Patent ID: 6148878
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: B01J,B01L,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
An automated machine for filling a plurality of microplates, each of said plurality of microplates having a microplate lid, said automated machine comprising:A) at least one input stacking chamber for stacking empty microplates,B) at least one output stacking chamber for stacking filled microplates, andC) a microplate filling assembly disposed between said at least one input stacking chamber and said at least one output stacking chamber, comprising:1. an input chamber lifting mechanism for periodically lifting all microplates in said at least one stacking chamber except a bottom microplate,2. a linear actuator,3. a walking beam indexer attached to said linear actuator, driven by said linear actuator and positioned to move empty microplates from said at least one input stacking chamber to said at least one output stacking chamber,4. a lid lifter attached to said linear actuator, for lifting the lid off each microplate to permit the microplate to be filled, and after filling to replace the lid,5. a nozzle in communication with a media source and positioned to fill the empty microplates after their lids have been lifted off, and6. an output chamber lifting mechanism for lifting all filled microplates in said at least one output stacking chamber to provide a space for recently filled microplates to be moved to a bottom position in said at least one stacking chamber.