Laboratory automated systems for transporting sample receptacle carriers

A system for transporting a sample receptacle carrier, the system comprising:

• a conveyor assembly;
• a sample receptacle carrier coupled to a sample containing receptacle;
• a dock that is movable between first and second positions, the dock comprising:
• a first carrier support portion having a planar surface for supporting the sample receptacle carrier as the dock moves between the first and second positions;
• an upwardly extending second carrier support portion adjacent the first carrier support portion, the second carrier support portion having a contoured side surface, wherein the contoured side surface of the second carrier support portion conforms to a peripheral shape of the sample carrier;
• and
• one or more magnets fixedly contained within or disposed on the second carrier support portion, the one or more magnets being configured to magnetically couple with a magnetic portion of the sample receptacle carrier, such that the sample receptacle carrier is secured to the dock as the dock moves between the first and second positions;
• a drive assembly for moving the dock between the first and second positions;
• and
• a rotating diverter for diverting the sample receptacle carrier from a transfer position on the conveyor assembly to the planar surface of the first carrier support portion, wherein the rotating diverter defines a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the sample receptacle carrier at the transfer position on the conveyor assembly.