Sample-tube holder for easy tube insertion and removal

A tube holder for holding a tube assembly and for mounting to a sample-processing device, the tube assembly including a tube and a cap for holding a sample, the tube holder comprising:

• at least one clamp that securely holds the tube against transverse movement relative to the tube holder during processing of the sample, the clamp defining a tube channel with a longitudinal vertical axis, a lateral access opening extending transversely and communicating with the tube channel, and a lateral ledge surface that is generally transverse to the channel axis, wherein the clamp include two arms that are spaced apart to define the tube channel, that each have a respective tip between which is defined the lateral, and that define the transverse ledge, wherein the tube is insertable into and removable from the tube channel through the lateral opening, wherein the tube channel has a lateral dimension and the lateral opening has a lateral dimension that is smaller than tube-channel lateral dimension, wherein the clamp has a resilient feature wherein at least a portion of at least one of the clamp arms resiliently deflects laterally outward in response to the tube being forced against it and into or out of the tube channel, and wherein the lateral ledge engages a bottom edge surface of the tube or the cap when the tube is held in the tube channel in a use position;
• and
• at least one retainer that securely retains the cap against axial movement relative to the tube holder during processing of the sample, the retainer defining a first retaining surface that is positioned opposite and spaced from the lateral ledge, and that extends generally transversely to the channel axis and over the tube channel to engage a opposite top edge surface of the cap in the use position, wherein the first retaining surface and the lateral ledge cooperatively form a receptacle that receives and retains the cap therein.