Article handling system and method

Details Article handling system and method Article handling system and method

2005-12-13

2005-12-13

Brahan, Thomas J. (Department: 3652)

Material or article handling

Movable rack having superposed, charge-supporting elements,...

Rotating or circulating rack

C211S001550

Reexamination Certificate

active

06974294

ABSTRACT:
An article handling system and method for holding articles and moving selected articles individually from and/or to the article handling system. A plurality of vertically spaced article holding trays are mounted for independent rotation, each tray having a plurality of discrete article holding locations. A tray rotating mechanism is arranged to rotate a single selected tray, while a pick-and-place mechanism has an article gripper mounted for vertical and horizontal movement such that the gripper can reach any article holding location on any selected tray. A controller coordinates rotation of the selected tray and movement of the gripper such that the gripper can move to and from the selected article holding location. The handling system is especially useful as part of an automated system for processing multiple specimens of biological fluid in separate vials.

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