초록 ▼

The invention disclosed provides a method and apparatus for mounting pre-cut capillary sized pipette tubes to aspiration tubes in a chemical processor. According to a first embodiment, the pipette tubes are dispensed from a magazine hopper into channels in a series of blocks that are connected to on

The invention disclosed provides a method and apparatus for mounting pre-cut capillary sized pipette tubes to aspiration tubes in a chemical processor. According to a first embodiment, the pipette tubes are dispensed from a magazine hopper into channels in a series of blocks that are connected to one another as a conveyor. The conveyor reorients the pipette tubes from horizontal to vertical to be engaged by the vertical aspiration tubes. According to a second preferred embodiment, the blocks are in the form of one or more trays that reciprocate between the hopper and the aspiration tubes. In both embodiments, the apparatus includes a clamp having a pair of closeable jaws adapted to grasp and remove the pipette tubes from the aspiration tubes after use.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for dispensing and engaging a plurality of pipette tubes in a chemical sample processor, comprising the steps of:(a) storing a plurality of pipette tubes in a magazine hopper; (b) dispensing the pipette tubes in a substantially horizontal orientation from the magazine hopper to a transpo

1. A method for dispensing and engaging a plurality of pipette tubes in a chemical sample processor, comprising the steps of:(a) storing a plurality of pipette tubes in a magazine hopper; (b) dispensing the pipette tubes in a substantially horizontal orientation from the magazine hopper to a transporter; (c) moving the pipette tubes to a transfer site for engagement by a plurality of aspiration tubes being conveyed by a carrier; (d) re-orienting the pipette tubes from the substantially horizontal orientation to a substantially vertical orientation; and (e) engaging and lifting the pipette tubes with the plurality of aspiration tubes.