Transport system for biospecimens
AssigneeLabotix Automation Inc.
InventorsMichel G. Quinlan, Stephen J. Wright, Edward A. Grant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tansport system for biospecimens includes a conveyor including a conveyor each divided into two or more lanes by lane dividers means. Specimen carriers, each carrying one biospecimen container, include a base which engages the conveyor to transport the biospecimen container and at least three retainer members which are biased together to accept and retain the biospecimen container on the carrier. A variety of traffic control devices, such as diverters and singulators, as well as other control mechanisms such as orientation rails and orientation rollers are combined into control stations to manage the transport of the biospecimens through the system.
Claims10
A transport system for biospecimens, comprising:
- a conveyor having a conveyor surface arranged in at least two transport lanes;
- and
- a specimen carrier to removably receive and transport a single biospecimen container in one of said two lanes, said carrier including
- a base member having a transport surface to engage said conveyor surface;
- means to inhibit tipping of said biospecimen container with respect to said conveyor surface, said means to inhibit tipping comprising a surface on said base member which engages a portion of said conveyor;
- and
- at least three support members rotatable mounted to said base member and extending therefrom opposite said transport surface defining a biospecimen container reception site, said support members being biased toward each other to receive and maintain a biospecimen container therebetween at said reception site.
A specimen carrier for transporting a biospecimen container on a conveyor, comprising:
- a base member having a transport surface to engage the surface of a conveyor and having stabilization means to inhibit tipping of said container when on said conveyor;
- at least three retainer members rotatably mounted to said base member on a side opposite said transport surface to define a biospecimen container reception site between said retainer members, said retainer members being biased toward each other to receive and maintain a biospcecimen container inserted therebetween at said reception site.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.