Method and apparatus for separating individual sealed tubes from an array of tubes sealed with a membrane

Apparatus for separating individual sealed tubes from an array of tubes sealed with a membrane, the apparatus comprising:

• a rack support for supporting an array of tubes within a storage rack within the apparatus, wherein upper rims of the tubes are disposed in a plane;
• and
• a punch station comprising a punch tool having a tool body, a cutting edge on a lower side of the tool body and configured to insert between adjacent tube rims so as to pierce through the sealing membrane around one of the sealed tube rims to separate the associated sealed tube from the remainder of the sealing membrane whilst the tubes remain within the storage rack, and an ejector pin insertable inside the cutting edge so as to be urged against the tube rim of the separated sealed tube;
• wherein the cutting edge is moveable relative to the rack support to a position overlying the rack support and perpendicular to the plane between a position above the plane and a position below the plane.

A gripper tool for selectively lifting individual tubes from an array of tubes within a storage rack, comprising:

• a gripper tool body;
• a separating edge on a lower side of the tool body, configured to insert between adjacent tubes in the array and to grip an outer surface of a selected tube with an interference fit;
• and
• an ejector pin mounted to the gripper tool body inside the separating edge and actuatable from a raised position, in which the selected tube can be received within the separating edge, and a lowered position, in which the selected tube is prevented from being received in the separating edge or, if already received therein, is ejected therefrom.