Method of handling laboratory sample containers and apparatus for handling laboratory sample containers

An apparatus for handling laboratory sample containers, the apparatus comprising:

• at least one motor;
• and
• a gripping device cooperative with the at least one motor to:
• move a laboratory sample container to a target position (TP), wherein the target position (TP) is a position at which the laboratory sample container is inserted into a corresponding orifice of a laboratory sample container rack provided that the laboratory sample container rack is placed at an intended position, wherein the laboratory sample container is prevented from moving horizontally more than a predetermined horizontal distance (Δxy) if inserted into the corresponding orifice of the laboratory sample container rack;
• apply a force (Fxy) in a horizontal direction (xy) to move the laboratory sample container;
• use feedback from the at least one motor to determine movement of the laboratory sample container in the horizontal direction (xy) more than the predetermined horizontal distance (Δxy);
• and
• perform an error procedure upon a determination that movement of the laboratory sample container in the horizontal direction (xy) more than the predetermined horizontal distance (Δxy) has occurred, the error procedure configured to:
• generate an error message indicating that the laboratory sample container rack is not placed at the intended position, wherein the error message is generated by producing at least one of an acoustic sign, a visual sign or data;
• and
• prevent the gripping device from releasing the laboratory sample container based on the generated error message.