Article handling system and method
US6974294B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 21, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 10, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T436/255
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An article handling system and method for holding articles and moving selected articles individually from and/or to the article handling system. A plurality of vertically spaced article holding trays are mounted for independent rotation, each tray having a plurality of discrete article holding locations. A tray rotating mechanism is arranged to rotate a single selected tray, while a pick-and-place mechanism has an article gripper mounted for vertical and horizontal movement such that the gripper can reach any article holding location on any selected tray. A controller coordinates rotation of the selected tray and movement of the gripper such that the gripper can move to and from the selected article holding location. The handling system is especially useful as part of an automated system for processing multiple specimens of biological fluid in separate vials.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.