Method for monitoring the sealing of a container and device with improved sealing monitoring

A system or device, in particular a laboratory system or device, comprising:

• a holder for receiving a container to be sealed;
• an heating stamp with a heating surface and a heating element for heating of the heating stamp and of the heating surface, wherein the holder and the heating stamp are movably arranged relative to each other between a loading position and a sealing position, wherein in the sealing position the heating stamp is arranged closer to the holder than in the loading position and the heating surface of the heating stamp is in contact with a foil arranged on an opening of the container;
• at least one temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the heating stamp;
• and
• a control unit connected at least to the heating element and the temperature sensor;
• wherein the control unit is configured to:
• control the heating element to heat the heating stamp to a predetermined sealing temperature, monitor the temperature of the heating stamp and determine a temperature over time curve of the heating stamp by means of the at least one temperature sensor;
• determine at least one characteristic of the temperature over time curve;
• compare the determined at least one characteristic of the temperature over time curve with a reference value;
• determine a sealing property of the sealing of the container based on said comparison of the determined at least one characteristic of the temperature over time curve with the reference value,
• at least between:
• a movement of the holder and/or the heating stamp from the loading position to the sealing position, and
• a movement of the holder and/or the heating stamp from the sealing position back to the loading position after a predetermined amount of time.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including program code, which when executed by at least one data processor, causes a system or device comprising:

• a holder for receiving a container to be sealed,
• a heating stamp with a heating surface and a heating element for heating of the heating stamp and of the heating surface, wherein the holder and the heating stamp are movably arranged relative to each other between a loading position and a sealing position, wherein in the sealing position the heating stamp is arranged closer to the holder than in the loading position and the heating surface of the heating stamp is in contact with a foil arranged on an opening of the container, at least one temperature sensor for monitoring a temperature of the heating stamp, and
• a control unit connected at least to the heating element and the temperature sensor;
• to perform operations comprising:
• controlling the heating element to heat the heating stamp to a predetermined sealing temperature, monitoring the temperature of the heating stamp and determining a temperature over time curve of the heating stamp by means of the at least one temperature sensor;
• determining at least one characteristic of the temperature over time curve;
• comparing the determined at least one characteristic of the temperature over time curve with a reference value;
• and
• determining a sealing property of the sealing of the container based on said comparison of the determined at least one characteristic of the temperature over time curve with the reference value.