# US 2012/0073703 A1 · Transport and handling retention member > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0073703 A1 - Document ID: US20120073703A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/242,779 - Filed: 2011-09-23 - Published: 2012-03-29 - Earliest claimed: 2010-09-28 - Assignees: LCTech GmbH - Inventors: Martin Brandlhuber; Uwe Aulwurm - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120073703A1 ## CPC - G01N 35/0099: {comprising robots or similar manipulators (robots per se B25J)} - B25J 15/0028: {with movable, e.g. pivoting gripping jaw surfaces} - B25J 15/086: {with means for synchronizing the movements of the fingers} - G01N 35/1079: {with means for piercing stoppers or septums} - G01N 2035/0406: {Individual bottles or tubes} - Y10T 436/114165: with step of insertion or removal from test line - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B25J: MANIPULATORS; CHAMBERS PROVIDED WITH MANIPULATION DEVICES ({manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery A61B34/70; manipulators used in cleaning hollow articles B08B9/04}; manipulators associated with rolling mills B21B39/20; manipulators associated with forging machines B21J13/10; {manipulators associated with picking-up and placing mechanisms B23P19/007}; means for holding wheels or parts thereof B60B30/00; {vehicles with ground-engaging propulsion means, e.g. walking members B62D57/02, B62D57/032; devices for picking-up and depositing articles or materials between conveyors B65G47/90, B65G47/91; manipulators with gripping or holding means for transferring packages B65H67/065}; cranes B66C; {manipulators used in the protection or supervision of pipe-line installations F17D5/00; walking equipment adapted for nuclear steam-generators F22B37/006}; manipulators specially adapted for, or associated with, nuclear reactors G21C; {apparatus used for handling wafers during manufacture or treatment of semiconductor H10P72/50}) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract The transport and handling retention member comprises an adapter ring which has a central opening for receiving a tubular container for receiving samples, a gripping member for gripping the adapter ring, and a transfer head which can be moved between a rest position and an operating position, the transfer head in the operating position coming into operational contact with a tubular container which is received in the adapter ring. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Transport and handling retention member comprising: a. an adapter ring having a central opening, b. a tubular container for receiving samples, the tubular container received in the adapter ring, c. a gripping member for gripping the adapter ring, and d. a transfer head movable between a rest position and an operating position, wherein, in the operating position, the transfer head is in operational contact with the tubular container received in the adapter ring. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the transfer head has a channel that is connected in the operating position to the tubular container received in the adapter ring for the transfer of gas or liquid. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the transfer head is constructed as a closure element that, in the operating position, closes the tubular container received in the adapter ring in a liquid and/or gas-tight manner, and releases the tubular container in the rest position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the transfer head comprises a needle structured for insertion into a closure mechanism of the tubular container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the transport and handling retention member is fitted to a transport system moveable in the x, y and z direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the adapter ring has at an outer peripheral face thereof at least one recess that comes into gripping contact with the gripping member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that, in order to carry out a gripping movement of the gripping member, a slotted guiding member is provided. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the central opening of the adapter ring is adjoined by a surface region that serves to support an edge of the tubular container that extends in a flange-like manner. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the gripping member and the transfer head have a common movement mechanism including a slotted guiding member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the gripping member and the transfer head are retained in a common housing. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the transfer head is constructed in the form of a piston movable in a linear manner. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the gripping member has at least two gripping jaws pivotable about a pivot axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 1, characterised in that the slotted guiding member has at least one slotted member retained in a central region so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis, wherein a portion of the slotted member that extends from the pivot axis to a first end of the slotted member includes a slot, web or groove and co-operates with a sliding element, and the portion that extends from the pivot axis to a second end of the slotted member carries at least a portion of the gripping member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 13, characterised in that the sliding element is retained on a sliding member, a movement of the sliding member bringing about a displacement of the sliding element in the slotted member and at least partially bringing about pivoting of the slotted member about the pivot axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) Transport and handling retention member according to claim 14, characterised in that the transfer head is secured to the sliding member.