LOADING AND UNLOADING BENCH FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING RACKS OF BIOLOGICAL MATERIAL IN AN AUTOMATION INSTALLATION

• US 20110158850A1
• Filed: 07/13/2009
• Published: 06/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inpeco, S.A. (Inpeco Group SA)
• Original Assignee: Inpeco IP Ltd.
• Inventors: Pedrazzini, Gianandrea
• Granted Patent: US 9,314,796 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/65
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2200/025 Align devices or objects to ensure defined positions relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 2300/022 Transponder chips
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/02 Laboratory benches or tables; Fittings therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01L 9/06 Test-tube stands; Test-tube holders
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0422 carried on a linear conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0465 Loading or unloading the conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence

Abstract

There is disclosed an automated bench (2) for loading/unloading test tubes (1) by means of a test-tube (1) handling device (4) between multi-location racks (3) arranged according to parallel rows (40) lying on said bench (2) and transport devices (5) for transporting individual test tubes (1) that are movable on an automatic conveyor (6) of test tubes (1). Said bench (2) comprises means (14) for transferring multi-location racks (3) towards a test tubes load/unload position (16) and an ordered succession of pistons (17) that is selectively mobile between a lowered rest position and a raised stop position of the rack (3) positioned on the bench (2) so as to stop the rack (3) in successive positions with the rows (40) of the rack (3) occupying in succession said load/unload position (16) of bench (2). A sensor (20) of the bench (2) detects the presence of test tubes (1) in every single row (40) of rack (3) in load/unload position (16).

Claims

1. Automatic loading and unloading bench (2) for test tubes (1) by means of a handling device (4) for test tubes (1) between test tubes (1) multi-location racks (3) arranged by parallel rows (40) lying on said bench (2) and transport devices (5) of single test tubes (1) movable on an automatic conveyor (6) for test tubes (1), characterized in that it comprises means (14) for transferring said multi-location racks (3) towards a test tubes load/unload position (16), and an ordered succession of pistons (17) selectively mobile between a lowered rest position and a raised stop position for said rack (3) positioned on said bench (2) in such a way to stop rack (3) in successive positions that is with rows (40) of rack (3) occupying in succession said load/unload position (16) of bench (2), a sensor (20) of bench (2) detecting the presence of test tubes (1) in every single row (40) of rack (3) in load/unload position (16).

2. Bench according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides for a first area (15) suitable for receiving multi-location racks (3) electronically identifiable and manually positioned by operators, and a second area (23) suitable for receiving identified multi-location racks (3) with test tubes unloaded by conveyor (6) analyzed, identified and reloadable for possible analysis by a control unit (7) memorizing the exact location in each rack (3) of each identified unloaded test tube, said transferring means (14) for multi-location racks (3) being of the two-ways of motion type to allow the convergence of any rack (3) in said load/unload position (16) of bench (2) placed between said first (15) and second area (23) of bench (2).

3. Bench according to claim 1, characterized in that said pistons (17) in lowered position are internal to bench (2), in stop position of racks (3) they come out vertically from bench (2).

4. Bench according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides pairs of pistons (17) in number exceeding by one the number of parallel rows (40) of multi-location racks (3).

5. Bench according to claim 4, characterized in that pistons (17) of each pair are positioned along a line parallel to the row of racks (3).

6. Bench according to claim 4, characterized in that the first pair of pistons (17) is driven in stop position of rack (3) only if the last pair of pistons (17) is in the same position.

7. Bench according to claim 1, characterized in that it provides a lateral stop device (18) for racks (3).