Importance

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Abstract

Apparatus 10 for sealing an array of tubes 11 is provided. The apparatus 10 comprising: a defined storage plate support position defining a first plane X wherein a plate 12 containing an array of tubes 11 may be located, in use, an array of spring loaded pins 15 arranged beneath the plane of the plate 12 for pressing a number of the tubes 11 out of the first plane X and into a second plane Y above and parallel to the first plane X and in contact with a sealing membrane 16 disposed above the plate 12, a platen 17 relatively movable into contact with the sealing membrane 16 to cause the sealing membrane 16 to bond to the tops of the tubes 11 that have been raised from the first plane X to the second plane Y by the pins 15; and a die plate 18 with holes relatively movable past the second plane Y in which the newly sealed tubes 11 lie in order to pierce the sealing membrane 16 around each tube 11 and thus separate the sealed tubes from the remainder of the sealing membrane 16.

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First Claim