The Automation Partnership (cambridge) Limited

Tap Biosystems (phc) Limited

The Automation Partnership Ltd.

Justin Michael Owen

Stephen Owen

Adrian Neil Bargh

Apparatus () for separating individual sealed tubes () from an array has rack support () for supporting an array of tubes with their upper rims () disposed in a horizontal plane and all sealed with a sealing membrane (), and a punch station () comprising a punch tool () with cutting edge (). Cutting edge () pierces through membrane () from above to separate an individual sealed tube () from the remainder of the membrane. The tool has multiple cutting edges () in a linear array corresponding to a column of a tightly-packed x by y array of tubes in the rack () to simultaneously separate the tubes () of a whole column. The cutting edge () starts piercing membrane () at the corners () of each tube rim and progressively shears through the membrane. Ejector pins () retain the separated tubes within the rack ().

Method and apparatus for separating individual sealed tubes from an array of tubes sealed with a membrane

A systemfor storing and processing a plurality of biological or chemical samples at ultra-low temperatures is provided. The systemcomprises a plurality of ultra-low temperature storage locationsan enclosed pathwayadjacent the storage locationsand a manipulator moduledisposed within the pathwayfor conveying vesselsalong the pathwaybetween the storage locationsin the systemEach of the storage locations being accessed through an insulated access panelon the side of the storage locationthe panelbeing configured to close the storage locationfrom the pathway

Ultra-low temperature storage system

A capper/de-capper systemhas a rack supportfor supporting a rackcontaining a plurality of capped tubesin a given position. A head unitsupports a two-dimensional array of capping/de-capping spindles, each of which includes a clutchand a capping/de-capping spigotor socket, the spindles being aligned with the tube positions defined in the rack. A drive mechanismmoves the tubes and the head unit relatively towards and away from one another in use, when a rack containing capped tubes is disposed in the rack support, causing engagement and disengagement of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets with and from the tube caps. A spindle drive system-provides simultaneous rotation of the capping/de-capping spigots or sockets together after engagement with the caps, either to detach caps from the tubes or attach caps to the tubes.

Tube capper/decapper

A systemfor storing and processing a plurality of biological or chemical samples at ultra-low temperatures is provided. The systemcomprises a plurality of ultra-low temperature storage locations; an enclosed pathwayadjacent the storage locations; and a manipulator moduledisposed within the pathwayfor conveying vesselsalong the pathwaybetween the storage locationsin the system. Each of the storage locations being accessed through an insulated access panelon the side of the storage location, the panelbeing configured to close the storage locationfrom the pathway

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Cambridge, United Kingdom

Justin Michael Owen