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Specimen carrier for automated transport system and method and apparatus for identifying same

  • US 6,343,690 B1
  • Filed: 10/18/1999
  • Issued: 02/05/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1999
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A specimen carrier adapted to be transported by an automated conveyor system while supporting a specimen container in a generally upright orientation, said specimen carrier comprising:

  • a unitary structure defining (i) a pedestal portion adapted to be engaged and manipulated by components of said automated conveyor system for the purpose of advancing the carrier along a desired path and for selectively rotating the carrier about a vertical axis, said pedestal portion comprising spaced apart upper and lower platforms interconnected by a stem; and

    (ii) a container-retaining portion for receiving, supporting and retaining a specimen container in a desired orientation, said container-retaining portion comprising (a) a plurality of rigid members equally spaced from a central axis passing through the platforms and extending upwardly from the upper platform, and (b) a plurality of flexible fingers, one or more of said fingers extending angularly downward from a distal end portion of each rigid member, towards said central axis, each of said flexible fingers being adapted to engage and press upon the side wall of a container received by the carrier, said flexible fingers collectively defining a container site for receiving, centering and retaining specimen containers.

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