Apparatus and method for cleaning containers

A laboratory vessel cleaning apparatus, comprising a suction lance and a flushing lance that extend in a longitudinal direction,

• wherein the suction lance has a suction tube having an open suction end that is connected to a disposal connection end, the disposal connection end being arranged opposite the suction end, the open suction end being connected to the disposal connection end via a suction passage formed continuously in the suction tube, wherein the suction lance is configured to suck off a fluid from a vessel and to lead the fluid off at the disposal connection end of the suction lance,
• wherein the flushing lance has a flushing tube having a flushing end that is connected to a supply connection end, the supply connection end being arranged opposite the flushing end, the flushing end being connected to the supply connection end via a flushing passage formed continuously in the flushing tube, wherein the flushing lance is configured to receive the fluid at the supply connection end of the flushing lance and to expel the fluid at the flushing end of the flushing lance,
• wherein in a region of the disposal connection end or of the supply connection end, a holder is provided for mounting the laboratory vessel cleaning apparatus at a liquid handling device of a chromatograph or at a robot arm so that the laboratory vessel cleaning apparatus is an end effector,
• wherein the holder comprises a flange to which the flushing lance is rotationally fixedly screwed and to which the suction lance is screwed such that it is displaceable in its longitudinal direction,
• wherein the flushing lance is displaceable relative to the suction lance in the longitudinal direction, and wherein the suction lance and the flushing lance are preloaded away from one another in the longitudinal direction by a preload spring, wherein the preload spring is arranged at the disposal connection end of the suction lance, wherein the preload spring is arranged surrounding the suction lance, and wherein the preload spring is arranged between a screw connection of the flushing lance to the holder and a screw connection of the suction lance to the holder.