Apparatus and method for handling a container having a removable cover, e.g., a vial for holding a biological fluid specimen. The container may have therein an internal element that is releasably coupled to the cover, such as an assembly for processing the specimen in the container. The method involves applying an external force to the covered container sufficient to release the internal element from the cover, and then dislodging the cover from the container. The external force may be an acceleration force applied to the container, such as an impact force to the bottom of the container, or direct contact with the cover with sufficient force to deflect the cover inwardly. A vertically mounted pressing member and a movably mounted gripper can be used. The pressing member may act to eject the cover from the gripper after the container is clear of the gripper. The apparatus may be part of an automated system for processing multiple liquid-based specimens.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of commonly owned U.S. provisional application Nos. 60/330,092, filed Oct. 19, 2001, 60/372,080, filed Apr. 15, 2002, and 60/373,658, filed Apr. 19, 2002, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also is related to commonly owned U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 10/122,151, filed Apr. 15, 2002, which is also incorporated herein by reference.
