Transfer and positioning apparatus for automated conveyor system

A transfer and positioning apparatus for positioning a specimen container carried in a specimen carrier at a predetermined position along a first conveyor of a dual conveyor track and for transferring the carrier between the two conveyors, the track of the type having first and second parallel, spaced apart conveyors with upper surfaces within a single plane, the conveyors operable in the same longitudinal direction, the transfer and positioning apparatus comprising:

• a positioning assembly mounted between the conveyors at a predetermined processing location, for positioning a specimen container within a carrier at a reference location;
• a lane changer mounted between the conveyors downstream of the positioning assembly, for selectively transferring a specimen carrier between the first and second conveyors;
• and
• a command module with a processor electrically connected to and programmed to operate the positioning assembly and the lane changer;
• said positioning assembly including:
• an assembly housing mounted between the conveyors;
• a retractable shaft in a forward wall of the assembly housing, operable between an extended position extending over the first conveyor to prevent downstream movement of a carrier on the first conveyor, and a retracted position permitting downstream movement of a carrier;
• a pair of first and second gripper arms operably mounted within the assembly housing and operable for simultaneous movement between an open position and a closed position, the open position having the first arm located downstream of the reference location and the second arm located upstream of the reference location with both arms spaced from a path of a specimen container on the conveyor to permit carriers with specimen containers to move past the gripper arms, the closed position having the first and second gripper arms in contact with a specimen container and locating the specimen container at the reference location;
• and
• a motor in said housing connected to the arms and operable to selective move the arms between the open and closed positions;
• said motor electrically connected to the command module processor and responsive to operate the gripper arms in response to instructions transmitted from the processor;
• said lane changer comprising:
• a frame connected to the track downstream of the positioning assembly, for supporting an operable shuttle;
• a shuttle operably connected to the frame to move transversely between the conveyors and generally perpendicular to the movement of specimen carriers on the conveyors;
• a first stop member on said frame, projecting partially over the first conveyor;
• a second stop member on said frame, projecting partially over the second conveyor;
• said shuttle having a pair of parallel arms spaced apart a distance to receive a specimen carrier therebetween;
• said shuttle operable to a first “hold” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween is in contact with the first stop member, to thereby prevent downstream movement of a carrier on the first conveyor;
• said shuttle operable to a first “release” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween bypasses the first stop member and is moved downstream through the shuttle arms on the first conveyor;
• said shuttle operable to a second “release” position with the shuttle arms located such that a specimen carrier therebetween bypasses the second stop member and is moved downstream through the shuttle arms on the second conveyor;
• and
• a drive assembly on the frame electrically connected to the command module processor, for selectively moving the shuttle among the first “hold” position, the first “release” position and the second “release” position;
• and
• said command module processor programmed according to predetermined rules and guidelines for the processing of specimens within containers on carriers on the track;
• and
• said command module processor programmed to provide operating instructions to the lane changer and positioning assembly.