Shift and scan test tube rack apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A shift and scan test tube apparatus, comprising:
- an array of initially aligned racks each comprising a row of spaced apart receptacles for receiving barcode labeled test tubes, each said receptacle having a receptacle window through which a barcode on a received barcode labeled test tube is viewable;
each said rack further comprising a plurality of line of sight windows each interposed between two adjacent spaced apart receptacles; and
a shifting device for shifting at least one of said racks in said array of initially aligned racks to a shifted position for aligning a plurality of said receptacle windows in at least said one shifted rack with a plurality of line of sight windows in racks remaining in said array of initially aligned racks for viewing barcode labeled test tubes received within said receptacles in said shifted rack through said plurality of line of sight windows aligned with said plurality of receptacle windows.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A shift and scan test tube rack apparatus and method comprised of an array of initially aligned racks each comprised of a row of spaced apart receptacles each having a receptacle window through which a barcode on a received barcode labeled test tube is viewable and each rack further comprised of a plurality of line of sight windows each interposed between two adjacent spaced apart receptacles, and a shifting device for individually shifting any one of the racks in the array of initially aligned racks to a shifted position that allows a plurality of the receptacle windows in the shifted rack to be viewed through the plurality of line of sight windows in the remaining aligned racks for reading barcodes on barcode labeled test tubes received in the shifted rack.
17 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A shift and scan test tube apparatus, comprising:
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an array of initially aligned racks each comprising a row of spaced apart receptacles for receiving barcode labeled test tubes, each said receptacle having a receptacle window through which a barcode on a received barcode labeled test tube is viewable; each said rack further comprising a plurality of line of sight windows each interposed between two adjacent spaced apart receptacles; and a shifting device for shifting at least one of said racks in said array of initially aligned racks to a shifted position for aligning a plurality of said receptacle windows in at least said one shifted rack with a plurality of line of sight windows in racks remaining in said array of initially aligned racks for viewing barcode labeled test tubes received within said receptacles in said shifted rack through said plurality of line of sight windows aligned with said plurality of receptacle windows. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A shift and scan test tube apparatus, comprising:
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a base having a longitudinal axis; an array of racks supported on said base and individually controllable to linearly translate from an unshifted position to a shifted position along an axis substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said base; each said rack comprising a substantially linear row of spaced apart test tube holders each intended to receive a barcode labeled test tube and each comprising a holder window facing a front side of said array through which a barcode on each received barcode labeled test tube is viewable and wherein each said rack comprises a plurality of line of sight windows each providing a view through each said rack and each interposed between two adjacent spaced apart test tube holders in each substantially linear row of spaced apart test tube holders in each said rack; and a shifting device mounted on said base for individually linearly shifting each of said racks from said unshifted position to said shifted position for aligning a plurality of said holder windows in a shifted rack with a plurality line of sight windows in each unshifted rack to provide a barcode reader line of sight through said plurality of line of sight windows in each unshifted rack interposed between said front side of said array and said shifted rack and through said plurality of said holder windows in said shifted rack. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for shifting and scanning bar code labeled containers, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing an array of initially aligned racks each comprised of a row of spaced apart receptacles each having a receptacle window through which a barcode on a receptacle received barcode labeled test tube is viewable; providing each of the racks with a plurality of line of sight windows each interposed between two adjacent spaced apart receptacles; and shifting at least one of the racks in the array of initially aligned racks to a shifted position for aligning a plurality of the receptacle windows in the shifted rack with a plurality of line of sight windows in the remaining aligned racks for reading barcodes on barcode labeled test tubes received within receptacles of the shifted rack.
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Specification