Patent ID: 7608456
Filing Date: 2009-10-27
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of conveying a microplate in a microplate processing apparatus equipped with a conveyor belt, adapted to convey the microplate and lid to a plurality of positions including, as situated in upstream to downstream order, a lid removing position, an intermediate position, and a lid attaching position, the method comprising: a lid removing position conveying step for conveying the microplate with the lid thereof attached by the conveyor belt, to the lid removing position; a lid removing step for removing the lid of the microplate at the lid removing position; a lid placing step for placing the lid removed in the lid removing step, on a downstream position from the microplate with the lid having been attached, on the conveyor belt; a lid conveying step for conveying the lid placed on the conveyor belt by the conveyor belt, from the lid removing position to the lid attaching position; a lid picking up step for picking up the lid conveyed to the lid attaching position, from the conveyor belt, and for holding the lid; an intermediate position conveying step for conveying the microplate with the lid removed by the conveyor belt, to the intermediate position; a lid attaching position conveying step for conveying the microplate having undergone a given process at the intermediate position, to the lid attaching position; a lid attaching step for attaching the lid held in the lid picking up step, to a microplate conveyed to the lid attaching position; and a carrying out step for carrying out the microplate with the lid attached by the conveyor belt, from the lid attaching position, wherein the lid placing step includes: a microplate evacuating step for conveying the microplate with the lid thereof removed, upstream, and for evacuating the microplate from the lid removing position, after the lid removing step; and a lid positioning step for placing the lid on the removing position that is empty as a result that the relevant microplate is evacuated, after the microplate evacuating step.