Programmable automated inoculator/replicator
AssigneeHer Majesty the Queen in right of Canada
InventorsJo-Anne Dillon, Kwok-Him Yeung, Sam S. Lightstone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Laboratory apparatus for performing repetitive tacks includes a table and first and second bearing ways below the table. First and second carriages are mounted on corresponding bearing ways for independent motion therealong, the second carrriage moving in a plane below and parallel to the first carriage. An independently operable transfer device moves objects between the table and a selected carriage or between the carriages, as desired, and apparatus is provided adjacent to the table for performing operations on objects located on the table or on the carriages, the transfer device, and the operating apparatus being capable of repetitive operation.
Claims18
Laboratory apparatus for performing repetitive tasks comprising:
- a frame;
- a table removably located in said frame;
- first parallel bearing ways in said frame below and parallel to said table;
- second parallel bearing ways in said frame below and parallel to said table;
- first carriage means supported by said first bearing ways for independent movement therealong;
- second carriage means supported by second bearing ways for independent movement therealong in a plane below and parallel to said first carriage means;
- independently operable transfer means for transferring objects as desired between said table and a selected one of said carriage means or between said first and second carriage means;
- action means at a work station adjacent to or spaced from said table for performing an operation on an object positioned on said table or on said carriage means;
- and means for coordinating the movement of said first and second carriage means, said transfer means and said action means in accordance with repetitive tasks to be performed.
Laboratory apparatus for use in inoculating a plurality of media plates comprising:
- a frame;
- a table mounted in said frame at a fixed location for supporting a plurality of sterilized media plates and for receiving inoculated media plates;
- first parallel bearing ways in said frame below and parallel to said table;
- second parallel bearing ways in said frame below and parallel to said table;
- first carriage means supported by said first bearing ways for independent movement therealong and for receiving and retaining a cover portion of a media plate transferred thereto from said table;
- second carriage means supported by said second bearing ways for independent movement therealong in a plane below and parallel to said first carriage means and for receiving and supporting a plate portion of a media plate transferred thereto from said table via said first carriage means;
- independently operable transfer means for transferring plate portions between said second carriage means and said table;
- inoculator means at a work station spaced laterally from said table for inoculating a plate portion supported by said second carriage means;
- and means for coordinating the movement of said first and second carriage means, said transfer means and said inoculator means to effect inoculation of said sterilized media plates and to return the inoculated media plates to said table.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.