Patent ID: 11912512
Assignee: HIGHRES BIOSOLUTIONS, INC.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 12:
13. A method of selectably configuring a modular labware transport system, the method comprising:
forming a labware bulk overhead transport path, with a labware bulk overhead transport system module, that connects at least one integrated labware process machine/appliance or a standalone/benchtop instrument to at least another different, integrated labware process machine/appliance or standalone/benchtop instrument, separated at a distance along the labware bulk overhead transport path; and
providing the labware bulk overhead transport system module with at least a movable part, where the labware bulk overhead transport system module has a substantially continuous labware support extending longitudinally along the labware bulk overhead transport path, with the movable part of the substantially continuous labware support being, disposed so as to support labware thereon, and being movable longitudinally so as to define the labware bulk overhead transport path of the labware supported on the labware bulk overhead transport system module, wherein
the substantially continuous labware support has more than one predetermined labware holding stations disposed to hold a labware piece, of the labware supported on the substantially continuous labware support, each of the predetermined labware holding stations having a different predetermined location along the substantially continuous labware support and labware bulk overhead transport path;

communicably coupling the labware bulk overhead transport system module to another labware bulk overhead transport system module of the modular labware transport system that forms another different labware bulk overhead transport path separate and distinct from the labware bulk overhead transport path of the labware bulk overhead transport system module; and
effecting undisrupted transport of the labware throughout the labware bulk overhead transport path with the labware bulk overhead transport system module both coupled to and uncoupled from the other labware bulk overhead transport system module.