Automated Apparatus

Abstract

An automated apparatus for joining a first tube to another such tube whereby to form a fluidic path therethrough, comprising: means for engaging the tube and moving it into one or more positions to be manipulated; means for clamping a portion of the tube whereby to form a pinched portion of the tube such that the tube is fluidly sealed upstream of the pinched portion; means for removing an end section of the tube downstream of the pinched portion such that a new end of the tube is thereby formed within the pinched portion that has not previously contacted another such tube; and means for joining the pinched portion at the new end of the tube with a corresponding pinched portion of another such tube; wherein the apparatus is configured as an end effector for a robotic device.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.