Gripper for a laboratory container sorting device

A method of operating a laboratory system, the laboratory system comprising:

• a laboratory container sorting device,
• a laboratory container,
• a first holding device configured for receiving, holding, and/or releasing the laboratory container, and
• a second holding device configured for receiving, holding, and/or releasing the laboratory container,
• the laboratory container sorting device comprising a gripper and a cartesian positioning device,
• the gripper comprising a vacuum gripper comprising a suction cup, wherein the vacuum gripper is configured to move the suction cup between a pickup position and a transfer position, wherein the suction cup is configured to pick up a laboratory container when the suction cup is in the pickup position, to hold the laboratory container, and to transfer the laboratory container when the suction cup is in the transfer position,
• a mechanical gripper, wherein the mechanical gripper is configured to grip and release the laboratory container when the suction cup is in the transfer position,
• wherein the vacuum gripper comprises an extendable and retractable pipe with two ends, wherein the suction cup is attached at one end and a vacuum source is operatively coupled to the other end,
• wherein the extendable and retractable pipe is configured to be extended for moving the suction cup from the transfer position to the pickup position,
• wherein the extendable and retractable pipe is configured to be retracted for moving the suction cup from the pickup position to the transfer position,
• wherein the generated vacuum for holding the laboratory container is inside the extendable and retractable pipe, wherein the extendable and retractable pipe is configured to be retracted by the vacuum inside the extendable and retractable pipe, and
• wherein the gripper is attached to the cartesian positioning device, wherein the cartesian positioning device is configured to position the gripper at a contact point of the laboratory container and at a release position
• wherein the laboratory container comprises the contact point when the first holding device holds the laboratory container, wherein the second holding device provides the release position,
• the method comprising:
• a) positioning, by the cartesian positioning device, the gripper at the contact point of the laboratory container held by the first holding device;
• b) moving, by the vacuum gripper, the suction cup to the pickup position,
• c) wherein the suction cup is positioned at the contact point of the laboratory container during step b) if step b) is executed after step a), wherein the suction cup is positioned at the contact point of the laboratory container during step a) if step b) is executed before step a);
• d) picking up, by the suction cup of the vacuum gripper, the laboratory container at the contact point;
• e) moving, by the vacuum gripper, the suction cup to the transfer position;
• f) gripping, by the mechanical gripper, the laboratory container when the suction cup is in the transfer position;
• g) releasing, by the vacuum gripper, the laboratory container;
• h) positioning, by the cartesian positioning device, the gripper at the release position of the second holding device;
• and
• i) releasing, by the mechanical gripper, the laboratory container.