HK1126277B - Decapping system - Google Patents

Description

Decapping system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of automated analytical equipment technology, in which large quantities of reagents can be accommodated and processed, usually simultaneously. In this regard, it is desirable to allow for the sample and reagents in the analytical device to be handled as fully automated as possible so that no manual handling steps are required. This allows for simplification and speedup of many analysis processes and, in addition, can minimize errors due to human error during the analysis process.

Background

There is an urgent need for automated analysis equipment, especially in large-scale laboratories that must allow high sampling rates. At this point, the analysis device must be able to transport a large number of reaction vessels with different samples, and must be able to distribute these samples to different reagent vessels. In this respect, pipetting devices are used in particular to allow sample analysis by adding corresponding reagents and further sampling process steps. Thus, by means of a fully automated handling of reagents and samples, a very labour intensive analysis process can be performed reliably and quickly without the need for a professional person to perform a professional analysis process. A need for a fully or partially automated analytical process is, for example, the manipulation of sample quantities of different sizes, which require corresponding quantities of reagents. Fully automated analysis systems must meet various requirements. There are analysis systems with high throughput and analysis systems with low throughput, briefly summarized as follows:

in low reagent throughput assay systems, the cycle time for liquid removal is about 4 to 10 seconds, with the pipette tip passing through the container cap at each removal. Due to the low throughput, the cartridges have a relatively long residence time on the equipment. The residence time is further extended if the kit contains rarely used reagents that are not commonly accessed and can thus be kept for up to 4 weeks in an analysis system with low throughput. In these kits, high protection against evaporation is required.

In analytical systems distinguished by high reagent throughput, there are typically short cycle times of between 1 and 4 seconds for the pipetting and positioning of the reagent rotor and pipetting needle. Due to the short cycle time, it is not possible to pass the funnel with a pipetting needle. Due to the high reagent throughput, the residence time of the respective reagent cartridge on such an analytical system is only 1 to 2 days, whereby evaporation from the open flask can be tolerated.

Very small volume operations are described, for example, in EP 0504967. Said document discloses reagent containers that allow small volume movements, wherein evaporation or ageing of the fluid remaining in the container during further processing steps is avoided.

For this purpose, the reagent vessel has a suitably designed lid which is adapted on the one hand to remove the liquid and on the other hand to inhibit evaporation of the vessel contents. The lid has a circular opening in the middle of its base, which opens into the lid interior and exhibits a conical apex. To remove the sample, the cone apex is first passed through so that a pipetting needle for removing a very small sample volume can then be inserted into the container.

When the reagent has been removed from the container, only a small opening remains at the end of the cylinder. The small opening at the end of the cylinder also ensures that after removal of the sample, little liquid evaporates from the reagent container and the contents of the container do not undergo changes due to contact with, for example, atmospheric moisture or oxygen in the environment. Further details of the container closure can be taken from the prior art.

However, if higher throughput and shorter processing times are required, the pipetting device (if it allows for efficient sample handling) can be equipped with correspondingly large pipetting tips to absorb the liquid. In this case, a larger opening in the lid would be required in order to also ensure that a larger pipetting tip can also be inserted inside the reagent container.

As described in US6,255,101 and US3,991,896, the opening in the cover of the reagent container may be made by pressing the ball through the shaft of the reagent container cover by means of a pin. The bulb is advanced into the interior of the reagent container so that the reagent liquid can then be removed through the shaft. Other possibilities are also conceivable, for example by passing the cannula through the closure cap as in document WO 83/01912. The diameter of the opening may be selected according to the size of the shaft or sleeve.

In the prior art, such sample handling is used in analytical systems, for example in the field of clinical chemistry analysis of biological samples. To remove a desired amount of liquid reagent, the reagent is removed from the open reagent container and transferred to a reaction cuvette by an automated pipetting device. For each pipetting process, the motor-driven arm of the pipetting device is guided to the open reagent container so that the manipulation of the sample can take place in the desired manner. In this case, the contents of a standard reagent container are sufficient for a large number of pipetting processes. In this regard, it has been found that by removing the reagent cap and by forming a large opening in the cap, the fluid evaporates during the analytical process before it can be completely used up. Especially in spaces with low atmospheric humidity, large amounts of reagent solution are usually lost by evaporation. One consequence is that this evaporation will cause an increase in the concentration of the reagent in the fluid. In contrast, when an open reagent container is used in a space having a relatively high atmospheric humidity, or by forming condensed water when a cooled reagent is used, the volume of the reagent solution increases, so that the reagent concentration decreases with the passage of time. Furthermore, when using open reagent containers, there is a gas exchange with the surrounding air, wherein this causes the reagents to age. These effects on the reagent (particularly, the effect on the concentration of the reagent) cause deterioration in the analysis accuracy. Furthermore, it has been found that removal of the reagent caps must typically be performed manually. In these circumstances, laboratory personnel must take a new reagent container from its packaging and first remove the lid in order to then place the open reagent container in the analysis system in place of the empty reagent container. Manual operation by laboratory personnel requires a lot of labor and time, since often many different reagents are needed at different times in the same analysis system. It must also be ensured that the closure is not confused when the container is closed again. In a manually performed process, it may be confusing that the closure is a source of uncertainty.

Thus, methods are described in the prior art which allow automatic removal of reagent container closures. Document 0930504 discloses a lid holding device for automatically handling lids on sample containers. In this case, the lid of the sample container has a spike (spike) around which the lid holding device can be held. The lid is held securely by the gripping head so that on lifting the lid gripping device the lid is fully disengaged from the container whilst a hold down sleeve holds the container to prevent lifting of the container.

Document US5,846,489 similarly discloses an automatic system for opening reagent containers. According to this solution, the pins of the gripping device are inserted into purposely provided grooves in the cover. The pin has a bead at one end that allows the pin to be clamped in a groove in the lid. The lid can then be removed from the reagent vessel by lifting the pin.

Furthermore, US5,064,059 relates to a device allowing the removal of a lid from a reagent container. However, the prior art described herein only discloses automatic opening of a reagent container closed by a stopper. Typically, the stopper is used only to close the test tube (in which blood or other liquid, e.g. from a human or animal body, is received) and not the reagent container. In this case, the prior art has the disadvantage that the mechanism described does not allow the screw-on closure of the reagent vessel to be opened. In practice, however, it has been found that screw-on closures are particularly suitable for reagent containers which usually contain volatile fluids, since such screw-on closures ensure a reliable sealing of the container.

In the prior art, US6,216,340 describes the removal of a reagent closure secured to a container by screwing. In this case, the opener and the reagent cap interact in the manner of a bayonet closure (bayonet closure). With the guide groove formed in the reagent cover, the automatic opener can insert the pin along the guide groove by rotating into the cover until it is mounted against the limit stop of the guide groove. If the rotational movement continues in this direction, the cap can be unscrewed from the reagent container. By rotating the opener in the opposite direction, the connection between the lid and the opener is released again. A disadvantage of the prior art is that the precise production of the snap-on closure on the lid is a fundamental requirement to ensure the functional reliability of the system. After the container has been filled, the screwing operation must ensure an angular position of the snap-on closure with narrow tolerances and also a good sealing effect.

Furthermore, the opener must be accurately guided to the respective reagent container to allow engagement of the pin of the opener in the snap closure. This requires precise positioning of the reagent vessels in the analysis system or position detection of the respective reagent vessels with the analysis system. In addition, a complicated tool is required to produce the reagent cap, thereby increasing production costs. This is a significant disadvantage, especially in the case of reagent containers which are handled as disposable items. After the first lid is removed, the lid must also be removed from the opener before the opener can be used again to open the reagent container. In the example described, a further measure is required which allows the cap to be rotated in the opposite direction so that it can be removed from the opener.

EP1452869a2 relates to a system for automatically opening reagent containers. A reagent cartridge opening module for opening reagent containers comprises a carrier having a catch element at its lower end. The capture element securely locks the reagent container lid against rotation. Furthermore, the centering unit is guided substantially within the carrier. The centering unit has at its lower end a snap element which can engage with a reagent container lid provided for this purpose in a snap connection, so that the reagent container lid is attached to the snap element and at least partially follows the movement of the snap element.

EP0383564a2 relates to a stopper remover device. A stopper remover is used to automatically remove the stopper in the container. The remover comprises container gripping means for gripping a container in the plug gripping means to grip a plug. The plug holding device is rotated about an axis by a motor while holding the plug. The extractor features an annular ring with a plurality of prongs terminating in a position projecting from its inner surface, the prongs being normally arranged on the ring so as to be non-radially aligned. Thus, the prongs actively grip the stopper only when rotated in one direction and slide off the stopper when rotated in the opposite direction.

US3,830,390 relates to a safety closure for medical bottles or the like. The security closure for a container has a threaded neck. The closure includes a relatively hard internally threaded cap and a relatively resilient external actuator. The inner cap has a circular top and a cylindrical skirt. There are a plurality of ribs at the top periphery on the outside of the skirt of the cap. The driver has a cylindrical skirt and a top and telescopingly fits over the cap. Inside the joint of the top and skirt of the driver is a series of inwardly and downwardly extending lugs. A washer at the central top of the cap holds the drivers in a vertically spaced position. The lugs have vertical leading edges that extend downwardly a sufficient distance to extend between and engage the ribs to drive the cap onto the container neck. The lugs also have vertical rear edges which do not extend downwardly such a distance when the driver is in the normal position. The cap is removed from the container by flexing the periphery of the driver downwardly to engage the rear edge of the lug with the handle on the cap. In another embodiment, the washer is annular and holds the edge of the driver up, the lugs and ribs are in the inner annular region between the top cap and the driver, and the central portion of the top cap flexes down to engage the rear edge of the lugs with the handle, thereby unscrewing the cap.

US5,862,934 relates to a packaging system for liquid reagents. According to this packaging system for liquid reagents, two or more containers having a holding area are combined by pressing a plug-on plate (plug-on plate) onto the holding area of the container. To this end, the upper plug plate has two or more orifices whose cross-section substantially corresponds to the cross-section of the holding area of the container. The upper closure plate and/or the holding region of the container can have a stop element which, after assembly, prevents the separation of the container and the upper closure plate.

The prior art solution according to EP1452869a2 involves removing the lid of the reagent container with snap-on ball (snap-on ball) fasteners. According to this system, the cartridge system comprises at least one container having a screw-fixed lid to be opened and unscrewed and then discarded. The system according to EP1452869a2 is limited to the range: according to this solution, only one screw cap at a time is engaged by the system. This limits performance and does not allow parallel processing. Furthermore, only one height of the cassette system and only one standard height of the containers to be opened are handled. This also limits the performance of the system according to EP1452869a 2. After unscrewing, the cap is captured by the centering pin, which is substantially unprotected and thus susceptible to damage. For normal function, the screw head needs to be positioned accurately and not to compensate for more tolerances, such as those inherent in the manufacture of the cartridge system. In addition, the solution according to EP1452869a2 does not provide active clamping positioning and retention of the cartridge during unscrewing, i.e. the opening process of a single container provided with a threaded cap. In addition, to remove the unscrewed cap and to perform the vertical movement of the screw head, an additional horizontal or rotational movement of the screw head over the waste opening is required.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the solutions according to the prior art, the present invention aims at a flexible opening of containers filled with reagents, which allows parallel processing of containers and cassette systems, irrespective of the number of containers of the cassette system at a time, irrespective of the height and size of the containers containing the reagents, and also irrespective of the size and height of the cassette system.

According to the present invention, a decapping device is provided that allows parallel processing of a plurality of containers stored in a cassette system due to the shape and arrangement of the screwing heads. In particular, the cartridge system comprises two or more reagent-containing containers at random positions therein. The decapping system according to the invention allows to process the entire cassette system with a selected number of containers in a synchronized manner within one cycle. The at least one screwing head of the decapping system of the present invention allows to process in a single working cycle, in a synchronized manner, a system of cartridges with a random number of containers, in particular to unscrew all the threaded caps to discard said threaded caps that are no longer used for various reasons.

The main advantage of the present invention is that the decapping system allows parallel processing of a cassette system, which may have only a single container, or in the alternative may have multiple containers processed in parallel. In addition, it is not important at which position within the cartridge system the container with the reagent is arranged. The at least one screwing head or the plurality of screwing heads according to the invention automatically detect variable dimensions, in particular variable heights, of the cartridge system and process the cartridge system once the detection is completed, independently of its height and independently of the order of the reagent containers in the cartridge system.

In an alternative embodiment, the handling of cartridge systems with different sizes, in particular different heights, is achieved by means of suitable adapters. The alternative system identifies a cartridge system that is too small (i.e., has a low height) and does not further process the previously identified cartridge unit. In addition, the adaptation device operates in an ergonomic manner, i.e. the adaptation device can be fixed by means of magnetic forces. This allows in case of failure (e.g. a screw cap is somewhere jammed in the system) to first move the adapting device and remove the processed cartridge and/or the screw cap. With a different number of adapter devices it is very easy to handle cassette systems with different heights just after interchanging the adapter devices. The cassette system is fixed with holding means and the user of the system according to the invention does not disturb the handling of the currently handled cassette system.

In addition, at least one screw head in both embodiments of the invention is biased by at least one spring element which allows tension to be exerted on the at least one screw head and allows clamping of box systems with screw caps of different heights. In addition, the at least one spring-biased screw head exerts a force on the cap during processing of the threaded cap to allow secure contact between the cap at least one screw head and the cap being processed. The unscrewed cap is treated by means of an annular stripping element. A device, such as a stripping fork or the like, having a shape corresponding to the geometry of the annular stripping member, removes the unscrewed cap from the at least one screw head. The twist-off holding element covered with the centering pin is peeled off and discarded into a container arranged below the cassette system. This avoids further movement of the screw head to the waste position and reduces its complexity.

The screw head according to the invention comprises a spring-biased crown element similar to a socket wrench, which engages the external teeth of the screw cap and removes the latter by its rotational movement. The screw head includes a centrally disposed centering pin for centering relative to the screw cap, the centering pin centering the screw head in a funnel-shaped cavity of the screw cap and engaging a portion of the screw cap by a snapping motion. In this way, the screw cap is fixed to the at least one screwing head. Said biasing element of the centering pin, such as a universal ball joint or the like, serves as a tensioning tool in the radially outward extending direction and compensates for manufacturing tolerances of the threaded cap.

In addition, the decapping device according to the invention comprises a suitable number of screwing heads, preferably two or three screwing heads. The screw head is supported by a spring element which allows handling of screw caps and cartridge systems of different sizes and heights. The absence of a screw cap is compensated by a rearward movement of the entire spring-mounted screwing head. When the screw head is pretensioned, it is not necessary to move the screw head vertically in synchronism with the pitch of the screwing during the screwing process, which takes place in a fixed position due to this spring-biased embodiment of the screw head. The centering pin includes a resilient cap retaining device. In a preferred embodiment, the cap retaining device is made as a split biased tension tool (e.g., a collet) or is arranged as an O-ring spring device. The entire centering pin, including the protection pin, is arranged independently in the screwing head and is subject to a spring, allowing to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of the threaded cap. In addition, a secure engagement of the tensioning tool in the recess of the screw cap is ensured.

The guard pin is disposed within the centering pin and extends from a tensioning tool (e.g., a chuck). The protection pin protects the tension tool of the centering pin from deformation or damage in general, which may occur when the centering pin and the tension tool or the collet erroneously or unintentionally touch hard surfaces (e.g., the upper surface of the box system when the threaded cover is not present in the corresponding position).

The fixing of the cartridge system in position is achieved by positioning pins which engage openings of the cartridge system and thus enable a connection to the cartridge system when the cartridge system is handled. After unscrewing the cap from the container of the cartridge system, the cartridge system is released by the detent pin. Alternatively, the locating pins may be shaped to contact a sliding element of the cartridge system on an outer surface of the cartridge system.

The annular stripping member for discarding the unscrewed threaded cap from the container is actuatable from outside the screwing head and, due to its elasticity, can be automatically moved back to the starting position after discarding the cap. Removing the previously unscrewed cap by vertical movement of the at least one screwing head upon contact between the annular stripping member and the statically arranged stripping forks. It is envisaged that the stripping forks will move in opposite vertical directions, while the annular stripping elements are mounted stationary. After the box system has been removed from the table below the screw head, the unscrewing of the lid into the container arranged below the screw head begins.

For the processing according to the semi-automatic system of the invention, two embodiments are conceivable:

first, control is achieved by using a micro switch. The entire cycle and the detection of the presence or absence of the cartridge system, in particular its height and dimensions, are managed only by the micro-switches. Second, it is contemplated that the control may be via a software implementation. The rotational speed, movement path, speed, etc. are set within the software system.

The optical device provides for the detection of the height of the lid receptacle, in particular in LED technology, which saves an additional display in the front of the system and facilitates the detection of the height of said receptacle (i.e. the waste bin) arranged below the screw head. The front of the lid container is made of a transparent material to allow quick and easy detection of the filling level of the lid container. Furthermore, the optical device indicates the readiness of the device to operate, thereby saving an additional display in front of the system.

Drawings

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The figures show:

figure 1.1 a first perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention,

figure 1.2 a second perspective view of the first embodiment of the invention,

figure 2 is a view of a single screwing head,

figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the screwing head,

figure 4 shows a screwing device with a plurality of screwing heads,

figure 5 is a perspective view of a multiple screwing head according to figure 4,

figure 6 shows the tension tool in more detail,

fig. 6.1 alternative embodiments of the tensioning tool, such as a collet,

figure 7 the end of the tensioning tool according to figure 6,

fig. 8.1, 8.2 screw cap,

figure 9a second embodiment of the screwing/unscrewing system according to the invention,

figure 10 a cartridge system mounting area according to the second embodiment of figure 9,

figure 11 shows a screwing device according to the second embodiment of figure 9,

fig. 12.1 to 12.4 are detailed views of a screwing head according to a first or second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1.1 and 1.2 show different perspective views of a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1.1 shows a decapping system 10 comprising a table, the surface of which is marked with reference numeral 12. In the vertical direction, linear guides 14 are mounted on the surface 12 of the decapping system 10. The plurality of screwing heads 36 are moved vertically by means of a linear drive 16 vertically movable along said linear guide 14. A bit driver 24 is mounted on the linear driver 16 to drive a bit gear 26.

The turnscrew gear 26 preferably includes a worm/worm gear arrangement with which the plurality of turnscrews 36 are rotationally driven. The plurality of screwing heads 36 is mounted in a substantially vertical direction with respect to the linear drive 16, i.e. parallel to the direction of vertical movement of the linear drive, i.e. the Z direction. The vertical movement of the linear drive 16 is effected by a drive member 18, the drive member 18 being mounted to the linear guide 14 below the surface 12, the plurality of screw heads 36 being attached to the linear drive 16. As shown in fig. 1.1, the surface 12 of the decapping system 10 includes an opening 34. The opening 34 allows access to the lid receptacle 20 mounted below the surface 12. The screw cap 82 is unscrewed from the plurality of reagent-containing containers disposed within the cassette system 28 by the plurality of screw heads 36, and once unscrewed, the screw cap 82 is automatically removed into the cap container 20.

As schematically shown in fig. 1.1, a micro switch 22 is arranged, the micro switch 22 limiting the vertical movement of the linear drive 16, the plurality of screwing heads 36 being arranged vertically (i.e. in the Z-direction) to said linear drive 16.

Fig. 1.2 shows different perspective views of the first embodiment of the screwing/unscrewing system according to the invention as shown in fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.2 shows a cassette system 28 having a height 30, the cassette system 28 being shown disposed on the surface 12 of the decapping system 10. While preferred for automatically unscrewing a reagent or liquid container, the decapping system 10 can optionally be used to screw a threaded cap onto the container for a sealing function. The upper cassette surface 32 extends according to the height 30 of the cassette system 28 in the vertical direction. As already shown in fig. 1.1, a linear guide 14 with a drive 18 is arranged on the surface 12 of the decapping system 10.

Fig. 1.2 shows a stripping apparatus, such as a stripping fork 40, arranged opposite the linear drive 16, which linear drive 16 moves the plurality of screwing heads 36 vertically, i.e. upwards or downwards. In the first embodiment of the invention according to fig. 1.1, the stripping apparatus 40 is arranged stationary and the plurality of screwing heads 36 are movable relative to the stripping apparatus 40. With the aid of the stripping apparatus 40, caps 82 unscrewed from the containers contained in the box system 28 are gravitated and removed from the ends of the plurality of screwing heads 36 and discarded through the opening 34 into cap containers 20 disposed below the surface 12 of the decapping system 10.

The turnbuckle gear 26 shown in fig. 1.1 comprises a worm and worm gear 38 to transmit the rotational movement to a plurality of turnbuckles 36 assigned to the linear drive 16. Fig. 1.1 furthermore shows a screw head drive 24, which screw head drive 24 is assigned a substantially horizontally extending worm 38, which worm 38 meshes with a correspondingly shaped gear wheel 48 of each of the screw heads 36 of the plurality of screw heads 36 shown in fig. 1.1 and 1.2 of the first embodiment of the invention.

As can be seen from the first exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1.1 and 1.2, respectively, a random number of containers arranged in the magazine system 28 are processed at one time by means of the screwing head 36. These containers are arranged at randomly selected positions in the cassette system 28. The apparatus according to the invention handles the entire cassette system 28 containing a plurality of containers in a synchronized manner. The decapping system 10 given in the first embodiment of fig. 1.1 and 1.2 processes the cartridge system 28 in a single cycle in which all the threaded caps 82 are removed from the containers arranged within the cartridge system 28. With the system according to the invention it is not important whether the cartridge system 28 contains only one container filled with reagent or a plurality of containers. In addition, it is also not important at which position in the cassette system 28 the containers filled with reagents are arranged. The system according to the invention automatically detects the respective height 30 of the cassette system 28 (at which height 30 the upper cassette surface 32 extends). Thus, cartridge systems 28 having containers of different liquid heights can also be processed.

Figure 2 shows a view of a single screwing head.

According to fig. 2, the screw head 36 comprises a screw support 42, said screw support 42 being shaped, for example, as a sleeve. The screw head 36 includes a worm gear 48 at its upper end, the worm gear 48 engaging the worm 38 of the screw head gear 26. Reference numeral 46 shows a bearing, with which bearing 46 the screwing head 36 is mounted in the linear drive 16, as shown in fig. 1.1 and 1.2, respectively. On the outer periphery 74 of the screwing head 36, an annular removal element 66, in particular an annular member, is arranged. Below this dismantling device 66 is arranged a screw ring 56, said screw ring 56 having along its periphery a plurality of castellated projections 58 to engage grooves 86 provided on the outer periphery of the screw cap 82, as best shown in fig. 8.2. In the center of the screw ring 56, a centering cone 78 is shown.

Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional view through the screwing head given in fig. 2.

According to fig. 3, the screwing head 36 comprises, inside said symmetrical sleeve-shaped screw support 42, a shaft 44 surrounded by said bearing 46. A tensioning tool or collet 60 is disposed below the shaft 44. The tensioning tool or collet 60 is symmetrically shaped and is shown in more detail in fig. 6 and 6.1, respectively, which will be described below. A worm gear 48 is mounted on the shaft 44, by means of which worm gear 48 a rotational movement is transmitted to the screw head 36 shown in the cross-sectional view in fig. 3. Between the shaft 44, to which the worm gear 48 is mounted, and the upper surface of a tensioning tool or chuck 60, a first tension spring 50 is disposed. The tension spring 50 may be optionally shaped according to the knowledge of one skilled in the art. The tensioning tool or collet 60, which is biased by the first tension spring 50, is surrounded by a second tension spring 52, the second tension spring 52 having a helical design in the embodiment of fig. 3 of the screw head 36. The first tension spring 50 pretensions the crown-shaped screw ring 56, and the crown-shaped screw ring 56 engages the edge of the cap 82 when the screw head 36 is moved downward. The protrusions 58 provided on the crown screw ring 56 engage the grooves 86 of the cap 82. The crown screw ring 56 is movable with respect to the screw abutment referenced 42.

According to the cross-sectional view of the screwing head 36, given in more detail in fig. 3, with reference 66, the annular dismantling device 66 is fixed inside the screwing head 36 by means of bolt-shaped elements. Said bolts allowing said crown-screw ring 56 to move vertically under said dismantling element 66. Openings 218 are arranged in the surface of said crown screw ring 56, see fig. 2, which openings 218 allow said crown screw ring 56 to move relative to the bolt elements 216 that fix said dismounting element 66. Fig. 3 also shows a third tension spring 54 with which the screw ring 56 is biased against the remover tube 64. On the outer periphery of the lower end of the crown screw ring 56, the castellated projections 58 are shown which engage the grooves 86 of the cap 82 shown in fig. 8.1, 8.2, respectively. As shown in fig. 3, the tension tool or collet 60 includes a centering pin 62, a centering taper 78 of the centering pin 62 centering the cap 82 engaged by the tension tool or collet 60 relative to the protrusion 58 of the turn-ring 56 and a recess 86 in the periphery of the cap 82, the cap 82 being shown in fig. 8.1 and 8.2, respectively.

The third tension spring 54 allows vertical movement of the detacher tube 64 relative to the crown screw ring 56. The second tension spring 52 allows relative movement between the crown screw ring 56 and the screw abutment 42. Finally, the tensioning tool or collet 60 is pretensioned by means of a first tensioning spring 50 arranged between the shaft 44 and the upper plane of the tensioning tool 60.

Figure 4 shows a decapping system with multiple twist heads.

According to the embodiment shown in fig. 4, the linear guide 14 is shown to include a drive member 18 at its lower end to allow vertical movement of the linear drive member 16 in a vertical direction. A screw head drive 24 is arranged on the linear drive 16, said screw head drive 24 simultaneously driving screw heads 36 arranged one behind the other by means of a screw head gear 26. At the lower end of the screwing head 36, a crown screw ring 56 is shown, said crown screw ring 56 being given in more detail in the above-mentioned figures 2 and 3.

At the lower periphery of the crown screw ring 56, the castellated projections 58 are shown engaging the grooves 86 of the cap 82. In the perspective view of fig. 4, the linear actuator 16 includes a first microswitch 68, the first microswitch 68 acting as a Z-top stop. The removal process of the previously engaged cover 82 is initiated by the first microswitch 68. By means of the second microswitch 70 (Z-direction bottom _1), the presence of the upper box surface 62 is detected and the rotational drive of the plurality of screwing heads 36 is initiated. By means of the third microswitch 72 according to the embodiment presented in fig. 4, the screwing action, i.e. the rotational movement, of the crown-shaped screwing ring 56 of the respective screwing head 36 is activated.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the multiple screwing heads according to fig. 4 from a lower perspective.

According to fig. 5, the linear guide 14 comprises a plurality of grooves in which the linear drive 16 is guided and is susceptible to movement in the vertical direction (Z direction). According to fig. 5, the screw head drive 24 engages a worm 38 with a screw head gear 26, the worm 38 meshing with a corresponding worm wheel 48, respectively shown in fig. 2 and 3, of each screw head 36, respectively shown in fig. 2 and 3. The driver 26, 38, 48 is used to transmit the rotary motion to said crown screw ring 56 arranged at the bottom end of said screw head 36. In the perspective view according to fig. 5, the first microswitch 68 (Z-top stop) is shown, the contact of the first microswitch 68 initiating the process of removing the cap 82 previously engaged by the crown screw ring 56.

Fig. 6, 6.1 and 7 show in more detail a tensioning tool or collet which is arranged in a screw head 36 as shown in more detail in fig. 2 and 3, respectively.

According to fig. 6, the tension tool or collet 60 includes a retaining protrusion 76 at its bottom end and above the centering cone 78, the retaining protrusion 76 being a generally annular extending ring. The tensioning tool or collet 60 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending slots 80, the slots 80 applying a resilient force to the tongue of the tensioning tool or collet 60.

Fig. 6.1 shows an alternative embodiment of the tension tool or collet given in fig. 6.

According to the embodiment given in more detail in fig. 6.1, the retaining protrusion 36 arranged on the centering cone 78 is given by an O-ring made of an elastic rubber material, to reveal an example. By means of said O-ring, the cover 82, best shown in fig. 8.1 and 8.2 respectively, is engaged by a spring biased tensioning tool or collet 60. The tapered region 78 is not slit by the longitudinal slit 80 because the resilience for engaging the cap 82 as shown in figures 8.1 and 8.2 respectively is provided by the resilience or elasticity of the rubber material from which the O-ring is made. Thus, longitudinal slitting of the tensioning tool or collet 60 is not necessary for this embodiment according to the embodiment given in fig. 6.1.

As best shown in fig. 7, the tensioning tool or collet 60 is provided with four longitudinally extending slots 80, resulting in four tongues spaced from one another. Said centering cone 78 provided with an annularly extending retaining projection 76 engages a funnel-shaped cavity 84 of a cap 82 best shown in fig. 8.1 when the screwing head 36 according to the invention is moved vertically downwards.

The cross-section of the tensioning tool or collet 60 has a nut shape allowing for an accurate guidance of the tensioning tool or collet 60 when pre-tensioned by means of the tensioning springs 50, 52, which are located in the tensioning tool or collet 60 used in the screw head 36, as shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 8.1 and 8.2 show the cap 82 screwed or unscrewed, respectively, with the decapping system 10 of the present invention. As best shown in the cross-sectional view according to fig. 8.1, the cap 82 is symmetrical about an axis 90 and includes internal threads 88. The container filled to some extent with reagent has a thread around its upper opening, the thread of the container matching the pitch of the internal thread 88 of the cap 82. Additionally, the cap 82 includes a funnel-shaped cavity 84, the funnel-shaped cavity 84 being engaged by the centering cone 78 of the tensioning tool or collet 60. A corresponding annular retaining projection (see reference numeral 76), shown in the embodiment of fig. 6 and 6.1 respectively, engages a wall 92, which wall 92 defines the funnel-shaped cavity 84 in the lid 82. Thus, the centering cone 78 moves into the funnel-shaped cavity 84 of the cap 82 until the annular retaining protrusion 76 engages an internal protrusion 94 on the inside of the wall 92 of the funnel-shaped cavity 84 of the cap 82. Since the tension tool or collet 60 and the crown screw ring 56 of the screw head 36 according to the invention are spring-loaded and able to compensate for vertical movements, vertical movements of the cap 82 relative to the container engaged by the crown screw ring 56 during rotational movements of the cap 82 relative to the container are compensated. Thus, no adjustment of the screw head 36 is required. Additionally, the screw head 36 may be secured to the linear guide 16, and the tensioning tool or collet 60 and the crown screw ring 56 are each capable of compensating for vertical movement of the cap 82. Due to the spring-loaded tensioning tool or collet 60 and the spring-loaded crown collar 56, once the protrusions 58 of the crown collar 56 engage the grooves 86 on the outer wall periphery of the cap 82, secure contact is maintained.

Fig. 8.2 shows the cap 82 shaped symmetrically with respect to its axis 90. The grooves 86, which are spaced apart from each other along the periphery at the upper edge of the cap 82, are engaged by the castellated projections 58 of the crown collar 56 (shown in figures 2, 3, respectively) which are arranged at a uniform pitch and spaced apart from each other.

The operation of the first embodiment of the invention according to fig. 1.1 to 8.2 is implemented as follows:

once the cartridge system 28 is inserted, wherein said cartridge system 28 comprises a plurality of containers with reagents and sealed with caps 82 according to fig. 8.1 and 8.2, respectively, and located under the screwing head 36, the presence of said cartridge system 28 is detected by at least one microswitch 22, schematically illustrated in fig. 1.1. The microswitch 22 is only activated when it is in contact with the corresponding side wall of the cartridge system 28. The presence of the cartridge system 28 initiates the lid unscrewing cycle. The plurality of screw heads 36 are moved in a downward direction by the linear drive 16. Once the second microswitch 70 is in contact with the upper box surface 32, the screw head driver 24 is activated, imparting rotation on each crown screw ring 56 of each screw head 36. Detection of the height 30 reaching the magazine system 28 triggers the activation of the screw head drive member 24. Thus, the system according to the present invention is capable of handling cartridge systems 28 of various heights 30.

The crown screw rings 56 of the plurality of screw heads 36 rotate and contact the upper surface 32 of the box system 28, and the tensioning tool or collet 60 of the screw heads 36 engages the cap 82 within the funnel-shaped cavity 84 by way of its centering cone 78. At the same time, the projection 58 provided at the upper periphery of said crown screw ring 56 engages the groove 86 of the cap 82, as best shown in fig. 8.1. By means of the third microswitch 72, the movement of the linear guide 16 in the downward direction is stopped.

In this position, the cap 82 is unscrewed from the respective container. Due to the spring-loaded arrangement of the crown screw ring 56 and the tensioning tool 60, the pitch of the internal thread 88 is compensated for upon rotational movement of the cap 82.

Without the cap 82 in one of the three possible screwing positions, the crown screw ring 56 (in particular the centering cone 78 or the protection pin) contacts the surface 32 of the cartridge system 28. Thus, the spring biased screw ring 56 compensates for further vertical movement of the linear drive 16 at this location. In this case, the crown screw ring 56 (in particular the centering cone 78 or the protective pin) engages in the void space, i.e. the space in the cassette system 28 where there is no storage container, and an intentional or unintentional vertical downward movement does not damage the components (36, 56, 58), since in this case there is no contact with other fixed or stationary components.

Once the cap 82 is unscrewed, said cap 82 is engaged by the crown screw ring 56, in particular its projection 58 engages said groove 86 of the cap 82. The linear drive 16 moves vertically to move the unscrewed cap 82 a distance above the cartridge system 28. At this point the cartridge system 28 is removed from the surface 12 and the microswitch (which detects the upper cartridge surface 32 of the cartridge system 28 based on the height 30 of the cartridge system 28 and activates the screw head drive 24) moves to its initial position where the screw head drive 24 is off. At this point, the cartridge system 28 is removed with its container unscrewed. The decapping system 10 according to the present invention is completely removed by another microswitch cassette system 28.

The linear drive 16 is actuated by the drive 18 to move further vertically. Once the remover tool 66 is in contact with the stripping apparatus 40 (e.g., stripping forks), the cap 82 previously unscrewed from the container is stripped from the centering cone 78 and retaining protrusion 76 of the tension tool or collet 60. The lid 82 is removed by gravity and enters the underlying lid receptacle 20 through the opening 34 in the surface 12 of the decapping system 10. The upper position of the linear drive 16 is similarly detected by a microswitch. This upper position of the linear drive 16 constitutes the "start" and "reset position" of the subsequent operating cycle. This start/reset position, i.e. the upper position of the linear drive 16, is reached automatically when the decapping system 10 is activated. As shown in detail in fig. 5, the rotary drive to the screw ring 56 is effected by means of a worm/worm gear 38/48. Alternatively, a belt may be used. The linear movement of the linear drive 16, which is driven by the drive 18, is effected by a spindle. Alternatively, other drive concepts are also contemplated. In retrofitting the decapping system 10, caps 82 that are unscrewed from containers during the unscrewing cycle can be placed on containers disposed within the cassette system 28 without closures. Thus, the system according to the invention can also be used for screwing a cap 82 or the like onto a container containing a reagent or vice versa.

Fig. 9 shows a second embodiment of a decapping system according to the invention.

According to a second embodiment, illustrated in fig. 9, the decapping system 10 comprises an adapting device 200. The adapter device is arranged below the guide channel 201 of the decapping system 10. In the inactive position of the decapping system 10 according to the invention, marked with reference numeral 202, the adaptation device 200 is used to compensate for the different heights 30 of the different cassette systems 28 to be processed. By using the adapting device 200, the process height of a plurality of cassette systems 28 having different heights 30 is increased.

The additional height/dimension compensation is marked with reference numeral 206 in fig. 9. Depending on the variety of cassette systems 28 that are handled with the decapping system 10 of the present invention, a corresponding number of adapter devices 200 are used, the adapter devices 200 each being configured for a different height/size compensation 206. The decapping system 10 according to fig. 9 comprises a linear guide 14, the linear guide 14 being used for at least one screwing head 36, as shown according to the second embodiment of fig. 9. The screw head drive 24 comprises a drive belt 208, by means of which belt 208 the rotational movement is transmitted to the crown screw ring 56 of the screw head 36. The presence of the cassette system 28 to be processed is detected by means of a positioning element 205 which extends into a positioning opening 204 of the cassette system 28 (see fig. 10). Below the crown-shaped screw ring 56 of the screw head 36 of the invention, a stripping device 40 is arranged, said stripping device 40 being shaped as a fork-shaped element. When the cartridge system 28 is processed, the position of the cartridge system 28 arranged on the adapting device 200 is maintained within the guide channel 201. Reference numeral 18 shows a drive member, the drive member 18 imparting a vertical movement to a linear guide 14, at least one screwing head 36 being arranged on said linear guide 14. The crown screw ring 56 comprises said castellated projections 58 as shown in more detail in fig. 2 and 3, respectively, in the first embodiment of the invention. The surface 12 of the decapping system 10 is provided with an opening 34 through which a cap 82 unscrewed from a container of a respective cassette system 28 to be processed is discarded into a cap container 20 arranged below the surface 12 of the decapping system 10.

Fig. 10 shows a cartridge system mounting area of the second embodiment shown in fig. 9.

According to the detailed perspective view of fig. 10, the cassette system 28 is guided into the guide channel 201. The cartridge system 28 is arranged on an adapting device 200 with height compensation indicated with reference numeral 206. By means of the adapting device 200, the upper box surface 32 is moved in the direction of the crown screw ring 56, which crown screw ring 56 is arranged with a plurality of castellated projections 58 along its outer periphery. Within the guide channel 201, the cassette system 28 is secured by an actuatable pin-shaped positioning element 205 engaging a positioning opening 204 in the upper cassette surface 32 of the cassette system 28 to be processed. By means of the micro-switches 22, 68, 70 and 72, which detect that the cartridge system 28 is fully inserted into the guide channel 201 below the screwing head 36, said micro-switches 22, 68, 70 and 72 also start and stop the rotational movement of the crown screw ring 56 and the vertical movement of the screwing head 36 along said linear guide 14.

In fig. 10, the positioning element 205 has not yet engaged the positioning opening 204 in the upper surface 32 of the cartridge system 28. In fig. 10, the dismounting device 66 is shown fitted to the opening of the stripping device 40 (shaped as a stripping fork). The rotational movement is transmitted to the crown screw rings 56 of the two screwing heads 36 shown in fig. 10 by means of a drive belt 208, which drive belt 208 in this embodiment is an alternative to the screw head gear 26 of the first embodiment. The vertical movement of the screwing head 36 is applied by the drive 18 driving the linear guide 14 in a vertically downward or upward direction and is activated by said microswitches 22, 68, 70 and 72, respectively.

Fig. 11 shows the screw head driver according to the second embodiment of fig. 9 in more detail.

Said screwing device for transmitting the rotary movement to the crown screw ring 56 of the screwing head 36 comprises a screw head drive 24, said screw head drive 24 being provided with a drive belt 208. The drive belt 208 constitutes an alternative to the worm/worm gear arrangement 38, 48 (see fig. 5) of the first illustrated embodiment of the invention. As can be seen in fig. 11, both of the screwing heads 36 shown in this figure include a longitudinally slotted tensioning tool or collet 60 to engage the funnel-shaped cavity 84 of the cap 82, the cap 82 being shown in more detail in fig. 8.1 and 8.2, respectively.

The crown screw ring 56 of the screw head 36 shown in fig. 11 surrounds the tensioning tool or collet 60, the tensioning tool or collet 60 being provided with the centering pin 62 and the aforementioned centering cone 78 to engage the internal protrusion 74 of the funnel-shaped cavity 84 of the cap 82. The surface of the cartridge system 28 is marked with reference numeral 32. Reference numeral 58 shows a castellated protrusion at the lower edge of the screw head 36, the screw head 36 being spring biased, as shown in more detail in fig. 12.1 to 12.4.

Figures 12.1 to 12.4 show details of the screwing heads used with the first and second embodiments of the invention, respectively.

The screw head according to fig. 12.1 to 12.4, respectively, can be used with two embodiments according to the invention, namely the decapping system 10 according to fig. 1.1 to 7, respectively, and the second embodiment of the invention described hereinafter (i.e. the second embodiment according to fig. 9 to 11). The screw head 36 shown in greater detail in fig. 12.1 to 12.4 provides a more economical embodiment, since the first tension spring 50 shown in fig. 3 has been omitted. The tensioning tool or collet 60 according to the embodiment shown in fig. 12.1 to 12.4 is not spring biased. The distance from the toothed edge 58 of the crown screw ring 56 to the retaining projection 76 according to the embodiments presented in fig. 6 and 6.1, respectively, is fixed. The first tension spring 50 is omitted here, the first tension spring 50 being assigned to the tension tool or the clamping head 60 in the exemplary embodiment according to fig. 3.

Fig. 12.1 shows the screw head 36 including the piston 214. The piston 214 and the screw support 42 having a hollow interior are engaged with each other by means of a bolt 216. The bolt 216 moves within a longitudinally slotted aperture 218 provided in the outer periphery of the screw carrier 42. A second tension spring 52 is disposed within the screw mount 42. The second tension spring 52 pretensions the screw abutment 42 in the longitudinal direction (i.e. the Z direction). Thus, the crown screw ring 56 is spring biased and allows compensating axial movements. The tension tool or collet 60 is surrounded by the crown screw ring 56, and in this embodiment, the tension tool or collet 60 has a protective pin 210. The guard pin 210 extends approximately a guard distance 212 below the castellations 58 on the lower edge. Thus, by virtue of the protective pin 210 assigned to the tension tool or collet 60, damage to the crown screw ring 56 upon contact with the upper box surface 32 of the box system 28 is prevented because the protective pin 210 contacts the surface 32 before the crown screw ring 56 contacts the surface 32. On the outer periphery of the crown screw ring 56, a dismantling device 66 is provided, having an annular form.

According to fig. 12.1, the screw head 36 is shown. As is clear from fig. 12.2, the end of the bolt 216 is guided in a vertically oriented aperture 218 on the outer circumference 74 of the screw head 36. The screw abutment 42 is spring-loaded by said second tension spring 52, and the crown screw ring 56 surrounds the centering cone 78 of the tension tool 60 provided with the protection pin 210.

Fig. 12.3 and 12.4 each show a screwing head of an alternative embodiment. According to the embodiment of the screwing head 36 given in fig. 12.3, said screwing head 36 comprises a piston 214 and a bolt 216, with which bolt 216 the outer periphery 74 of the screw abutment 42 and the cylindrical portion 214 of the piston 214 are coupled to each other. A third tension spring 54 is provided to return the screw head 36 to its initial position when the cap 82 is removed by relative movement between the crown screw ring 56 relative to the tension tool or collet 60. In the embodiment according to fig. 1.1 to 7, the unscrewed cap 82 is removed from the screwing head 36 by means of a relative movement of the remover ring 66 with respect to said centering pin 62. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1.1 to 7, the decapping system 10 according to the invention is pushed out of engagement of the cap's groove 86 with the toothed rim 58 of the crown screw ring after the cap 82 has been unscrewed.

Below the screw carrier 42, a longitudinally extending tensioning tool or collet 60 is shown. A guard pin 210 is disposed within the tension tool or collet 60 having the centering cone 78. The protective pin 210 projects approximately a protective distance 212 below the tooth-shaped projection 58 of the crown screw ring 56. Thus, upon rotation, by virtue of the guard distance 212, the crown screw ring 56 is protected from damage when in contact with the cartridge system 28. Due to this protective distance 212, the protective pin 210 contacts the cartridge system 28 arranged below the screw head 36 before the tooth-shaped projection 58 at the lower ring of the crown screw ring 56. The tensioning tool or collet 60 is spring loaded by the second tensioning member 52.

A removal device 66 is arranged on the outer circumference of the crown-shaped screw ring 56. In the arrangement shown in fig. 12.3, the protection pin 210 is pressed into the tension tool or collet 60 which is spring-loaded by the second tension element 52. According to the embodiment shown in fig. 12.3 and 12.4, the remover device 66 is integrated into the crown screw ring 56, thereby eliminating the fastening means.

Fig. 12.4 shows the screw head 36 according to fig. 12.3 after turning through approximately 90 °. As is clear from the perspective view given in fig. 12.4, the end of the screw 216 is guided in an aperture 218 provided in the outer circumference 74 of the screw support 42 of the screw head 36. The ends of the bolts 216 move within longitudinally slotted apertures 218 provided in the outer periphery 74 of the screw carrier 42. The crown screw ring 56 is biased by the second tension spring 52. Similarly, the tension tool or collet 60 is biased by a third tension spring 54, and a guard pin 210 is disposed at a guard distance 212 relative to the lower portion of the toothed crown screw ring 56.

According to a second embodiment of the decapping system 10, which is shown in more detail in fig. 9 to 11, a positioning element 205 is shown, which positioning element 205 is used to engage a positioning opening 204 of the cassette system 28 to be processed. Thus, the cassette system 28 is secured prior to the beginning of the operating cycle, thereby providing a safety measure for the operator.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, which is presented in more detail in fig. 9 to 11, the height compensation 206 is realized by the adapting device 200. When the screwing head 36 is moved downwards, the screwing operation is always started in the same position as soon as the presence of the cartridge system 28 to be processed is detected by the microswitch on the guide channel 201 or in a lateral position.

A cassette system 28 with an excessive height 30 cannot be handled by the decapping system 10 according to fig. 9 to 11, since it would not fit into the guide channel 201 of the decapping system 10 according to fig. 9 to 11. However, if the cartridge system 28 is too low, the operating cycle will not start because the too low cartridge system 28 will not contact the micro-switch in the guide channel 201.

Alternatively, it is contemplated that the lid 82 is not discarded into the lid container 20 disposed below the surface 12 of the decapping system 10 according to the present invention, but that a new lid is screwed onto the cassette system 28 or onto the container with the cassette system 28 in a subsequent cycle. Instead of the screwing head 36 being moved in the direction towards the cartridge system 28 to be processed, or vice versa, the cartridge system 28 can be moved towards the screwing head 36 of the decapping system 10 according to the invention, however, the screwing head 36 is fixedly mounted in this alternative embodiment. The transport and removal of the cassette system 28 to be processed is automated by linear drives, as shown in the drawing, to achieve fully automated processing of multiple cassette systems 28.

Decapping system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention shows the rotational and sliding movements of crown screw ring 56 and screw head 36 detected by micro-switches 22, 68, 70 and 72 respectively. Sensors (e.g., hall sensors) or optical devices (e.g., gratings) or the like may be used as alternatives in place of the microswitches 22, 68, 70 and 72. The decapping system 10 according to the two embodiments described above can be implemented using only one screwing head 36, which also requires less space when installing the decapping system 10.

List of reference numerals

10 decapping system

12 surface

14 straight line guider

16 straight line driving piece (Z direction)

18 drive element (Z direction)

20-cover container

22 micro-switch

24 screw head driving member

26 screw head gear

28-box system

Height of 30 boxes system

32 upper box surface

34 opening

36 screw head

38 worm and worm wheel

40 stripping fork

42 screw support

44 shaft

46 bearing

48 worm and worm wheel

50 first tension spring

52 second tension spring

54 third tension spring

56 screw ring

58 projection

60 tension tool

62 centering pin

64 demolition tube

66 remover ring

68 first microswitch (Z direction top block)

70 second microswitch (Z direction bottom _1)

72 third microswitch (Z direction bottom _2)

74 outer periphery of the valve

76 holding projection

78 centering cone

80 longitudinal seam

82 cover

84 funnel-shaped cavity

86 grooves

88 internal thread

90 axis

92 wall

94 internal protrusion

200 adapting device

201 guide channel

202 rest position

204 positioning opening

205 positioning element

206 height/size compensation

208 belt conveyor

210 guard pin

212 guard distance

214 piston

216 bolt

218 pore space

Claims (35)

1. Decapping system (10) for opening reagent containers stored in a cassette system (28) closed by a cap (82), which cap (82) is provided for this purpose, the cap (82) being removed and fixed by a rotational movement, the decapping system (10) having a centering unit (16, 78), which centering unit (16, 78) has at its lower end an element (60, 78) engaging the cap (82), wherein the decapping system (10) has at least one screwing head (36) which is driven and vertically movable, compensating for the variable height (30) and/or size of the cassette system (28) to be processed, wherein the centering unit (16, 78) comprises a spring-loaded tension tool or collet (60), the screwing head (36) comprising a screw abutment (42) shaped as a sleeve and a crown screw ring (56) spring-loaded by at least one tension spring (52) to allow the crown screw ring (56) and the crown screw ring (56) Relative movement between screw abutments (42) shaped as sleeves, so that the vertical movement of the cap (82) engaged by said crown screw ring (56) relative to the container during the rotational movement of the cap (82) relative to the container is compensable;

the screw head (36) includes a tension tool or collet (60), the tension tool or collet (60) having a centering cone (78) that engages a cap (82) to be treated.

2. The decapping system (10) of claim 1, wherein the at least one screwing head (36) is arranged on a vertically movable linear drive (16).

3. The decapping system (10) of claim 1, wherein the decapping system (10) comprises at least two screwing heads (36).

4. The decapping system (10) of claim 1, wherein the crown screw ring (56) comprises a plurality of castellated projections (58), the plurality of castellated projections (58) being arranged along a periphery of an edge of the crown screw ring (56).

5. Decapping system (10) according to claim 1, wherein a removal device (66) is arranged on the crown screw ring (56) or integrated within the crown screw ring (56).

6. Decapping system (10) according to claim 5, wherein the removal device (66) is an annular member.

7. The decapping system (10) of claim 1, wherein the tension tool or collet (60) is preloaded by a tension spring (50) within the threading head (36).

8. Decapping system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the centering cone (78) has an annularly extending annular retaining protrusion (76).

9. The decapping system (10) of claim 1, wherein an end of the tension tool or collet (60) comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending slots (80) to generate tension in a radial direction.

10. The decapping system (10) of claim 1, wherein the tension tool or collet (60) comprises a protective pin (210).

11. The decapping system (10) of claim 10, wherein the protective pin (210) protrudes approximately a protective distance (212) relative to the protrusion (58) of the crown screw ring (56).

12. The decapping system (10) of claim 1, wherein the tension tool or collet (60) comprises a centering pin (62), the tension tool or collet (60) being biased by a first spring element (50) relative to a screw abutment (42) of the screw head (36) and/or spring loaded by a third tension element (54) relative to a screw ring (56).

13. Decapping system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the cassette system (28) to be processed is fixed by positioning means (204, 205).

14. Decapping system (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the relative position of the surface (32) of the cassette system (28) to be processed with respect to the crown screw ring (56) of the screw head (36) is adjusted by means of an adapting device (200).

15. The decapping system (10) of claim 14, wherein the adapting device (200) compensates for a variable height (206).

16. Decapping system (10) according to claim 2, wherein the decapping system (10) comprises a surface (12), a linear guide (14) for the linear drive (16) is arranged on the surface (12), an opening (34) is provided, and a cap container (20) is arranged below the opening (34) for receiving a discarded cap (82).

17. The decapping system (10) of claim 1, wherein each screwing head (36) comprises a peeling device (40), the screwing head (36) automatically returning to its inactive position after removal of a previously engaged cap (82).

18. The decapping system (10) of claim 17, wherein the caps (82) engaged by the threading head (36) are peeled with a statically-fixed peeling apparatus.

19. The decapping system (10) of claim 18, wherein the stripping apparatus is a stripping frame of a stripping fork (40).

20. A method of unscrewing caps (82) from a cartridge system (28) or from containers stored at random positions within the cartridge system (28) using a decapping system (10) according to claim 1, characterized by the following method steps:

a) loading a cassette system (28) to be processed onto a surface (12) arranged below a single or multiple screwing heads (36);

b) -moving the screwing head or heads (36) towards the upper surface (32) of the box system (28), or moving the loaded box system (28) towards the screwing head or heads (36), the screwing head (36) comprising a screw abutment (42) shaped as a sleeve and a crown screw ring (56) spring-loaded by at least one tension spring (52) to allow a relative movement between the crown screw ring (56) and the screw abutment (42) shaped as a sleeve, so that a vertical movement of the cap (82) engaged by the crown screw ring (56) relative to the container during the rotational movement of the cap (82) relative to the container is compensable;

c) processing the cartridge system (28) in one operating cycle;

d) -after processing thereof, moving a lid (82) unscrewed from a cartridge system (28) or a container stored within the cartridge system (28) into a lid container (20) arranged below the surface (12);

e) engaging a cap (82) to be treated with a screw head (36), the screw head (36) including a tension tool or collet (60), the tension tool or collet (60) having a centering cone (78).

21. The method of claim 20, wherein a random number of containers arranged within the cassette system (28) are processed simultaneously.

22. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the fully loaded cassette systems (28) are processed simultaneously in one unscrewing process cycle.

23. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the height (30) of the cassette system (28) to be processed is detected, and in that a predetermined vertical movement of the plurality of screwing heads (36) in a downward direction is carried out depending on the height (30) of the cassette system (28) that has been detected.

24. The method according to claim 20, wherein an adapting device (200) is magnetically fixed to a surface (12) of the decapping system (10).

25. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the cartridge system (28) to be processed is fixed in the guide channel (201) by means of a pin-shaped positioning element (205), the pin-shaped positioning element (205) engaging a positioning opening (204) of the respective cartridge system (28) to be processed, the presence of the cartridge system (28) being detected by a microswitch (22, 68, 70, 72) or a sensor.

26. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that different screw heights or absence of a lid (82) closing a container containing a reagent or closing a lid (82) of the cassette system (28) are compensated by a spring-loaded retracting movement of the screwing head (36).

27. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that during the screwing operation of the crown-shaped screwing ring (56) of each screwing head (36), the screwing head (36) is kept in a predetermined position that is maintained unchanged during the unscrewing process.

28. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the tensioning tool (60) of the screwing head (36) is protected by the centering pin (62) against damage or deformation in the event of intentional or unintentional contact of the centering pin (62) and/or the tensioning tool (16) with the hard face.

29. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the annular dismantling device (66) for removing the unscrewed cap (82) is actuatable from the outside with respect to the screwing head (36) and is automatically moved to its inactive position upon removal of the cap (82).

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the demolition apparatus (66) contacts a stationary fixed stripping apparatus (40) as the plurality of screwing heads (36) move vertically in an upward direction.

31. Method according to claim 30, characterized in that the unscrewed cap (82) is peeled off by a stationary fixed remover ring attached to or integrated with the screwing head (36) when the peeling apparatus (40) is moved vertically in a downward direction.

32. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that it is controlled by means of a microswitch (22, 68, 70, 72), said microswitch (22, 68, 70, 72) detecting the presence or absence of a cartridge system (28) to be processed, detecting the height (30) of the cartridge system (28) to be processed and also detecting the movement of the screwing head (36) relative to the surface (32) of the cartridge system (28) to be processed.

33. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that a software-implemented control is performed, by which the rotation speed, the horizontal or vertical movement path speed and the error detection are set.

34. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the operability of the decapping system (10) is indicated by an LED lighting system arranged in the cap container (20), said lighting system indicating the operability of the decapping system, said cap container (20) having a transparent front.

35. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the position of the cap container (20) corresponds to the position of unscrewing the cap (82) from the box system (28) with at least one screwing head (36) of the decapping system (10).