Patent ID: 7597520
Filing Date: 2009-10-06
Classification: B03C,G01N

Abstract:
1. A transfer device for transferring a sample from a source vessel to a target vessel, the transfer device comprising: a pin tip having a central bore terminating at a bottom wall; an actuating element movably disposed in said pin tip bore between a first position adjacent said pin tip bottom wall and a second position away from said bottom wall, said movement of said actuating element causing a sample in proximity to said pin tip to be alternately collected and released from said pin tip; an actuator rod for moving said actuating element between said first and second positions, said actuator rod defining a stroke length associated with said movement, and wherein said actuator rod is linearly translatable relative to said actuating element; and a compensating device connected between said actuating element and said actuator rod for compensating for any variations in said actuator rod stroke length with respect to said actuating element, wherein said compensating device urges said actuating element into contact with said pin tip bottom wall at said first position, and wherein said compensating device comprises a resilient element for biasing said actuating element against said pin tip bottom wall at said first position.