초록 ▼

The invention relates to an analysis system which, by means of a reagent cartridge opening module, permits automatic opening of reagent vessels which are closed by screwing. The reagent cartridge opening module for this purpose has catch elements which can lock securely against rotation in correspon

The invention relates to an analysis system which, by means of a reagent cartridge opening module, permits automatic opening of reagent vessels which are closed by screwing. The reagent cartridge opening module for this purpose has catch elements which can lock securely against rotation in correspondingly configured catch elements of a reagent vessel lid. In addition, the reagent cartridge opening module and the reagent vessel lid are connected via snap-in elements, so that transport of the reagent vessel lid perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement is possible.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A method for opening reagent vessels comprising: providing a snap-fit connection between a snap-in element of a reagent cartridge opening module and a snap-in element of a reagent vessel lid without a necessity for rotation therebetween, the reagent vessel lid being connected

What is claimed is: 1. A method for opening reagent vessels comprising: providing a snap-fit connection between a snap-in element of a reagent cartridge opening module and a snap-in element of a reagent vessel lid without a necessity for rotation therebetween, the reagent vessel lid being connected by a screwable connection to a reagent vessel; locking a catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module into a catch element of the reagent vessel lid, wherein the snap-in element of the reagent vessel lid and the catch element of the reagent vessel lid are permanently integrated into the reagent vessel lid and wherein the reagent vessel lid and the reagent cartridge opening module lock securely against rotation about one another; turning the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module, as a result of which a rotational movement of the reagent vessel lid is effected until the screwable connection between the reagent vessel lid and the reagent vessel is essentially released; and moving the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module into a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement, wherein the reagent vessel lid clings to the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module and at least partially follows the movement of the latter. 2. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1, further comprising centering the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module relative to the snap-in element of the reagent vessel lid before providing the snap-fit connection. 3. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1 further comprising providing a carrier which, at its lower end, provides the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module. 4. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1 further comprising providing a centering unit which, at its lower end, provides the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module. 5. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1 further comprising: providing a carrier which, at its lower end, provides the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module; and automatically positioning the catch element arranged on the carrier, relative to the center of the reagent vessel lid. 6. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1 further comprising: providing a carrier which, at its lower end, provides the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module; and moving the carrier and snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module in the direction which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement towards the snap-in element of the reagent vessel lid. 7. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1 further comprising: providing a carrier which, at its lower end, provides the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module; providing a centering unit which, at its lower end, provides the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module; and automatically matching movements of the carrier and of the centering unit to one another. 8. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1 further comprising: providing a carrier which, at its lower end, provides the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module; providing a centering unit inside the carrier, the centering unit, at its lower end, provides the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module; automatically positioning the catch element arranged on the carrier, relative to the center of the reagent vessel lid; and moving the carrier and centering unit in the direction which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement towards the snap-in element of the reagent vessel lid to lock the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module into the catch element of the reagent vessel lid and to provide the snap-fit connection. 9. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1 further comprising providing relative movement between the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module and the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module to release the snap fit connection. 10. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1 further comprising: providing a carrier which, at its lower end, provides the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module; and providing a drive unit which is operably coupled to the carrier to turn the catch element. 11. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1 further comprising: providing a carrier which, at its lower end, provides the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module; providing a centering unit which, at its lower end, provides the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module; automatically matching movements of the carrier and of the centering unit to one another; and triggering relative movement between the carrier and the centering unit upon bringing bearing surfaces of the carrier up against a positionally fixed limit stop. 12. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1 further comprising: providing a carrier which, at its lower end, provides the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module; providing a centering unit inside the carrier, the centering unit, at its lower end, provides the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module; automatically positioning the catch element arranged on the carrier, relative to the center of the reagent vessel lid; moving automatically together the carrier and centering unit in the direction which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement towards the snap-in element of the reagent vessel lid; and triggering relative movement between the carrier and the centering unit upon bringing bearing surfaces of the carrier up against a positionally fixed limit stop. 13. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 1, further comprising implementing said method in an analysis system. 14. A method for opening reagent vessels comprising: providing a reagent cartridge opening module having a carrier which, at its lower end, provides a catch element, and a centering unit inside the carrier, the centering unit, at its lower end, provides a snap-in element; centering the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module relative to a snap-in element of a reagent vessel lid, the reagent vessel lid being connected by a screwable connection to a reagent vessel; moving automatically together the carrier and centering unit in an essentially perpendicular direction towards the snap-in element of the reagent vessel lid; providing a snap-fit connection between the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module and the snap-in element of the reagent vessel lid without a necessity for rotation therebetween; locking the catch element of the carrier into a catch element of the reagent vessel lid, wherein the snap-in element of the reagent vessel lid and the catch element of the reagent vessel lid are permanently integrated into the reagent vessel lid and wherein the reagent vessel lid and the reagent cartridge opening module lock securely against rotation about one another; turning the catch element of the carrier, as a result of which a rotational movement of the reagent vessel lid is effected until the screwable connection between the reagent vessel lid and the reagent vessel is essentially released; moving the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the rotational movement, wherein the reagent vessel lid clings to the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module and at least partially follows the movement of the latter; and triggering relative movement between the carrier and the centering unit upon bringing bearing surfaces of the carrier against a positionally fixed limit stop to release the snap-fit connection. 15. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing a drive unit which is operably coupled to the carrier to turn the catch element. 16. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising implementing said method in an analysis system. 17. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module with a concave shape. 18. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module with a convex shape. 19. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module with a conical shape. 20. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing the catch element of the reagent cartridge opening module with a tooth structure. 21. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing the reagent vessel lid with teeth on the cover plate. 22. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing the reagent vessel lid with a tapered cone portion. 23. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module with a depression which has a groove on the inside. 24. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module with a depression which has a protuberance on the inside. 25. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module as hinged snap-in element halves. 26. The method for opening reagent vessels according to claim 14, further comprising providing the snap-in element of the reagent cartridge opening module as a slotted snap-in element that is designed conically or cylindrically above a snap-fit groove and which has a tapered end.