Patent ID: 6986439
Filing Date: 2006-01-17
Classification: B01L,G01N

Abstract:
1. A dispensing tip positioning and storing apparatus comprising: a tip distributor that distributes a plurality of dispensing tips, which are carried in and are to be positioned and stored, to a plurality of processing lines; drum mechanisms provided in the processing lines, respectively, the drum mechanisms agitating the dispensing tips distributed by the tip distributor using an agitation bar that rotates about a horizontal axis and discharging the dispensing tips while postures of the dispensing tips are almost aligned with the horizontal axis; tip direction aligning mechanisms that align the dispensing tips, which are discharged from the drum mechanisms, in such a manner that distal ends of the dispensing tips point downward; a conveying mechanism that sequentially conveys the dispensing tips whose directions are aligned by the tip direction aligning mechanisms, to a given position by a common conveying lane; and a tip inserting mechanism that inserts the dispensing tips, which are sequentially conveyed to the given position by the conveying mechanism, into a tip holding rack in a predetermined manner.