INSTRUMENT AND PROCESS FOR THE AUTOMATED PROCESSING OF LIQUID SAMPLES

The present invention pertains to an automated instrument for processing samples, comprising: a sampling area for receiving said samples and reaction vessels; an analytical area comprising at least one analyzer; a reaction area comprising a conveyor provided with a plurality of holders for storing reagent containers for containing reagents and an incubator configured for receiving said reaction vessels for incubating samples contained therein; a second device resource being adapted to have access to said sampling area and said incubator so as to transfer reaction vessels from said sampling area to said incubator and/or to pipette samples and/or reagents into said reaction vessels; a third device resource being adapted to have access to said incubator and said analytical area so as to transfer said reaction vessels from said incubator to said analytical area and/or to dispense liquids to or withdraw liquids from said reaction vessels.