Patent · US Active

Apparatus and methods for dispensing sample holders

US9523699B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
72References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 21, 2013
Grant dateDec 20, 2016
Priority date—
Expiry dateDec 23, 2034

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2035/0465
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

An apparatus and methods for dispensing sample holders for use in an automated sample analyzer is disclosed herein. The apparatus for dispensing sample holders includes a rotating carousel for housing stack of sample holders. Stacks of sample holders from the rotating carousel are fed into a chute where sample holders contact a set of rotating members having helical threads thereon. The helically threaded rotating members engage the sample containers and separate each sample holder from the remaining sample holders in the stack by rotation of the helically threaded rotating members. The sample holder can then be transferred for use in an automated sample analyzer.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.