Dispensing apparatus having means for loading pipette tips in a dispense head

An apparatus for use with a plurality of disposable pipette tips arranged in a tip box to simultaneously dispense precise amounts of fluid into numerous receptacles, the apparatus comprising:

• a tray operable to carry the tip box;
• a cylinder head having a face configured to captively receive the pipette tips, the face being substantially parallel to the tray;
• and
• a mechanism operable to translate the tray with respect to the cylinder head to urge the pipette tips against the cylinder head, such that the pipette tips scalingly engage the cylinder head.

A method of simultaneously dispensing precise amounts of fluid into numerous receptacles, the method comprising:

• providing a cylinder head having a plurality of bores formed therethrough adapted to communicate fluid flow;
• loading a plurality of pipette tips in a tip box having a plurality of holes receiving the pipette tips, respectively;
• loading the tip box in a tip box carrier tray coupled to the cylinder head;
• fixing the cylinder head in a position such that a surface of the cylinder head through which the bores are formed is substantially parallel to a surface of the tray carrying the tip box;
• translating the tray with respect to the cylinder head, aligning a portion of the pipette tips with the bores and carrying the tray and the tip box toward the cylinder head;
• and
• forcing and sealingly engaging the portion of the pipette tips within the bores, the portions at least partially penetrating the bores, respectively, to simultaneously dispense precise amounts of fluid into numerous receptacles.

A method of sealing a portion of a plurality of pipette tips in a plurality of bores, respectively, for simultaneously dispensing precise amounts of fluid into numerous receptacles, the method comprising:

• forming a plurality of bores in a cylinder head;
• forcing the portion of the pipette tips in the bores, respectively;
• and
• sealing an outer perimeter surface of the portion of the pipette tips in an inner perimeter surface of the bores, respectively, to dispense precise amounts of fluid into numerous receptacles.