Container transfer apparatus with automatic positioning compensation

Abstract

It is described an apparatus for transferring a specimen container (2) from a departure support to a container carrier (20). The apparatus comprises 5 a gripper supporting frame (6) and a container gripper (3) selectively movable with respect to said frame (6) between an upper position (101) and a lower position (103) in which gripper fingers (8) of the container gripper (3) are able to catch a container (2) in a departure support or to leave the container in a container carrier (20). The apparatus further comprises gripper 10 blocking means (9) movable between a work position, in which said blocking means (9) stop the movement of the container gripper (3) towards the lower position (103) in an intermediate position (102) between said upper and lower positions (101, 103), and a rest position in which said gripper blocking means (9) allow the container gripper (3) to reach the lower 15 position (103) sliding along the lateral surface of the container (2).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.