Method for automatic sample positioning

Abstract

A method for conveying a sample container from a sample tray which has a designated location for supporting the container. The container is placeable on the tray at a location separated from the designated location such that the container will have an orientation which differs from a desired orientation. The method includes the following steps executing sequentially disposing a robot mechanism having a plurality of grasping fingers above the tray so that the fingers surround the designated location; executing a first robot mechanism operation for moving the fingers horizontally toward the designated location so that the fingers grasp the container and locate the container at the designated location; executing a second robot mechanism operation for moving the fingers horizontally away from the container to leave the container on the tray at the desired location and with the desired orientation; and executing a third robot mechanism operation for moving the fingers horizontally toward the container so that the fingers grasp the container while the container has the desired orientation.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.