Automated specimen processing systems and methods
Inventors
Deinum, Jorn • Bruinsma, Johannes Anne • Henstra, Gerard • van der Vijver, Jan Bart • Gielen, Paul Jean Marc • Rijken, Maarten • Sinnema, Jurjen
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12644899-B2
Publication Date
2026-06-02
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure describes automated systems and methods for handling objects, such as culture plates or dishes. For example, in one embodiment, the present disclosure describes an automated stacker and de-stacker comprising a clamping mechanism, a lift pad, a pair of pins, and a cabinet. A stack of culture plates may be stored in the cabinet. During a stacking operation, the pair of pins may be raised to stop a culture plate traveling along a conveyor track. Once stopped, the culture plate may be raised above the conveyor track by the lift pad and clamped by the clamping mechanism. During a de-stacking operation, the clamping mechanism may be opened, and the culture plate may be lowered onto the conveyor track by the lift pad.
Core Innovation
The automated stacker and de-stacker for culture plates includes a lift pad, a clamping mechanism with two or more clamps, and one or more processors. The processors control the lift pad and clamping mechanism to stack and de-stack culture plates through coordinated raising, lowering, opening, and closing actions. The clamping force permits the culture plates to slide until their lids contact the clamps.
The automated stacker and de-stacker integrates into an automated specimen processing system with a conveyor system having a track configured to transport culture plates to and from the apparatus. During de-stacking, the lift pad lowers beneath the track to place a culture plate onto the track. Electric actuation provides a lower-cost, quieter alternative to pneumatic actuation within the processing system.
Claims Coverage
The claims define four inventive features across independent claims 1, 4, 13, and 15, covering an automated stacker and de-stacker, an automated specimen processing system, and methods for stacking and separating culture plates.
Processor-controlled plate stacking and de-stacking apparatus
The apparatus comprises a lift pad, a clamping mechanism with two or more clamps, and one or more processors controlling raising, lowering, opening, and closing to stack and de-stack culture plates, wherein clamping force permits plates to slide downwards until lids contact the clamps.
Automated specimen processing system with conveyor track
The system comprises the stacker and de-stacker and a conveyor system with a track configured to transport culture plates to and from the stacker and de-stacker, wherein the lift pad lowers a separated culture plate beneath the track to place it on the track, and clamping force permits plates to slide until lids contact the clamps.
Method for stacking culture plates
The method comprises positioning and supporting a culture plate beneath a stack using a lift pad and clamping mechanism, wherein clamping force permits the plate to slide until its lid contacts the clamps.
Method for separating a culture plate from a stack
The method comprises using a lift pad and clamping mechanism to separate a culture plate from a stack, with the clamps engaging another plate and permitting it to slide until its lid contacts them.
Together, the independent claims cover apparatus, system, and method subject matter for culture plate handling centered on coordinated lift-pad and clamp operation, conveyor transport with track placement, and clamping force that permits plate movement until lid contact.
Stated Advantages
The clamp force permits plates to slide until their lids contact the clamps, reducing stress on plate bases.
Electric actuators are described as a lower-cost, quieter alternative to pneumatic actuation.
Documented Applications
The automated stacker and de-stacker are applied within an automated specimen processing system to handle culture plates, using conveyor tracks to transport plates to and from specimen-processing modules.
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