Patent ID: 9229019
Filing Date: 2016-01-05
CPC Classification: G01N,Y10T

Claim Text:
1. A sample-processing system comprising: a plurality of functional modules; a plurality of buffer units, each of which is combined with one of the functional modules to form a pair; a feed lane configured to convey sample racks from an upstream of said plurality of functional modules to a downstream of said plurality of functional modules; a return lane configured to convey sample racks from said downstream of said plurality of functional modules to said upstream of said plurality of functional modules; a control unit; a gripper configured to transfer said sample racks bi-directionally between said buffer units and said feed lane, and to transfer said sample racks bi-directionally between said buffer units and said return lane; and each one of said plurality of buffer units comprises: wherein the control unit is programmed to: control the gripper to transfer said sample racks bi-directionally between said buffer units and said feed lane, and to transfer said sample racks bi-directionally between said buffer units and said return lane; control the bucket to convey said sample racks between said plurality of slots of said buffer unit and said module loading/unloading standby position in said buffer unit; and control the rack conveyance section to receive said sample racks from said module loading/unloading standby position in said buffer unit, and to transfer said sample racks between said module loading/unloading standby position in said buffer unit and one of said functional modules paired with said buffer unit.