Device for managing samples in sample containers under vacuum

21:

• The device according to claim 20, wherein the holder angle (β) is in a range of between and including 8° and 85° to the longitudinal axis (40a).

22:

• The device according to claim 20, wherein the holder angle (β) is 40°.

23:

• The device according to claim 20, wherein the longitudinal axis (40a) forms a rotational axis of the drive unit (36).

24:

• The device according to claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of the sample container receptacles (48) comprises a mounting axis, and the mounting axes of the plurality of the sample container receptacles (48) are designed as longitudinal axes of the sample container receptacles (48), and the mounting axes of the sample container receptacles (48) are aligned in parallel to one another.

25:

• The device according to claim 24, wherein the sample holder axis (34) is aligned in parallel to all the mounting axes of the plurality of the sample container receptacles (48).

26:

• The device according to claim 20, further comprising
• a drive shaft (40),
• wherein the drive shaft (40) cooperates with the drive unit (51) and generates a rotational movement of the sample holder (30) about the sample holder axis (34).

27:

• The device according to claim 26, wherein the drive shaft (40) cooperates with a gear unit (32, 42) for transmitting the rotational movement.

28:

• The device according to claim 27, wherein the gear unit (32, 42) comprises a first gear wheel (42) connected to the drive shaft (40) and a second gear wheel (32) connected to the sample holder (30), and
• the first gear wheel (42) and the second gear wheel (32) mesh with one another in a drive-locking manner.

29:

• The device according to claim 28, wherein the gear unit (32, 42) forms a step-up gear or a reduction gear.

30:

• The device according to claim 20, wherein the drive mechanism (46) and the drive unit (36) are coupled to one another via a contactless coupling.

31:

• The device according to claim 20, further comprising a device for heating the sample containers (12) and the samples.

32:

• The device according to claim 31, wherein the device for heating the sample containers (12) and the samples is an IR emitter and is directed onto the samples from above.

33:

• The device according to claim 20, further comprising
• a set of different types of sample holders (30),
• wherein each of the sample holder (30) is detachably connectable to the drive unit (36).

34:

• The device according to claim 20, further comprising
• a set of different drive units (36),
• wherein one drive unit (36) at a time is releasably connected into the vacuum chamber (14a) for different movements of the samples in the sample containers (12) during the treatment of samples, and is coupled to the drive mechanism (46).

35:

• A method for operating a device for treating samples in sample containers under vacuum according to claim 20, wherein during the treatment of the samples, the inclined sample holder (30) is continuously moved about a sample holder axis (34), with the sample holder axis (34) being as an axis of rotation.

36:

• The method according to claim 35, wherein the movement is carried out as a rotational movement of the sample holder (30) about the sample holder axis (34).

37:

• The method according to claim 35, wherein the drive unit (36) drives the sample holder (30) about the sample holder axis (34) at a speed of between 0.5 rpm and 150 rpm.

38:

• A method for removing liquids from samples in sample containers by evaporation by a device for treating samples in sample containers under vacuum, comprising
• moving the sample containers (12) in a way that the samples flow continuously in one direction on the inner surface of the sample container (12).