Multiple slot place and pick carrier
First Claim
1. An automation system for use with in-vitro diagnostics comprising:
- a track configured to provide one or more paths;
a storage area configured to hold a plurality of fluid containers;
a plurality of carriers configured to travel along the track, each carrier comprising a plurality of slots, wherein each slot is configured to hold fluid container;
a place and pick device configured to interact with the plurality of carriers according to steps of;
(i) retrieving a first fluid container of the plurality of fluid containers from the storage area,(ii) placing the first fluid container into an empty slot of the plurality of slots of a carrier of the plurality of carriers before removing any fluid containers from each carrier, (iii) subsequently removing a second fluid container from an occupied one of the plurality of slots of the carrier, and(iv) storing the second fluid container in the storage area;
a controller configured to control the movement of a carrier of the plurality of carriers, such that the carrier travels to the place and pick device with at least one empty slot and to direct the interaction between the place and pick device and the plurality of carriers; and
one or more sensors configured to sense which of the plurality of slots of each carrier is empty and which of the plurality of slots is occupied, wherein the controller uses this information to direct the interaction between the place and pick device and the plurality of carriers.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automation system for use with in-vitro diagnostics includes a plurality of fluid containers configured to hold one or more fluids. The system includes a plurality of carriers having a plurality of slots configured to hold one of the plurality of fluid containers. The system also includes a place and pick device configured to place the plurality of fluid containers into the plurality of slots and remove the plurality of fluid containers from the plurality of slots. The system further includes a controller configured to control the place and pick device to place a first fluid container into an empty slot of a carrier of the plurality of carriers while a second fluid container is in an occupied slot and control the place and pick device to subsequently remove the second fluid container from the occupied slot of the carrier.
10 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. An automation system for use with in-vitro diagnostics comprising:
-
a track configured to provide one or more paths; a storage area configured to hold a plurality of fluid containers; a plurality of carriers configured to travel along the track, each carrier comprising a plurality of slots, wherein each slot is configured to hold fluid container; a place and pick device configured to interact with the plurality of carriers according to steps of; (i) retrieving a first fluid container of the plurality of fluid containers from the storage area, (ii) placing the first fluid container into an empty slot of the plurality of slots of a carrier of the plurality of carriers before removing any fluid containers from each carrier, (iii) subsequently removing a second fluid container from an occupied one of the plurality of slots of the carrier, and (iv) storing the second fluid container in the storage area; a controller configured to control the movement of a carrier of the plurality of carriers, such that the carrier travels to the place and pick device with at least one empty slot and to direct the interaction between the place and pick device and the plurality of carriers; and one or more sensors configured to sense which of the plurality of slots of each carrier is empty and which of the plurality of slots is occupied, wherein the controller uses this information to direct the interaction between the place and pick device and the plurality of carriers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A system for transporting fluids in an in-vitro diagnostics environment comprising:
-
a carrier having; a carrier body, at least two slots, wherein each slot is configured to hold one of a plurality of fluid containers, each configured to hold one or more fluids, and one or more sensors configured to sense which of the plurality of slots of each carrier is empty and which of the plurality of slots is occupied; and a place and pick device configured to interact with the carrier according to processor controlled steps of; (i) retrieving a first fluid container from a storage area, (ii) placing the first fluid container into an empty slot of the carrier before removing any fluid containers from the carrier, (iii) subsequently removing a second fluid container from an occupied slot of the carrier, and (iv) storing the second fluid container in the storage area. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method for operating an in-vitro diagnostics system, comprising:
-
moving a plurality of carriers having a plurality of slots and configured to travel along a track; directing a carrier of the plurality of carriers to a location along the track, wherein the carrier arrives at the location with an unoccupied slot; sensing which of the plurality of slots of each carrier is occupied; retrieving a first fluid container of the plurality of fluid containers from the storage area, using a place and pick device, placing the first fluid container, using the place and pick device, into an empty slot of the carrier at the location, before removing any fluid containers from the carrier, while a second fluid container is in an occupied slot; removing the second fluid container, using the place and pick device, from the occupied slot of the carrier subsequent to placing the first fluid container into the empty slot; and storing the second fluid container in the storage area, using the place and pick device, wherein a controller is configured to determine the moving, directing, placing, and removing operations to provide at least one empty slot in the carrier of the plurality of carriers at the place and pick device. - View Dependent Claims (16)
-
Specification