Patent ID: 7485465
Filing Date: 2009-02-03
Classification: G01N,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A microplate processing apparatus for a microplate with a lid, the apparatus comprising: a conveying unit, including a conveyor belt adapted to convey the microplate and lid to a plurality of positions in an order corresponding to a lid removing position, an intermediate position, and a lid attaching position; a sensor for detecting the presence of the microplate at the intermediate position; a microplate positioning unit adapted to extract the microplate from the conveyor belt at the intermediate position to a processing position, and replace the microplate from the processing position to the conveyor belt; a processing unit adapted to perform a given process on the contents of the microplate when the microplate is at the processing position; a lid removing unit adapted to remove the lid of the microplate at the lid removing position, hold the lid, and place the lid on the conveyor belt in response to the sensor detecting the presence of the microplate at the intermediate position while the lid removing unit is holding the lid; a lid attaching unit adapted to pick up the lid from the conveyor belt when the lid is at the lid attaching position, hold the lid, and attach the lid to the microplate when the microplate is at the lid attaching position.