Liquid handling apparatus
First Claim
1. Liquid handling apparatus comprising a table member;
- rack means supported on said table member for supporting a plurality of receptacles arrayed in predetermined positions above said table member;
a subframe having a first portion mounted beneath said table member for rectilinear movement in a horizontal X direction;
an X-drive motor supported in a fixed position relative to said table member;
X-drive means interconnecting said X-drive motor and said subframe;
said subframe including an upstanding portion extending above said table member and a horizontal portion overlying the table member;
a Y-drive motor mounted on the first subframe portion;
a carriage mounted on said subframe horizontal portion for rectilinear movement in a transverse, horizontal Y direction;
Y-drive means interconnecting said Y-drive motor and said carriage;
a gantry detachably supported on said carriage;
a holder device mounted on said gantry for rectilinear movement in a vertical Z direction;
a Z-drive motor mounted on said gantry;
Z-drive means coupled between said holder drive and said Z-drive motor, said gantry, holder device, Z-drive motor and Z-drive means being detachable from said carriage as a unit; and
control means for selectively energizing said drive motors for moving said carriage into positions corresponding to said receptacle positions and for moving said holder device vertically with respect to said receptacles said X-, Y- and Z-drive motors cooperating with said X-, Y- and Z-drive means and with said control means for selectively moving said holder device in three mutually perpendicular directions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A liquid handling apparatus capable of being used as a fraction collector, sampler, dispenser, diluter or the like utilizes a microprocessor and three stepping motors to move a liquid handling tube suitable for dispensing, sampling or the like in two horizontal directions and in a vertical direction with respect to an array of test tubes or similar containers. The apparatus is capable of operating in several modes of dispensing and withdrawal operations, including modes based on the number of drops dispensed or the time spent over each container. The pattern of the movement of the liquid handling tube or dispensing head is selectable to suit the mode of operation of the liquid handling apparatus as well as the type of container and the number of containers being used at a particular time.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. Liquid handling apparatus comprising a table member;
- rack means supported on said table member for supporting a plurality of receptacles arrayed in predetermined positions above said table member;
a subframe having a first portion mounted beneath said table member for rectilinear movement in a horizontal X direction;
an X-drive motor supported in a fixed position relative to said table member;
X-drive means interconnecting said X-drive motor and said subframe;
said subframe including an upstanding portion extending above said table member and a horizontal portion overlying the table member;
a Y-drive motor mounted on the first subframe portion;
a carriage mounted on said subframe horizontal portion for rectilinear movement in a transverse, horizontal Y direction;
Y-drive means interconnecting said Y-drive motor and said carriage;
a gantry detachably supported on said carriage;
a holder device mounted on said gantry for rectilinear movement in a vertical Z direction;
a Z-drive motor mounted on said gantry;
Z-drive means coupled between said holder drive and said Z-drive motor, said gantry, holder device, Z-drive motor and Z-drive means being detachable from said carriage as a unit; and
control means for selectively energizing said drive motors for moving said carriage into positions corresponding to said receptacle positions and for moving said holder device vertically with respect to said receptacles said X-, Y- and Z-drive motors cooperating with said X-, Y- and Z-drive means and with said control means for selectively moving said holder device in three mutually perpendicular directions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
- rack means supported on said table member for supporting a plurality of receptacles arrayed in predetermined positions above said table member;
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19. In a liquid handling apparatus such as a fraction collector, sampler or the like, the combination comprising:
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a rigid table; a pair of circular or cross-section guide members supported by said table beneath said table, said guide members being spaced apart and parallel to one another and to said table; a subframe; a first group of three subframe guide rollers mounted on said subframe and rollingly engaging one of said guide members at substantially equally angularly spaced locations around the periphery of said one guide member; a second group of three subframe guide rollers mounted on said subframe and rollingly engaging said one guide member at substantially equally angularly spaced locations around the periphery of said one guide member; said first and second groups being axially spaced from one another along the guide member; a third group of two opposing subframe guide rollers mounted on said subframe and rollingly engaging the other of said guide member; members at substantially diametrically opposed locations on said other guide subframe drive means for moving said subframe along said guide members; and said subframe including a structure extending above said table. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification