction container arrangement 86 arranged undeformed in the reaction container carrier 20. To further improve the fixation of the reaction container arrangement 86 in the reaction container carrier 20, radial projections 140 are formed on the outer wall surfaces 110b of the container wall 110.In the illustrated embodiment, each reaction container 88 is provided as a fixation reaction container with three radial projections 140 arranged equidistantly around the container axis BA. In the illustrated embodiment, the radial projections 140 are formed in the guide region 132 and extend parallel to the virtual container axis away from the belt 136 toward the discharge end 106. The axial extension length of the radial projections 140 of a reaction container 88 is the same for each radial projection 140. It is preferably greater than the axial extension length of the webs 138.

[0185] The radial projections 140 can be seen particularly well in Figures 9, 13, 14 and 16.

[0186] The radial projections 140 locally increase the outer diameter or outer dimension of the reaction vessel 88 and in particular of the guide region 132 carrying the radial projections 140. Therefore, if the guide region 132 with the radial projections 140 is inserted into a reaction vessel receptacle 24 in which no negative counterpart for the radial projections 140 is formed in the receiving cavity, the locally increased outer dimension in the region of the radial projections 140 results in a clamping of the reaction vessel 88 in the reaction vessel receptacles 24 and thus in an improved fixation of the reaction vessel 88 in the reaction vessel carrier 20.

[0187] From a technical and physical perspective, this improved fixation of the reaction vessels 88 by the radial projections 140 is based on a similar effect to that resulting from the curved design of the reaction vessel arrangement 86: due to the locally larger external dimensions of the reaction vessels 88 compared to the projection- or recess-free inside width of the reaction vessel receptacles 24, the reaction vessel 88 can only be inserted into the reaction vessel receptacles 24 with elastic deformation of the area carrying the radial projections 140. Due to the elastic deformation, the contact force with which the radial projections 140 are pressed against a contact surface of the reaction vessel receptacles 24 increases, and as a result of the increased contact force, the frictional force acting between the reaction vessel 88 and the reaction vessel receptacle 24 increases.

[0188] The essentially identically formed radial projections 140 have lateral flanks that enclose an angle ß1 of between 45 and 55°, preferably 50°. The radially outward-facing end face 140a of the radial projections 140 has a width b, measured in the circumferential direction, of 0.15 mm to 0.3 mm, in the present example 0.2 mm. In the radial direction, the radial projection 140 protrudes 0.4 to 0.7 mm, in the illustrated embodiment 0.5 mm, from the remaining outer wall surface 110b of the container wall 110. The outer dimension of a reaction vessel 88 in the area carrying the radial projections 140, measured across the virtual vessel axis BA, which is thought to pass through centrally, is therefore 0.5 mm larger than the outer diameter of the reaction vessel 88 measured at the same axial position, but over a diameter direction in which no radial projection 140 is present.

[0189] While the outer wall surfaces 110b of the guide region 132, which carries the radial projections 140, tapers slightly toward the discharge end 106, the radially outward-facing end surface 140a preferably runs parallel to the container axis BA, so that the radial projections 140, with the container axis BA as the cylinder axis, preferably have a cylindrical envelope. An insertion bevel with an inclination of preferably 30° relative to the container axis BA at the longitudinal end of the radial projections 140 closer to the discharge end 106 facilitates their insertion into a cylindrical or conical reaction container receptacle 24.

[0190] The reaction containers 88, or more precisely the band 136 of the reaction container arrangement 86 connecting them, have or have at a longitudinal end 136b of the band 136 a physical coding formation 142 in the form of a detection surface 142a arranged at a distance from the surface 136a of the band 136 facing away from the output end 106.

[0191] The container sensor 92 of the device 10 can detect the distance between it and the belt 136, as well as between it and the detection surface 142a, and transmit this distance to the control device 40. Encoding information by the physical coding formation 142 during the manufacture of the reaction container assembly 86 offers the significant advantage of avoiding subsequent incorrect coding by a laboratory technician, as might potentially occur during hectic laboratory work.

[0192] For example, the detection surface 142a may be raised by a predetermined distance s relative to the surface 136a of the belt 136 or lowered by a predetermined distance s. Even the arrangement of the detection surface 142a at the same surface level as the surface 136a may be an information carrier.

[0193] Furthermore, the physical coding formation 142 can be arranged at the same longitudinal end, but using the opposite corner of the band 136. Considering only the alternatives of a raised or depressed arrangement of the sensing surface 142a at one of two corner regions of the longitudinal end 136b, four possible different coding states result. Adding the simultaneous formation of a physical coding formation 142 at both corners of the longitudinal end 136b results in six possible different coding states.

[0194] The coding states are preferably correlated with a physical feature of the reaction container 88 of the reaction container arrangement 86, for example with the design of the dispensing channel 108, more precisely with its diameter and / or length. The coding state of a reaction container arrangement 86, predetermined by the coding formation 142 formed thereon, can directly indicate to the control device 40 operating parameters that the control device 40 should set during a handling process on the device 10. One possible such parameter is the specification of an overpressure in the receiving volume 112 in order to be able to ensure splash-free dispensing of liquid from the receiving volume 112 through the dispensing channel 108. Data assignments can be stored in the data memory 42 of the control device 40, which data assignments correspond to a detection area 142a or 142b detected by the container sensor 92.Assign a coding state associated with this detection to a pressure value that the control device 40 is to achieve during a liquid handling operation for dispensing liquid from a reaction container 88 into its receiving volume 112 by the pressure-changing device 62b. Instead of a pressure value, for the detection of which the pressure sensor 69a can be used on the device side or a further pressure sensor can be provided, a duration of an introduction of gas into the receiving volume 112 can also be stored in the data memory 42.

[0195] The detection surface 142a is preferably a flat surface and is also preferably parallel to the surrounding portion of the surface 136a of the belt 136. This applies at least in a state in which the reaction vessel arrangement 86 is arranged in a reaction vessel carrier 20, since then the above-described curvature about the curvature axis K is eliminated and the reaction vessel arrangement 86 arranged in the reaction vessel carrier 20 is essentially uncurved.

[0196] However, the parallelism of the flat detection surface 142a to at least the section of the surface 136a surrounding it can essentially also apply in the original curved delivery state, since, on the one hand, the curvature around the curvature axis K has a very large radius of curvature, which is significantly greater than the reference length RD, so that the curvature in the region around the coding formation 142 is negligible. Furthermore, the curvature of the reaction vessel arrangement 86 in the delivery state is preferably achieved essentially at the webs 138 by targeted material shrinkage during cooling, so that the longitudinal end region 136b, which projects to the right from the edge-mounted reaction vessel 88-1 closest to the coding formation 142 in Figure 10A, can be formed without curvature around the curvature axis K.The overall curvature of the reaction vessel arrangement 86 can therefore be composed of flat sections of the reaction vessel arrangement 86 in the region of the inlet openings 104, which, due to the targeted utilization of material shrinkage in the region of the webs 138, are inclined relative to an adjacent flat region at an angle about an inclination axis parallel to the curvature axis K. When viewed from the perspective of Figure 10B, such a reaction vessel arrangement 86 does not have a continuously curved shape like the reaction vessel arrangement 86 shown in Figure 10B; rather, the band 136 has a polygonal shape with flat regions angled to one another in the same direction of inclination at the inlet openings 104 and also at the projecting longitudinal end regions 136b and 136c, which results in a curved shape overall.In other words, the curved reaction vessel arrangement 86 does not have to be a continuously curved reaction vessel arrangement 86, but may be a discontinuously curved reaction vessel arrangement 86 formed by juxtaposing mutually inclined flat regions.

[0197] To save weight, the belt 136 can be constricted in regions between two reaction vessels 88 arranged successively along the following path FB (see Fig. 15), preferably forming a seamless and continuous constriction. With the exception of the physical coding formation 142 and the radial projections 140, the reaction vessel arrangement 86 is preferably mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane containing the vessel axes BA.

[0198] The waste container assembly 44 with the waste liquid container 45 will be described below.

[0199] In Figures 17 and 18, the waste liquid container 45 is shown in a perspective view (Figure 17) and in a cross-sectional view (Figure 18).

[0200] The waste liquid container 45 has a tub body 45c, which surrounds a receiving volume 45a of the tub body 45c and thus of the waste liquid container 45. The tub body 45c is covered by a container lid 45d. The container lid 45d does not cover the entire tub body 45c, but rather a spout 144 is formed at each of the longitudinal ends of the tub body 45c. The spouts 144 are recessed in the container lid 45d. In the setup position, an operator or a service robot can lift the waste liquid container 45 from the drawer 28 supporting it and dispose of liquid handling waste, which has accumulated in the receiving volume 45a over several handling operations, through one of the spouts 144 without lifting the lid 45d.In principle, it is also possible to remove the waste liquid container 45 filled with handling waste from its recess 28b in the drawer base 28a and replace it with a similar empty waste liquid container 45. This allows more time for the disposal of the handling waste, and this disposal can be carried out with more care.

[0201] The container lid 45d has an elongated recess serving as a waste seal assembly receptacle 27, into which the loading device 62, or more precisely, the pressure-changing device 62b, can deposit a seal assembly 22. Once the seal assembly 22 arranged on the pressure-changing device 62b is immersed in the waste seal assembly receptacle 27, it can be removed from the loading device 62, or more precisely, from the pressure-changing device 62b, by moving the waste liquid container 45 along the standby movement path AB. An operator or a service robot can then, when the waste liquid container 45 is in its setup position, remove the used seal assembly 22 from the waste seal assembly receptacle 27 in the container lid 45d and dispose of it.

[0202] Both the tub body 45c and the container lid 45d are preferably manufactured as a single piece from a thermoplastic injection-molded component. However, manufacturing from stainless steel is also possible. The tub body 45c and the container lid 45d can be deep-drawn for this purpose. The container lid 45d can also have openings provided by stamping.

[0203] The container lid 45d covers a filling opening 146 of the bowl- or tub-shaped tub body 45c. The tub body 45c comprises a container base 148, which, as shown in Figure 18, can be flat or can have defined support formations to ensure particularly secure support. Side walls 150a to 150d protrude from the container base 148, and the filling opening 146 is formed on the edge of the side walls 150a to 150d remote from the container base 148. The side wall 150a is the side wall that is oriented transversely to the standby movement path AB and leads the way during the movement of the waste liquid container 45 from the setup position to the standby position. The opposite side wall 150b follows the aforementioned movement of the waste liquid container 45 and the two side walls 150c and 150d connect the first-mentioned side walls 150a and 150b.

[0204] The container lid 45d has openings 152 arranged in an orthogonal matrix. This is also a 12 x 8 matrix, so that the container lid 45d has as many openings 152 as the maximum number of reaction containers 88 that can be arranged in the reaction container carrier 20. Not only is the number of openings 152 and reaction containers 88 identical, but the distances between the output channels 108 and their output openings 116 of the individual reaction containers 88 are also identical to the distances between the openings 152 in the two orthogonal directions of the 12 x 8 matrix.In this way, it is ensured that when handling waste is to be dispensed from the reaction containers 88 through the dispensing channels 108, an opening 152 in the container lid 45d of the waste liquid container 45 is opposite each dispensing channel 108 and thus handling waste from any reaction container 88 can safely reach the receiving volume 45a of the waste liquid container 45.

[0205] The portion of the surface 154 of the container lid 45d located between the openings 152 is preferably flat. The same applies to the portion of the surface 154 of the container lid 54c surrounding the waste seal assembly receptacle 27.

[0206] By means of the lifting device 76 described above, the waste liquid container 45 can be raised for the discharge of handling waste from the reaction containers 88, preferably to such an extent that the discharge opening 116 of a reaction container 88 or the discharge openings 116 of all reaction containers 88 are moved through the surface 154 and are located, with respect to the surface 154, on the side of the container lid 45d facing the receiving volume 45a. The longitudinal end sections with the discharge ends 106 of the reaction containers 88 can protrude 0.2 mm to 5 mm, preferably 0.5 mm to 3 mm, through the surface 154. In the device 10, all discharge openings 116 of existing reaction containers 88 are preferably located in a common arrangement plane. This arrangement plane can have a thickness of 1 mm, preferably a thickness of 0.5 mm, to take into account the manufacturing tolerance of the reaction vessels 88.

[0207] As a splash guard, each opening 152 is adjoined by a wall arrangement 156 that tapers from the opening 152 toward the receiving volume 45a and completely encloses an inlet volume 158 in the circumferential direction around inlet axes EA. Preferably, the wall arrangements 156 of all openings 152 are identical. The wall arrangement 156 forms an inlet funnel for introducing handling waste through the openings 152 into the receiving volume 45a.

[0208] To stiffen the container lid 45d, connecting webs 160 and 162 are formed in both orthogonal directions of the 12 x 8 matrix of the arrangement of openings 152, projecting from the side of the container lid 45d facing the receiving volume 45a and connecting the wall arrangements 156 to one another. The wall arrangements 156 are also preferably formed integrally with the rest of the container lid 45d.

[0209] The virtual inlet axes EA centrally penetrate the inlet volumes 158 and form, so to speak, cone axes or funnel axes of the wall arrangements 156. The wall arrangements 156 preferably extend smoothly and continuously from the flat surface 154 into the receiving volume 45a.

[0210] Starting from the edge 152a of an opening, an inlet region 156a of the wall arrangement 156 extends along the inlet axis EA from the container lid 45d toward the container bottom 148. The inlet region 156a, like the rest of the wall arrangement 156, is curved around the respective inlet axis EA. The inlet region 156a is also curved around axes of curvature that run orthogonal to the inlet axis EA and spaced apart from it. The infinitely many axes of curvature orthogonal to the inlet axis EA extend circumferentially around the inlet axis EA.

[0211] In order to prevent the wall assemblies 156 from being wetted by handling waste accumulating in the receiving volume 45a, the wall assemblies 156 preferably extend over less than one-third of the clear height of the receiving volume 45a above the container bottom 148. However, for adequate splash protection, the wall assemblies 156 extend at least over 10% of the clear height of the receiving volume 45a starting from the remaining container lid 45d into the receiving volume 45a.

[0212] In contrast to the inlet area 156a, the outlet area 156b is only curved around the inlet axis EA in the illustrated embodiment.

[0213] The container lid 45d is detachably connected to the tub body 45c. It can be held, for example, frictionally and / or positively to the tub body 45c by retaining tongues 164.

[0214] Figures 19 and 20 show the loading device 62 with its movement apparatus.

[0215] The guide rail 64 and the belt drive 66 of the loading device 62 are mounted on a support 166 fixed to the device housing. The belt drive 66 comprises a belt 66a and two deflection pulleys 66b and 66c, of which the deflection pulley 66c is driven by a drive motor 168 also carried on the support 166. This essentially corresponds to the design of the belt drives 56 and 60 as well as the other devices 18 and 50 described above as being displaceable by drive. A guide carriage 170 connected to the belt 66a for joint movement is movably arranged on the guide rail 64 along the loading path BP.

[0216] A mobile support 172 is arranged on the guide carriage 170, which is movable along the loading path BP together with the guide carriage 170 and carries the container sensor 92 and the loading device 62. The mobile support 172, which is rigidly connected to the guide carriage 170, carries a guide rail 174, which, in the example shown, is oriented vertically and thus orthogonally to the guide rail 64 and orthogonally to the parallel guide rails 48, 54, and 58.

[0217] The loading device 62 is movably guided along a vertical approach path WP on the guide rail 174. The mobile carrier 172 also carries a movement drive 176, by which the loading device 62 can be driven to move along the approach path WP. This allows the loading device 62 to be brought closer to the reaction vessel device 18, and in particular to the input ends 102 with the input openings 104 of the reaction vessels 88, and to be lifted away from them again. Thus, the sealing arrangement 22 shown in Figure 1, when arranged on the loading device 62, can be pressed sealingly against the belt 136 of the reaction vessel assemblies 86 with a predetermined and / or defined contact pressure.In addition, the movement drive 176 can move a used seal assembly 22 arranged on the loading device 62 along the approach path WP into the waste seal assembly receptacle 27, from where it can be stripped from the loading device 62, more precisely from the pressure change device 62b, by moving the waste liquid container 45 along its standby movement path AB. Alternatively, the movement drive 176 can move a used seal assembly 22 arranged on the loading device 62 along the approach path WP into the seal assembly receptacle 26, from where it can be stripped from the pressure change device 62b by moving the reaction container carrier 20 along its standby movement path RB. The feeding device 62, which is shown in Figures 19 and 20 without its switching valves, is explained in more detail below.As can be seen from Figures 19 and 20, the feeding device 62 has a line body 178 and a dispensing component 180. Lines that can be connected to and separated from one another by the switchable valves 182, 184, and 186 (see Figure 21) are formed in the line body 178. These lines open into metering openings 188 for dispensing liquid and into gas outlet openings 190 for dispensing gas in the dispensing component 180. The metering openings 188 and the gas outlet openings 190 are arranged offset relative to one another along an offset direction VD parallel to the feeding path BP. Their distance along the offset direction VD is greater than at least the opening width OW of the inlet openings 104 of the reaction vessels 88, so that when one opening consisting of the metering opening 188 and the gas outlet opening 190 is arranged centrally above an inlet opening 104, the other opening cannot discharge into the inlet opening 104.In order to prevent a simultaneous discharge of a metering opening 188 and a gas outlet opening 190 into the same input opening even when an opening consisting of a metering opening 188 and a gas outlet opening 190 is arranged off-center above an input opening 104, the distance between the metering openings 188 and the gas outlet openings 190 is preferably greater than the opening width OW.

[0218] As shown in Figure 22, the metering openings 188 can be formed by simple openings in the dispensing component 180 or as the end opening of a pipe 189 (see the rightmost metering opening 188 in Figure 22). Preferably, all lines leading to a metering opening 188 are of the same type, i.e., preferably, either all metering openings 188 are openings directly in the dispensing component 180 or all metering openings 188 are openings in a respective pipe 189. The pipes 189 preferably protrude beyond a surface 180a of the dispensing component 180 that faces the reaction vessel device 18 during operation. The surface 180a, from which the pipes 189 emerge, can be set back from a further surrounding surface 180b of the dispensing component 180 in order to protect the end sections of the pipes 189 from external mechanical influences.The sealing assembly 22 is received by a receiving projection 22b in a receiving recess 192 in the dispensing component 180, which extends parallel to the standby movement path RB of the reaction container device 18, in a form-fitting manner along an exchange path BB running parallel to the standby movement path RB and orthogonal to the loading path BP. The receiving recess 192 is provided in the dispensing component 180 by a T-slot-shaped seal receiving structure 193.

[0219] Through openings 194 in the sealing arrangement 22, which penetrate the sealing arrangement 22 and its sealing surface 22a designed to engage the surface 136a of the band 136, are arranged in the operative arrangement collinear with the gas outlet openings 190 as a continuation thereof in order to guide gas escaping from the gas outlet openings 190 to the inlet openings 104 of the reaction vessels 88.

[0220] Of the switching valves 182, 184, and 186 shown in Figure 21 and mounted on the rear side 178a of the line body 178, the switching valves 182 switch lines of the metering device 62a between a blocked state and a flow-through state. The switching valves 182 therefore form a metering valve arrangement 183 in the sense of the introduction to the description. The switching valves 184 switch lines of the pressure-changing device 62b between a blocked state and a flow-through state. The switching valves 184 therefore form a gas valve arrangement 185 in the sense of the introduction to the description. Each switching valve 182 and 184 interrupts or connects two line sections formed in the line body 178.

[0221] The two switching valves 186 form a switching valve device 187, which allows a liquid from one of the containers 34 and 36 or gas from the gas pressure reservoir 69 to be selectively directed through the metering openings 188 of the metering device 62a. By blowing through the lines and metering openings 188 of the metering device 62a in this way, the lines and metering openings 188 of the metering device 62a can be freed and cleaned of the last liquid passed through between a change of liquids to be metered, for example, between containers 34 and 36. Each switching valve 186 can selectively connect an upper or lower opening to a central opening or separate the openings from each other.

[0222] Three line connections 196, 198, and 200 are arranged on the line body 178, in the illustrated embodiment on the top side 178b. The line connections 196 and 198 are liquid-conducting line connections that supply liquids from the containers 34 and 36 to a line system 202 (see Figure 23) of the line body 178. It is assumed that the line connection 196 is connected to the extraction line 38a and the line connection 198 to the extraction line 38b. The line connection 200 is a gas-conducting line connection that supplies pressurized gas from the gas pressure reservoir 69 to the line system 202 of the line body 178. The pressure line 38c in the operating fluid compartment 32 is connected to the gas pressure accumulator 69 and is not routed via the valve arrangements of the feeding device 62.

[0223] Figure 24 shows a perspective view of the feed device 62 looking at the rear side 178a of the line body 178 without the switching valves 182, 184 and 186.

[0224] The large openings 204, arranged in four parallel rows, serve solely for the attachment of the switching valves 182, 184, and 186, with each switching valve being secured to the rear side 178a by two screws screwed into a respective large opening 204. For clarity, not all of the large openings 204 are provided with a reference symbol. There are a total of 36 openings 204 on the rear side 178a of the line body 178, namely two for each of the 18 switching valves.

[0225] A bottom row of small openings 206 leads via line sections 208 directly to the metering openings 188.

[0226] The switching valves 182 are arranged to connect the line sections 208 by means of their small openings 206 with likewise small openings 210 of a line section 212 or to separate the said openings 206 and 210 from each other.

[0227] The line section 212 opens into the rear side 178a of the line body 178 in a small central opening 214, which opens to the changeover valve 186 on the right in Figure 21.

[0228] A short line section 216 extends from the line connection 198 to a small opening 218, which is an upper one of three small openings 218, 214 and 220, which are connected to or separated from each other in pairs by the changeover valve 168 on the right in Figure 21.

[0229] The lowermost small opening 220 opens into a line section 222, which leads only to a middle small opening 224 of the left switching valve 186 in Figure 21.

[0230] In addition to the middle small opening 224, an upper small opening 226 of a line section 228, which leads to the line connection 196, and a lower small opening 230 of a line section 232, which leads to the gas-carrying line connection 200, open into the changeover valve 186 on the left in Figure 21.

[0231] Directly connected to the gas-carrying line connection 200 is a further line section 234, which leads to small openings 236 below the switching valves 184 of the gas valve arrangement 185. In addition to the small openings 236, small openings 238 of line sections 240 open toward the switching valves 184, which lead directly into the gas outlet openings 190.

[0232] By switching the switching valves 182, the fluid present at the openings 210 and thus at the opening 214 can be selectively directed to the metering openings 188 or not. By switching the switching valves 184, the gas present at the openings 236 via the line section 234 can be selectively directed to the gas outlet openings 190 or not.

[0233] Through the right-hand switching valve 186 in Figure 21, either the fluid present at the line connection 198 can be directed via the line section 216 and the opening 218 or the fluid present at the opening 220 can be directed to the openings 210.

[0234] By means of the switching valve 186 on the left in Figure 21, the central opening 224 and thus the line section 222 leading to the opening 220 can be connected either to the line connection 196 and the line section 228 leading to the opening 126 or to the opening 230 and thus to the line section 232 and the gas-carrying line connection 200.

[0235] By appropriately switching the switching valves 186, either liquid from the container 34 or liquid from the container 36 or pressurized gas from the gas pressure accumulator 69 can be supplied to the openings 210 of the metering valve arrangement 183.

[0236] Figure 25 shows the loading device 62 in perspective from below, looking at the essentially smooth front side 178c of the conduit body 78. This view is presented merely as a supplement and conclusion to the previous explanations.

Claims

Claims 1. An automated liquid handling device (10) for handling liquids (109), comprising: i. a reaction container device (18) comprising a reaction container arrangement (86) with a plurality of reaction containers (88), wherein each reaction container (88) of the plurality of reaction containers (88) has a discharge end (102) with a discharge opening (104), ii. a waste receiving device (46) for receiving liquid discharged through the discharge opening (104) of the reaction containers (88) as handling waste, wherein the waste receiving device (46) has a waste collection container (45) with a receiving volume (45a) for receiving the handling waste of the plurality of reaction containers (88) and comprises a waste container carrier (28), and iii.a pressure changing device (62b), wherein the pressure changing device (62b) is designed to change a gas pressure difference between an internal gas pressure in at least one reaction container (88) of the reaction container device (18) and an external gas pressure outside the at least one reaction container (88), characterized in that the waste collection container (45) has a tub body (45c) and a container lid (45d) which is arranged on the tub body and at least largely covers the receiving volume (45a) of the waste collection container.

2. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the container lid (45d) has a plurality of openings (152) whose relative arrangement to one another corresponds to a relative arrangement of the dispensing openings (104) of the plurality of reaction containers (88) to one another.

3. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the waste collection container (45) has a plurality of wall assemblies (156), wherein for a plurality of the wall assemblies (156) it applies that each wall assembly (156) at least partially encloses an inlet volume (158) leading from an opening (152) into the receiving volume (45a), wherein each wall assembly (156) extends from an inlet region (156a) closer to the opening (152) to a discharge region (156b) further away from the opening (152) towards the receiving volume (45a), wherein each opening (152) associated with a wall assembly (156) opens into its inlet volume (158).

4. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to claim 3, characterized in that the wall arrangements (156) are formed integrally with the container lid (45d).

5. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that at least a plurality of the wall arrangements (156) enclose their respective inlet volume (158) in a closed circumferential manner.

6. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the cross section of the inlet volume (158) becomes smaller in the direction of the outlet region (156b).

7. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the wall arrangements (156) extend from the container lid (45d) over at least 10% of the clear height of the container lid (45d) above a bottom (148) of the waste collection container (45) into the receiving volume (45a).

8. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container lid (45d) is removably arranged on the tub body (45c) of the waste collection container (45).

9. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area occupied by the container lid (45d) is smaller than an opening area of ​​the tub body (45c) partially covered by the container lid (45d).

10. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the waste collection container (45) has at least one pouring opening (144) in the region of its container lid (45d).

11. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one device consisting of reaction container device (18) and waste receiving device (46) is arranged to be movable in such a way that a distance between the discharge openings (104) of the reaction containers (88) and the container lid (45d) of the waste collection container (45) can be reduced and increased again.

12. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the waste receiving device (46) is displaceable along a handling movement path (HB) between a standby position and a handling position, wherein the distance between the dispensing openings (104) and the container lid (45d) is smaller in the handling position than in the standby position.

13. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to claim 12, including claim 2, characterized in that the discharge ends (102) of the reaction containers (88) with their discharge openings (104) penetrate the openings (152) in the container lid (45d) in the handling position of the waste receiving device (46).

14. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that the automated liquid handling device (10) comprises a lifting device (76) for displacing the waste receiving device (46) along the handling movement path (HB) between the standby position and the handling position.

15. Automated liquid handling device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the waste receiving device (46) is movable along a standby movement path (AB) between a setup position and a standby position.

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