Device for closing a sample receptacle with a spherical closure element

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for closing a sample container with a spherical closing element, wherein the device has a storage container for a plurality of spherical closing elements, ejecting means for ejecting one of the closing elements through a discharge opening in a housing of the device, and means for limiting the forces exerted by the ejecting means on the closing element.

1 . A device for closing a sample container with a spherical closing element, comprising a storage container for a plurality of spherical closing elements, ejecting means for ejecting one of the closing elements through a discharge opening in a housing of the device, and means for limiting the forces exerted by the ejecting means on the closing element. 
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said ejecting means comprises a ram. 
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , comprising drive means for periodic movement of the ram. 
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 3 , comprising a rotary drive which is connected to the ram via a gear mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a separating apparatus for individually positioning the closing elements in a transfer position in a movement path of the ram. 
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said separating apparatus comprises a feed channel, via which the closing elements are transported into a transfer position. 
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 6 , comprising a barrier element for temporarily fixing individual closing elements in a transfer position. 
     
     
         8 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising a means, which acts preferably optionally in a vibrating and/or pneumatic manner, for transporting or for supporting transport of the closing elements from the storage container to the ejecting means. 
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said ejecting means are integrated in an exchangeable manner. 
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said ejecting means are provided with an exchangeable cover. 
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising at least one sensor for sensing ejection of a closing element, filling level of the storage container and/or forces exerted by the ejecting means on the closing elements. 
     
     
         12 . A system comprising:
 a device as claimed in  claim 1 , and;   a housing of a sample container, wherein the housing forms a sample space for receiving a sample and has at least one circular opening, wherein the opening extends in a channel-like manner into the sample space, and wherein the diameter of the closing elements only exceeds the diameter of the opening channel in at least one closing portion to such an extent that one of the closing elements can be fixed in a force-locked manner by a largest circumference thereof in the closing portion.   
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a contact area of the ejecting means that comes into contact with the closing elements is larger than an external cross-sectional area of an opening channel of the sample container. 
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 12 , comprising a sensor for detecting presence and/or position of the closing element in the housing of the sample container. 
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said housing of the sample container is formed in an optically transparent manner at least in one portion of the closing portion, and the sensor comprises means for detecting the refractive index of housing material in a transparent portion. 
     
     
         16 . A storage container having a multiplicity of spherical closing elements capable of being used in a device as claimed in  claim 1 , said container comprising a housing and a guiding and/or bearing apparatus which is arranged within the housing and in which the closing elements are arranged alongside one another in a row. 
     
     
         17 . The storage container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said guiding and bearing apparatus has a guiding and bearing channel which extends in a spiral shape. 
     
     
         18 . The storage container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein said housing has a filling opening which can be closed non-releasably with the closing elements after the storage container has been filled. 
     
     
         19 . The storage container as claimed in  claim 16 , comprising an integrated ejecting means for ejecting one of the closing elements through a discharge opening in the housing.