Lab-interlink, Inc.

Michael R Newcomb

Kenneth R Bermel

Rodney S Markin

A specimen carrier is designed for transporting specimen tubes throughout an automatic laboratory conveyance system. The specimen carrier includes a generally rectilinear carrier body with a forward face having an identification zone delimited thereon. An identification code is marked in the identification zone so as to permit mechanical sensing and identification of the carrier on a conveyor system. A plurality of holes of various diameters and depths are provided in the top surface of the carrier to receive specimen tubes of various types. The deepest holes are located centrally, so that the carrier is stable while retaining specimens therein. A groove is formed in the top surface of the carrier body which extends between the specimen tube holes, so as to communicate any fluid spilling from a test tube to the other empty holes in the specimen carrier, thereby retaining the fluid within the body of the carrier. A special vertical slot is provided in one of the vertical holes, utilizing a pair of opposing vertical channels, so as to retain a specimen slide in the specimen carrier.

Specimen carrier

A conveyor track has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a conveyor operably mounted within the track to transport specimen carriers along the track length. A pair of 'J-shaped' legs depend from the lower end of the track and are spaced apart a distance to receive a horizontal support rail therebetween. A fastener apparatus, for fastening the track to the support rail, includes a retainer plate positioned under the support rail and a pair of clip plates connected between the track depending legs and the retainer plate. The support rail has a generally 'I-shaped' cross-section with an upper plate, lower plate and vertical web, and extends the length of the track. End caps are provided for the ends of the support rail and for the ends of the conveyor track to retain the fluids within the conveyor track and within the upper and lower channels of the support rail. The conveyor track includes upper and lower channels formed on the outer surfaces of the forward and rearward legs. Auxiliary components for the conveyor track have a pair of hook members which are removably engaged on the upper and lower channels of the forward or rearward leg to support the component on the track. A cover is provided for the conveyor track which has an inverted U-shaped cross-section formed from forward and rearward legs.

Track for automated conveyor system

A conveyor track support system includes an elongated support rail with an upper horizontal planar support surface removably connected to a plurality of hangers, and preferably suspended from a ceiling above the ground. Each hanger includes a bar projecting outwardly from the lower end and a sleeve slidably journaled on the bar with set screws to adjustably retain the sleeve on the bar. A pair of ears on the top of the sleeve are spaced apart and have set screws which will selectively retain the support rail on the sleeve. The rail itself has a generally 'l' shaped cross-section with an upper plate, lower plate and vertical web. A pair of vertical forward and rearward walls along the forward and rearward edges of the upper plate have inwardly directed lips along an upper edge thereof to form an upper channel above the upper plate. An upper surface of the lips forms the support surface on the top of the rail. The lower plate also includes a pair of forward and rearward walls projecting upwardly to form channels along opposite sides of the web. End caps are provided for the ends of the rail so as to retain fluids within the upper channel and the lower channels. The upper plate has a width less than the width of the lower plate such that fluid spilled from the upper channel would be retained within the lower channels of the lower plate. A pair of C-shaped connector arms are slidably journaled within the lower channels on opposite sides of the web to interconnect longitudinally abutting sections of rail. A fastener is inserted through an aperture in the connector arms and the rail web to secure the connector arms in position. Apparatus is also provided for connecting one section of rail transversely to a second section of rail, including a pair of corner clips which are interconnected between the lower plate walls of the two rails.

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Papillion, NE, United States of America

Michael R Newcomb