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Publication Number
US-8480954-B2
Publication Date
2013-07-09
Expiration Date
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.
Core Innovation
A device is provided for separating a sample holder from a stack of sample holders using a support member that receives a stack of at least two sample holders. A first releasing member and a second releasing member are arranged so the support member introduces the stack between the first releasing member and the second releasing member.
The first releasing member comprises a right hand oriented helical thread and a left hand oriented helical thread. The first member rotates and cooperates with the second releasing member to release one sample holder from the stack.
A method is also provided in which a stack of at least a first sample holder and a second sample holder is positioned adjacent a first releasing member and a second releasing member. The first sample holder is engaged by the first releasing member, disengaged by rotating the first releasing member in a first direction while the first releasing member cooperates with the second releasing member, and then released from the first releasing member by rotating the first releasing member in a second direction.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are directed to a device and a method for separating one sample holder from a stack. The independent claims share a core inventive concept: two releasing members with helical threads of opposite hand orientation that cooperate by relative rotation to release a single sample holder.
Oppositely handed helical releasing members for stack separation
A first releasing member comprising a right hand oriented helical thread and a left hand oriented helical thread, cooperating with a second releasing member, with the support member introducing the stack between the first releasing member and the second releasing member; the first member rotates to release one of at least two sample holders from the stack.
Relative rotation disengagement and release using opposite handed threads
Positioning a stack adjacent a first releasing member and a second releasing member, the first releasing member comprising a right hand oriented helical thread and a left hand oriented helical thread; engaging a first sample holder by the first releasing member; disengaging the first sample holder from a second sample holder by rotating the first releasing member in a first direction while the first releasing member cooperates with the second releasing member; releasing the first sample holder from the first releasing member by rotating the first releasing member in a second direction.
Across the independent claims, the inventive concept is implemented by a first releasing member carrying both right hand and left hand oriented helical threads, with cooperation with a second releasing member and controlled rotation directions to disengage and release a single sample holder from a stack.
Stated Advantages
Separates one sample holder from a stack of at least two sample holders using cooperating releasing members.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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