Tube tray for secondary tubes, secondary tube handling module, and method of handling secondary tubes in an automated processing system

A secondary tube tray (11;

• 1″) for an automated processing system, the secondary tube tray (11;
• 1″) comprising a base module (100) and a secondary tube insert (2001;
• 200″), the secondary tube insert being adapted for holding a plurality of secondary tubes (2) in parallel, the secondary tube insert (2001;
• 200″) being inserted into said base module (100), wherein
• the base module (100) comprises a substantially closed bottom side (101) with at least one discharge opening (1011) for discharging secondary tubes (2),
• the secondary tube insert (200′;
• 200″) is a hollow body with at least one insert opening (203′;
• 203″) in its bottom side (2011;
• 201″);
• the secondary tube insert (200′;
• 200″) comprises a blocking mechanism in the form of a blocking bar (3001;
• 300″) movably arranged on an inside of the secondary tube insert (200′;
• 200″), said blocking mechanism blocking the at least one discharge opening (1011) in the bottom side (101) of the base module (100) when the blocking mechanism is not moved from a closed state to an open state, wherein the blocking mechanism is adapted to be openable from outside of the base module;
• wherein the at least one insert opening (203′;
• 203″) in the bottom side (201′;
• 201″) of the secondary tube insert (200′;
• 200″) is adapted for passage of a blocking mechanism actuating member (4221) from outside of the base module through the bottom side (101) of the base module (100) to contact the blocking mechanism, thereby moving the blocking mechanism from the closed state to the open state, wherein the bottom side (101) of the base module (100) further comprises at least one actuation opening (1012) for allowing passage of said blocking mechanism actuating member (4221) from outside of the base module through the bottom side (2011;
• 201″) of the secondary tube insert (200′;
• 200″) to the blocking mechanism.