Storage devices
AssigneeSmithKline Beecham Biologicals s.a.
InventorJacques Thilly
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Abstract
For storage of syringes, a support rack comprising a plurality of elongate fingers (2) connected together at one end by a spine member (1) is used. The fingers (2) define parallel support channels (5) open at one end, and the syringes are stored in the channels (5) with their lips or wings (4) resting on the elongate fingers (2). Also disclosed are support cradles. Storage boxes, and lifting devices for handling the loaded racks. The support rack is better adapted than existing systems for cooperation with automated machinery since it can receive syringes into the channels by a horizontal translation movement, readily provided by a simple pushing device.
Claims9
Apparatus for transferring syringes to and from a support rack, the support rack comprising a plurality of elongate fingers connected together at one end by a spine member, the fingers thereby defining parallel support channels open at one end, in which the syringes are located in the channels with their lips or wings resting on the elongate fingers, wherein the apparatus comprises:
- a loading channel for receiving syringes from or for a processing operation and along which individual syringes may be moved sequentially,
- means for transporting a support rack to a position where an open end of a channel of the support rack is in alignment with the loading channel,
- means for urging syringes from the loading channel into the support rack channel or vice versa,
- means for indexing the transporting means to bring the next free support rack channel into alignment with the loading channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.