Patent ID: 6455002
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: B04B,G01G,G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
A method for weighing sample tubes and for loading the sample tubes into sample tube buckets for centrifugation, wherein said sample tubes containing samples of unknown weight and being delivered in sample tube racks, each sample tube rack containing at least one sample tube, and wherein said buckets finally form at least one pair of buckets, the difference of the total weight of the buckets of one of said pairs of buckets in each case being not more than specific maximum value, and wherein the buckets of each pair of buckets are to be introduced into a centrifuge opposite one another with respect to the axis of rotation of the centrifuge, the method for weighing comprising:a) determining the individual weight of each of said sample containing sample tubes by: 1) placing a sample tube rack, together with at least one sample tube in the rack, on a balance; 2) determining a first total weight of the sample tube rack, together with the at least one sample tube in the rack, with said balance; 3) removing a sample tube from the sample tube rack; 4) determining a second total weight of the sample tube rack, without said removed sample tube, with said balance; 5) calculating the difference of said first and second total weight; 6) assigning said difference as the individual weight to said removed sample tube; b) loading the sample tubes into the sample tube buckets, according to a weight distribution strived for by: 1) assigning an individual place in a bucket into which a sample tube is inserted according to its individual weight as previously determined by step a); 2) inserting said sample tube into the assigned individual place in the bucket according to its individual weight; and c) repeating steps a) and b) until the buckets of at least one pair of buckets are at least partly filled, the difference of the total weight of the buckets of said pair of buckets being not more than said specific maximum value.