Transfer and positioning apparatus for automated conveyor system

US7233838B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Abbott Laboratories · US

Inventors

• Douglas Barry · Lincoln, US
• Thomas L. Bybee · Omaha, US
• Adrian Chan · Harrington Park, US
• John M. Fuller · Winchester, US
• Ray Puseman · Bellevue, US
• Greg Rothman · Omaha, US
• Don R. Simms · Council Bluffs, US
• Michael Turner · Nashville, US
• Jay Woods · Yakima, US
• Inna M. Zevakina · Omaha, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 25, 2003
• Grant date: Jun 19, 2007
• Expiry date: Oct 7, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T436/113332
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A transfer and positioning apparatus includes a positioning assembly located between the tracks of a dual lane conveyor and upstream of a lane changer. The positioning assembly includes a retractable shaft for stopping a carrier along a first conveyor adjacent the assembly. A pair of gripper arms are pivotally mounted to move between an open position permitting the carrier to pass along the conveyor track, and a closed position with forward ends in contact with a specimen container on the carrier to position the container in a reference location for direct processing. The lane changer includes a shuttle depending from an overhead support with a pair of arms for receiving and shifting a specimen carrier from one conveyor to a second conveyor of a dual-conveyor track. The shuttle is operable to retain a specimen carrier along either the first or second conveyor and to release a specimen carrier along either the first or second conveyor. Sensors are located to detect the presence of a specimen carrier at each of the retention locations, and to confirm the release of a specimen carrier from the shuttle along each of the conveyors. A queue is positioned upstream of the positioning assem…