Patent ID: 7300198
Filing Date: 2007-11-27
Classification: B01F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A clamping mechanism comprising: an upper plate and a lower base assembly, the lower base assembly comprising a lower base that supports a first bottom plate for clamping one or more containers between the first bottom plate and the upper plate, the first bottom plate comprising a first side and second side, the first side of the first bottom plate comprising first indicia thereon indicative of a first type of container to be supported on first side of the first bottom plate, the first bottom plate also comprising a first identifier, the lower base assembly comprising at least one base sensor that detects the first identifier when the first bottom plate is placed on the lower base with the first side facing the upper plate, the upper plate being coupled to a motor for movement towards and away from the first bottom plate, the upper plate comprising an upper sensor that senses when the upper plate engages or comes in close proximity to the one or more containers disposed on the bottom plate, a controller for controlling the motor and movement of the upper plate, the controller linked to the at least one base sensor and the upper sensor, the controller controlling the movement of the upper plate to exert a first force on the one or more containers disposed on the first side of the first bottom plate after the first identifier is detected by the at least one base sensor and the upper sensor detects the one or more containers disposed on the first side of the first bottom plate.