Patent ID: 7233838
Filing Date: 2007-06-19
Classification: B25J,B65G,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A transfer and positioning apparatus for positioning a specimen container carried in a specimen carrier at a predetermined position along a first conveyor of a dual conveyor track and for transferring the carrier between the two conveyors, the track of the type having first and second parallel, spaced apart conveyors with upper surfaces within a single plane, the conveyors operable in the same longitudinal direction, the transfer and positioning apparatus comprising: a positioning assembly mounted between the conveyors at a predetermined processing location, for positioning a specimen container within a carrier at a reference location; a lane changer mounted between the conveyors downstream of the positioning assembly, for selectively transferring a specimen carrier between the first and second conveyors; and a command module with a processor electrically connected to and programmed to operate the positioning assembly and the lane changer; said positioning assembly including: said lane changer comprising: said command module processor programmed according to predetermined rules and guidelines for the processing of specimens within containers on carriers on the track; and said command module processor programmed to provide operating instructions to the lane changer and positioning assembly.