# US 2024/0201213 A1 · Receptacle transport system for an analytical system

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- Number: US 2024/0201213 A1
- Document ID: US20240201213A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 18/593,529
- Filed: 2024-03-01
- Published: 2024-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2019-05-03
- Assignees: Gen-Probe Incorporated
- Applicants: Gen-Probe Incorporated
- Inventors: Rolf SILBERT; HongRan PENG; David Aaron BUSE; David H. COMBS
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240201213A1

## CPC

- G01N 35/04: Details of the conveyor system {(G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence)}
- B01L 3/5453: {for test tubes}
- B01L 9/06: Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
- B65G 43/08: Control devices operated by article or material being fed, conveyed or discharged {(and controlling the discharging devices B65G47/42)}
- B65G 47/902: {provided with drive systems incorporating rotary and rectilinear movements}
- G01N 35/00: Automatic analysis not limited to methods or materials provided for in any single one of groups G01N1/00 - G01N33/00; Handling materials therefor
- G01N 35/00584: {Control arrangements for automatic analysers}
- G01N 35/0099: {comprising robots or similar manipulators (robots per se B25J)}
- G01N 35/10: Devices for transferring samples {or any liquids} to, in, or from, the analysis apparatus, e.g. suction devices, injection devices {(G01N35/0099 takes precedence)}
- G01N 35/1079: {with means for piercing stoppers or septums}
- B01L 2300/021: Identification, e.g. bar codes
- B65G 2201/0235: Containers
- B65G 2203/044: Optical
- G01N 2035/00752: {bar codes}
- G01N 2035/0406: {Individual bottles or tubes}
- G01N 2035/0494: {Detecting or compensating piositioning errors}
- G01N 2035/103: {using disposable tips}
- 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)
- B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE
- B65G: TRANSPORT OR STORAGE DEVICES, e.g. CONVEYORS FOR LOADING OR TIPPING, SHOP CONVEYOR SYSTEMS OR PNEUMATIC TUBE CONVEYORS (packaging B65B; handling thin or filamentary materials, e.g. paper sheets or thread, B65H; cranes B66C; portable mobile or lifting or hauling appliances, e.g. hoists, B66D; devices for lifting or lowering goods for loading or unloading purposes, e.g. fork-lift trucks, B66F9/00; emptying bottles, jars, casks, barrels or similar containers, not otherwise provided for, B67C9/00; delivering or transferring liquids B67D; filling or discharging vessels for liquefied, solidified or compressed gases F17C; pipe-line systems for fluids F17D)

## Abstract

A receptacle delivery system for an instrument includes a carriage, a puck supported by the carriage, and a first shelf. The carriage is configured to move from a first location of the instrument to a second location of the instrument. The puck is configured to removably support a receptacle such that a longitudinal axis of the receptacle is substantially coincident with a vertical axis of the puck. The first shelf is positioned at the second location of the instrument and comprises (a) a base extending substantially transverse to the vertical axis of the puck and (b) a first opening defined by the base. When the carriage is positioned at the second location, the longitudinal axis of a receptacle seated in the puck extends through the first opening.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A receptacle delivery system for an instrument, comprising:
a carriage configured to move from a first location of the instrument to a second location of the instrument;
a puck supported by the carriage, wherein the puck is configured to removably support a receptacle such that a longitudinal axis of the receptacle is substantially coincident with a vertical axis of the puck; and
a first shelf positioned at the second location of the instrument, wherein the shelf comprises (a) a base extending substantially transverse to the vertical axis of the puck and (b) a first opening defined by the base, and wherein when the carriage is positioned at the second location, the longitudinal axis of a receptacle seated in the puck extends through the first opening.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the shelf is removably coupled to a housing of the instrument.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein shelf is removably coupled to the housing of the instrument using one or more magnets.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The system of claim 3, wherein the one or more magnets comprises a pair of corresponding magnets, and wherein the shelf comprises a first projection extending upward from the base, and the housing of the instrument comprises a second projection, the first projection containing a first magnet of the pair of magnets and the second projection containing a second magnet of the pair of magnets.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein a top surface of the base comprises a passageway defined by an interior projection extending upward from the top surface the base and a sidewall circumscribing the base.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the sidewall comprises a second opening, the second opening being sized to permit the lateral passage of a distal end of a pipette tip.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The system of claim 2, wherein the shelf and the housing include mated registration elements configured to correctly align the shelf on the instrument.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the mated registration elements include a third opening on the shelf and third projection coupled to the housing, and wherein the third projection extends through the third opening when the second shelf is coupled to the housing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein a shape of an outer surface of the third projection generally conforms to a shape of the third opening.

### Claim 10 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the third projection of the housing comprises a first recess located at an end of the third projection, and the shelf comprises a fourth projection positioned proximate the third opening, and wherein when the second shelf is coupled to the housing, the fourth projection is positioned in the first recess.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the surface of the shelf comprises a recessed thumb grip.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the carriage comprises a second shelf coupled to a top surface of the carriage.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the second shelf comprises a recessed region configured to contain a fluid.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein the second shelf is removably coupled to the top surface of the carriage.

### Claim 15 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein when the carriage is positioned at the second location, a vertical clearance between the first shelf and the second shelf is from about 1 mm to about 6 mm.