Apparatus for reading an identification code from a sample container as it is rotated

• US 5,286,959 A
• Filed: 08/20/1991
• Issued: 02/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Toa Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Demachi, Takashi
• Primary Examiner(s): Willis, Davis L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIKORSKI, EDWARD
• Application Number:
  US07/747,665
• Time in Patent Office: 910 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462, 235/375, 422/62
• US Class Current: 235/462.14
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/00752 bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2035/0415 moving in two dimensions in a horizontal plane
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/04 Details of the conveyor system G01N35/021 - G01N35/028 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10861 sensing of data fields affixed to objects or articles, e.g. coded labels postal sorting B07C3/14, conveying articles B65G47/48

Abstract

Apparatus for reading an identification code from a blood sample container includes an elastic member (42) which engages the upper side (34) of the sample container. A rotary device rotates the elastic member bidirectionally. An up-and-down moving device moves the elastic member up and down. A rotating/up-and-down moving control device (56) controls the movement of the container. An identification code reader (19) reads the sample code from the container, and a reading controller (57) permits the identification code reader to read from the container as it rotates in either forward or reverse direction. The elastic member abuts the upper part of the sample container and rotates it. If the identification code reader cannot read the identification code when the container rotates in the forward direction, the elastic member rotates the sample container in the reverse direction for the identification code to be read again.

Claims

1. Apparatus for reading an identification code of a container on a sample rack, said container having an identification code label attached on an outer wall thereof, said apparatus comprising:

an elastic member disposed on the upper side of said container;

means for rotating said elastic member;

means for moving said elastic member up and down;

first control means for controlling said rotary means and said up and down moving means;

an identification code reader for reading said identification code of said container;

second control means for controlling said identification code reader;

said means for rotating being effective for rotating said sample container first in a forward and then in a reverse direction by abutting said elastic member to an upper part of said container and rotating said elastic member;

whereby said identification code reader reads said identification code;

means for suppressing said rotating in said reverse direction when said identification code reader reads said identification code during said rotating in said forward direction;

a first sensor for detecting that said elastic member is located in a highest position;

said first sensor emitting a first output signal;

a second sensor for detecting that said elastic member is located in a lowest position;

said second sensor emitting a second output signal;

means for determining a one of the presence and absence of said sample container; and

said means for determining being responsive to said first and said second output signal.

2. Apparatus for reading an identification code from a container as in claim 1, wherein a bottom of said elastic member is formed in a round shape.