초록 ▼

A tube holder for resilient plastic test tubes, and corresponding method for using the same, comprising a plurality of plates, each of which has openings that are substantially aligned with the openings in the other plates. One of the plates is moveable in a lateral direction with respect to the oth

A tube holder for resilient plastic test tubes, and corresponding method for using the same, comprising a plurality of plates, each of which has openings that are substantially aligned with the openings in the other plates. One of the plates is moveable in a lateral direction with respect to the other plates so that when the tubes are inserted in the openings and the plate is moved in the lateral direction, the walls of the moveable plate forming the openings exert force against their corresponding tubes to press the tubes against the walls of the other plates that form the openings in those plates to thus secure the tubes in the openings. The moveable plate can be also be released from applying the force against the tubes to allow the tubes to move essentially freely in the openings. Because the bottoms of the tubes are unobstructed, the tubes can be inserted directly into openings of another device corresponding to the openings in the plates.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for holding a plurality of containers, comprising:a first member, having a first surface and a plurality of first walls defining a plurality of first openings which extend through the first member transversely of the first surface;a second member, mechanicall

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] An apparatus for holding a plurality of containers, comprising:a first member, having a first surface and a plurality of first walls defining a plurality of first openings which extend through the first member transversely of the first surface;a second member, mechanically coupled to the first member and having a second surface facing in a direction toward the first surface of the first member, and a plurality of second walls defining a plurality of second openings which extend through the second member transversely of the second surface, the first and second openings being substantially aligned with each other to form a plurality of first and second opening pairs, each of the first and second opening pairs being configured to receive one of the plurality of containers;a third member, configured to move along a moving direction, which is substantially lateral of the first and second surfaces, between a container engaging position and a container disengaging position; anda driving member, configured to locate the third member in the container engaging position, such that when the containers are received in the first and second opening pairs, the third member is configured to apply an engaging force against the containers to urge the containers toward the first and second walls of their corresponding first and second opening pairs to substantially maintain the containers at corresponding fixed positions in their corresponding first and second opening pairs, said driving member further being configured to locate the third member in the container disengaging position, such that when the containers are received in the first and second opening pairs, the third member is configured to release the engaging force from the containers.