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:
Jun. 19, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 25, 2003
Douglas Barry, Lincoln, NE (US);
Thomas L. Bybee, Omaha, NE (US);
Adrian Chan, Richmond Hill, CA;
John Fuller, Omaha, NE (US);
Ray Puseman, Bellevue, NE (US);
Greg Rothman, Omaha, NE (US);
Don R. Simms, Council Bluffs, IA (US);
Michael Turner, Bellevue, NE (US);
Jay Woods, Omaha, NE (US);
Inna M. Zevakina, Omaha, NE (US);
Douglas Barry, Lincoln, NE (US);
Thomas L. Bybee, Omaha, NE (US);
Adrian Chan, Richmond Hill, CA;
John Fuller, Omaha, NE (US);
Ray Puseman, Bellevue, NE (US);
Greg Rothman, Omaha, NE (US);
Don R. Simms, Council Bluffs, IA (US);
Michael Turner, Bellevue, NE (US);
Jay Woods, Omaha, NE (US);
Inna M. Zevakina, Omaha, NE (US);
Abbott Laboratories, Abbott Park, IL (US);
Abstract
A transfer and positioning apparatus includes a positioning assembly located between the tracks of a dual lane conveyor and upstream of a lane changer. The positioning assembly includes a retractable shaft for stopping a carrier along a first conveyor adjacent the assembly. A pair of gripper arms are pivotally mounted to move between an open position permitting the carrier to pass along the conveyor track, and a closed position with forward ends in contact with a specimen container on the carrier to position the container in a reference location for direct processing. The lane changer includes a shuttle depending from an overhead support with a pair of arms for receiving and shifting a specimen carrier from one conveyor to a second conveyor of a dual-conveyor track. The shuttle is operable to retain a specimen carrier along either the first or second conveyor and to release a specimen carrier along either the first or second conveyor. Sensors are located to detect the presence of a specimen carrier at each of the retention locations, and to confirm the release of a specimen carrier from the shuttle along each of the conveyors. A queue is positioned upstream of the positioning assembly and includes retractable shafts, sensors and scanners for selectively retaining, detecting and scanning identification data from a specimen carrier on either conveyor upstream of the shuttle.