Apparatus for opening and closing a specimen vial
OwnerJoseph Huppenthal, Drew Millerinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lid actuator for opening and closing a specimen vial is provided. The lid actuator is generally adapted for use with automated laboratory equipment, for example, specimen auto sampling equipment, laboratory analytical testing equipment, food and product filling equipment and the like. The lid actuator generally includes an enclosure for maintaining a vial in an upright orientation, and a linkage assembly for rotationally engaging and mechanically opening the lid of the specimen vial. Additional features of the lid-actuator may further include a specimen vial ejection member, a vial catch tray, and an input tray.
Claims17
An apparatus for mechanical actuation of a vial lid between an open and closed state, comprising:
- a base,
- a vial alignment member extending vertically from said base for aligning a vial in a substantially vertical position,
- a tab engagement member for engaging said vial at a tab,
- a motor, and
- a linkage for connecting the motor to the tab engagement member,
- said linkage further comprising a first linkage member attached to said motor at a proximal end and extending radially outward from said motor to a distal end, and a second linkage member attached to said first linkage member at said distal end, said second linkage member further attached to a lid support member,
- wherein said tab engagement member is disposed along said linkage for providing an amount of leverage sufficient to open a tab and a lid of said vial;
- wherein said motor and linkage are adapted to close the lid of the vial;
- and
- wherein said motor and linkage are adapted to close the tab of the vial.
An apparatus for opening and closing a lid of a specimen vial, comprising:
- a motor engaged with a linkage arm, the linkage arm comprising a lid support member and a tab engagement member;
- an ejection member adapted to eject a vial from the lid opening device;
- wherein the linkage arm is adapted to engage the tab engagement member and translate the tab engagement member to unlock a tab from a vial, use leverage to rotationally open a lid of the vial at the lid support member, close the lid, and lock the tab with the vial;
- and wherein the ejection member is adapted to eject the vial from the apparatus.
An apparatus for opening and closing a lid of a specimen vial, comprising:
- a motor engaged with a linkage arm, the linkage arm comprising a lid support member and a tab engagement member;
- wherein the linkage arm is adapted rotationally open a lid of the vial at the lid support member and subsequently close the lid of the vial.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.