Patent ID: 6151535
Filing Date: 2000-11-21
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
A laboratory primary distributor comprisinga source zone (4) to feed, in a distribution mode, coded receptacles (2) containing samples delivered in input magazines (1);a conveyor belt (5) to move said receptacles (2) in said distribution mode from said source zone (4) through a reading system (8) for reading receptacle codes (8) and into a destination zone (12);a transfer device (3) to transfer the receptacles (2) onto the conveyor belt (5) in said distribution mode; anda sorter device (13) to remove the receptacles (2) from the conveyor belt (5) and to deposit said receptacles into destination transport means (14, 15, 16, 17) in said distribution mode;a control unit (9) having an archive mode wherein said primary distributor is controlled so that said conveyor belt (5) runs backward relative to said distribution mode; andsaid sorter device (13) in said archive mode transfers receptacles (2) from the destination transport means (14, 15, 16, 17) onto said conveyor belt (5) and said transfer device (3) transfers receptacles (2) from said conveyor belt (5) into archive magazines (1).