Bd Kiestra B.v.

Lizzi, Michael Justin

Jurjen Sinnema

Martijn Kleefstra

Martijn Xander Berntsen

Roger Petri

Franciscus Feijen

Timothy Roy Hansen

Michael Justin Lizzi

Harm W Van Der Dong

Jordan Brown

James Glen Burmaster

Rui Goncalves

Milenko Lukic

Nino Orucevic

Lukas Blaauw

Martin John Juritsch

Freerk H Van Der Werff

A system and method for a self-actuating, mechanically-biased container restraint. The system requires no computer-aided control or timing, nor is any external power source needed, other than the force exerted as a container is inserted into the restraint. The system relies upon an assembly including mechanically-biased pivoting levers, each of which has a horizontal element and a vertical element. All actuation occurs as the base of an inserted container comes into contact with the upper surface of the horizontal elements of multiple pivoted levers positioned at the base of a channel adapted to serve as a guide for the inserted tube. The levers are biased in this elevated position by mechanical means, such as a spring. As the inserted tube presses the horizontal members downward, the top portions of the vertical members are pivoted inward toward the container's exterior. Friction pads situated upon the interior surface of each vertical element are brought into contact with the exterior of the container, thereby gripping it. This gripping action holds the container with sufficient friction to permit the removal or attachment of a screw cap. Further embodiments of the invention include a mechanically biased platform supporting the channel and the pivoting levers. This base is biased and positioned to permit the channel and the pivoting lever assembly to be translated downward against the force biasing the platform and translate through the body of the container restraint. This further advancement of container, the channel and the lever assembly cause the pivoting levers to assume fully engaged gripping positions, and brings the vertical elements of the levers (and flexible friction pads upon them) into full upright positions. In this position the friction pads apply a maximum static friction force to the exterior of the container.

Self-actuating mechanically-biased container restraint

A picktool manipulator device collects a specimen from a culture medium. In a first mode of operation, a picktool is allowed to move in an axial direction relative to support structure of the device. A detector may generate a signal in response to movement of the body in the axial direction so as to determine a height at which the picktool contacts the medium. The device may operate in the first mode when collecting a specimen from a culture medium. A second mode of operation constrains or precludes axial movement of the picktool. In some cases, the device may operate in the second mode when receiving a new picktool or discarding a used picktool.

Surface detection and picktool manipulator

A holder for consumables for use in an analyzer is disclosed. The holder has one or more receptacles for receiving a stack of consumables. The consumables are wrapped in packaging and are placed in the holder as a stack of packaged consumables. The receptacles have a height sufficient to receive the stack of consumable. The receptacles have an opening miming along the side of the receptacle for the entire portion of the height of the receptacle that receives the stack of consumables. The receptacles have a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is the end of the receptacles into which the stack of consumables is place and from which the consumables are removed. The distal portion of the receptacles support the stack of consumables in the receptacles.

Device for holding articles to remove the packaging therefrom

A system and method for gripping, torqueing and releasing an element so as to cap and/or decap a container, such as those typically utilized to house specimens in laboratory environments. The system is driven by a single bi-directional motor linked to a coupler assembly via a rotating threaded shaft. The coupler assembly is configured to engage with an element, such as a cap or container, via mechanically-biased splines that are actuated without any complex linkages, or operative connection to the motor or other powered components. The system employs an ejector nut and an ejector, both of which are concentrically positioned about the threaded shaft. The ejector nut translates along the shaft as a function of the shaft's rotation, so as to permit the retraction of the ejector when an element is engaged in the coupler assembly or cause the ejector to extend into the coupler assembly to disengage the element. The direction and rotation of the motor is controlled by a system coupled to sensors positioned within the system. Such control system may include one or more processors, component interfaces, and data storage/memory. The sensors may include multiple optical, magnetic or mechanical means for monitoring one or more of the positions of the ejector nut and ejector along the threaded shaft, and/or the rotational position of the coupler assembly.

Capper/decapper system and method

An apparatus for conveying a plurality of articles includes a transport belt, a bumper stopper, and a rotator. A motor moves the transport belt which is adapted to rotate the rotator as the belt conveys the plurality of articles. The stopper can move between first and second positions relative to the transport belt wherein the bumper stopper guides one article toward the rotator when the bumper stopper is in the first position. The bumper stopper allows the article to be conveyed to another location when the bumper stopper is in the second position. The transport belt can continue to convey other articles while the one article is temporarily held in place by the bumper stopper. The rotator is configured to rotate the article conveyed by the transport belt. The article can remain in contact with the transport belt while the rotator is rotating the article.

Dish rotation directly driven from transport belt

A separating system () comprises a housing () sized to receive a stack of articles having at least one first article () stacked on top of a second article (). The system () also includes a lifter () movable into a contact position adjacent a surface () on the at least one first article (). The lifter () is adapted to apply a lifting force to the surface () to lift at least a portion of the first article () above the contact position. An extractor () moves the second article () away from the stack of articles after the at least one first article () has been lifted above the contact position by the lifter (). The housing () prevents the at least one first article () from moving with the second article () when the second article () is moved by the extractor () and guides the stack of articles downward after the second article () is moved away.

System with improved plate destacking

An apparatus for conveying a plurality of articles () includes a transport belt (), a bumper stopper (), and a rotator (). A motor moves the transport belt which is adapted to rotate the rotator as the belt conveys the plurality of articles. The stopper can move between first and second positions relative to the transport belt wherein the bumper stopper guides one article toward the rotator when the bumper stopper is in the first position. The bumper stopper allows the article to be conveyed to another location when the bumper stopper is in the second position. The transport belt can continue to convey other articles while the one article is temporarily held in place by the bumper stopper. The rotator is configured to rotate the article conveyed by the transport belt. The article can remain in contact with the transport belt while the rotator is rotating the article.

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Joure, Netherlands

Jurjen Sinnema