Test tube orienting system
US6325129A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 10, 1999 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 10, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T156/17
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A test tube orienting system consisting of a test tube hopper, and a test tube transport system for directing test tubes out of the test tube hopper with a consistent orientation. The test tube hopper has an open mouth, an internal cavity communicating with the mouth, and a side wall enclosing the cavity. The side wall has a downwardly inwards sloping channel extending along the side wall from the mouth. The transport system directs the test tubes axially upwards along the channel, and includes an endless chain and a series of pins affixed to the endless chain, extending through the channel into the internal cavity. The endless chain is coupled to a motor for moving the pins upwards along the channel, and is inclined at an acute angle to the channel for progressively retracting the tube supports from the internal cavity as the pins move upwards along the channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.