The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 24, 2002
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1999
Tecan Trading AG, Männedorf, CH;
Abstract
A workstation has a feed device ( ) for sample tube racks ( ), comprising a balance ( ) in which the weight of individual sample tubes ( ) is determined by a procedure in which the sample tube holder ( ) is weighed in each case before and after removal of each sample tube ( ) and the difference between the weights is determined. Removal is effected in each case by means of a gripper ( ) of a transfer device ( ) which then distributes the sample tubes ( ) over sample tube buckets ( ) in such a way that said buckets form pairs having approximately the same weights. With the aid of a receiving device ( ) which is gripped by the gripper ( ) and removed from a holder, the sample tube buckets ( ) are picked up and introduced into a centrifuge ( ). They are removed again after centrifuging and, after the receiving device ( ) has been deposited in the holder, the individual sample tubes ( ) are removed from the sample tube buckets ( ) by the gripper and deposited on carriers ( ) of a conveying device ( ).